Lima City Guide: Where to Go, See, Eat and Sleep in Lima, Peru

While a lot of travellers pass through Lima, most are usually on their way to Cusco and Machu Picchu or on their way back. Lima may get a day or two at a glance on most Peru itineraries, but it’s not a city many linger in. However, after having spent close to a month hanging out here, I’m of the opinion that Lima is a destination in its own right…especially if you like to eat! This little guide is going to highlight a few spots worth checking out in the city, places to eat, and neighbourhoods to stay in. Let’s get started!

The Best of Lima Travel Guide: 25 Things to Do, See, Eat, Drink & Experience in Lima, Peru

1. Hire a bike at MiraBici.

MiraBici offers bike rentals as well as guided tours that take you through various districts including Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco and Chorrillos. Their stand is conveniently located by Larcomar.

2. Go to El Circuito Mágico del Agua.

The Magic Water Circuit is a water and light show that takes place at night in Parque de la Reserva. This park boasts 13 water fountains that come to life with lasers, coloured lights, and music. P.S. You’ll want to visit once it’s dark out!

3. Eat ceviche.

It has to be done in Lima! This popular seafood dish is made with raw fish that’s cured in lemon or lime. The fish is then served with white corn, sweet potato, and red onions, typically for lunch. Some popular cevicherias in Lima include: La Mar, Punta Sal, Pescados Capitales and El Punto Azul. More suggestions here.

4. Tour the city with Mirabus.

Mirabus runs various tours within Lima as well as a few day trips outside of the city. If you want to get an overview of Miraflores and Lima’s historic centre, then their tour Lima by Day is a good option. Just keep in mind that this is not a hop-on-hop-off tour and you won’t be able to linger at attractions along the way. The tour last 3.5 hours and it is 70 soles for adults.

5. Shop and gaze out at sea from Larcomar. 

Larcomar is a really cool shopping centre located in Miraflores. What makes it so unique is that it has been built on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and as such it has some great lookout points. People come here to shop at the boutiques, eat dinner, or enjoy a cup of frozen yoghurt with a view. If you come on a clear day, you’ll even be able to watch the paragliders flying above your head.

6. Pick up Peruvian alfajores at La Casa del Alfajor.

Alfajores vary in style, size and ingredients throughout Latin America, yet they are all vying to be the best. The traditional Peruvian recipe consists of two crumbly cornstarch cookies, glued by manjar blanco (creamy caramel) in the middle, and a light dusting of powdered sugar on top. La Casa del Alfajor (The House of the Alfajor) has many locations throughout the city, but I would recommend visiting the one in San Isidro on Avenida Conquistadores, because it just so happens to be located by a very old olive grove – a pretty cool place if you ask me!

7. Go paragliding in Miraflores.

This one is for the daredevils and thrill-seekers! Perufly is located in Parque del Amor (Love Park) in Miraflores, and they fly daily from 11 am to 6 pm weather permitting. (Mornings in Miraflores are usually foggy, but this tends to clear up by mid-morning.) Tandem paragliding costs 240 soles.

8. Enjoy a night out in Barranco.

Barranco has a bit of an artsy/bohemian vibe and it’s where people like to go out at night. Here you’ll find a mixture of art galleries, cafes, bars, restaurants, and lots of street art.

9. Tour Plaza de Armas.

Also known as Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Armas is one of the most historic plazas in the city. The square is flanked by the Government Palace, Lima Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of the Union. The plaza also has an intricate water fountain that dates all the way back to the 1600s – the history is palpable!

10. Pick up souvenirs at the Mercado Indio.

If your trip is drawing to an end and you want to pick up some souvenirs to take back home with you, then visit El Mercado Indio on Petit Thouars. This is where you can find warm alpaca sweaters, brightly coloured touques, chess sets of Spaniards versus Incas, paintings done in the Cuzqueña style, t-shirts with the Nazca lines, coca candies, leg warmers, and just about anything else you can think of.

Planning Your Lima Trip

Suggested Itineraries for Lima, Peru

If you’re short on time, you want flow, not FOMO. These routes minimise backtracking and stack activities by district.

One Day in Lima: Miraflores and the Historic Centre

Morning – Miraflores coast

• Coffee near Parque Kennedy, then stroll through Parque del Amor and the clifftop parks.
• Optional tandem paragliding if skies are clear.
• Pop into Larcomar for the ocean lookout.

Lunch – Ceviche

• Classic lunch at a cevichería (order ceviche + leche de tigre + chicha morada). Ceviche is a lunch thing in Lima.

Afternoon – Centro Histórico

• Taxi or ride app to Plaza de Armas for the square, cathedral facades and balconies.
• San Francisco Convent and Catacombs — guided visit.
• Golden hour photos along Jirón de la Unión and side streets.

Evening – Back to the coast

• Sunset on the Miraflores cliffs.
• Dessert stop: alfajores or churros. Stroll Parque Kennedy and say hi to the cats.

Two Days in Lima: Add Barranco and the Museums

Day 1: Follow the one-day plan above.

Day 2 – Barranco and Pueblo Libre

• Breakfast in Barranco, wander the murals, Puente de los Suspiros and galleries.
• Late morning at Museo Larco in Pueblo Libre — lovely gardens and excellent curation.
• Lunch of criollo comfort dishes such as ají de gallina or lomo saltado.
• Back to Barranco for a lazy café hop and dinner — it’s lively after dark.

Three Days in Lima: Markets, Ruins and the Night Show

Day 3 – Markets, ruins and water show

• Start at Surquillo Market for fruit tastings.
• Midday guided tour of Huaca Pucllana — a pre-Inca pyramid in the middle of Miraflores.
• Coffee crawl or beach walk; surf lesson if conditions allow.
• Night: Circuito Mágico del Agua for the fountain and light show.

Where to Stay in Lima

For bookable properties, three options worth searching for:

• Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel — luxury property on the Miraflores cliffs with direct Pacific views and walking access to Parque del Amor and the Malecón. One of Lima’s most celebrated addresses and an easy base for the first-day itinerary above.
• Hotel B — a boutique hotel in a restored 1920s Barranco mansion, regularly cited as one of the most distinctive places to stay in Lima. The neighbourhood is within walking distance of the Bridge of Sighs and the city’s best restaurant strip.
• Casa Andina Select Miraflores — a reliable mid-range option from the well-known Peruvian hotel chain, with a central Miraflores location and consistent quality. A practical choice if the Belmond is outside budget.

What to Eat in Lima

Lima is where Peru’s regional cuisines hang out together. Here’s a quick menu decoder so you can order confidently. If you want to take some of the recipes home, Peruvian cooking classes are a good option.

Coastal and Classic

• Ceviche: Raw fish cured in lime with red onion, cancha (toasted corn), choclo (giant corn) and sweet potato. A lunch dish.
• Tiradito: Ceviche’s cousin — sashimi-style cuts with silky sauces.
• Jalea: Golden fried seafood pile with salsa criolla.

Criollo Comforts

• Ají de gallina: Shredded chicken in a creamy, nutty yellow chilli sauce.
• Seco: Cilantro-stewed beef or lamb, usually with beans and rice.
• Tacu tacu: Crispy bean-and-rice pancake, often topped with steak or seafood.

Nikkei and Chifa

• Nikkei: Peruvian-Japanese — ceviche meets sushi bar.
• Chifa: Peruvian-Chinese — wok-cooked lomo saltado and tallarín saltado are the crowd-pleasers.

Street Snacks and Sweets

• Anticuchos: Grilled skewers, often beef heart.
• Picarones: Squash and sweet potato doughnuts in spiced syrup.
• Alfajores and churros: Dulce de leche in various forms.

Where to look by district:

• Miraflores: Cevicherías, Nikkei counters, dessert shops, easy coffee.
• Barranco: Creative kitchens, craft cocktails, late-night bites.
• Pueblo Libre and Centro: Traditional criollo staples.

Coffee, Desserts and the Sweet Tour

• Morning: Flat white near Parque Kennedy, then a maracuyá juice at Surquillo Market.
• Afternoon: Lúcuma ice cream — the caramel-like Andean fruit worth seeking out.
• Evening: Picarones from a street stand and churros with thick chocolate.
• Take-home: A box of tejas and chocotejas and a sleeve of alfajores.

Getting Around Lima

• Ride apps and taxis: Easiest way point-to-point. Have your hotel or restaurant call a reputable taxi if you’re not using an app. Confirm price before you go if there’s no meter or app rate.
• Metropolitano (BRT): Fast bus corridor connecting Miraflores to the Centro. Can be crowded — watch your valuables.
• Walking and biking: Lovely along the clifftop parks and Malecón. Use caution crossing major avenues; stick to the promenades.
• Airport transfers: Pre-booked rides or official taxi counters inside arrivals keep the process stress-free.

SIM and data: A local SIM or eSIM (passport needed for a physical SIM) keeps maps and ride apps working. Signal is solid across the city; download offline maps as a backup.

Lima on a Budget

• Ceviche lunch: S/ 25–60+ depending on the spot.
• Museum entry (major sites): S/ 10–40.
• Coffee and pastry: S/ 12–25.
• Surf lesson (group): S/ 70–130 including wetsuit and board.
• Paragliding (tandem): Check the board at the launch zone for the day’s rate.
• Ride app Miraflores to Centro: S/ 18–35 depending on time and traffic.

Look for menú del día boards at lunchtime for soup, main and drink deals at local restaurants.

Weather and What to Pack

Lima’s famous garúa is a cool marine fog that hugs the coast for much of the year. It’s rarely cold, but the air is damp and breezy, and UV levels can still be high even under cloud cover.

• Light layers you can stack: breathable T-shirt, light sweater or fleece, windproof shell.
• Comfortable walking shoes — water-resistant ones are useful.
• Sun protection, including sunscreen and a hat, even on cloudy days.
• For surfers: wetsuit rentals are standard; the Pacific is chilly year-round.
• For evenings: a scarf or light jacket is enough most months.

Surfing and Paragliding in Lima

Surfing: Breaks roll along the Miraflores and Barranco shoreline. Lessons include board and wetsuit; you’ll meet instructors on the pebbly beach, not the clifftops. Conditions vary — local schools will guide you to the friendliest waves that day. Surf lessons in Lima are searchable for advance booking.

Paragliding: Launch zones sit on the cliffs above Parque del Amor. Flights are weather-dependent; afternoons often have better wind. Wear closed shoes, secure your phone for in-flight video, and be prepared to wait for a clear window. Tandem paragliding experiences are also available.

Sunset and Photography Spots

• Clifftop parks (Malecón) from Parque del Amor to Antonio Raimondi Park — paragliders and Pacific blues.
• Barranco viewpoints near the Puente de los Suspiros — warm light on murals and colonial mansions.
• Centro at golden hour — balconies and plazas glow; late afternoon light is the best for architecture shots.
• Huaca Pucllana — book a late tour for moody, layered brick textures against the city skyline.

Day Trips from Lima

• Pachacamac: Pre-Inca complex south of Lima — combine ruins and coastline.
• Paracas and Islas Ballestas: Boat to sea lions and birds; add the Paracas Reserve for desert and dune scenery. Day tours to Paracas are searchable on Stay22 — a practical option that handles the transport from Lima.
• Caral: One of the oldest civilisations in the Americas — a long day but a significant payoff for history enthusiasts.
• Lunahuaná: Rafting, pisco vineyards and a sunny river valley southeast of the city.
• Huacachina: Dune buggies, sandboarding and big sunsets — best as an overnight trip rather than a day.

Arrival and Day Bag Checklists

Arrival day

• SIM or eSIM set up
• Cash in small bills (ATMs inside banks and shopping centres)
• Ride from airport pre-booked or official taxi stand chosen
• First dinner planned near your hotel

Day bag for sightseeing

• Phone, offline maps and power bank
• Light jacket for the garúa breeze
• Sunblock, sunglasses and hat
• Hand sanitiser and tissues
• Copies of key documents — digital and one paper copy

What to order at a cevichería

• Ceviche clásico (fish)
• Leche de tigre shot
• Causa (potato terrine) to share
• Chicha morada or maracuyá juice

Lima FAQ

Is Lima worth more than a day?

Yes — especially if you like food. Give it two to three days and split time between Miraflores, Barranco and Centro for very different moods and very different meals.

Where should I stay for a first visit?

Miraflores is the easiest base — walkable, coastal parks and plenty of dining options. Barranco if you prefer boho cafés and nightlife. San Isidro for quiet, leafy streets and upscale hotels.

Is ceviche best at lunch or dinner?

Lunch. Limeños treat ceviche as a midday dish when fish is freshest. At night, go for lomo saltado, anticuchos or Nikkei.

What’s the safest way to move around at night?

Use ride apps or have your restaurant or hotel call a reputable taxi. Keep your phone tucked away when standing curbside and avoid empty backstreets.

Do I need Spanish?

Basic phrases help considerably — hello, please, thank you, the bill and simple directions. In tourist districts many people speak some English, but local markets and neighbourhood restaurants may not.

How do I visit the Historic Centre without moving hotels?

Base in Miraflores or Barranco and do a half-day hop by ride app or the Metropolitano BRT. Go during daylight, and return to the coast for dinner and sunset.

Can I drink the tap water?

Stick to filtered or bottled water. Many cafés and hotels are happy to refill a reusable bottle; ice in reputable restaurants is generally filtered.

What’s a fair ride price from Miraflores to Centro?

Expect a range depending on time of day and traffic. Ride apps show the rate before you confirm — that’s your best gauge. Allow extra time for traffic on the return leg.

What should I wear?

Lima is casual. Think smart-casual layers you can stack — breathable T-shirts, a light sweater, comfortable shoes and a windproof shell. For fine dining, jeans and a nice top are perfectly acceptable.

Is it always foggy?

Not always, but the garúa is common for much of the year. UV levels can still be strong under cloud cover, so bring sunscreen regardless of how grey the sky looks.

When is the best time to surf?

Waves roll year-round and the water is chilly year-round. Summer (December–April) is the pleasantest time on the beach; winter sees more consistent swells. Local schools will advise based on conditions each day.

What’s a good souvenir from Lima?

Alpaca textiles, ceramics, Peruvian coffee, chocolate and edible treats like tejas and chocotejas. Buy from artisan markets and check labels carefully — baby alpaca versus blended fibres is a significant quality difference.

Now over to you! What are some of your favourite things to do in Lima, Peru?