Lima

Travel Guide
Lima which includes religious elements, interior views and a church or cathedral

Lima Travel Guide Video

Spanish colonial houses, exquisite food, musicians in traditional dress, oceanfront entertainment and fine museums make the Peruvian capital a feast for the senses.

Enjoy a culinary and cultural experience in bustling Lima, where the desert meets the coast, where ancient history mixes with 21st-century entertainment and where Peru’s poor hope to get rich.

The settlement along the Rímac River was once inhabited by Incas and earlier civilizations. After the Spanish founded Lima in 1535, they ruled for over 300 years. Today, nearly a third of Peru’s 30 million residents live in the capital. From the slums on the Cerros (hills) and the colourful colonial mansions, to the Catholic churches with Moorish roofs and Chinatown’s red gate, Lima’s urban sprawl is diverse. 

Explore Lima’s colonial past in the central Plaza de Armas. A grand palace with marching guards, an ornate cathedral and a 17th-century fountain define this historic square. Sit on a bench and people-watch or browse nearby souvenir shops for brightly colored souvenirs. Tour the Convento y Museo de San Francisco and its 16th-century catacombs. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage or set out on foot and follow the shopping avenues to the monument-rich Plaza San Martin.

Take a metered taxi to the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera in the Pueblo Libre district to see pre-Columbian art, including Moche ceramics from over 2,200 years ago. For oceanfront entertainment, head south to Lima’s fashionable neighbourhoods Miraflores and Barranco. Try Peru’s staple seafood dish ceviche or the alcoholic drink pisco sour.

In summer, ocean breezes provide a welcome reprieve from Lima’s desert air and smog. Winter days are mild, but often overcast. Because most Peruvians are poor and Lima attracts the wealthy, crime is an issue. Use the lockers and taxi service of your hotel and stick to the tourist areas.

Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport has connections to major global destinations. With daily planes and buses leaving from Lima for the surfing beaches of the Pacific Ocean, the lush Amazon jungle and the snow-capped Andes mountains, this fascinating city is just the start of your Peru adventure.

Where to stay in Lima

Miraflores featuring a sunset, landscape views and general coastal views

Miraflores

4.5/5(54 area reviews)

Travellers to Miraflores praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Huaca Pucllana Ruins and Indian Market.

Miraflores
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San Isidro

4/5(15 area reviews)

San Isidro is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Olivar Park and Costa Verde Beach while in the area.

San Isidro
Barranco showing street scenes as well as a large group of people

Barranco

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Barranco is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Barranco Park and Bridge of Sighs while you're in town.

Barranco
Plaza Mayor featuring flowers and a park

Lima Historic Center

Unique features of Lima Historic Center include the historical sites and shopping. Make a stop by Church and Convent of San Francisco or Cathedral of Lima while you're exploring the area.

Lima Historic Center
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San Miguel

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in San Miguel. You might want to make time for a stop at Plaza San Miguel Mall or Leyendas Park.

San Miguel
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San Borja

4/5(1 area review)

San Borja is a destination travellers like for its restaurants, and you might hop aboard the metro at San Borja South Station or La Cultura Station to explore sights like La Rambla San Borja.

San Borja
Casa Andina Standard Benavides
Casa Andina Standard Benavides
3.5 out of 5
271 Av. Alfredo Benavides, Lima, Municipalidad Metropolitana de Lima
The price is S$119 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
S$119
per night
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Lima. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (362 reviews)
"Staying at this hotel was an absolute delight! From the moment we arrived, the staff greeted us warmly and made us feel right at home. The location couldn't have been better, centrally located with easy access to all the attractions. Overall, a fantastic experience that I would highly recommend to ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Casa Andina Standard Benavides
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
4 out of 5
Av Elmer Faucett S N, Aeropuerto Jorge Chavez, Callao, Lima
The price is S$222 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
S$222
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Callao. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,148 reviews)
"Great property with comfortable rooms. Excellent breakfast buffet."

Reviewed on 26 Mar,2024

Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
Holiday Inn Lima Airport, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Lima Airport, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Av. Tomas Valle s/n, Esq. Av. Faucett, Centro Aereo Comercial - Callao, Callao, Callao
The price is S$188 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
S$188
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Callao. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,027 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 27 Mar,2024

Holiday Inn Lima Airport, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Petit Palace Apart Hotel Suites
Petit Palace Apart Hotel Suites
3.5 out of 5
Calle Independencia 279, Miraflores, Lima 18, Lima, Lima
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lima. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (412 reviews)
"It’s a really nice place but it could use a little fixing up. Great value and I love having a kitchenette!"

Reviewed on 16 May,2023

Petit Palace Apart Hotel Suites
Wynwood Colon in Miraflores
Wynwood Colon in Miraflores
3 out of 5
380 Calle San Martin, Lima
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Lima. Enjoy free WiFi, a balcony, and a TV. Popular attractions Larcomar Shopping Center and Waikiki Beach are located nearby. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"This apartment is EXCELLENT! It is super comfortable, clean and located in a perfect area. It is beautiful, it has everything you need. It even has a parking for the car. But, the apartment is so well located that you can walk everywhere you want. The communication with the property's owner was also ..."

Reviewed on 25 Aug,2023

Wynwood Colon in Miraflores
Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
3.5 out of 5
Bellavista 216, Miraflores, Lima, Lima
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lima. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (498 reviews)
"It is a great property that is conveniently located near everything in Miraflores. The rooms are spacious, and having a kitchen is fantastic. Additionally, the hotel staff was always helpful, answering our requests and questions with great care."

Reviewed on 10 Jan,2024

Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Lima

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 26.53061224489796%
4 - Good
27
" "4 - Good 55.10204081632653%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 18.367346938775512%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
5 Jan 2020

Very safe and clean in some areas, unsafe, ugly in other areas. Dining options are far away from each other and public transport is only by bus and unreliable.

4/5 - Good

Mark
10 Dec 2019

MATE....Mario Testino art museum is well worth a visit

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Nov 2019

Lima is not only a beautiful city, but also a paradise for foodies; a hidden gem with lovely people and vibrant life!

3/5 - Okay

Eugen
26 Sep 2019

Good for a day visit (at least main square, but bad traffic and pretty rundown.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
21 Sep 2019

Really enjoyed Lima, go to barranco, the artisan district is lively and fun! History in downtown is good to.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
27 Aug 2019

Lima changed & improved a lot since I last visited 22 years ago. The areas around the hotel felt safe and easy to get around. I didn’t worry about looking at my phone in public which I would have done years ago. Nice bohemian vibe near bridge of sigh