Lima walking tour & city guide

Miraflores and Barranco

Miraflores has a clifftop promenade, the Malecón, with parks and paragliders above the ocean. The Love Park has mosaic walls. Barranco, next door, is a bohemian district of colorful houses, street art and the Bridge of Sighs.

The historic center

The Plaza Mayor is surrounded by the cathedral, the Government Palace and wooden balconies. The San Francisco Monastery has catacombs and a stunning library.

A day in Lima

Start in the historic center at the Plaza Mayor, surrounded by the cathedral, the government palace and wooden balconies, then visit the San Francisco Monastery, whose catacombs hold thousands of bones. Arrive at the palace around noon to watch the changing of the guard.

In the afternoon, head to the coast. Walk along the Miraflores clifftop parks, past the Love Park and paragliders floating over the Pacific, then continue south to Barranco, a bohemian district of colorful mansions, street art and the Bridge of Sighs. At sunset, the ocean views from the cliffs are spectacular.

Good to know

Lima is one of the great food capitals of the world. Ceviche is traditionally eaten at lunch, when the fish is freshest, and the Surquillo Market is a good place to try tropical fruits. The city's Nikkei cuisine blends Japanese and Peruvian flavors.

From May to October, Lima is often covered by a gray sea mist called garúa; summer, from December to March, is sunny and warm. Ride-hailing apps and the Metropolitano bus are the easiest ways to move around.