Lima: Excursions through the Colorful and Historic Neighborhoods of the City

A trip to Peru usually begins in the capital, Lima. No matter how much time you plan to spend in this beautiful coastal city, there are a few excursions and highlights you should definitely not miss. For travel bloggers Nina and Tom, Lima was the start of their world journey.

With great curiosity, they explored the most beautiful places and neighborhoods, such as Miraflores and the Plaza de Armas in the historic center. They'll tell you what Lima is known for, which excursions are worth it in the surrounding area, and which neighborhoods are very safe for tourists.

Lima is large yet manageable, colorful and gray at the same time, modern but historically rich. All these contrasts make this coastal metropolis on Peru's dry Pacific seaside a unique city. After being conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century, Lima became the capital of Peru, now home to over 11 million people, which is about one-third of the Peruvian population. Numerous colonial buildings still remind us of this period. Unfortunately, cloudy skies in Lima are not uncommon, at least from May to November. However, you are unlikely to see any rain, as it only rains extremely rarely. But even without sunshine, you can discover vibrant and delicious corners here because Lima and good food just go hand in hand.

The Miraflores neighborhood is, along with Barranco and the slightly further historic center, one of the three most popular and beautiful districts that you should see in Lima. We recommend staying in one of these neighborhoods, as they are very safe and clean. The Arawi Miraflores Express Hotel offers a great location and excellent value for money.

Miraflores is, by far, the most modern neighborhood in Lima. High-rise buildings, trendy cafés and restaurants, small parks, and shopping centers transform the area into a real gem. The best way to start your exploration is at Kennedy Park. What stands out immediately: The park is home to countless cats.

The four-legged friends are fed daily by the city administration, and an animal protection organization looks after their well-being and adoption process. Cat lovers are sure to love Kennedy Park. If you get hungry in Miraflores, we have a few tips for you: You can find good local dishes, like ceviche, at Mercado San Ramón, a modern food market. Delicious sushi is served at Sushi POP. A bit off the beaten path, you'll find Mercado No 1 de Surquillo, a market for locals. Here, you can buy fruit juices and local dishes at a low price. Fortified, it's best to continue your stroll towards the coast or into the adjacent Barranco neighborhood.

An absolute must-do in Lima is taking a walk along the coastal promenade. The waves of the Pacific crash against the dark beaches, while a multi-lane highway runs behind them, finally rising into the cliff. A beautifully maintained coastal promenade and modern skyscrapers-this is precisely what Lima is known for. As you stroll along the beautifully landscaped promenade, you'll enjoy a splendid view of the sea.

You will frequently spot surfers and paragliders. Personally, we find the water in Lima's beaches too cold for swimming, but the surfers seem to have no problem thanks to their thick wetsuits. Treat yourself to a break at the Beso Francés Crepería and enjoy the view. A few meters further, you'll pass by the Park of Lovers. The large statue of the kissing couple is hard to miss. Another impressive sight is the Larcomar shopping center, which was built directly into the rocky cliff.

Only a few paths lead down to the beach. We took the opportunity to hike down to the beach after our exploration of the Barranco neighborhood via a footbridge near the Bridge of Sighs. Although the Pisco Sour at Rustica restaurant directly on the beach costs a little more, the ambiance during sunset is truly beautiful.

The nearby Palomino Islands offer another cool excursion for those who wish to spend a little more time in Lima. Here, you can snorkel with sea lions.

We walked along the coast to the Barranco neighborhood. A great excursion to stretch your legs after the flight to Lima. Barranco is known as an artist district. Compared to Miraflores, you'll find older colonial buildings, villas, and numerous graffiti artworks here rather than modern high-rises. In the 19th century, Barranco was a popular residential and bathing place for wealthy Spaniards; nowadays, it could be called the 'SOHO of Lima.'

The most beautiful street art in the Barranco neighborhood hides near the Puente San Martin and directly next to the wooden 'Sigh Bridge.' According to a legend, if you can hold your breath while walking over the 'Sigh Bridge', you can make a wish afterward. So come on! Give it a try; it costs nothing.

The historic center of Lima is a bit further from the neighborhoods mentioned above. However, if you stay in Miraflores, it's still worthwhile to make an excursion to the historic center. To quickly, cheaply, safely, and easily get from A to B in Lima, we recommend the 'Uber' app. Unlike regular taxis, you don't have to negotiate the fare and can already set your final destination in the app beforehand. For the ride from Miraflores to the historic center, we paid around 20 Soles.

The Plaza de Armas forms the center of the historic center. Not far away, at Plaza San Martin, we also started our Free Walking Tour. On this tip-based tour, you explore the historic center with a local guide, passing by the most important sights. In addition to the main square, you should also stop by Park La Muralla-whether on a tour or not-for a fantastic view of the San Cristobal neighborhood. When asked why the houses in San Cristobal are colorful, our guide replied, 'The sky is often gray, so people use colorful houses and graffiti to bring a little more color into the city!' He advised us against walking as a tourist through the neighborhood up to the San Cristobal statue. A bus used to go up there, but that is unfortunately no longer possible, and the area up to the statue is unsafe for tourists. The houses in the historic center and around the Plaza de Armas again bear witness to colonization.

Within walking distance from the historic center is Chinatown. The closer you get to the market, the more bustling it becomes. In the alleys, small shops line up next to each other. You can buy all sorts of groceries, furniture, electronics, and clothes. If you're looking for a 'local experience', Chinatown is the perfect place to be. But be careful: Please pay special attention to your valuables here.

In the middle of the modern metropolis, remnants of an ancient temple complex were discovered beneath a landfill at the end of the 20th century, dating back to before the Inca (200-700 AD). Among the skyscrapers of the million-strong metropolis, you can climb the old temple ruin and learn more about the culture and sacrificial rituals of its builders.

You must reserve the ticket for 15 Soles online in advance and choose a time for your visit (reserve here, Spanish). The visit to Huaca Pucllana is only possible as part of a one-hour guided tour, which is definitely worth it. The adobe bricks have been partially restored, but efforts have been made to maintain the original 'bookshelf architecture'. If you look closely, you can see where the name comes from, as the walls made of bricks look like bookshelves.

In the graves, offerings have been found, including coca leaves, sharks, and even human babies. These were considered important talismans to enter the new world after death, which seems more than cruel today.

The temple pyramid Huaca Pucllana in the middle of Lima is definitely worth a visit. Originally, the complex was probably three times larger; however, streets and buildings make it impossible to uncover the remaining area.

At sunset, a visit to the Magic Water Park (Circuito Mágico del Agua) is worthwhile. Entrance costs only 4 Soles. As it gets dark, the many fountains are beautifully illuminated, and more visitors come to the park. A fascinating water show starts daily at 6:50 PM. The fountains are partly used as a screen to project images and videos. Be sure to grab some tea and popcorn beforehand and enjoy this spectacle.

Lima and good food just belong together. Due to its coastal location, dishes with raw fish are particularly popular and delicious in the city. Sushi and the national dish ceviche taste nowhere better than in Lima. Thanks to Japanese migrant workers, the Nikkei cuisine emerged, a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese culinary art. However, the good star-rated restaurants in Miraflores come at a price.

Here's a good money-saving tip: Compared to Miraflores and Barranco, you'll find slightly cheaper (sushi) restaurants in the historic center. We paid only 70 Soles (about $18) at Munaska Makis & Sushi for a huge sushi platter with 48 pieces of sushi, including 2 drinks. In general, in Lima, you can find everything a gourmet heart desires, from vegan superfood cafés to Peruvian specialties and delicious burger joints.

As you can see, Lima offers several attractions. But you probably plan, like most visitors, to take even more excursions from Lima. Just a 3-hour drive from Lima lies Paracas, a small coastal town known primarily for the nearby Ballestas Islands.

These islands are home to countless seabirds, sea lions, and even Humboldt penguins, so they are often referred to as 'mini-Galapagos'. We rented a scooter for a day to explore the neighboring nature park and its beautiful beaches and coastal stretches.

Or how about skiing in the desert? If you're planning an excursion to the Huacachina Desert from Lima, you can not only explore a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert but also climb dunes and ski or snowboard down them. However, this fun should only be indulged in if you are skilled at these sports.

There's also plenty of adrenaline with the popular buggy tours offered from Huacachina. With these wild rides, you go up and down the dunes, creating an experience akin to a roller coaster and utterly unforgettable. You can book excursions directly through a tour provider in Lima or simply take the bus to Paracas or Huacachina. Very good bus companies in Peru include Peruhop, Excluciva, or Cruz del Sur.

For more information on these and other excursions near Lima, check out our article on Peru Attractions.

What is Lima known for?

The cityscape of Lima is unique for its cliffs, dark beaches, and modern skyscrapers. The capital of Peru is also popular for its delicious food and numerous good restaurants. If you love fresh fish and sushi, you will feel like you're in paradise in Lima.

How many days should be planned for Lima?

We would say that two days in Lima as a starting point for your Peru trip is optimal. This way, you can recover from jet lag at a leisurely pace. While you explore Miraflores, Barranco, and the coastal promenade on one day, you can take an excursion through the historic center on the second day and conclude the evening at the water park.

What makes Lima so attractive?

Lima is hard to compare with the other cities in Peru. The neighborhoods mentioned above are very modern and clean and in our opinion, very 'Western.' For first-time visitors to South America, Lima offers a soft and ideal introduction.

Is Lima a beautiful city?

Anyone who has seen Lima with a bit of sunshine cannot deny that the city is beautiful. We particularly enjoyed walking along the coast and exploring the attractive neighborhoods.

When is the best time to visit Peru?

It hardly rains in Lima throughout the year, and temperatures range from 15-25 degrees Celsius during the day. However, for about 9 months (May to November), the sky is mostly cloudy, not due to smog but due to high humidity. During the Peruvian dry season from April to September, it is a bit colder at the coast, but sunnier in the Andean areas. The rainy season runs from October to March, although rainfall only occurs in the mountainous inland. Tip: In the off-season of October or April, there's less traffic, and the weather is still nice.