From an excursion to the sanctuary of a pre-Inca god to surfing lessons on a beach right on the city’s edge.
From a tour through the narrow passages of ancient catacombs to a dazzling water show with dancing fountains in a magical circuit.
From a square named France, where there’s a neo-Gothic church and people play chess, to the buzzing commercial energy of a Chinatown where Oriental food has a uniquely Peruvian flavour.
Yes, Lima really is this varied and wonderful—the ever-growing capital of Peru, a destination that will charm you with its Historic Centre, museums, bohemian and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, and beaches so close it’s impossible not to see them, admire them, and explore them.
Come to Lima and let yourself be swept away by a metropolis with so much to show, teach and share with you. Go on, don’t hesitate—this is your next destination.
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Cultural and Natural Sites
Historic Centre of Lima
A walled city of 50,000 inhabitants—this was colonial Lima: small and very different from the bustling metropolis it is today. Yet, despite all the changes, its Historic Centre has preserved the essence and elegance that led to its designation as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
As you wander the streets of the so-called Damero de Pizarro, you’ll step into the past—mansions, churches, convents, squares, balconies and historic lanes shape the old city’s character. Highlights include the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the catacombs of San Francisco, among other sites of major historical and cultural interest.
Cathedral of Lima
When Lima was founded on 18 January 1535, a baroque-style basilica was built on one side of the Plaza de Armas. However, it didn’t survive the 1741 earthquake. The deep religiosity of the time called for a new temple, and its construction began at the end of the 18th century.
The current Cathedral of Saint John was designed by Matías Maestro, who was tasked with making it earthquake-resistant. To achieve this, he used wood in its structure—an element that makes it both distinctive and unique in its design.
Convent and Church of Santo Domingo
One of the oldest religious monuments in the city, this convent was built in the 16th century. Over time, its cloisters housed Santa Rosa de Lima—the first woman from the Americas to be canonised—and Fray Martín de Porres, the first mulatto saint recognised by the Catholic Church.
Located at Jirón Camaná 170, just one block from the Plaza de Armas, Santo Domingo invites you to admire its colonial architecture, enjoy its religious art, explore the valuable books and manuscripts in its library, and feel the divine inspiration behind the paintings that adorn the temple.
Plaza Francia
Serene, modest, and often overlooked by visitors, this square will charm you with its simple beauty. It dates back to the 17th century, when the Dominican Order decided to build a church and retreat house away from the main square (now Avenida Garcilaso de la Vega).
Completed in 1611, the surrounding area became known as the Recoleta square, which we highly recommend visiting to admire the church of the same name. It stands out for its neo-Gothic style, setting it apart from most religious buildings in the city.
The square’s current name was adopted during Peru’s centennial independence celebrations in 1921, when the French community gifted a replica of the Statue of Liberty to the nation. It was placed in front of the Recoleta church. One more detail about this little corner of the Historic Centre—if you’re a chess fan, get ready to play, as it’s a popular spot for enthusiasts of the game.
Convent and Church of San Francisco
This religious complex is considered one of the most beautiful in Latin America, both for its architecture and its treasures. Inside its colonial library, you’ll find the original document declaring Peru a Republic, signed on 15 July 1821, as well as the official declaration of independence made on 28 July that same year.
San Francisco is also famed for its catacombs. Built in the mid-17th century, these underground galleries served as burial sites for around 36,000 people during the colonial period—a practice that began when Christians were persecuted.
The convent of San Francisco is located at the intersection of Jirón Áncash and Jirón Lampa in Lima’s Historic Centre. You can visit it from Monday to Sunday, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Chinatown
In the mid-19th century, thousands of Chinese migrants—mostly from Hong Kong—arrived in Peru. In the early stages of this migration, many of them worked on coastal plantations, as there was a demand for cheap labour following the abolition of slavery.
Gradually, they began to establish themselves in their new homeland. Their talent for trade and cooking, coupled with their honesty and strong work ethic, helped them gain recognition in these areas. As with most migration waves, the Chinese tended to settle in specific neighbourhoods.
This is how Lima’s Chinatown, the oldest in South America, came to be. Located in the Historic Centre, Capón Street is its most important thoroughfare. Take the chance to have lunch or dinner at a chifa—a restaurant where Chinese cuisine meets unique Peruvian flavours.
Barranco
Quaint, romantic and bohemian—that’s the essence of Barranco, the coastal district with a republican charm, home to some of Lima’s most iconic spots, such as the Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros) and the Bajada de los Baños. The area also boasts museums and art galleries that fuel a lively cultural scene.
Barranco’s nightlife is exceptional. Whether you fancy dancing and toasting, savouring delicious dishes, or simply enjoying a good chat, its bars, pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and cafés offer plenty of options for a fun night out.
Huaca Pucllana in Miralflores
In the modern, cosmopolitan district of Miraflores lies one of Lima’s best-preserved archaeological sites. Thanks to its central location, Huaca Pucllana is the perfect place to explore Peru’s pre-Hispanic past without leaving the city.
Before the arrival of the Spanish, Pucllana—believed to be primarily a temple—was occupied by various cultures, including the Lima people (its earliest inhabitants), the Wari (the first Andean empire), the Ychsma, and later the Incas.
The site’s main structure is a stepped pyramid located at block 8 of General Borgoño Street, just a 20-minute walk from Miraflores’ Central or Kennedy Park. You can visit by day or night—and be sure to treat yourself at the on-site restaurant afterwards.
Sanctuary of Pachacamac
Pachacamac was a revered god and oracle along the coast and the Andes. So much so that pilgrims from various regions would travel to his sanctuary to worship him. Even the Incas, who had their own gods, respected and trusted the prophecies of Pachacamac, “the soul of the earth and the one who animates the world.”
Today, the Pachacamac archaeological complex and museum are Lima’s most significant pre-Hispanic legacy. Located at kilometre 31.5 of the old South Pan-American Highway, the site includes temples, truncated pyramids, plazas and Inca structures such as the Acllawasi or “House of the Chosen Women.”
You can visit the sanctuary from Tuesday to Saturday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. On Sundays, it closes at 4:00 pm.
Beach Circuit of the Costa Verde
Lima is synonymous with the sea and surf. As the only South American capital that reaches the Pacific Ocean, a visit to its coastal beach circuit is a must—whether in summer or winter. The Costa Verde runs through several districts, including Miraflores, Barranco and Chorrillos.
If you love surfing or want to learn how to ride the waves, you’re in the right place—Lima’s coastline offers professional instructors ready to teach you the art of surfing.
But the city’s beach experience isn’t limited to the Costa Verde. Both north and south of Lima, you’ll find numerous beach resorts such as San Bartolo, Punta Negra, Santa María, Ancón and Santa Rosa, to name just a few. So when packing your bags, don’t forget your swimsuit!
Tres Picos
This beach in Miraflores is the perfect spot to watch the sunset on a clear day and take in the towering cliffs of the Costa Verde. Before the beach circuit was built, these steep natural walls reached directly down to the Pacific’s edge.
At Tres Picos, you’ll find a small fountain with surfboard sculptures and an accessible viewpoint with benches and parasols. A fun fact: in 2019, Lima and Peru’s first municipal helipad was inaugurated here, designed to provide aerial support during marine emergencies.
Places Near Lima
Sacred City of Caral
Known as the oldest city in the Americas and the mother of all cultures and civilisations that developed in ancient Peru, Caral holds immense historical value. This archaeological site in the Supe Valley, Barranca Province, lies just 182 kilometres north of Lima.
Caral, With an estimated age of around 5,000 years, Caral is the perfect destination for travellers fascinated by history and the cultural development of the Americas. If that’s you, you’ll feel fulfilled as you explore the 32 ceremonial and administrative adobe buildings of this sacred city.
Monumental Callao
In Peru’s main port, a cultural initiative is breathing new life into the city’s historic charm and promoting artistic expression. Monumental Callao has revived interest in the old port’s once-neglected plazas and streets.
Bordering Lima, Callao boasts a variety of attractions such as the Real Felipe Fortress, Grau and Gálvez squares, the district of La Punta, and several restored buildings turned into galleries and restaurants, all thanks to this tourism-boosting project.
Cavinzas Islands & Palomino Islets
When you’re near a port, the call of the sea is hard to resist. In Callao, you can hop on a yacht or tourist boat to visit the Cavinzas Islands and Palomino Islets—natural havens for numerous bird species and nearly 5,000 South American sea lions.
Don’t just stay on the shore! The sea off Callao (locals are known as “chalacos”) invites you to spot seagulls, Peruvian pelicans, cormorants, Humboldt penguins, guanayes, and Inca terns, among other ocean birds in this protected and tourist-friendly area.
Ballestas Islands
Sailing out to witness marine wildlife on these biodiverse islands is a must. Imagine the ocean breeze on your face as you gaze upon colonies of sea lions, pairs of Humboldt penguins, or the mysterious candelabra-shaped geoglyph carved by ancient peoples.
This is what you’ll experience on the boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, located in Paracas, Pisco Province (Ica). Just three hours south of Lima by road, many tour operators offer day trips to this globally renowned Pacific gem, become a world-famous destination.
Huacachina Oasis
Mirage or miracle? That’s the question you’ll ask upon arriving at Huacachina—a legendary lagoon surrounded by towering sand dunes. Nicknamed the “Oasis of the Americas”, this spot in Ica (4 hours south of Lima), and you’ll find the adventure and the quiet without distant to Lima.
If relaxation is your goal, sit back and admire the oasis’s stunning beauty. Craving excitement? Try sandboarding down the dunes or ride in a dune buggy for a heart-pounding thrill.
In Huacachina, you’ll also find hotels and restaurants to make your visit more comfortable.
Tourist Attractions for Families and Children
Magic Water Circuit
Think Lima is all colonial houses, churches, and museums? Worried your children might get bored in the capital? Think again! Lima, the “City of Kings”, has plenty of family-friendly attractions, including the Magic Water Circuit at the Parque de la Reserva.
Only water that… Jumping, dancing, laser-lit fountains steal the show in a magical nighttime performance your entire family will love. The show runs at 7, 8, and 9 p.m.
The Magic Water Circuit is waiting for you. It’s open daily on Jirón Madre de Dios, Cercado de Lima. General entry is 5 soles.
Park of Legends (Parque de las Leyendas)
Founded in 1964 by conservationist Felipe Benavides Barrera, this family park showcases wildlife from Peru’s coast, highlands, and jungle. Located on Avenida Las Leyendas 580, San Miguel district, the zoo also features animals from other continents.
Open daily (including holidays) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., adult entry costs 15 soles, and children’s (ages 3–12) entry is 8 soles.
Kennedy Park & Miraflores’ Clifftop Walks
Strolling or cycling from Miraflores’ main park to the floral clifftop promenades with stunning views of Lima’s bay is a perfect family activity.
Along the way, kids can enjoy the play area at Kennedy Park, while adults browse the artwork on display at the Painters’ Walk. Once at the cliffs, head towards the Park of Love, the iconic lighthouse, and the Larcomar shopping centre. Go on—your family will love it!
FREE Tours of Lima
If you enjoy exploring in a group with an expert guide, join one of our free walking tours! It’s a fun, cost-free way to discover the main attractions of Lima’s Historic Centre. At the end, feel free to leave a donation that reflects your experience.
For more info or to book your spot, visit Free Tour Lima. You can also check out rave reviews and thousands of photos on Instagram and Facebook.
Note for Peruvians: These free tours are exclusively for inbound international tourists. If you’re looking for other tours, contact us via WhatsApp at 958745640.
Free Walking Tours Peru
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