The best things to do in Lima include walking the Miraflores clifftops to Love Park at sunset, climbing the 1,500-year-old Huaca Pucllana pyramid, wandering the street art of Barranco, exploring Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco catacombs, and seeing 5,000 years of gold and ceramics at Museo Larco. Lima is also South America’s food capital, so eat ceviche, chifa and pisco sours, take a cooking class, or join a food tour. For adventure, paraglide over the Costa Verde, surf at Makaha, swim with sea lions at the Palomino Islands, or take the unforgettable day trip to Paracas and Huacachina. This guide includes prices, opening hours, how to get there and our honest tips for every spot.
Lima has a reputation as the city you fly into, sleep off the jet lag in, and leave for Cusco as fast as possible. We almost did exactly that.
Then the city got us – with clifftop sunsets over the Pacific, a park full of lazy cats, a 1,500-year-old pyramid hiding between apartment blocks, and honestly some of the best food we’ve eaten anywhere in the world.
This is our list of the best things to do in Lima – the famous sights, the food you can’t leave without trying, and the adventures worth the early alarm – with real prices, timings, and the tips we wish we’d had before we landed.
👉 Short on time? Our 2 Days in Lima itinerary puts the best of this list into a walkable, one-Uber-a-day plan.
*Heads up, fellow travelers! Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase or book an activity through them, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We only recommend things we absolutely love and believe will enhance your adventure. Your support helps us keep this site going, so thank you for being part of our journey!
Walk the Miraflores Malecón to Love Park at Sunset
If you do only one thing in Lima, make it this. The Malecón is a clifftop promenade that runs for kilometres above the Pacific, with parks, joggers, surfers far below, and paragliders floating past at eye level.
It leads straight to Parque del Amor (Love Park), home to the giant El Beso (The Kiss) sculpture and mosaic benches covered in love poems.
We walked it from Barranco back to Miraflores as the sun went down, and it was the moment Lima clicked for us. Free, easy, and genuinely beautiful.
Opening hours: Open 24/7
Tickets: Free
How to get there: Walk from anywhere in Miraflores – start near Larcomar and head north to Love Park (about 15 minutes).
Tips:
- Set off about an hour before sunset – the light turns gold over the ocean just as you reach Love Park.
- Sunsets are most colourful from December to April; the rest of the year the grey garúa mist often rolls in.
- Want to cover more ground? This bike tour along the Malecón to Barranco rides the whole coastline with street-art stops along the way.
- Stick to the clifftop path with other walkers, and grab an Uber if it gets dark before you’re back.
👉 Planning all of Peru? Our 3-Week Peru Itinerary shows how Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu fit together.
Climb Huaca Pucllana, a Pre-Inca Pyramid in Miraflores
Right in the middle of a residential neighbourhood sits Huaca Pucllana, a 1,500-year-old adobe pyramid built by the Lima culture – centuries before the Incas.
Millions of hand-made mud bricks are stacked like books on a shelf, and apartment buildings peek over the walls on every side.
It was one of the nicest surprises of our whole trip. The guided visit is short, fascinating, and a great way to understand that Peru’s history goes far beyond Machu Picchu.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday, 9 AM – 5 PM; night visits Wednesday to Sunday until 9 PM (closed Tuesdays)
Tickets: Around S/15 for a daytime visit.
How to get there: On Calle General Borgoño – a short walk or Uber from anywhere in Miraflores.
Tips:
- Go first thing in the morning to beat the heat and the tour groups.
- The night visit is lit up beautifully – a great option if your days are full.
- The restaurant on site overlooks the ruins and is lovely for a sunset dinner (book ahead).
- Want context? This guided tour combines the pyramid with Barranco in one afternoon.
Meet the Cats of Kennedy Park
Parque Kennedy is the beating heart of Miraflores – and it belongs to the cats. Dozens of well-fed, well-loved strays nap on every bench, flower bed and path, cared for by local volunteers.
It sounds like a gimmick. It isn’t. We planned to pass through and ended up sitting there for half an hour, which says everything.
Opening hours: Open all day
Tickets: Free
How to get there: Central Miraflores, about 20 minutes on foot from Huaca Pucllana.
Tips:
- Evenings are livelier, with street performers, artisan stalls and locals out for a stroll.
- Grab a coffee or churros nearby and people-watch – it’s the best free show in town.
- Please don’t feed the cats; volunteers manage their diet and health.
Get Lost in Barranco’s Street Art and the Bridge of Sighs
Barranco is Lima’s bohemian, artsy neighbourhood – colourful colonial mansions, huge murals on almost every wall, tiny galleries and cool bars.
Aim for the wooden Bridge of Sighs and walk down the Bajada de Baños to the ocean.
We spent a whole afternoon here without a plan, and it never once felt like a checklist. It’s our favourite neighbourhood in Lima – by far.
Opening hours: Open all day; galleries usually 10 AM – 7 PM
Tickets: Free
How to get there: 10–15 minutes by Uber from Miraflores, or about 45 minutes on foot along the coast.
Tips:
- Legend says if you cross the Bridge of Sighs for the first time while holding your breath, your wish comes true.
- Have lunch at Canta Rana (classic ceviche) or Isolina (big Peruvian comfort food).
- MATE, the Mario Testino museum, is right here if you love photography.
- Want the stories behind the murals? Join this Barranco street art walking tour.
👉 Where to stay? We stayed at Larq’a Park Rooms in Miraflores – cheap, central and an easy walk to the coast and Kennedy Park. Miraflores and Barranco are the two safest, most convenient neighbourhoods to base yourself in.
Explore Plaza Mayor and Lima’s Historic Centre
Lima’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Plaza Mayor is where it all began – founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535.
Around the square you’ll find the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace and beautiful carved wooden balconies.
We joined a free walking tour here and it was the easiest way to get our bearings. Around midday you can also catch the changing of the guard at the Government Palace – a proper show with a marching band.
Opening hours: Plaza open all day; the Cathedral is usually open Monday–Saturday, roughly 9 AM – 5 PM
Tickets: Plaza free; Cathedral around S/30
How to get there: About 30–60 minutes by Uber from Miraflores, depending on traffic.
Tips:
- Treat the centre as a daytime visit and head back to Miraflores or Barranco before dark.
- Protests sometimes happen around the main squares – check the news and avoid crowds if one is on.
- Rather have it all organised? This Lima city tour covers the historic centre, Love Park and the catacombs with transport included.
- Tip your free walking tour guide at the end – that’s how they get paid.
Go Underground in the San Francisco Monastery Catacombs
A few blocks from Plaza Mayor, the bright yellow San Francisco Monastery hides one of Lima’s strangest sights: catacombs holding the bones of an estimated 25,000 people, arranged in eerie circular patterns.
Upstairs, the library with its antique books is just as impressive.
Easily the strangest ten minutes of our morning – and one of the things we still talk about from Lima.
Opening hours: Daily, around 9 AM – 6 PM
Tickets: Around S/20 including a guided visit (about 45 minutes)
How to get there: 5-minute walk from Plaza Mayor.
Tips:
- No photos are allowed inside the catacombs.
- Bring cash for the tickets.
- The craft stalls on Plazuela San Francisco next door are fine for a souvenir – but if Cusco is next, shop there instead.
- Prefer a guide for the whole morning? This walking tour with catacombs is a great value option.
👉 Wondering what to bring home? See our list of what to buy in Peru – 22 souvenirs we actually brought home.
See 5,000 Years of Gold and Ceramics at Museo Larco
Museo Larco in Pueblo Libre holds one of the best pre-Columbian collections in the world, set in an 18th-century mansion wrapped in bougainvillea.
Highlights include the gold and silver gallery, the open storage rooms with tens of thousands of ceramics, and the (very) famous erotic pottery collection.
This was the museum that pushed back hardest on our “there’s not much to do in Lima” theory. Plan a whole afternoon.
Opening hours: Daily, 9 AM – 7 PM
Tickets: S/50 for adults (a bit cheaper online); guided tours available
How to get there: About 20–30 minutes by Uber from Miraflores.
Tips:
- The gardens and café-restaurant are free to visit even without a museum ticket – perfect for lunch.
- We went on our own and wished someone could tell us what we were looking at. This guided Larco Museum tour solves that.
- Allow at least 2 hours – the storage rooms alone can swallow 30 minutes.
Eat Ceviche Where It Was Perfected
Lima is regularly named South America’s food capital, and ceviche is the national dish: raw fish “cooked” in lime juice with chilli, red onion, sweet potato and big corn kernels. The leftover juice, leche de tigre, is a famous hangover cure.
Ceviche is a lunch thing in Lima – locals say fish should be eaten fresh and early, so most cevicherías close by late afternoon.
Top spots:
- La Mar (Miraflores): Gastón Acurio’s famous cevichería. Lunch only, no reservations – arrive at noon.
- Canta Rana (Barranco): Old-school, huge portions, around S/50 a ceviche.
- Central (Barranco, splurge): Named World’s Best Restaurant in 2023. Book about 3 months ahead.
Average cost: S/40–70 (roughly $11–19 USD) per main at a good sit-down spot.
Tips:
- Go for lunch between 12 and 2 PM – that’s when the fish is freshest.
- Order a tiradito too – Peru’s Japanese-influenced cousin of ceviche.
- Not sure what to order? This Peruvian food tour takes you through several neighbourhoods and dishes in one afternoon.
Try Chifa in Barrio Chino
Barrio Chino, Lima’s Chinatown, is the home of chifa – the Chinese-Peruvian fusion that gave the country dishes like lomo saltado and arroz chaufa.
It’s cheap, unfussy and quietly some of the best food we ate in Lima. We nearly walked past our lunch spot – very glad we didn’t.
Opening hours: Most restaurants open around 9 AM – 10 PM
Tickets: Free to wander; meals from around S/25
How to get there: A 10-minute walk from Plaza Mayor – easy to combine with the historic centre.
Tips:
- Wa Lok is a classic – try the wonton soup and dim sum.
- Mercado Central is right next door if you want to see a real Lima market.
- Want to taste everything? This historic centre street food tour covers markets, street snacks and old eateries.
👉 Hungry for more? Our guide to food in Peru breaks down every dish worth ordering, region by region.
Drink a Pisco Sour (or Three)
Peru’s national cocktail is made with pisco (grape brandy), lime, sugar, egg white and a few drops of bitters – and Lima is the place to try a proper one. Barranco is full of bars, and many restaurants make an excellent version.
For something different, Museo del Pisco is a bar dedicated to Peruvian pisco, with tasting flights that explain the different grape varieties.
Opening hours: Most bars open from late afternoon until late
Tickets: Around S/25–40 per cocktail
How to get there: Barranco and Miraflores have the best concentration of bars.
Tips:
- Pisco sours are strong – one before dinner is plenty if you’re heading to Cusco’s altitude soon.
- Also try a chilcano: pisco, ginger ale and lime – lighter and very refreshing.
- Pisco makes a great souvenir – buy it in Lima if you’re flying home from here.
Take a Peruvian Cooking Class
If you love food, learning to make it yourself is one of the most fun things to do in Lima. Most classes start with a market visit, then teach you ceviche, causa (layered potato dish) and a proper pisco sour from scratch.
This top-rated cooking class is the one we’d book – small groups, great reviews, and you leave with the recipes (and very full).
Class details:
- Duration: About 2.5 hours
- Includes: Ingredients, cooking, your meal and a pisco sour
- Location: Miraflores – easy to fit into any day
Browse the Mercado de Surquillo
Just across the highway from Miraflores, Mercado de Surquillo is where Lima’s chefs shop. You’ll find dozens of tropical fruits you’ve never heard of, mountains of potatoes and chillies, and stalls serving cheap, excellent ceviche.
It’s a great, authentic contrast to the polished restaurants – and a very cheap breakfast.
Opening hours: Daily, roughly 7 AM – 5 PM (best in the morning)
Tickets: Free
How to get there: 10–15 minutes on foot from Kennedy Park.
Tips:
- Try lúcuma, chirimoya and granadilla – ask the vendors, most are happy to let you taste.
- Bring small change in soles.
- Keep your phone and bag close, as in any busy market.
Watch the Magic Water Circuit Light Show
The Circuito Mágico del Agua in Parque de la Reserva holds a Guinness World Record as the largest fountain complex in the world.
There are 13 illuminated fountains, a tunnel of water you can walk through, and an evening show with lasers and music projected onto a wall of water.
It’s a bit kitsch – and that’s exactly why it’s so much fun. We didn’t fit it into our trip, but it’s top of our list for next time, and it’s a favourite with families and couples.
Opening hours: Usually Tuesday to Sunday, around 3 PM – 10:30 PM; light shows in the evening (check the times before going)
Tickets: Around S/4 – one of the cheapest things to do in Lima
How to get there: About 20–30 minutes by Uber from Miraflores.
Tips:
- Arrive just after dark so you see the fountains lit up and catch the main show.
- Bring a change of clothes if you plan to run through the interactive fountains.
- Don’t want to deal with taxis at night? This Magic Water Circuit tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off.
Paraglide Over the Costa Verde
Lima’s cliffs create perfect conditions for paragliding, and tandem flights launch right from the park on the Miraflores clifftop.
You’ll soar along the Costa Verde with the ocean below and the whole city skyline beside you.
We watched paragliders drift past the cliffs all afternoon and half-wished we’d booked a flight ourselves. If you’re braver than us, this tandem flight has fantastic reviews.
Opening hours: Daily, roughly 10 AM – 6 PM, weather permitting
Tickets: Flights usually last 10–15 minutes
How to get there: Launches from the Miraflores clifftop, near Love Park.
Tips:
- Late afternoon usually has the best winds and the prettiest light.
- Flights depend on the wind – keep a backup slot in your plans.
- Pay a bit extra for photos and video; you’ll want proof!
Learn to Surf at Makaha Beach
Lima is one of the few capital cities where you can surf before breakfast.
Makaha Beach in Miraflores has gentle, consistent waves that are perfect for beginners, with surf schools lined up along the shore.
If you’ve never surfed before, this surf lesson at Makaha includes the board, wetsuit and an instructor who gets most people standing up on day one.
Opening hours: Lessons usually run in the morning
Tickets: Lessons including board and wetsuit
How to get there: Walk down from the Miraflores clifftop (stairs near Parque Domodossola) or take a short Uber.
Tips:
- The Pacific here is cold all year – you’ll need a wetsuit.
- Mornings usually have the calmest conditions.
- Beaches are pebbly, so water shoes help.
Cycle the Coast from Miraflores to Barranco
The coastal bike path along the Malecón is flat, scenic and car-free – one of the easiest and most fun ways to see Lima’s best neighbourhoods in a single morning.
This bike tour rides from Miraflores along the cliffs to Barranco, with stops at Love Park, the Bridge of Sighs and the best street art.
Tour details:
- Duration: About 3 hours
- Includes: Bike, helmet and a local guide
- Great for: First-timers who want the coast and Barranco in one go
Swim with Sea Lions at the Palomino Islands
This is one of the wildest things to do in Lima. Boats leave from Callao and head out to the Palomino Islands, home to thousands of wild sea lions. Then you put on a wetsuit and jump in – the curious young ones often swim right up to you.
We met sea lions on our Paracas trip (see below) and loved every second. If you have a spare morning in Lima, this Palomino Islands yacht tour is the one to book.
Duration: About 3.5 – 6.5 hours
Includes: Boat trip, wetsuit, guide (hotel pickup available)
How to get there: Boats leave from the port of Callao, about 40 minutes from Miraflores.
Tips:
- The water is cold – the wetsuit really helps.
- Take seasickness tablets if you’re sensitive; the open ocean can be choppy.
- Go from December to April for the calmest, sunniest conditions.
Visit the Ancient Citadel of Pachacamac
About an hour south of the city, Pachacamac is a huge archaeological complex that was one of the most important religious centres in ancient Peru for over 1,000 years.
You’ll see adobe pyramids, the restored Temple of the Sun and the excellent site museum, all looking out over the Pacific.
It’s a great half-day trip if you love history and won’t be seeing the big ruins around Cusco – or if you just want to get a feel for pre-Inca Peru.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, around 9 AM – 5 PM (closed Mondays)
Tickets: Inexpensive entry; most tours include it
How to get there: About an hour by car from Miraflores – a tour is the easiest option.
Tips:
- Bring sun protection – there’s very little shade.
- This Pachacamac tour with hotel pickup includes transport, a guide and the site museum.
- Combine it with a seafood lunch in one of the beach towns south of Lima.
Take a Day Trip to Paracas and Huacachina
If you take one piece of advice from this post, make it this one. The Paracas and Huacachina day trip was one of our favourite days in the whole of Peru – and it feels like a different planet from the city.
The day starts with a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands – the “poor man’s Galápagos” – packed with sea lions, Humboldt penguins and thousands of seabirds.
Then comes a pisco vineyard tasting, and finally dune buggying and sandboarding across the giant dunes of the Huacachina oasis as the sun goes down. The sunset toast on top of the dunes is a memory we’ll keep forever.
Duration: Around 18 hours door to door
Tour we booked: Paracas & Huacachina Premium Day Trip with Sunset Toast
How to get there: Hotel pickup from Miraflores or Barranco, very early in the morning.
Tips:
- Make it its own day – don’t try to squeeze it between flights.
- Don’t book the cheapest dune buggy operator. Speed on the dunes is dangerous with unlicensed drivers – pay for a serious company with real permits.
- Bring a jacket for the boat and sunglasses for the sand (it gets everywhere!).
- Sleep on the bus – you’ll need the energy for sandboarding.
Eat Your Way Through Lima on a Food Tour
If you only have a day or two and want to taste as much as possible, a food tour is the smartest way to do it. A local guide takes you to markets, cevicherías, juice stands and hidden spots you’d never find alone.
The Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour has close to a thousand glowing reviews and covers ceviche, exotic fruits, anticuchos and a pisco sour – or try this historic centre street food tour if you prefer something more local and rough-around-the-edges.
Tour details:
- Duration: About 4 hours
- Includes: All food tastings and drinks
- Best time: Book it on your first day so you know what to order for the rest of the trip
👉 Heading to Cusco next? Our guide to the best things to do in Cusco and the best restaurants in Cusco have you covered.
Practical Tips Before Visiting Lima
- Getting from the airport: Jorge Chávez Airport is about 45 minutes from Miraflores. Book a transfer before you land – this private airport transfer is easy and reliable, especially for early-morning arrivals.
- Getting around: Use Uber for longer hops (historic centre, Barranco, Museo Larco) and walk the rest. Traffic is heavy, so add extra time.
- Where to stay: Miraflores or Barranco – the safest and most convenient areas. We stayed at Larq’a Park Rooms in Miraflores and would book it again.
- Money: Use Multired ATMs – no withdrawal fee (400 soles daily limit). Cards work in restaurants; carry cash for markets and small chifas.
- Internet & SIM cards: We used an Airalo eSIM across Peru – easy setup and no need to hunt for a SIM card after a long flight.
- Weather: Lima barely gets rain. December to April is warm and sunny; May to November is cooler and often grey with the garúa mist.
- Safety: Stick to Miraflores and Barranco at night and visit the historic centre during the day. Lima has been under a state of emergency since October 2025, so check the latest official travel advice before you fly.
- How many days: 2 days covers the highlights, plus 1 extra day for Paracas and Huacachina.
FAQ: Things to Do in Lima
What is Lima best known for?
Lima is best known for its food – it is often called the food capital of South America – along with its clifftop coastline in Miraflores, the UNESCO-listed historic centre, the bohemian Barranco neighbourhood and pre-Inca sites like Huaca Pucllana.
How many days do you need in Lima?
Two days is enough to see the highlights of Lima at a relaxed pace. Add a third day if you can for the Paracas and Huacachina day trip, which was one of our favourite days in all of Peru.
What is the best area to stay in Lima?
Miraflores or Barranco. They are the safest and most convenient neighbourhoods for visitors, close to the coast, restaurants and nightlife. We stayed at Larq’a Park Rooms in Miraflores.
Is Lima safe for tourists?
Miraflores and Barranco are generally safe with normal big-city precautions. Visit the historic centre during the day, use Uber instead of street taxis, and check the latest official travel advice, as Lima has been under a state of emergency since October 2025.
What are the best free things to do in Lima?
Walking the Miraflores Malecón to Love Park at sunset, visiting the cats of Kennedy Park, exploring Barranco’s street art and the Bridge of Sighs, and wandering Plaza Mayor are all free.
What food should you try in Lima?
Ceviche, tiradito, lomo saltado, causa, anticuchos, chifa dishes in Barrio Chino and of course a pisco sour. Ceviche is traditionally eaten at lunchtime.
What is the best day trip from Lima?
The Paracas and Huacachina day trip: a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, a pisco vineyard tasting, and dune buggying and sandboarding at sunset in the Huacachina oasis. It’s a long day of about 18 hours, but absolutely worth it.
Final Thoughts
We came to Lima expecting a layover. We left still thinking about the Kennedy Park cats, a chifa lunch we nearly walked past, golden sunsets on the Malecón, and a sunset toast on top of a sand dune three hours south.
Lima doesn’t have the endless sightseeing list of Cusco – and it doesn’t need one. Its magic is in the food, the coastline and the neighbourhoods. Walk the cliffs, eat ceviche at lunchtime, drink a pisco sour in Barranco, and save one full day for the desert.
These are the best things to do in Lima – give the city a couple of days, and it will surprise you just like it surprised us.
Planning the Rest of Your Peru Trip?
- 2 Days in Lima: our honest, walkable Lima itinerary
- 3-week Peru itinerary: how the whole trip fits together
- Best things to do in Cusco: our full Cusco guide
- Food in Peru: a region-by-region guide to what to order
- What to buy in Peru: 22 souvenirs we actually brought home
- Inca Trail packing list: exactly what to bring
Written by Ru & Tiago
We spent three weeks in Peru in 2026, from Lima’s coastal cliffs and chifa lunches to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail. Based in Geneva, we specialise in honest, active trip guides built around real experience, not recycled checklists.
