Location: Lima
Top Things to do in Lima
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Lima, Peru
Lima, founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, is a fascinating city and a treasure trove of history. Explore ancient Incan archeological sites, or stroll through the elegant cathedrals and opulent palaces dating from Spanish colonial times. Downtown Lima is crowded, but you'll enjoy exploring the city's neighborhoods—especially the beachfront areas, which have great shopping and dining and fabulous hotels.
Restaurants in Lima
1. Museo Larco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
MUSEO LARCO OPENS FROM 9AM TO 10PM, DAILY. The Museo Larco is housed in an exquisite 18th century vice-royal mansion, built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid and surrounded by beautiful Gardens. The museum’s galleries exhibit the finest and most magnificent gold and jewelry treasures from Ancient Peru and the renowned erotic collection, one of Peru’s most celebrated attractions. Founded in 1926 and located in Lima, the Museo Larco holds the largest and most important archaeological collection of Ancient Peru in the world. Peru is known worldwide thanks to the legendary Inca Empire on the Andes Mountains; however few are aware that this society existed only for the last 100 years before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores. The Museo Larco portrays to the visitor an engaging narrative, recounting 5000 years in the development of Peru’s pre-Columbian history; thus becoming the ideal means to understand and enjoy Ancient Peru. On the Museum’s terraces overlooking its vibrant and stunning Gardens, find Museo Larco´s Café restaurant, where one can savour the best of Peruvian and International cuisine.All in all, it’s accurate to say that to become fascinated by Peruvian history, the journey begins at Museo Larco!
2. Circuito Magico del Agua
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Julie M - Wellington, New Zealand
We met up with a friend, arrived in time for the magical Fountain music show, then walked around experiencing the beauty of the many colourful playing Fountains. We were enthralled by the choreography of the Fountains, colour and volume, dancing in time to the most beautiful classical music. It was a symphony of colour, so clever, so original, so mesmerising. Encore an hour or so later showed famous faces and pictures in the fountains' water and spray. Amazing! We walked through a long arch/tunnel of water, watcherd youngsters enjoying a play area of Fountains which spouted irregularly and spasmodically, soaking them if they were caught! Such fun, screeches of joy and laughter.
Just a few coins to get in, but so worth it. We joined families and folk of all ages at this wonderful park. So memorable!
3. Miraflores
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
This beachfront residential district features many of Lima's excellent shops, restaurants, nightspots and first class hotels.
Reviewed By 4historyandculture - Charlotte, North Carolina
Our hotel was in Miraflores and we drove about one hour from the airport. The wealth is apparent in this part of the city. High rise buildings, Bridges over highways, beach access from the upper hills, parks, and variety of restaurants reflect an upscale life style here.
4. Gran Teatro Nacional
Overall Ratings
5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By Chinapjs - Washington DC, District of Columbia
If you struggle out Javier Prado (the traffic is horrendous) you can't miss on the left hand side before you reach San Borja, the relatively new and glorious National Theater. A stunning glass structure, the interior has almost perfect acoustics. And the prices are very reasonable. A recent production of the opera Turendot only cost about $50 and was wonderful. You'd pay more than twice that in Washington DC and triple in New Yourk City.
5. Museo del Automovil Coleccion Nicolini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By ClassicStrider - Guatemala
We had the privilege to be showed around trough the museum by Snr Jorge Nicolini.
The cars all have an history and are in mint condition.
It was an pleasure to see all the cars and also the workshop were the cars are restored.
They can do all the work there amazing.
6. Circuito Magico del Agua
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By GypsyinOz
It is a wonderful set of 13 ornamental, cybernetic and interactive Fountains where water, music, light, images and laser effects, in perfect conjunction and harmony, are mixed to present unique and incredible shows.
7. Miraflores Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By EagleFlyer - Reykjavik, Iceland
Walked parts of the Miraflores boardwalk a few times, eventually covering it from the lighthouse to Barranco. The walking path is broad and comfortable, but most importantly, it offers great views over the beach and the ocean, as well as excellent opportunities to enjoy people living their lives to the fullest. The climate in Lima can make the boardwalk feel like a different place from one day to another or even one hour to another. When it is foggy by the coast, one can see the fog rolling over the landscape, sometimes obscuring the upper half of the buildings by the coast. And when it is sunny and the sky is blue, one can see the coast, the ocean and the city in the background.
May sound kitschy, but is very much worth walking.
8. The Amano Pre-Columbian Textile Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
This museum features the private collection of Mr. Yoshitaro Amano, which contains selected pieces of ceramics and textiles, arranged chronologically to illustrate the development of weaving throughout Peru's pre-Columbian cultures, featuring special items from the Chancay culture.
Reviewed By bodhibee - Rochester, New York
this exquisite museum is like an invigorating yet mysterious chamber music performance. It is a deep exploration of pre columbia textiles (mostly), astoundingly well preserved and well curated( in spanish and english). The range, from large to small, abstract, bold or delicate fish in woven animation or feather garments that flutter with movement, exhaust descriptions. It was well worth the extra soles to have a private docent to help answer the myriad questions and open many extra drawers for viewing.
If you are intrigued by textiles the Amano collection will leave you entranced and planning your next visit soon
9. Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By Jules H - Lima
From Lima to Yauyos the trip is pretty rough (7 hours away and the road is not still good) but the landscape worth the sacrifice to get there.
I do not recomend Mystical Trekking operator because most of the time we spent unpleasant moments and they did not offer everything we read at their web page.
After all the negative situations we had, I definetely recomend this spot the most if you like to camp and spend some time with nature and breathe fresh air far away from chaos and the traffic of Lima.
10. Museo de Arte de Lima - Mali
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 934 reviews
The Museo de Arte de Lima - Mali holds the most representative art collection in Peru, tracing 3,000 years of history from the earliest Andean civilizations until modern times. Known as the Palacio de la Exposición, the building that is now home to the museum is located at the entrance to the Lima's historic center and is one of the earliest and most important works built using the new technique of cast-iron construction. On the second floor you will find 34 recently renewed galleries with a selection of the most important works of our collection. Mali has an active program of temporary Exhibitions throughout the year which covers the highlights of local and international art. The temporary exhibition galleries, as well as the Café Mali, store, auditorium, library and education area, are located on the first floor. ***Free admission every Thursday from 3:00 P.M.***
Reviewed By Chimata-no-kami - New York City, New York
The main attraction of this museum is that it lays out the history of Peru through art, from pre-Colombian to modern. Probably the most worthy part is the Cusco school colonial paintings collection, as Larco Museum has a much better pre-Colombian exhibit, and the modern stuff is quite frankly not that interesting. For there are not that many competing day activities in Lima, this should be on your itinerary.
TAGS
