Lima
Peru's clifftop capital on the Pacific combines a UNESCO-listed colonial centre, outstanding museums and a food scene known far beyond Peru.
Founded by the Spanish in 1535 as the “City of Kings”, Lima became the seat of the Viceroyalty of Peru and one of the most important cities in colonial South America. Today it is a sprawling capital on cliffs above the Pacific, and for most international travellers it is the first stop in Peru. It deserves more than an overnight stay between flights.
The historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is built around the Plaza Mayor, with the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace with its carved wooden balconies. Nearby, the Monastery of San Francisco is known for its library and underground catacombs. Within the city you will also find pre-Inca sites such as Huaca Pucllana, a large adobe pyramid now surrounded by the Miraflores district. The Larco Museum, in a colonial mansion in Pueblo Libre, holds an extensive collection of pre-Columbian ceramics, textiles and gold and silver objects, and is an excellent introduction to Peru’s ancient cultures before heading to the Andes.
Miraflores and Barranco are the districts where many visitors stay. Miraflores has a clifftop promenade with parks and ocean views, while Barranco, once a seaside retreat, has colourful mansions, galleries, street art and the Bridge of Sighs. Both are good bases for evenings out.
Food is a major reason to linger. Lima is known for ceviche, raw fish cured in lime juice, as well as Nikkei cuisine, a Japanese-Peruvian fusion, and chifa, with Chinese roots. Markets such as Surquillo offer a look at the extraordinary range of Peruvian produce, and a cooking class or market tour is an enjoyable way to understand it.
Lima’s climate is mild and dry, but from around May to November the sky is often overcast with a coastal mist known locally as garúa.
Highlights
- Tour the UNESCO-listed historic centre and Plaza Mayor
- Explore the catacombs and library of the Monastery of San Francisco
- See pre-Columbian treasures at the Larco Museum
- Climb Huaca Pucllana, an adobe pyramid in the heart of Miraflores
- Stroll Barranco’s galleries, street art and the Bridge of Sighs
- Join a market tour or cooking class to taste ceviche and Nikkei dishes
When to go & practical information
Best months: December, January, February, March, April
Recommended stay: 2–3 nights
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Yes. Two or three nights give you time for the historic centre, a museum such as the Larco, the districts of Miraflores and Barranco, and some of the city’s restaurants. It also helps break up long-haul travel before heading to the Andes.
Most visitors stay in Miraflores, with its clifftop parks and wide choice of restaurants, or Barranco, which is smaller and more bohemian. Both are convenient for the coast and evenings out, with the historic centre reachable by car.
Lima rarely sees significant rain. From about December to April it is warm and often sunny, while from around May to November skies are frequently grey and the air feels cool and damp due to the coastal mist known as garúa.
