Experience Peru’s Cultural Heritage in Lima

Museums & Culture

Museo Larco - This museum, housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion, features artifacts spanning over 5,000 years of Peruvian history. Visitors can explore a wide variety of ceramics, textiles, metalwork and other objects from ancient civilizations. Don’t miss out on the collection of erotic pottery, which provides a unique insight into the practices of ancient Peruvian cultures.

Museum and Convent of San Francisco - A guided tour is included in the ticket price for this historic church and burial grounds. Below the church are catacombs — photos not allowed — that are the largest in South America and second only to the Paris catacombs.

Plaza de Armas - Just a few blocks from the catacombs is Lima’s main plaza. With the presidential palace, archbishop's palace, cathedral and the town hall on each of the four sides, it is a sight to see. The surrounding blocks have a number of shops and cafes — just be aware of sometimes pushy vendors.

Museo Amano - An excellent complement to Museo Larco, this museum showcases the development of weaving and textile arts throughout Peru’s pre-Columbian cultures.

Neighborhoods & shopping

Miraflores - Miraflores is full of restaurants, museums and beautiful shops — spend a day here hanging out in “Cat Park” (aka Kennedy Park), walking the malecon, visiting Larcomar (a shopping mall nestled into a cliff) and enjoying a pisco sour or two.

Barranco - Barranco is the coolest neighborhood in Lima, filled with street art, cafes and beautiful architecture. Make a wish as you cross the Puente de los Suspiros and keep an eye out for colorful murals as you wander around this area.

Inka Market - A one-stop shop for all of your souvenir needs. This market can be slightly overwhelming, with stalls one after another, many with similar merchandise, but you can score great momentos of your trip to Peru here.

Activities

Visiting Islas Palominos - Not as well-known as the day trip to Paracas, Islas Palominos offers a chance to see ocean wildlife much closer to Lima. The boat tours the islands with seabirds — including penguins — in sight, and winds up with an opportunity to swim with playful sea lions.

Day trip

Paracas/Huacachina Day Trip - The most famous day trip from Lima stretches the bounds of what can be considered a day, but there are numerous tours that depart in the early morning hours, bound first for Paracas. This area is home to the Ballestas Islands, a biological hotspot, where you can see penguins and sea lions. Tours continue onto Huacachina, a natural oasis nestled in the dunes, where the adventurous can try sandboarding or take a dune buggy ride.

Amoramar - The first meal we had in Lima was at Amoramar, and what an introduction to Peruvian food. The restaurant is beautiful, with a bright, airy atrium as a dining room and the food is incredible — order the causa and the ceviche!

La Rosa Nautica - This seafood restaurant is located on a pier, offering stunning views of the ocean, the city and, if you time it right, the sunset.

Astrid y Gaston - The flagship of Gaston Acurio’s gastronomic empire, Astrid y Gaston is a “cutting-edge Peruvian restaurant where creativity, quality, integration and commitment converge.” They offer a tasting menu as well as à la carte, and either is an amazing option for a special dining experience.

Mirador La Punta - Located at the tip of the point in Callao, the port city just to the north of Lima, this restaurant offers great views of the water and the nearshore islands. Ask for a table on the fourth floor to eat outside under a canopy.

Restaurant Huaca Pucllana - The restaurant offers a different kind of scenic dining experience — the expansive patio overlooks an adobe pyramid from a pre-Incan civilization.

El Pan de la Chola - More than just a bakery offering stellar bread, this little cafe in La Molina serves up pastries, snacks, ice cream, beers and wine.

Tanta - Another Gaston Acurio restaurant, this one specializing in homestyle Peruvian cooking.

Panchita - This wasn’t meant to be a Gaston Acurio fangirl list, but the man knows what he’s doing when it comes to Peruvian cuisine, both traditional and contemporary.