Stand in Plaza MayorMust-See SightsThe colonial main square of Lima's historic centre, ringed by the Government Palace, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. A useful first stop to orient yourself — busy but easy to visit.0 Add to listStand in Plaza MayorMust-See SightsThe colonial main square of Lima's historic centre, ringed by the Government Palace, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. A useful first stop to orient yourself — busy but easy to visit.0 Add to list
See Pizarro's Tomb in the Lima CathedralMust-See SightsPaidLima's baroque cathedral on Plaza Mayor, built on the site of a pre-Inca temple. Entry is ticketed; Francisco Pizarro's tomb is inside. Worth combining with the adjacent Palacio Arzobispal.0 Add to listSee Pizarro's Tomb in the Lima CathedralMust-See SightsPaidLima's baroque cathedral on Plaza Mayor, built on the site of a pre-Inca temple. Entry is ticketed; Francisco Pizarro's tomb is inside. Worth combining with the adjacent Palacio Arzobispal.0 Add to list
Tour the San Francisco MonasteryMust-See SightsPaidA large 17th-century monastery near Plaza Mayor with a well-preserved library, catacombs and tiled cloisters. Guided tour only, ticketed — the catacombs are genuinely interesting.0 Add to listTour the San Francisco MonasteryMust-See SightsPaidA large 17th-century monastery near Plaza Mayor with a well-preserved library, catacombs and tiled cloisters. Guided tour only, ticketed — the catacombs are genuinely interesting.0 Add to list
Explore Pre-Columbian Art at the Larco MuseumMust-See SightsPaidA well-curated museum of pre-Columbian gold, ceramics and textiles in a colonial mansion in Pueblo Libre. One of the best museums in the city — allow two hours and book online to skip queues.0 Add to listExplore Pre-Columbian Art at the Larco MuseumMust-See SightsPaidA well-curated museum of pre-Columbian gold, ceramics and textiles in a colonial mansion in Pueblo Libre. One of the best museums in the city — allow two hours and book online to skip queues.0 Add to list
Walk the Miraflores MalecónMust-See SightsA clifftop walkway along the Miraflores coast with views of the Pacific and paragliders launching below. Free and easy to walk; connects several parks and is good at any time of day.0 Add to listWalk the Miraflores MalecónMust-See SightsA clifftop walkway along the Miraflores coast with views of the Pacific and paragliders launching below. Free and easy to walk; connects several parks and is good at any time of day.0 Add to list
Explore Huaca PucllanaMust-See SightsPaidA large pre-Inca adobe pyramid in the middle of the Miraflores neighbourhood, still being excavated. Guided tours run regularly and give good context — small fee, worth the hour.0 Add to listExplore Huaca PucllanaMust-See SightsPaidA large pre-Inca adobe pyramid in the middle of the Miraflores neighbourhood, still being excavated. Guided tours run regularly and give good context — small fee, worth the hour.0 Add to list
See the Giant Kissing Statue at Parque del AmorMust-See SightsA small clifftop park in Miraflores known for its mosaic walls and the large El Beso sculpture of a kissing couple. Good sunset spot; connects to the Malecon walk.0 Add to listSee the Giant Kissing Statue at Parque del AmorMust-See SightsA small clifftop park in Miraflores known for its mosaic walls and the large El Beso sculpture of a kissing couple. Good sunset spot; connects to the Malecon walk.0 Add to list
Cross the Bridge of Sighs in BarrancoMust-See SightsA quieter neighbourhood south of Miraflores with a wooden pedestrian bridge, street art and a good cafe and bar scene. The Bridge of Sighs is a quick walk from the main square — best in the afternoon.0 Add to listCross the Bridge of Sighs in BarrancoMust-See SightsA quieter neighbourhood south of Miraflores with a wooden pedestrian bridge, street art and a good cafe and bar scene. The Bridge of Sighs is a quick walk from the main square — best in the afternoon.0 Add to list
Eat a Sandwich Three Presidents AteLocal FoodBar Cordano on the corner of Carabaya and Ancash, a short walk from Plaza Mayor, has been serving butifarra sandwiches — country ham and salsa criolla on a white roll — since 1905. Old-school, cheap and very good.0 Add to listEat a Sandwich Three Presidents AteLocal FoodBar Cordano on the corner of Carabaya and Ancash, a short walk from Plaza Mayor, has been serving butifarra sandwiches — country ham and salsa criolla on a white roll — since 1905. Old-school, cheap and very good.0 Add to list
Meet Parque Kennedy's City-Funded Stray CatsFun Side QuestsParque Kennedy in Miraflores has a resident population of stray cats that are fed and looked after by a local nonprofit. Dozens wander the benches and flowerbeds — a slightly surreal but easy stop.0 Add to listMeet Parque Kennedy's City-Funded Stray CatsFun Side QuestsParque Kennedy in Miraflores has a resident population of stray cats that are fed and looked after by a local nonprofit. Dozens wander the benches and flowerbeds — a slightly surreal but easy stop.0 Add to list
Buy a Cure From the Witch MarketFun Side QuestsNear Gamarra, a witch market sells palo santo, herbal remedies and luck charms alongside normal market stalls. Worth a browse if you're in the area — the shamans are genuine traders, not a performance.0 Add to listBuy a Cure From the Witch MarketFun Side QuestsNear Gamarra, a witch market sells palo santo, herbal remedies and luck charms alongside normal market stalls. Worth a browse if you're in the area — the shamans are genuine traders, not a performance.0 Add to list
Pose Beside El Beso at Parque del AmorFun Side QuestsEl Beso at Parque del Amor is a large sculpture of a couple kissing, surrounded by Gaudi-style mosaic walls covered in love poems. Clifftop park with Pacific views — good photo spot at sunset.0 Add to listPose Beside El Beso at Parque del AmorFun Side QuestsEl Beso at Parque del Amor is a large sculpture of a couple kissing, surrounded by Gaudi-style mosaic walls covered in love poems. Clifftop park with Pacific views — good photo spot at sunset.0 Add to list
Try Emoliente from a Street Cart at DawnLocal FoodLocal RitualsEmoliente is a hot herbal drink sold from chrome carts on Lima's streets in the early morning and evening. The vendor pours it between two containers to cool it slightly. Earthy, slightly gluey and genuinely popular with locals.0 Add to listTry Emoliente from a Street Cart at DawnLocal FoodLocal RitualsEmoliente is a hot herbal drink sold from chrome carts on Lima's streets in the early morning and evening. The vendor pours it between two containers to cool it slightly. Earthy, slightly gluey and genuinely popular with locals.0 Add to list
Find La Ermita, the Ruined Chapel in BarrancoFun Side QuestsLa Ermita is an 18th-century chapel in Barranco that has been a ruin since the 1974 earthquake and never restored. Still standing behind a locked gate above a garden — a good photo and a quiet spot.0 Add to listFind La Ermita, the Ruined Chapel in BarrancoFun Side QuestsLa Ermita is an 18th-century chapel in Barranco that has been a ruin since the 1974 earthquake and never restored. Still standing behind a locked gate above a garden — a good photo and a quiet spot.0 Add to list
Hunt the Mural Hidden Below the Bridge of SighsFun Side QuestsBelow the Bridge of Sighs in Barranco, the Bajada de Banos walkway has a Jade Rivera mural and several other pieces from local artists. Most visitors only go up to the bridge — the descent is worth taking.0 Add to listHunt the Mural Hidden Below the Bridge of SighsFun Side QuestsBelow the Bridge of Sighs in Barranco, the Bajada de Banos walkway has a Jade Rivera mural and several other pieces from local artists. Most visitors only go up to the bridge — the descent is worth taking.0 Add to list
Try Picarones at Picarones Mary in Parque KennedyLocal FoodPicarones Mary in Parque Kennedy fries rings of squash and sweet potato dough to order, served with chancaca syrup. Eat them hot. One of the better street food stops in Miraflores.0 Add to listTry Picarones at Picarones Mary in Parque KennedyLocal FoodPicarones Mary in Parque Kennedy fries rings of squash and sweet potato dough to order, served with chancaca syrup. Eat them hot. One of the better street food stops in Miraflores.0 Add to list
Eat Ceviche Where the Chefs ShopLocal FoodLocal RitualsMercado No 1 de Surquillo is the market Lima's restaurant kitchens use for their ingredients. The food stalls in the back serve ceviche built from that morning's fish — go before noon for the best quality.0 Add to listEat Ceviche Where the Chefs ShopLocal FoodLocal RitualsMercado No 1 de Surquillo is the market Lima's restaurant kitchens use for their ingredients. The food stalls in the back serve ceviche built from that morning's fish — go before noon for the best quality.0 Add to list
Watch Paragliders Launch Off the Miraflores CliffsActiveThe Miraflores cliffs at Parque Raimondi on the Malecon are a regular launch point for paragliders. Free to watch from the grass; tandem flights are available nearby if you want to go up yourself.0 Add to listWatch Paragliders Launch Off the Miraflores CliffsActiveThe Miraflores cliffs at Parque Raimondi on the Malecon are a regular launch point for paragliders. Free to watch from the grass; tandem flights are available nearby if you want to go up yourself.0 Add to list
Run the Malecón Cliffs at DawnActiveLocal RitualsThe clifftop Malecon path in Miraflores runs from Parque del Amor south toward Larcomar with Pacific views below. Flat, paved and good at dawn before the fog burns off and the tourists arrive.0 Add to listRun the Malecón Cliffs at DawnActiveLocal RitualsThe clifftop Malecon path in Miraflores runs from Parque del Amor south toward Larcomar with Pacific views below. Flat, paved and good at dawn before the fog burns off and the tourists arrive.0 Add to list
Ride the Ciclovía Along Lima's Costa Verde CliffsActiveA dedicated red cycling lane hugs the Costa Verde cliffs between Miraflores and Barranco, separated from traffic and mostly flat. Bike rentals are available near Parque Kennedy.0 Add to listRide the Ciclovía Along Lima's Costa Verde CliffsActiveA dedicated red cycling lane hugs the Costa Verde cliffs between Miraflores and Barranco, separated from traffic and mostly flat. Bike rentals are available near Parque Kennedy.0 Add to list
Get Soaked at the Children's FountainActiveWith KidsPaidParque de la Reserva's Circuito Magico del Agua has a large walk-in fountain complex, including the Fuente de los Ninos spray area. Ticketed entry; bring a change of clothes for the kids.0 Add to listGet Soaked at the Children's FountainActiveWith KidsPaidParque de la Reserva's Circuito Magico del Agua has a large walk-in fountain complex, including the Fuente de los Ninos spray area. Ticketed entry; bring a change of clothes for the kids.0 Add to list
Dare the Tunnel of Water SurprisesFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidAlso inside Parque de la Reserva, the Tunel de las Sorpresas is a 35-metre walkway with timed water jets on both sides. The timing is hard to predict — the kids will get wet. That is the point.0 Add to listDare the Tunnel of Water SurprisesFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidAlso inside Parque de la Reserva, the Tunel de las Sorpresas is a 35-metre walkway with timed water jets on both sides. The timing is hard to predict — the kids will get wet. That is the point.0 Add to list
Hunt for Pre-Inca Huacas Inside Parque de las LeyendasFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidParque de las Leyendas in San Miguel is a zoo built around genuine pre-Inca huacas — adobe pyramid structures that sit between the animal enclosures. Ticketed; allow a good half-day.0 Add to listHunt for Pre-Inca Huacas Inside Parque de las LeyendasFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidParque de las Leyendas in San Miguel is a zoo built around genuine pre-Inca huacas — adobe pyramid structures that sit between the animal enclosures. Ticketed; allow a good half-day.0 Add to list
