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Lima City Guide
A sprawling urban landscape that merges modernity with pockets of history, Lima is one of South America’s most desirable capitals to visit. Glorious colonial buildings fringe historic squares whilst modern skyscrapers offer visitors all the amenities expected in a metropolitan city. Those looking to escape the hectic buzz of the city have a number of luscious parks to relax in, as well as the fresh sea air and surfer-friendly beaches offered by the city’s coastline setting. Lima has also recently emerged as one of the world’s greatest gastronomic hotspots, with local eateries serving some of the freshest seafood in the country and world class restaurants fast becoming the norm in the city’s more upmarket neighbourhoods.
Trips that visit Lima
South America in 3 Weeks
Duration:23 Days
Route:Cartagena to Santiago
Tour Code:HCS
Lima’s Best Spots
From chilled bohemian hangouts to some of the swankiest establishments in South America, Lima is home to it all. Each of its different districts seems to harbour a unique character of its own, meaning that there is sure to be something for everyone somewhere amongst the urban sprawl. Much like all other metropolitan cities, a lot of the cityscape is dominated by towering modern buildings and the constant whirr of traffic. However, there are some neighbourhoods that offer the ideal respite from the chaos. Here is a selection of the most popular areas in Lima.
Miraflores 
Perhaps Lima’s most popular district amongst tourists, Miraflores lies on a scenic stretch of the city’s coastline. The area is known for its popular shopping spots and eateries, which vary from delicious street food options around Parque Kennedy to restaurants that are considered amongst the very best on the planet. Miraflores is also home to a number of museums and the Inca structure, Huaca Pucllana, which dramatically contrasts the modern infrastructure that surrounds the ancient site.
Barranco
Considered a more bohemian alternative to neighbouring Miraflores, Barranco is renowned as the artsiest area in Lima. In contrast to the generic urban sprawl that makes up much of the city, Barranco has a number of smaller streets and alleyways bursting with a vibrant rainbow of street art, where there are independent cafes, bars and restaurants aplenty. Most of Lima’s artists have either lived in this area or taken great inspiration from it. Undoubtedly one of the best spots in Lima to have both a casual cup of coffee in the morning or refreshing beer in the evening.
San Isidro
Considerably more upmarket than most areas in Lima, San Isidro is the place to visit for those with a penchant for the finer things in life and a little more money to spend. The streets here are lined with posh restaurants, high-end fashion stores and artisanal cafes for revellers to explore and experience. History buffs should pay a visit to the neighbourhood’s archaeological site, Huaca Huallamarca - a pyramid-like temple that predates the the time of the Incas.
Historic Centre
The area to go for lapping up Lima’s colonial history, Lima’s centre has grand pastel-coloured churches and impressive open plazas in abundance. The lemon-toned facades of San Francisco Church and San Pedro Church offer perhaps the most notable examples of Lima’s religious buildings, with the regal Presidential Palace and resplendent Plaza de Armas also offering architectural delight. Keep your eyes peeled for the ornately carved wooden balconies typical of colonial Peru, which can be seen dotted around the area.
Pueblo Libre
A somewhat underappreciated part of Lima, Pueblo Libre is a hub of tranquility in the heart of the chaos and home to some of the city’s finest cultural delights in the form of various ruins and colonial manor houses. One such manor has been expertly converted into the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru, where Peru’s long and complex history is comprehensively covered in what is the country’s oldest and largest museum. The frequent pockets of peaceful greenery are what distinguishes Pueblo Libre from most other areas in Lima.
Tailor-made holidays that visit Lima
Food in Lima
Lima has fast become one of the most desirable travel locations in the world for those who are crazy about food. Not only does Peru’s capital city offer up local favourites from the citizens who know them best, but also gastronomical marvels that have drawn some of the planet’s greatest chefs to the city, seeking a taste of the booming culinary scene.
Gastronomic favourites
Most of Lima’s swankiest restaurants are found in the more affluent districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, serving up food so authentically delicious that the South American city is fast becoming one of the go to places for people seeking out the best food that the planet has to offer. Some serve international cuisine, others serve up gourmet twists on national favourites and some offer a unique fusion of the two. Here are some of the most popular high end eateries that the city has to offer:
With a focus on local ingredients and supporting smaller producers, Malabar creates gastronomical treats whilst keeping sustainability in mind. Ingredients are selected depending on the season and Peruvian cuisine is hinted at in each and every meal.
Considered Latin America’s number one restaurant and amongst the ten best in the world, Central is run by chef Virgilio Martinez who draws inspiration from all things Peruvian, from the Andes to the Amazon to the Pacific coastline. A trip to Central is all about the experience, with tasting menus and eccentric wine pairings lasting for hours on end. Anyone looking to dine here should note that reservations must be made months in advance, given its unsurpassed popularity.
If you fail to secure a reservation try adjacent restaurant, Kjolle, which offers a similar experience and extremely delicious food.
Maido is most notable for its Nikkei cuisine - a combination of traditional flavours from Peru and Japan. Despite being opposite sides of the Pacific, the tastes of these two regions merge perfectly to create something entirely new. The food at Maido is considered by many to be amongst the very best served on the planet.
A different kind of upmarket dining experience, Huaca Pucllana serves world class cuisine as guests sit beside the illuminated visage of the Incan ruins next door. Nowhere else serves up an experience quite like it.
Situated within the pristine white walls of a former hacienda, Astrid y Gaston varies its menu according to season, with frequent nods to traditional Peruvian culture. Hints at head chef Gaston Acurio’s time training in Europe can be found in many of the dishes.
Something more local
Not all of the food on offer in Lima is restricted to those with a larger spending budget. In fact some of the best meals that the city has to offer come from colloquial market stalls as opposed to extravagant, award-winning restaurants. After all, the restaurants in question gained their inspiration from such humble establishments. Here are some of the best places to find local cuisine prepared in a manner close to the very origins from which the recipes began:
Given its proximity to the coast, Lima is home to some of the freshest seafood in the country. This in turn means that some of the best ceviche in Peru can be found here. Mercado de Surquillo on the eastern border of Miraflores is home to a fishmongers with a selection of cevicheras situated directly next door, guaranteeing freshness and flavour.
Located just off Parque Kennedy, all it takes to locate La Lucha Sangucheria is follow the queues, regardless of the time of day. Serving up wholesome sandwiches filled with pork, turkey, ham or veggie options inside an impossibly soft roll with a crisp crust - it's no wonder locals and tourists flock to it daily.
This humble restaurant specialises in a classic local dish in the form of anticuchos, or grilled cow hearts. Whilst many might be put off by the knowledge of where the meat comes from, one bite of this delicacy is sure to change their mind. Marinated, grilled and impossibly tender, it is a popular skewered snack amongst Lima’s residents.
A taverna style restaurant located in Miraflores, El Bodegón is a throwback to the Peruvian establishments of old, with retro posters, adverts and photographs lining the exposed brick walls. Delicious cocktails and Peruvian classics are served at very reasonable prices considering the quality on offer.
La Picateria, found just east of Miraflores in Surquillo, provides guests with a unique and authentic dining experience. Customers choose from a selection of fish caught that very day before selecting how they would like it to be prepared, even selecting multiple styles if they so wish. Peruvian ceviche doesn't get much fresher than this.
Picarones
Not a place but a dish, picarones are Lima’s answer to a classic donut. Closer in resemblance to an onion ring, they are made from mashed sweet potato and squash which is deep fried and drizzled in Andean honey. This ideal post-dinner sweet treat is sold from street carts across the city.
Getting Around
Primarily consisting of buses and minivans, it is fair to say that public transport in Lima is not particularly efficient or simple to understand. Unless you have an in depth knowledge of the city, you should plan your journey rather meticulously beforehand. It's a good idea to either write down or memorise the road that you will be getting off at before stepping onto minivans. Bus drivers and locals tend to be very helpful when informing you of the best route to take to your destination, so don't be afraid to ask for a hand. Taxi apps such as Uber and Cabify also offer travellers an affordable and safe way to travel about the city.
Group Tours to Peru
Machu Picchu, Amazon & Galapagos
Duration:14 Days
Route:Cusco to Quito
Tour Code:PEAG
Alternative things to do in and around Lima
Whilst on the face of it Lima may seem akin to most large cities across the planet, beneath its metropolitan facade are a number of alternative activities to keep even the most seasoned traveller entertained. Whether you're seeking cultural experiences with a difference or heart-pounding adventure, the city of Lima and its surroundings are sure to provide just the type of pastime that you're looking for.
Paragliding over Lima’s coastline
If you head to Lima’s coastline in the district of Miraflores, you're sure to witness thrill-seeking individuals riding the ocean breeze with a parachute strapped to their backs. Flights tend to set off from Miraflores and offer spectacular 360 degree views of the luscious green coastline and looming cityscape behind.
Visiting the catacombs of San Francisco Church
A rather macabre but extremely interesting stop off point in Lima, the catacombs underneath San Francisco Church were used as a resting place for the wealthy inhabitants of Lima during the 18th century and are said to be the resting place of roughly 25,000 bodies. The countless bones lying in this mass tomb have been organised into unnervingly precise decorative patterns.
Wander around colourful Monumental in Callao
Stroll through the vibrant streets of Callao, with brightly painted colonial buildings, mind blowing graffiti and innovative galleries aplenty. This is fast becoming one of the highlights of any trip to Lima for anyone interested in the art scene. Visitors to this artistic hub can buy designer gifts from design shops or even partake in graffiti lessons.
Sandboarding in the nearby sand dunes
Lima is located on the edge of a vast and dry desert, home to giant sand dunes that resemble golden hills rolling into the horizon. Those looking to try something different can strap on a board and slalom their way down the sandy slopes on snowboards before hurtling off into the horizon on speedy dune buggies. This day trip from Lima is one for the adrenaline junkies.
Party at a peña
A quintessential Peruvian experience, peñas are gatherings that typically occur on a friday evening across Lima. A peña includes food, drink and (most important of all) Peruvian folk music. Some places offer peña experiences aimed at tourists but if you manage to find a more authentic alternative you'll be treated to an excellent insight into local life.
Lima Blogs
8 unusual things to do in Lima
Welcome to the bustling capital city of Peru – Lima. One of the largest cities in South America, you could easily spend at least a few days exploring. You will come across pretty much anything you can expect from a large city. From outstanding restaurants selling local cuisine, colonial architecture, busy shopping districts and a vibrant nightlife. But what about those hidden unexpected treasures that you didn’t know were there? Some of the best memories of a place are the unexpected little gems that you won’t necessarily find in a guide book. Here’s our top 8 unusual things to do in Lima!
The must try drink and food in Peru
When you think of the food in Peru, what cuisine do you associate with it? Heavy on the meats and veg? Or does it perhaps resemble Mexican cuisine? After visiting Lima which is known as the culinary capital of South America, we shortlisted some of our favourite and most fascinating drinks, ingredients and dishes we recommend trying for yourself when visiting this Andean treasure of a country.
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