10 Reasons to visit Lima

Feel the sand between your toes and taste warm, spicy tamales in the shade of a pyramid or take in the history of the country; you can find all this and more in Lima, Peru’s capital city. Also known as the City of Kings it is bustling but you can find stillness in one of the many monasteries or join the party in the bohemian district of Barranco. So, to help you find your perfect trip we have compiled the top ten places to visit in Lima.

The Plaza Mayor

Found right at the heart of the historic centre of Lima, this is said to be the place where Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1535 and a colonial fountain stands at the centre. This is where you will find many of Lima’s important buildings, for example, the Palacio de Gobierno stands at the northern side of the square and is the home of the President of Peru. You can find the City Hall and the Cathedral de Lima here too.

Catedral de Lima

The Catedral de Lima is an amazing piece of Colonial style architecture and quite unlike the Roman Catholic structures you would expect in Europe. With its two towers its façade overlooks the Plaza Mayor and was constructed in 1535.

Government Palace

Built in 1535, the Government Palace of Peru can be found in the Plaza Mayor and the stunning French Baroque architecture was home to the Viceroys until 1821. It is now the headquarters for the Peruvian government and has ornamental guards surrounding it.

City Hall

Built in 1939 this imposing building looks much older and stands on the site of the first town hall which was founded in 1535. You might be forgiven for missing some of its elegance at first glance but if you go inside you will have a pleasant surprise. Entrance is free and the use of marble is more reminiscent of grand French architecture. It houses collections of important Peruvian paintings and documents that are worth a look.

Monasteries

There are many monasteries in Lima and most are worth a visit but one does stand out among the rest and this is the Monastery of San Francisco. This monastery has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991 and can be found south of the Parque la Muralla. This Spanish Baroque style building is fantastic and the site holds a church with great works of art as well as the monastery. There are also catacombs and an amazing library. A centre of calm in this busy city.

Santo Domingo Convent

This convent and church was built by Dominican Friars in the 16th century and is famous in Lima for having a steeple that the locals see as authentically constructed. Its interior has some beautiful examples of 17th century decorated wall tiles. The length of time taken to construct the church and convent mean that it has a collection of architectural styles and it is also famous for holding the relics of Santa Rosa, the patron saint of Lima and the oldest choir stalls in the city.

Miraflores

The chic and fashionable district of Miraflores is full of trendy bars and restaurants. Taking a walk through this side of the city will also offer you the seafront strip of El Malecón. Parks with sculptures open up to fantastic ocean vistas, and if the mood takes you there are cycle and rollerblade hires available, or you could even try paragliding.

Huaca Pucllana

Lima has its very own pyramid. If you head down to the Miraflores district you can find Huaca Pucllana, which is an adobe and clay built pyramid dating to around 300-700 AD. This is thought to be the place of ritual games and, as a site of religious power, played an important role in the emerging culture of Lima at this time. There is also an excellent restaurant here called the Restaurant Huaca Pucllana which serves some fantastic local delicacies.

Museums

There are a huge number of museums and art galleries in Lima so you could visit many if you have the time. However, if you want to visit the archaeological sites of Lima the best museum to take a look at before you venture to the sites themselves would be the Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología, e Historia del Perú. This museum is located on the Plaza Bolívar and highlights the artefacts of the entire of Peru’s history including information about Machu Picchu.

Barranco

The 18th century architecture of Barranco district lies south of Miraflores and is the bohemian centre of Lima. With fantastic nightlife, this is the place to be seen with the poets and artists in stylish cafes and great restaurants. Barranco is situated in a ravine and there is a walkway to the sea, which is called the Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros). Make sure you take a wander this way as it is well worth a look.