Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Lima, Peru. #Top Attractions

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Planning to visit Lima, Peru, is easier with our travel guides! Get the most out of your vacation by exploring the best things to do in Lima, Peru, and the best places to visit in Lima, Peru, below. As a Web 3.0 travel startup, Wondrous Drifter aspires to make a huge impact on the world.

Barrio Chino

Barrio Chino, Lima, Peru
Barrio Chino, Lima, Peru / Daniel Lobo / Flickr

One of the most interesting and surprising places in the capital of Peru.

Inside, you can enjoy oriental lanterns, tastes and smells from other countries, unique music, and the fact that most buildings are red.

This area is one of Lima’s biggest shopping districts.

Even though Chinatown is a busy commercial area, there are also a lot of interesting places to visit, including the Chinese spice stalls.

Stroll through the central portion of the markets, and you will find many stands selling various teas and spices.

Beautiful ornaments and decorations from Asia can be found all over Chinatown and its main street, Capon.

It is a great place to see how Peruvians live their daily lives and how different the people and their culture are.

Visit this spot and see the wonders it can offer! Walking there is undoubtedly one of the greatest things you can do in Lima.

Address: Chinatown, Lima 15001, Peru

Barranco

Barranco, Lima, Peru
Barranco, Lima, Peru / Emmanuel DYAN / Flickr

The so-called bohemian neighborhood in Lima

Its walls are covered with street art, and the buildings are bright and colorful, a nice contrast to Lima’s gray skies.

Barranco has been the source of beauty and inspiration for many of Peru’s and Latin America’s most talented artists, who have made it their home.

Plus, it is home to some of Lima’s top restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, and it undoubtedly has some of the best restaurants and bars.

You must visit one of Barranco’s many coffee shops to indulge in the delectable and incredibly fresh coffee that is served there.

Take a stroll through Barranco, and you might just stumble upon some cutting-edge examples of Peruvian art; the neighborhood is teeming with new art galleries that open their doors every day.

Spend your afternoon strolling around in this laid-back and charming neighborhood of Lima!

Address: Barranco, Lima, Peru

Cerro San Cristóbal

Cerro San Cristóbal, Lima, Peru
Cerro San Cristóbal, Lima, Peru / Daniel Lobo / Flickr

The Cerro San Cristóbal is among Lima’s most famous landmarks.

This 409m-high hill is northeast of Lima Centro. At the top is a mirador, or lookout, with a view of Lima that goes all the way to the Pacific.

It is the city’s closest and tallest hill. It has been important since the time of the Incas. People say that a year after the Spaniards founded Lima in 1535, the Incas attacked them and took over the mountain while the Spaniards defended the city center.

Today, it has one of the best views of the city.

At the top, in 1928, a “Monumental Cross” was built. It has 48 lights inside that watch over the whole city of Lima.

Many people come to see the cross throughout Holy Week and on the first Sunday in May.

Save some time and see this iconic tourist attraction in the Peruvian capital!

Address: Lima, Peru

Cathedral of Lima

Cathedral of Lima, Lima, Peru
Cathedral of Lima, Lima, Peru / David Stanley / Flickr

You can’t leave Lima without visiting this iconic landmark.

The most famous structure in Lima is the Cathedral of Lima, which is located in the city’s historic district and houses the city’s finest collection of religious art.

Santa Rosa de Lima, San Juan Macias, San Martin de Porres, and San Francisco Solano were among the colonial-era saints who made pilgrimages to the cathedral during their time on earth.

The sculptures of Jesus, as well as the apostles, may be found on the front facade of the cathedral, which also displays the coat of arms of the country of Peru.

The golden altar in the sanctuary is surrounded on either side by dozens of choir stalls made of wood and carved with images of saints and prominent religious figures.

Purchasing an item from the gift shop will provide financial assistance to the church.

Make sure this attraction will not miss a spot on your list of destinations to visit in Lima!

Address: Jirón Carabaya, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru

Circuito Magico del Agua

Circuito Magico del Agua, Lima, Peru
Circuito Magico del Agua, Lima, Peru / Art DiNo / Flickr

A fun-filled, vibrant attraction in Lima for all ages.

The Magic Water Circuit in Lima, which features a total of 13 different fountains, has been deemed by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the largest water fountain park in the entire world. Many of the fountains can be interacted with by visitors.

These aren’t your average fountains, either; they have lights, music, and other interactive features, transforming them into showpieces that can be enjoyed as part of a night out on the town in Lima.

The Fuente Mágica, the largest of the three, has a water spray that rises more than 260 feet into the air.

The Fuente Tunel de las Sorpresas, sometimes known simply as the Tunnel of Surprises, is a 35-meter-long water tunnel that visitors can walk through. At the Fuente de la Fantasia, a laser and image show is performed alongside jets that are choreographed to music.

Have a fun night in Lima as you play with the fountains.

Address: Jr. Madre de Dios S/N, Cercado de Lima, Peru

Convento de San Francisco

Convento de San Francisco, Lima, Peru
Convento de San Francisco, Lima, Peru / F Delventhal / Flickr

This Franciscan monastery was founded in 1774. Its crypts are filled with catacombs dating back centuries and decorated with human bones.

The catacombs are believed to have the bones of approximately 70,000 people who lived throughout the 17th century.

Even though it was severely damaged in an earthquake in 1970, the San Francisco church and monastery were consecrated in 1673. It is considered one of the city’s most well-preserved colonial churches because it could withstand earthquakes that occurred in 1687 and 1746.

The canary-yellow church & monastery are both decked out in stunning Spanish Baroque architecture. Also, they host a great library that contains approximately 25,000 antique texts and is filled with lovely gardens and cloisters.

Those with claustrophobia should avoid going to the catacombs since the ceilings are low, and the passageways connecting the chambers are way lower, causing visitors to stoop down when entering.

This famous attraction in Lima is a must-visit!

Address: Jr. Lampa, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru

Gamarra

Gamarra, Lima, Peru
Gamarra, Lima, Peru / Antonio Tello Justo / Flickr

Have your shopping therapy at the largest informal market for clothes and textiles in Latin America, if not the world.

The La Victoria district is home to Gamarra’s 20,000 textile stores, manufacturers, contractors, and retailers, which give jobs to more than 100,000 people.

The primary shopping district may be reached by going to blocks 6 to 10 of Jiron Agustin Gamarra, which is now restricted to traffic, as well as the smaller streets in the surrounding region.

Whether you’re looking for Peruvian-made apparel, accessories for sewing and embroidery, or local and foreign fabrics, you can find it all in this one place.

However, due to the fact that it is so large, disorganized, and crowded—particularly in the afternoons—it is possible that it will take some time before you uncover things that are of truly high quality.

There is so much to see and buy at this shopping attraction in Lima, so make sure to prepare your cash and cards!

Address: Gamarra, La Victoria 15018, Lima, Peru

Huaca Pucllana

Huaca Pucllana, Lima, Peru
Huaca Pucllana, Lima, Peru / F Delventhal / Flickr

You have a free day here in Lima, Peru, but you don’t know what to do. Why not visit and explore the well-known pyramids of Huaca Pucllana?

In the busy neighborhood of modern Miraflores, there is a very different place from the industrialized world around it.

In the Lima culture before the Incas, elite clergy members used Huaca Pucllana as a place to hold various ceremonies and run the government.

Today, when people go to Huaca Pucllana, they can get a glimpse of the ancient culture’s past.

The pyramid is made of adobe and clay bricks, which would not have lasted for more than thousands of years in any climate. It has seven platforms that are not all the same height.

Huaca Pucllana is a must-see for all kinds of travelers because of its rich culture, important history, and unique location.

Get out of your way and witness the unique beauty of the pyramid in Lima!

Address: s/n, Ca. Gral. Borgoño cuadra 8, Miraflores 15074, Peru

Kennedy Park

Kennedy Park, Lima, Peru
Kennedy Park, Lima, Peru / young shanahan / Flickr

The Kennedy Park at Miraflores is a cat lover’s dream come true.

The Miraflores district is home to Lima’s unofficial major square, Parque Kennedy. About 5.5 acres, or 240,000 square feet, is the total size of Parque Kennedy.

Several friendly cats, as well as kittens, have taken up residence at Parque Kennedy unexpectedly. You could even adopt one of the cats that roam the park’s open spaces.

Kennedy Park is not just a haven for kitties, but it’s also a haven for singers and artisans alike.

The Virgen Milagrosa Church, erected in 1939, may be found in the park. The park is framed by colorful flowerbeds and big shade trees.

Parque Kennedy is a must-see for visitors to Lima because it is surrounded by the best restaurants, cafes, shopping, and other attractions Lima has to offer.

Bring your whole family with you and have a fun-filled afternoon in this beautiful park in Lima!

Address: Miraflores, Lima, Peru

Las Nazarenas

Las Nazarenas, Lima, Peru
Las Nazarenas, Lima, Peru / Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores / Flickr

If you are traveling to Lima for a pilgrimage, be sure to visit this historic religious spot!

The Church of the Nazarenas in Lima has a very interesting history. It is located a few blocks away to the east of the Plaza de Armas.

This area used to be a poor neighborhood of formerly enslaved Black people. An ex-slave decided to paint a mural of the Crucifixion of Christ on a wall in the middle of what was basically a shanty town.

It made it through the terrible earthquake of 1655, and in the 1700s, a church was constructed around it. The painting is now the center of the main altar.

Every year on October 18, a copy of the mural called “El Senor de Los Milagros” is carried around by tens of thousands of people in a parade that lasts for days.

Don’t forget to include this religious attraction in your Lima travel itinerary!

Address: Jr. Huancavelica 515, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru

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Larco Museum

Larco Museum, Lima, Peru
Larco Museum, Lima, Peru / VasenkaPhotography / Flickr

One of the greatest things to do here in Lima is go to this amazing museum.

The museum has one of the best collections of ceramics in all of Peru. The collection has ceramics from Peru’s four most important cultural regions. Together, they show over 3,000 years of Peruvian history.

In addition to ceramics, the museum has a nice collection of gold and other precious metals from Peru’s different cultures.

The erotic art gallery is in a different part of the museum. This show has one of the most extensive collections of sexually-themed artifacts from the past.

Try Café Del Museum while you’re at the museum. This is in the museum’s private gardens, which are very nice. This is a great place to eat lunch after you’re done at the museum.

Be sure to include this impressive place as part of your interesting and fun tour of Lima’s historical buildings.

Address: Av. Simón Bolivar 1515, Pueblo Libre 15084, Peru

Larcomar

Larcomar, Lima, Peru
Larcomar, Lima, Peru / Ivan Mlinaric / Flickr

Hidden away in the seaside cliffs of the Miraflores neighborhood, Larcomar is a Shangri-La for shoppers.

There are a wide variety of activities available that may keep both children and adults amused all day and through the night.

Centro Comercial Larcomar is one of the loveliest shopping malls in Peru, sitting on premier cliff-top real estate, somewhere above the sea. If purchasing some lovely Peruvian handicrafts, fashion, and other local delights is your prime purpose, Centro Comercial Larcomar is one of the loveliest shopping malls in Peru.

In addition, there are a variety of dining options, including restaurants, pubs, cafes, nightclubs, and even a movie theatre.

Just beyond the beautiful Parque Salazar, a treasured green space that hugs the coast in Miraflores, you will find outlets of many of the city’s finest handicraft stores, high-end clothing boutiques, and a broad range of great restaurants.

All of these establishments can be found in close proximity to one another.

Prepare your cards and have the best Peruvian shopping experience!

Address: Mal. de la Reserva 610, Miraflores 15074, Peru

Malecon de Miraflores

Malecon de Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Malecon de Miraflores, Lima, Peru / Juan Carlos Martins / Flickr

The Malecón is an excellent place to run, ride a bike, or simply stroll and take in the scenery.

El Malecón, which is located on top of a gorgeous cliff in Lima, is a great place to take a walk if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the capital city as well as the pollution and noise.

The Malecón is the best place in all of Lima to go paragliding since gliders may launch themselves off the cliffs and then enjoy the winds that are produced by the ocean below.

The two most well-known pieces of sculpture can be seen on each side of the Villena Bridge, which crosses a deep valley around the location in the Malecón that corresponds to the middle of the walkway.

Along the route of El Malecón, there are about seven or eight large parks, some of which have flower beds with bright colors.

Spend a day or two and discover the beauty this Peruvian attraction holds.

Address: Mal. de la Reserva 275, Miraflores 15074, Peru

Miraflores

Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Miraflores-Lima-Peru / Art DiNo / Flickr

Miraflores is the destination of choice for many tourists that come to Peru, and for a clear reason.

The area is home to the majority of the city’s best hotels as well as some of the city’s most renowned dining establishments.

In this area, you’ll find Larcomar. This open-air shopping mall is located on the seaside and provides customers with the opportunity to take a bite to eat as well as shop for any products they may have forgotten.

Here you’ll find trendy shops and restaurants that serve the “New Peruvian” food that chefs from all over the world are talking about.

Along the boardwalk, you will come across a number of parks, one of which being the well-known “Parque del Amor,” also known as the “Love Park,” which is a popular gathering place for couples.

The best place to go paragliding in Lima can be found in Antonio Raimondi Park, which is located on the boardwalk.

Address: Miraflores, Lima, Peru

Museo de la Nacion

Museo de la Nacion, Lima, Peru
Museo de la Nacion, Lima, Peru / anarchivist / Flickr

This is the best place to begin learning about ancient Peruvian history and familiarizing yourself with Peruvian culture.

In a compelling manner, the Museo de la Nacion demonstrates the history of Peru.

This museum stands out from others because it has a great show about pre-Christian cultures and collections of ceramics from the Wari, Nasca, and Moche cultures.

This impressive collection includes over 12,500 pre-Hispanic artifacts, including some of the most notable examples of pottery, metals, and textiles from cultures like the Paracas, War, Moche, and Lima civilizations, amongst others.

The most remarkable exhibit at Museo de la Nacion is a replica of Lord Sipan’s grave, the first Moche mummy discovered at Huaca Rajada in Sipán, Peru.

Since this is also the most important cultural center in the country, it hosts a wide range of events and activities, such as educational workshops and seminars and shows by ballet, folklore, symphony orchestra, and national chorus.

Drop by this museum in Lima and learn something about the country’s rich history!

Address: Av. Javier Prado Este 2465, San Borja 15021, Peru

Museo de Sitio Naval Submarino Abtao

Museo de Sitio Naval Submarino Abtao, Lima, Peru
Museo de Sitio Naval Submarino Abtao is one of the best places to go in Lima, Peru

The museum is set up like a Peruvian Navy submarine. 

It is on the beach, and visitors can learn about the ship’s history and how it works.

During its 48 years of service, it made a total of 5,003 dives. During that time, many groups of Peruvian and international divers trained onboard, and thousands of officers and seafarers worked on it all over the Mar de Grau.

The old ship is the first floating museum in South America.

Before you go into the submarine, you can watch a video about the history of submarines in Peru. The submarine’s motto was “Silens et Audax,” which means “Quiet and Brave.”

Most of the submarine’s parts are still there, so instead of walking through glass cases, you can pull levers, turn dials, raise periscopes, and assume to sneak into any country you want.

Everyone, whether they are nine years old or nine years old at heart, wants to squeeze through an actual submarine hatch and down the ladder.

Address: Jorge Chavez 120-A, Callao 07021, Peru

Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología, e Historia

Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología, e Historia, Lima, Peru
Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología, e Historia, Lima, Peru / Paulo Guereta / Flickr

A walk through Peruvian history can be had at the Museo Nacional de Arqueologa, Antropologia e Historia del Per (MNAAH), which first opened its doors in 1826.

This museum dates back to the country’s earliest days and is now its largest. The museum is home to more than 100,000 different artifacts.

The museum is located in an ancient colonial mansion that serves as its home.

The ancient architecture provides the perfect setting for everyone to learn about, relive, and reflect on the experiences that our predecessors went through in their lives.

A great variety of wonderfully preserved pre-Hispanic lithics, metals, textiles, organic materials, and ceramics are currently on show here. Objects with significant artistic and historical worth are displayed.

Some of the most important pieces of traditional textile art and human skeletons from around the world are kept in this large museum. There are 15,000 of these items, and they date from 10,000 BC to 1500 AD. 

Make your trip to Lima interesting by visiting this museum!

Address: Plaza Bolivar, Pueblo Libre 15084, Peru

Parque del Amor

Parque del Amor, Lima, Peru
Parque del Amor, Lima, Peru / F Delventhal / Flickr

A stroll around this park in Miraflores is the perfect way to spend time with that special someone in your life.

From this cute park, which is devoted to couples in love, you can see a breathtaking view of the bay of Lima.

The park’s highlight, El Beso (The Kiss), is a massive sculpture of a couple kissing that was sculpted by a Peruvian artist named Victor Delfin. Paths wind their way around the cliff-tops, which are adorned with flowers that lead to the sculpture.

Visit this location on Valentine’s Day to see young couples engaged in a contest to see who can give the longest kiss in front of the monument.

Mosaics are used to create a beautiful design on the walls that surround the area.

If you are traveling with the love of your life, you must not miss spending an afternoon watching the sunset in this iconic park!

Address: Av, Mal. Cisneros, Miraflores 15074, Peru

Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas, Lima, Peru
Plaza de Armas, Lima, Peru / Art DiNo / Flickr

There is no way you can visit the Andean nation of Peru without going to one of the most famous and historically significant locations in the country.

The Plaza de Armas in Lima is among the oldest locations in all of America. It was the plaza where the city was founded, and it has been at the center of urban activity ever since.

This big square, which is also called Plaza Mayor, is the center of Lima’s history and may be the best place to start a tour because it is in the middle of the city.

The fact that it is only a few steps away from the city’s most significant landmarks makes it the ideal location to explore this enchanted city’s cultural and historical aspects.

A lovely colonial fountain that dates back to the seventeenth century may be seen in the heart of the Plaza de Armas in Lima.

Visit this site in Lima to learn about some of the most beautiful cultures in the Andean nation.

Address: Plaza central Lima, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, Lima, Peru
Santo Domingo, Lima, Peru / Art DiNo / Flickr

Take a glimpse of one of the most renowned religious attractions in Lima.

The church and the monastery of Santo Domingo are among the oldest and most historically significant buildings in Lima. In 1540, the Dominican Friar, Vicente Valverde, built it on land that Francisco Pizarro had given to him.

This beautiful pink church was finished for the first time in the 1600s, but it has been fixed up and rebuilt several times since then.

It is well renowned for being the place where the remains of the three major Peruvian saints are rested: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias. This is why it has gained so much notoriety.

The most fascinating relics in the cathedral are the preserved skulls of Saint Rosa and Saint Martin.

In fact, the relics are showcased in a shrine to the right side of the stunning main altar and are shielded from watchful eyes by a sheet of glass.

Pay your respects and witness the beauty and grandeur of Santo Domingo!

Need more reasons to visit Lima, Peru? Hop over to why visit Lima, Peru, at least once in your lifetime here?

Address: Jirón Camaná 170, Jirón Conde de Superunda 262, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru

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