Lima: The City of Museums

Lima is a museum in itself—not just because of the architecture in its Historic Centre, declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, but also for the impressive archaeological, artistic and cultural collections displayed in its magnificent public and private museums.

It’s no exaggeration to say that skipping these museums when planning your visit to the “City of Kings” would be a serious travel mistake. These spaces will help you uncover the pre-Hispanic, colonial and republican history of both Lima and Peru.

We won’t rank them—it’s tough to say which museum is the best in the city. We’d rather let you decide based on your own interests and preferences. What we can assure you is this: whichever museum you choose, you’ll have a great time while expanding your knowledge and cultural perspective.

Lima awaits not only for you to wander its streets, enjoy the ocean breeze, and savour its cuisine—it also wants to show you its past, its stories, and its cultural treasures. These are proudly displayed and preserved in the stunning museum spaces we recommend, and many more you’ll discover as you explore the Peruvian capital.

Gold Museum of Peru and Weapons of the World (MOdP)

Two museums in one place. One displays an extensive collection of gold, silver and bronze artefacts, while the other showcases a vast array of weapons and uniforms from different eras and regions. At first, this combination may seem unusual—but in truth, it’s both appealing and fascinating.

Both are private museums that originated from the personal collections of founder Miguel Mujica Gallo, who opened them to the public in 1966. Here, you’ll find funeral masks, tumis (ceremonial knives), and pre-Columbian ornamental pieces, as well as unique weaponry from around the world.

The Gold Museum of Peru and Weapons of the World is located at Jirón Alonso de Molina 1100, Santiago de Surco.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Admission: Peruvian and foreign adults – S/40; seniors over 60 – S/30; children (ages 5 to 17) and students – S/17; children under 5 enter free.

Larco Museum – Treasures of Ancient Peru

Its halls display over 5,000 years of Peru’s ancestral history. A fascinating journey that, as stated on the website of this private museum founded in 1926 by archaeologist and researcher Rafael Larco Hoyle, “helps you understand the development of pre-Columbian societies.”

The museum is housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion with beautiful gardens that will surely charm you. You’ll also love the open storage rooms and diverse exhibition halls showcasing an extraordinary collection of archaeological artefacts from various regions of Peru—including the famous erotic huacos of the Moche culture.

The Larco Museum is located at Avenida Simón Bolívar 1515, Pueblo Libre.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. On December 24, 25, 31 and January 1, the museum is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Admission: General – S/40; seniors over 60 (with ID) – S/30; minors (under 17) and students (with ID) – S/20; children up to 8 years old enter free.

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National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru (MNAAHP)

This museum is a must-visit as it is “Peru’s first museum” and “the largest, oldest and most representative.” According to its official website, it houses “around 300,000 pieces that make up the legacy of our pre-Hispanic, colonial and republican past.”

Among the archaeological treasures on display are the Crossed Hands of Kotosh, the Tello Obelisk from the Chavín culture, Paracas textiles, as well as colonial paintings from the Cusco School and the republican era. It truly is a rich summary of Peru’s national history.

The MNAAHP is located in the historic Palacio de la Magdalena, once home to the liberators José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar. The building itself “combines features from the late colonial and republican periods,” as the museum’s website points out.

You’ll find the museum in Plaza Bolívar in Pueblo Libre—a peaceful and evocative urban space.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM; Mondays from 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Admission: Peruvian and foreign adults – S/10; guided visits – S/20.

Natural History Museum

Dinosaur bones, fossilised whales, and taxidermy animals are just part of the impressive collection at this museum, which belongs to the National University of San Marcos—the oldest university in Peru and the Americas.

If you’re particularly interested in the evolution of fauna or travelling with children who love learning through play, this museum is a fantastic choice. Its exhibits help visitors of all ages understand the species that once lived—and still live—in Peru. You’ll find the museum at Avenida Arenales 1256, Jesús María.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Admission: Adults – S/10; children from age 3, school pupils and university students – S/10; visitors aged 60 and above enter free.

Museum of the Nation

The main mission of this museum is to preserve Peruvian art. It holds over 15,000 archaeological, historical and ethnographic objects from the pre-Hispanic, colonial and republican eras.

You can find the Museum of the Nation at Avenida Javier Prado Este 2465, in the district of San Borja.

Museums in Lima’s Historic Centre

Museum of Art of Lima (MALI)

Even before stepping inside, you’ll be amazed by its building: the Palacio de la Exposición, described on MALI’s website as “one of the finest examples of Lima’s eclectic architecture. It was conceived and built as the venue for the first major public exhibition in our country.”

Inaugurated on 10 March 1961, MALI is one of the most dynamic cultural spaces in the capital. Its outstanding temporary exhibitions and its collection of over 17,000 works of Peruvian art span 3,000 years of history, making it a truly exceptional attraction.

For a deep and inspiring cultural experience, visit MALI at Parque de la Exposición, Paseo Colón 125, in Lima’s Historic Centre.
Opening hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Saturdays until 5:00 PM. On the last Friday of each month, open from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Admission: General – S/40; Peruvians and residents – S/15; students (over 8 years) – S/7.50; children under 8 and adults over 65 enter free.

Italian Art Museum

Opened on 11 November 1923, this is the only museum in Latin America with a collection of around 200 pieces of Italian art from the early 20th century. Its sculptures, paintings, engravings, watercolours, drawings and ceramics were acquired from galleries across Italy between 1921 and 1922.

If you’re interested in a unique display of early 20th-century Italian art, visit this neo-Renaissance museum located at Avenida Paseo de la República 250, in the Historic Centre of Lima.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On the first Sunday of each month, open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Admission: Adults – S/6; higher education students – S/3; school pupils – S/1.50.

José Carlos Mariátegui Museum

One of the most influential thinkers of republican Peru, José Carlos Mariátegui, spent the last five years of his life at Jirón Washington 1938, in the heart of Lima. Born in Moquegua, José Carlos Mariátegui La Chira (1894–1930) wrote his most renowned work, Seven Interpretive Essays on Peruvian Reality, in this humble house.

A Marxist intellectual, Mariátegui carried out intense work during his short life. The traces of his thought remain in the museum, where you’ll find his documents, books and personal belongings. He is affectionately remembered as El Amauta, or “the wise one.”

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Admission: Free entry.

National Afro-Peruvian Museum

Opened on 4 June 2009 in a historic colonial house in central Lima, this museum’s nine rooms trace the historical and cultural journey of Afro-Peruvians—a group whose ancestors endured slavery during the colonial period and the early republic.

For centuries, thousands of Africans—mainly from Angola—were brought to Peru’s coast as slaves. This forced migration is explained through infographics, alongside shackles once used on hands and feet in a time of lost freedom.

Located at Jirón Ancash 542, the museum also highlights the cultural contributions of Afro-Peruvians to today’s Peru—a country ready to welcome you with its rich diversity.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Admission: Free entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours of the museums?

Opening days and times vary, but most museums are open to the public from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Which is the best museum in Lima?

There’s no definitive answer—it all depends on your personal interests and expectations. However, if you’re passionate about history, we recommend the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru and the Larco Museum. You won’t be disappointed!

Do I need to book in advance to visit the museums?

No booking is required. You can buy your ticket at the museum’s entrance. It’s best to carry cash in soles to make the process easier.
If you’re visiting as part of a large school group or tour, it’s a good idea to notify the museum in advance.

Are museums open every day?

Not all of them. Most museums are closed one day a week, and on weekends they may have shorter opening hours. Before your visit, check each museum’s schedule to make sure it’s open.
Many museums are closed on Mondays, so keep this in mind when planning your itinerary in Peru’s capital.

Which districts have the best museums in Lima?

If you want to visit several museums, head to the Historic Centre of Lima, and also explore the districts of Miraflores, Pueblo Libre, San Borja and Barranco.

On which days can you visit Lima’s museums for free?

If you’re a Peruvian national, you can enjoy free entry to the following museums on the first Sunday of each month:

• Huallamarca Site Museum
• House of Peruvian Gastronomy
• Arturo Jiménez Borja–Puruchuco Site Museum
• Italian Art Museum
• Museum of Art of Lima (MALI)
• Pachacamac Site Museum
• Huaca Pucllana Site Museum
• National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru
• National Museum of Peruvian Culture

Book Lima’s most popular FREE walking tour!

After exploring Lima’s top museums, continue your adventure through the Historic Centre with one of our local guides. Join our free walking tours (available in Spanish and English) every day!

Don’t miss the chance—book the best Free Tour in Lima now. Still unsure? Check out the fantastic reviews from past travellers and browse through our photo galleries on Facebook, Instagram and Google.

Note for Peruvian citizens: Free walking tours are designed for international visitors. Locals are welcome to explore the capital through the Classic City Tour: Colonial and Modern Lima.

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