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Lima

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City
—°11
Lima (Peru)
ℹ️

Practical info — Lima

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Use the Metropolitano bus system for quick travel between Miraflores and downtown; remember to buy a card first.
  • Always agree on a taxi fare before getting in, as taxis in Lima do not use meters.
  • The coastal fog known as 'Garúa' often creates a grey sky; visit between January and March for sunshine.
  • Order your ceviche at lunchtime to ensure you get the freshest catch of the day.
  • Miraflores and Barranco are safe and very walkable districts with many pedestrian paths.

🍽 Food

🍽
Ceviche

Fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice; look for 'cevicheras' in Barranco for the best quality.

🍽
Anticuchos

Grilled beef heart skewers, a local favorite often sold in Kennedy Park during the evenings.

🍽
Picarones

Deep-fried pumpkin and sweet potato doughnuts served with syrup, a classic street treat.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Inka Market

A large market in Miraflores specializing in high-quality alpaca textiles and silver jewelry.

🛍
Dédalo

A beautiful concept store in an old Barranco mansion featuring modern Peruvian artisanal crafts.

🛍
Larcomar

A unique shopping mall built into the cliffs, offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

🧘
Parque El Olivar

A centuries-old olive grove in San Isidro that serves as a quiet oasis in the middle of the city.

🧘
Malecón de Miraflores

The clifftop promenade features plenty of space for long, quiet walks with ocean views.

🧘
Larco Museum Gardens

The beautifully maintained gardens of the museum in Pueblo Libre are a peaceful retreat.

Lima, the capital of Peru, was founded on January 18, 1535, by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro as the 'City of the Kings.' Located on the country's central coast by the Pacific Ocean, it is now the political, economic, and cultural heart of Peru. The city's architecture is a fascinating blend of grand colonial buildings in the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and modern skyscrapers in districts like San Isidro. Lima is world-renowned for its gastronomy and is considered the culinary capital of the Americas, where Andean, Amazonian, European, and Asian influences converge. Geographically, the city is defined by the coastal mist phenomenon (garúa) caused by the cold Humboldt Current. Despite its location in a desert region, Lima is the world's second-largest desert city after Cairo. With over 10 million inhabitants, it is a spirited megacity home to significant museums like the Larco Museum, which impressively documents Peru's pre-Columbian history.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb–Apr.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C192020191817171717171819
Rain mm354111111123

Geography

Population
7,737,002 (2023)
Coordinates
-12.04640, -77.04280

Facts

  • Lima was founded on January 18, 1535, by Francisco Pizarro.
  • The historic center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.
  • It is the second-largest desert city in the world, after Cairo.
  • The Lima metropolitan area is home to over 10 million people.
  • San Marcos University, founded in 1551, is the oldest in the Americas.
  • The Port of Callao is Peru's primary international trade gateway.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

National Stadium of PeruNational Stadium of Peru1 km · NWExplore →
Larco MuseumLarco Museum3 km · SExplore →
Bridge of SighsBridge of Sighs3 km · NWExplore →
Parque de las Leyendas ZooParque de las Leyendas Zoo5 km · SExplore →
La Pampilla RefineryLa Pampilla Refinery10 km · SExplore →
Port of CallaoPort of Callao11 km · SExplore →
Huachipa ZooHuachipa Zoo16 km · NExplore →
PachacamacPachacamac16 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Lima (11)

Museo Señor de los Milagros🏛 museum

Opened in 2014, this museum in Lima showcases the history and devotion associated with the Lord of Miracles.

🕒 Th-Fr 9:00-16:00; Su 8:00-14:00♿

Museo Nacional de la Cultura Peruana🏛 museum

A notable museum in Lima exhibiting a vast collection of traditional Peruvian folk art and cultural artifacts.

🕒 Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00

Combate del Dos de Mayo🏺 historical

A historic monument in Lima designed by architect Edmond Guillaume, inaugurated on July 29, 1874, to commemorate the 1866 Battle of Callao.

Teatro Colón🎭 culture

A historic performing arts centre in Lima known for its elegant early 20th-century architecture.

Plaza Ramón Castilla🌳 park

A public park in Lima dedicated to the 19th-century Peruvian president Ramón Castilla.

Museo Geológico y Paleontológico (UNI)🏛 museum

A museum at the National University of Engineering in Lima displaying geological specimens and ancient fossils.

🕒 Mo-Fr 09:00-16:30

Huaca Palao🏺 historical

An ancient pre-Inca ruin site located within the urban landscape of Lima.

Centro Representativo Quipan🎭 culture

A local arts and cultural centre in Lima hosting community events and traditional representations.

Centro Cultural UCH🎭 culture

An arts centre in Lima run by the Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades, promoting academic and cultural activities.

Templo de San Sebastián⛪ religious

A historic place of worship in Lima featuring traditional colonial religious architecture.

Iglesia Fuente de Vida⛪ religious

A local Christian church in Lima providing a gathering place for the Fuente de Vida congregation.

Frequently asked questions

How many days should I plan for Lima?
Three days are well-suited to experience the city and the gastronomy.
What is the best season to visit?
Summer (December-April) for sunny days by the sea.
Is Lima a family-friendly city?
Yes, there are many parks and entertainment options.
Where can I find the best restaurants?
In the Miraflores and Barranco districts.
How is the traffic in Lima?
Very intense, always plan enough time for journeys.
Lima: where is it located?
Lima is located in Peru.
Lima: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museo Señor de los Milagros, Museo Nacional de la Cultura Peruana, Combate del Dos de Mayo.
Lima: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Apr.
Lima: why is it worth visiting?
Lima, the capital of Peru, was founded on January 18, 1535, by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro as the 'City of the Kings.' Located on the country's central coast by the Pacific Ocean, it is now the political, economic, and cultural heart of Peru.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
South America
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in South America
More places in Peru →

Nearby cities

Ica — Lima (Peru)
Ica
The heart of Peruvian wine and pisco production, surrounded by desert and sand dunes.
Huánuco — Lima (Peru)
Huánuco
The city of eternal spring in the central Andes, famous for its ancient ruins and mild year-round climate.
Pisco — Lima (Peru)
Pisco
Historic port city and namesake of Peru's national grape brandy, Pisco.
Tarma — Lima (Peru)
Tarma
Known as the "Pearl of the Andes," Tarma is a charming city famous for its stunning floral displays and mild mountain climate.
Paracas — Lima (Peru)
Paracas
Gateway to the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas National Reserve, where the desert meets the Pacific.
Lunahuaná — Lima (Peru)
Lunahuaná
A sunny paradise for adventure sports enthusiasts and wine lovers, situated directly on the banks of the Cañete River.

History & landmarks

Ayacucho — Lima (Peru)
Ayacucho
The city of 33 churches, famous for its religious tradition, colonial architecture, and the intricate retablo folk art.
Nazca — Lima (Peru)
Nazca
Famous for the mysterious Nazca Lines, giant geoglyphs etched into the arid Peruvian desert.
National Stadium of Peru — Lima (Peru)
National Stadium of Peru
The largest and most important multi-purpose stadium in Lima, mainly used for matches of the Peruvian national football team.
Plaza Mayor of Lima — Lima (Peru)
Plaza Mayor of Lima
The main square and birthplace of the city of Lima, surrounded by significant historical and architectural buildings.
Monastery of San Francisco — Lima (Peru)
Monastery of San Francisco
An impressive baroque church and monastery complex in Lima, particularly famous for its underground catacombs.
Huaca Pucllana — Lima (Peru)
Huaca Pucllana
A massive adobe pyramid of the Lima culture, which today is a fascinating relic in the middle of the modern Miraflores district.
Larco Museum — Lima (Peru)
Larco Museum
A privately run museum of pre-Columbian art in Lima, housed in a beautiful 18th-century building.
Bridge of Sighs — Lima (Peru)
Bridge of Sighs
A picturesque wooden bridge in the bohemian district of Barranco in Lima, which has inspired many artists, musicians, and lovers.

More places

Magic Water Circuit — Lima (Peru)
Magic Water Circuit
A sprawling park in Lima featuring numerous interactive, colorful fountains that attract families, especially at night.
Parque de las Leyendas Zoo — Lima (Peru)
Parque de las Leyendas Zoo
Lima's main zoo and botanical garden, divided into three ecological zones of Peru.
Huachipa Zoo — Lima (Peru)
Huachipa Zoo
A popular animal park on the outskirts of Lima, showcasing a large collection of Peruvian and exotic animal species.
Cajamarquilla Zinc Refinery — Lima (Peru)
Cajamarquilla Zinc Refinery
One of the largest zinc refineries in the world, located near the capital city of Lima.
Amancay Sanctuary — Lima (Peru)
Amancay Sanctuary
A hilly area near Pachacámac, known for the yellow amancay flower, which blooms briefly during the winter.
Chancay Megaport — Lima (Peru)
Chancay Megaport
A major deep-water port project aimed at significantly increasing trade between South America and Asia.
Lomas de Lachay National Reserve — Lima (Peru)
Lomas de Lachay National Reserve
A fog-dependent ecological oasis in the desert near Lima that turns green during the humid season and attracts wildlife.
Mala Valley Orchards — Lima (Peru)
Mala Valley Orchards
A fertile river valley south of Lima, widely known for its delicious apples and Peruvian tamales.