Places / South America / Peru
Lima
Visited in November 2015
At a glance
- Country
- Peru
- Region
- Lima
- Population
- 9.9 million
- Best time to go
- December to April
- Main airport
- Lima Jorge Chávez International (LIM)
- Coordinates
- 12.06°S, 77.04°W
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Peru's capital sprawls along clifftops above the Pacific, where surfers ride the waves below and paragliders drift past the apartment towers. The colonial centre, founded by the Spanish in 1535, is full of grand churches and balconied mansions.
Lima is above all a food city, famous for ceviche and one of the most celebrated restaurant scenes in the world. Give it a few days rather than rushing on to Cusco.
Things to see
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Photo: Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0 Plaza Mayor
The grand main square of the historic centre, framed by the cathedral and the Government Palace.
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Photo: Velvet, CC BY-SA 4.0 San Francisco Monastery
A baroque church and monastery with a remarkable library and catacombs lined with bones.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Velvet, CC BY-SA 4.0 Larco Museum
A superb collection of pre-Columbian pottery, gold and textiles in a colonial mansion with lovely gardens.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: McKay Savage, CC BY 2.0 Huaca Pucllana
A huge adobe pyramid built long before the Incas, right in the middle of Miraflores.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: tadekk, CC BY 2.0 Barranco
A bohemian clifftop district of colourful mansions, street art and bars.
Things to do
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Photo: Picanteria karol, CC BY-SA 4.0 Eat ceviche
Raw fish cured in lime juice with chilli and onion, best at a cevichería at lunchtime.
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Photo: Angela Vanessa Ortiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Walk the Malecón
Follow the clifftop parks from Miraflores to Barranco for views over the Pacific.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Magic Water Circuit
An evening park full of illuminated fountains and light shows.
Find tours -
Photo: Apollo⠀, CC BY 2.0 Day trip to Pachacamac
An ancient pilgrimage site of temples and pyramids in the desert south of the city.
Find tours
Where to stay
Miraflores
Safe, central and on the clifftops; the most popular base for first-time visitors.
Hotels in MirafloresBarranco
Artsy and lively, with boutique hotels and the best nightlife.
Hotels in BarrancoSan Isidro
Upmarket and business-focused, with leafy parks and fine restaurants.
Hotels in San Isidro
Getting around
Ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to get around. The Metropolitano rapid bus links Barranco and Miraflores to the historic centre.
The airport is in Callao, northwest of the centre; allow 45 minutes to 1.5 hours by taxi to Miraflores, depending on traffic.
When to go
Summer (December to April) is sunny and warm, the best time for the beach. From June to October the city sits under a grey sea mist called the garúa, though it rarely rains.
Plan your trip to Lima
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.