Photo: Facebook Viajafoteando
The sea was one of the reasons Francisco Pizarro decided to found the “City of Kings” on January 18, 1535. The sea is one of the reasons that fascinates and attracts travelers who arrive in the colonial city that, over the centuries, grew into a metropolis. The sea, always the sea, asserting its importance and beauty in the Peruvian capital. This is the sea you will be able to admire in all its splendor from Lima’s viewpoints.
By day and by night, the bay of the “Three Times Crowned City” dazzles those who take the time to admire the coastline from the parks and promenades along Lima’s Costa Verde, the capital’s beachfront circuit. These peaceful green spaces, “planted” atop the rugged cliffs, are viewpoints and lookout points that will reveal the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.
Photo: Infobae
These views become even more striking and inspiring during summer sunsets (December to March). Magical moments. The sun slowly begins to disappear over the ocean horizon, and the sky fills with the intense colors of dusk. It all unfolds before your eyes, revealing the coastal and beachside character of the only South American capital that stretches all the way to the seashore.
Lima is a city blessed with waves and sea breezes. Discover its bay from the Parque del Amor in Miraflores or the Bresciani promenade in Barranco, two lookout points waiting for you in a destination that offers an architectural legacy in its Historic Center and ocean views from its viewpoints. And if you wish, explore the beaches along the Costa Verde, where you will encounter surfers and others who share their passion for the waves.
What Is the Costa Verde?
Photo: El País
From Tumbes (on the border with Ecuador) to Tacna (on the border with Chile), Peru has more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline. A long, narrow stretch of land with sparse or no vegetation, where the sea cools the desert or the base of imposing cliffs. The contrast between the restless waters and the dry landscape creates natural scenery that defies the idyllic, classic images of the ocean.
This contrast is part of the coastal charm of a country that is more than just mountains and the Andes. You’ll realize this when you take in the views from Lima’s viewpoints. The city and the Pacific Ocean coming together and meeting along beaches that were once only a dream because there was no shoreline to access. These beaches emerged with the Costa Verde, a project that began taking shape in 1928 to allow residents to get closer to the Pacific.
Indeed, the cliffs, those walls of gravel, sand, and clay, which range in height from 36 to 70 meters, confined the sea; at the time, most of the beaches you’ll see from the viewpoints did not exist. They were “created” using earth and construction debris generated by the construction of the Vía Expresa, or Zanjón (1962 and 1963), a road project that eased traffic between the Historic Center and the southern districts of the metropolis.
Bay of Lima before the construction of the Costa Verde. Photo: Infobae
Breakwaters, groynes, and piers were also built to calm the sea and prevent the water from washing away the material placed there to “create” the shorelines that have been part of the Costa Verde since December 15, 1970. This road, which stretches for more than 20 kilometers, connects the coastal areas of the capital’s districts of Chorrillos, Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro, Magdalena, and San Miguel with La Perla in Callao.
In total, more than 20 beach resorts make up this coastal circuit. Several are iconic, such as La Herradura and Agua Dulce (very popular during the summer) in Chorrillos; Makaha, La Pampilla, and Los Delfines (excellent for water sports) in Miraflores; and Los Yuyos in Barranco, known for its calm waters. There are other places, other coastal areas you can or should explore.
Lima’s Viewpoints
Photo: Mincetur Tourist Resources Inventory
If you’re staying in Miraflores or Barranco, don’t miss the chance to admire the sunset from their viewpoints. Both districts are popular with tourists for their safety, infrastructure, and services, and feature ideal spots for enjoying views of the sea. These are easily accessible on foot or by bicycle, so you’ll have no trouble visiting them once or several times during your stay in Peru’s capital.
In Miraflores, you can visit:
Photo: Ganamás magazine
° Parque del Amor: Located on the Malecón Cisneros, it is one of the most representative urban spaces in modern Lima. Inaugurated on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 1993), it stands out for El Beso, its monumental sculpture by Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín. From this green space, offering a peaceful atmosphere in the city, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, especially on sunny evenings. If you’d like to visit, join the free walking tour of Miraflores. Admission is free.
° Faro de la Marina: This is the main attraction in Antonio Raimondi Park. Here, views of the Pacific are complemented by the presence of the lighthouse. Built in Sweden in 1900, it stands 22 meters tall and consists of 319 detachable parts. Originally installed at Punta Coles (Moquegua), it was moved to Miraflores in 1973. Since then, it has enhanced the beauty of this coastal district. Admission to the park is free, but access to the lighthouse is not permitted.
° Malecón de Miraflores: This is the general name given to the pedestrian walkways and bike paths running along the cliffs. From the Malecón Cisneros (where paragliding flights take place), the Malecón de la Reserva (home to Larcomar, the district’s most important shopping mall), and the Malecón de la Marina (a favorite spot among runners and cyclists), you can enjoy unforgettable views of the Pacific Ocean and the Costa Verde.
In Barranco, visit:
Photo: Mincetur Tourist Resources Inventory
° Mirador Bresciani: Located very close to Avenida 28 de Julio, one of Barranco’s main avenues, it offers some of the best sea views in Lima. That’s why it is one of the stops included in the free walking tours of the capital’s bohemian neighborhood. It was built in 1913 as part of a modernization and urban development process in one of the essential corners of the “City of Kings.”
° Mirador Catalina Recavarren: This viewpoint pays tribute to the self-proclaimed “traveling poetess,” who acknowledged in her own words that “I improvise in the car, on the bus, and memorize my poems so I can copy them down as soon as I get home.” She died in 1992, and a bust commemorates her life and her contribution to the literary world of Barranco. The viewpoint sits atop a cliff and offers tourist facilities and services that will make your ocean-viewing experience more enjoyable.
Other spots for watching the sunset include Morro Solar in Chorrillos, with its 360-degree views; Benemérita Guardia Civil Park, also known as Pera del Amor in San Isidro—a haven for couples between 1950 and 1970—and Mirador Pardo in La Punta, Callao, where you can spot El Frontón and San Lorenzo islands.
Why Visit Lima’s Viewpoints?
Photo: Andina Peruvian News Agency
+ You’ll enjoy extraordinary views of a unique coastline, where the desert and the sea meet.
+ The sunsets will offer beautiful scenes to capture with your camera or video camera. Imagine the different shades of the sky you’ll see from specially designed spots for peaceful views of the Pacific Ocean.
+ You’ll find restaurants and cafés where you can sample Peruvian cuisine while admiring the ocean horizon.
+ Access to the viewpoints is free, and you can visit them at any time of day.
+ In Miraflores and Barranco, walking, running, or cycling is a pleasure along the urban promenades overlooking the Pacific.
+ If you don’t want to go alone, join the free walking tours offered in Miraflores and Barranco, as well as in Lima’s Historic Center.
Photo: El Comercio
