Lima Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Exposition Park showing a fountain and a park as well as a large group of people
Lima showing interior views, religious aspects and a church or cathedral
Lima which includes a skyscraper and street scenes
Exposition Park featuring outdoor art, a park and flowers
Lima featuring a sunset and a pond as well as a large group of people

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 colorful 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 neighborhoods 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 Lima Golf Club 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 Bridge of Sighs and Barranco Viewpoint 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 Government Palace 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
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 ₹10,356 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
₹10,356
₹11,391 total
12 Oct - 13 Oct
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Callao. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,111 reviews)
"The property is sucked on a hill and worth the price"

Reviewed on 14 Sept 2025

Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores by IHG

Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores by IHG

4 out of 5
Calle Alfonso Ugarte 117, Miraflores, Lima
The price is ₹9,510 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
₹9,510
₹10,461 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lima. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (672 reviews)
"They have a very good service and staff, very helpful always. They didnt offer any VIP upgrades"

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2025

Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores by IHG
Sheraton Lima Historic Center

Sheraton Lima Historic Center

4 out of 5
Paseo De La Republica 170, Lima, Lima
The price is ₹6,957 per night from 25 Sept to 26 Sept
₹6,957
₹7,652 total
25 Sept - 26 Sept
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lima. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (745 reviews)
"Staff was very accommodating and friendly"

Reviewed on 3 Sept 2025

Sheraton Lima Historic Center
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.
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 Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (609 reviews)
"All of the above. What I didn't like was the noise coming from nearby discotheques on my last night, that was Thursday the 11th, other than everything was excellent."

Reviewed on 14 Sept 2025

Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
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 Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the property condition in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (440 reviews)
"Nice apartment style close to Kennedy Park"

Reviewed on 6 Sept 2025

Petit Palace Apart Hotel Suites
Apart Hotel El Doral

Apart Hotel El Doral

3 out of 5
Avenida Jose Pardo 486, Miraflores, Lima
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lima. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the property condition in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (116 reviews)
"Luxurious place with kitchenette, living and dining rooms. Huge in comparison to 5 * hotels. Will stay here again. Professional staff , well maintained Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 8 Aug 2025

Apart Hotel El Doral
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

Reviews of Lima

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
5 - Excellent 27%
4 - Good
27
4 - Good 55%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 18%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

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