12 Best Things to Do in Lima: Food, Sights & Local Tips
The best things to do in Lima combine the Miraflores coast, Barranco’s streets and cafés, the historic center and Huaca Pucllana’s pre-Inca archaeology. Make room for Peruvian food, whether that means a local tasting tour or a reserved Maido meal. With another half-day, consider the Palomino Islands.
Choose a Lima experience to book ahead
Food and neighborhood exploring: Exquisito Perú’s Barranco walking food tour is a current booking option. It is different from Suzanne’s original Da Taste of Peru outing and from The Lima Gourmet Company’s multi-neighborhood tour.
Check Barranco food-tour dates
Wildlife offshore: compare Ecocruceros’ Palomino Islands departure options, especially hotel transfers and extra reserve/pier fees. This is a different operator from the contributors’ Mar Adentro trip.
Check Palomino boat-tour options
These are separate bookings, not a pass. Choose one food tour before adding another substantial meal. You can explore Miraflores, Barranco and the main public squares independently; a guide is optional. Compare operator prices and the selected option’s cancellation terms.
But Lima has so much more to offer than great eats: ocean views, opportunities for outdoor adventures and a history that reaches back well before the colonial city. Much of the city’s colonial architecture still stands for you to admire.
To help you narrow down your options, I consulted several bloggers about their favorite activities and places in Lima. From the cliff walk around Miraflores to paragliding, local food tours and archaeological sites, here is what they recommended.
Lima at a glance
- Stay: allow two full days for the main neighborhoods, or three with an island trip and more relaxed meals.
- Base: Miraflores is practical for a first visit; Barranco suits travelers prioritizing galleries, cafés and evening dining. Choose the specific street around your transport plans.
- Prioritize: one archaeological or historic visit, one coastal walk and one focused food experience. You do not need every food tour on this list.
- Budget: public walks are free; the fountain park and Huaca Pucllana have modest entry fees. Maido and private or specialist tours are separate splurges.
Quick picks for your Lima trip
- Free coastal walk: Miraflores
- Art and cafés: Barranco
- Pre-Inca history: Huaca Pucllana
- Colonial architecture: historic center
- A special meal: Maido
- An evening outing: Magic Water Circuit
- Wildlife boat trip: Palomino Islands
1. Paragliding in Miraflores
Recommended by Ale from Universo Viajero
When we think about things to do in Lima, eating and walking through the city’s historical streets are the first everybody thinks about.
But, there is something that would give you a whole different perspective of the city and some adrenaline for the ones that like it:
Paragliding
In Miraflores, the clifftop Parapuerto in Parque Antonio Raimondi, near Parque del Amor, has a dedicated takeoff and landing area for paragliders.
Ask the operators on site about the current flight duration, price and optional photography or video. Flights depend on wind and weather, so keep your schedule flexible.
Why try it?
It will give you a completely different perspective of the coast of Lima.
You will get to see the famous cliffs of the city from the heights, observe the district of Miraflores calmly and, of course, enjoy some adrenaline in the meanwhile.
If you have never done paragliding before and would like to try it, this a chance you should not miss.
Tim’s original flight note: Thank you, Parapuerto Miraflores, for the great flight. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing Lima from above!
For current flight access and availability, use the municipal Parapuerto visitor information. The original Parapuerto Miraflores Instagram link is retained for photographs.
Plan your visit
- Location: Parapuerto, Parque Antonio Raimondi, Miraflores.
- Best for and time: Coastal views and a tandem flight; leave 1–2 hours for waiting and preparation, not just airtime.
- Cost: Request the current flight price and photo/video inclusions on site.
- Hours and access: Municipal listing: daily from 10 a.m. until sunset, subject to wind and weather.
- Booking and transport: Confirm pilot credentials, suitability and cancellation rules. A powered paratrike advertised elsewhere is a different experience and may depart from a different location.
2. Palomino Islands and sea lions
Recommended by Arestis and Sebastien from Nomadic Boys – Gay Travel Blog
One of our favorite activities from our trip to Lima was swimming with sea lions.
Just off the coast from the mainland is a series of islands you can easily reach by boat from Lima. These are the Palomino islands, where you can experience a variety of wildlife, particularly sea lions.
There are sea lions and Humboldt penguins in this island group. Wildlife sightings and close approaches are never guaranteed.
We took a boat trip with Mar Adentro Excursiones, who gave us wetsuits and a detailed briefing before entering the water. Today, follow the guide’s instructions and the protected area’s distance rules rather than encouraging animals to approach.
Watching the sea lion pups was a highlight of our visit. Let wildlife decide its own distance and never touch, feed or chase the animals.
However, these are really cold waters, and while the wet suits are amazing at keeping you warm, after around 15-20 minutes, you really start to feel it. Therefore at this stage, the guides start to call people back to the boats.
Plan your visit
- Location: Boat departures from Callao; confirm the specific pier.
- Best for and time: Marine wildlife; allow half a day plus transfers. Swimming is optional and conditional.
- Cost: Compare tour price, reserve/pier fees and transfer coverage. Do not assume every advertised price includes pickup.
- Hours and access: Use a SERNANP-authorized operator. For observation in the water, park guidance sets a minimum 30 m from the island edge and a maximum 20 minutes.
- Booking and transport: No touching, feeding or chasing wildlife. Follow the guide and stay on board if water conditions or your swimming ability make entry unsuitable.
The following booking option is operated by Ecocruceros, not Mar Adentro. Select the transfer option you need, check the final reserve/pier fees and plan around weather. Seeing wildlife from the boat is a valid choice even if you do not swim.
3. Magic Water Circuit
Recommended by Suzanne from PhilaTravelGirl
It’s funny how quickly you can turn into a child – full of wonder and awe – when seeing water fountains that dance.
At the Magic Water Circuit in Lima, the municipal project in Reserve Park, all our inner children are free to have fun. The thirteen groundwater fountains dazzle with color, lights, sounds, and artistry.
At first, when the hotel concierge suggested I visit the fountains to kill time before my night flight home to the U.S., I was confused – water fountains in a park? What’s unique about that?
When I entered the grounds as the sun was setting, I was instantly enamored. I walked under and through a water tunnel without getting wet.
I watched the fountains put on a show, not unlike the spectacular Las Vegas or Walt Disney water shows, just much smaller in scope. And I saw the happiness on the faces of pretty much everyone.
This was truly a happy place in Lima and precisely what I needed to boost my mood before my vacation ended and I boarded the plane home.
Plan your visit
- Location: Parque de la Reserva, Jr. Madre de Dios s/n, Cercado de Lima.
- Best for and time: Evening fountains; allow 1–2 hours.
- Cost: General admission S/7. Check eligibility for reductions directly.
- Hours and access: Daily 3–10 p.m.; multimedia shows listed at 7:15 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.
- Booking and transport: Choose an after-dark visit and arrange your return ride. A show-night visit before a flight only works with a generous airport buffer.
4. Eat at Maido
Recommended by Nicole from Travelgal Nicole
One of my favorite things to do in Lima is to eat!
Maido serves a Peruvian-Japanese, or Nikkei, menu. Its name means “welcome” in Japanese.
The tasting menu was a colorful journey through Peruvian cuisine with a Japanese twist. I started with an amuse-bouche presented on a flower.
My main course was the show’s star with the grilled octopus and vegetables. For dessert, I had the bird’s nest mousse, which is a beautifully presented white chocolate on candy floss.
Everything at this restaurant is delicious, and they are known for their slow braised ribs. I was really lucky as I was staying at the Tierra Viva Hotels in Miraflores, and Maido was just around the corner.
Plan your visit
- Location: Calle San Martín 399, corner of Calle Colón, Miraflores.
- Best for and time: A planned Nikkei tasting-menu meal; keep the next appointment flexible.
- Cost: The 12-course Maido Experience is listed at S/1,295 without beverages. Pairings cost extra; check current terms.
- Hours and access: Monday–Saturday; Sunday closed. Reserve a specific service time.
- Booking and transport: Reservations open two months ahead on the first of each month. Book directly; Nicole’s dishes below describe her earlier meal, not today’s fixed menu.
Nicole’s dishes above describe her earlier visit. Book for Maido’s current experience rather than expecting that exact octopus or dessert to be on today’s menu.
5. Huaca Pucllana
Recommended by Thais from World Trip Diaries
We tend to only think about Machu Picchu when we think about ruins, the Incas, and Peru. But the truth is that Lima has many, many ruins and ancient historical sites.
One of them is Huaca Pucllana. It’s a big site (though not as big as Machu Picchu) in the middle of Lima (more accurately, in Miraflores).
It was a ceremonial and administrative center of the Lima culture long before the Inca period, with later Wari and Ychsma use.
Although in ruins, the pyramid gives you a sense of the site’s scale. Follow the guided route; the areas visited differ between daytime and evening visits.
Visits are guided; there is no roaming around freely. Daytime entry is currently first-come, first-served, while evening visits require a reservation.
There is also a restaurant beside the archaeological site. A restaurant reservation and museum admission are separate arrangements, so do not assume one includes the other.
It’s an awesome and unique experience!
Plan your visit
- Location: Calle General Borgoño, block 8, Miraflores.
- Best for and time: Pre-Inca archaeology; allow 1–1.5 hours plus any queue.
- Cost: General admission: S/15 daytime or S/17 evening; reduced categories have conditions.
- Hours and access: Daytime 9 a.m.–5 p.m., closed Tuesdays. Evening visits run Wednesday–Sunday by reservation; official sources differ on exact evening hours, so follow the confirmed slot.
- Booking and transport: Daytime visits are currently first-come, first-served. Guided route only; evening access excludes the Great Pyramid and native flora/fauna park.
For the next stage of your trip, compare this coastal archaeological visit with the sites in our Cusco sightseeing guide.
6. Walk the Miraflores Malecón
Recommended by Claudia from My Adventures Across The World
One of the nicest things to do in Lima is walking around Miraflores and then all the way to the clifftop walk to admire the sunset.
The Pacific breeze can make the clifftop walk feel cooler than streets farther inland. Bring a layer even if the day started warm.
On a clear evening, sunset opens up a wide coastal view. Haze does not reliably disappear at sunset, so enjoy the walk even when the sky stays gray.
Looking down at the Ocean, it is possible to see people riding the waves with their surfboards; others paragliding; some running or playing football at the beach; and many simply enjoying a walk with their better halves.
It’s a great show, and it’s 100% free.
Plan your visit
- Location: Clifftop Malecón in Miraflores, including the Parque del Amor area.
- Best for and time: A free coastal walk; allow 1–2 hours for a chosen section.
- Cost: Public walking areas are free; food and transport extra.
- Hours and access: Choose daylight for your first walk. Clear sunset views are weather-dependent.
- Booking and transport: The clifftop promenade and beaches below are different levels; use designated access routes. Keep valuables secure and arrange transport for distant neighborhoods.
7. A food tour with a local
Recommended by Suzanne from The Travelbunny
I can’t think of a better way to get to know a destination than through its food, flavors, and gastronomic traditions. We learned about Lima by taking a food tour with a local.
Our guide, a Limeño called David, has spent his whole life in Peru’s lively capital. He introduced us to the city during an immersive gastro-cultural tour with Da Taste of Peru.
We learned about Peru’s sandwich culture and tried the corn drink chicha Morada and the superfood Lúcuma smoothie. David gave us all the inside info on Lima’s best restaurants, and we had a seafood feast at one of Lima’s best.
We explored street art in the Barranco, three types of coffee, and three different methods to make it in a neighborhood coffee shop. We discovered Lima’s food market and historical center and saw dancing in the streets.
Our gastro-food fest was interspersed with forays into Lima’s architecture, history, and culture to make for an excellent and memorable day getting to know Peru’s capital city.
Plan your visit
- Location: Suzanne’s original route covered several Lima neighborhoods. A current alternative below focuses on Barranco.
- Best for and time: Travelers interested in food and everyday city life; the linked Exquisito Perú tour lasts four hours.
- Cost: Check the selected departure price, tastings, tax treatment and transfer exclusions.
- Hours and access: Book a departure; confirm dietary restrictions before payment.
- Booking and transport: The linked alternative is not Da Taste of Peru and does not promise Suzanne’s guide or exact stops. Confirm the Barranco meeting point on your voucher.
Suzanne’s account preserves her original Da Taste of Peru outing; its current bookability could not be confirmed. The Exquisito Perú option below is a separate Barranco walking tour, guided in English. The listing excludes travelers with severe nut allergies and is not suitable for wheelchair users; confirm other dietary and mobility needs before booking.
8. Lima’s historic center
Recommended by Kaila from Nylon Pink
There is so much to see in Lima’s historic center, so make sure your camera is ready. Look up at the enclosed balconies on the historic buildings as you walk between the main squares.
The places of worship are another reason to visit the center. The Basilica Cathedral faces Plaza Mayor and is especially atmospheric when illuminated in the evening.
If it is art that you crave, consider the Museum of Italian Art near Parque de la Exposición. Check its current visitor calendar separately from the central churches.
If you are traveling with an architecture enthusiast, consider the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, associated with Our Lady of the Rosary.
Choose one interior visit rather than rushing through every church. The historic center’s streets, façades and squares are already a substantial introduction to colonial Lima.
Plan your visit
- Location: Plaza Mayor and surrounding historic streets in central Lima.
- Best for and time: Architecture and history; allow half a day including one paid interior.
- Cost: Public squares are free; churches, convent museums and art museums may charge separate admission.
- Hours and access: Visit in daylight; interior access depends on religious services, opening calendars and local restrictions.
- Booking and transport: Group central sights together instead of repeatedly crossing the city. Check the specific venue before adding an interior visit.
Museum of Italian Art visitor information
9. Peruvian specialty coffee
Recommended by Steven & Jenny from Tales From the Lens
Lima may be known as the culinary capital of South America, but the city also has a thriving specialty coffee scene.
So if you only have a short time in Lima and want to see all of the tourist spots in Miraflores and Barranco, grabbing a good cup of coffee is the best way to get your day of sightseeing started.
In Miraflores, cafés are well placed for a walk around Parque Kennedy and the Malecón. Café Aromia and Espresso Café were stops in our original recommendations; confirm their current locations and opening status before making a special trip.
In Barranco, Tostaduría Bisetti was another of our original coffee recommendations. Contact the business before visiting, as its own current website does not provide a dependable café-hours listing.
One of the best parts was trying Peruvian coffee beans, which before visiting we had never tasted. Asking about the origin of your cup adds another connection to the country beyond Lima.
Plan your visit
- Location: Miraflores and Barranco; choose cafés near your day’s walking route.
- Best for and time: A self-guided coffee break; 30–60 minutes per café.
- Cost: Pay for what you order; no tour ticket is required for a normal café visit.
- Hours and access: Confirm current branch and service times. The original named café stops are historical recommendations, not verified current opening schedules.
- Booking and transport: Ask which Peruvian region the beans come from and choose a preparation method. Bisetti’s own site provides a direct contact; confirm café service before a special trip.
10. Explore Barranco
Recommended by Elisa from World in Paris
One of my favorite places in Lima is the artsy neighborhood of Barranco, located by the Pacific Ocean right after Miraflores’ neighborhood. Barranco has a colorful, sometimes grand architecture and a bohemian atmosphere.
The neighborhood is full of nice cafés with good cakes, eateries and art galleries. It is a great place to spend a few hours, especially if the weather is nice.
A central landmark is El Puente de los Suspiros, the Bridge of Sighs, a wooden bridge above the Bajada de Baños walkway. The main square is another pleasant stop, with flowers, sculptures and historic buildings.
Finally, Barranco is a good place to taste more or less sophisticated dishes, with plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Amoramar and La Canta Rana were the original contributor’s suggestions for Peruvian ceviche and seafood. Check current operation, menu and reservations before planning around either restaurant.
Plan your visit
- Location: Barranco, south of Miraflores; start around the municipal square and Puente de los Suspiros.
- Best for and time: Art, architecture and cafés; allow 2–3 hours, longer with a meal.
- Cost: Walking public streets is free; museum entries and meals extra.
- Hours and access: Visit by day for buildings and galleries; check individual hours and any works around the bridge.
- Booking and transport: Combine with one food or coffee stop. The bridge is above the Bajada de Baños walkway, not a bridge directly onto the beach.
11. Try classic Peruvian dishes
Recommended by Claire Sturzaker from Tales of a Backpacker
Peru is renowned for its cuisine, which is some of the most exciting and delicious food in the world.
In Lima, you’ll find everything from street food to destination tasting-menu restaurants, making it a good place to explore Peruvian food at different price points.
Classic Peruvian dishes you have to try include ‘ceviche,’ made with raw fish marinated in lime juice and chili, ‘Lomo saltado,’ which is stir-fried steak served with fries and rice, and ‘aji de gallina,’ a chicken dish smothered in a yellow creamy, spicy sauce.
You’ll find grilled corn on the cob at street stalls and meat skewers, including beef-heart anticuchos.
Cuy, or guinea pig, is another traditional Peruvian dish. Choose it if you are interested, rather than treating it as a test of bravery.
Ask how a dish is prepared and where it comes from; its regional story can be as interesting as the flavor.
You can also try arroz chaufa, a Chinese-influenced rice stir-fry, or rocoto relleno: a hot pepper filled with a savory mixture and topped with cheese, not a battered pepper.
Vegetarians can also sigh relief as avocados are popular and delicious in Peru, as ‘palta’ as they’re known are plentiful here! Once you’ve tried all the delicious food, don’t forget to try a pisco sour to wash it all down.
Plan your visit
- Location: Restaurants across Lima; Miraflores and Barranco are convenient starting areas.
- Best for and time: Independent meals; allow 1–2 hours.
- Cost: Use the current menu in soles (PEN/S/); tasting menus and casual meals have very different prices.
- Hours and access: Service hours vary by restaurant. Ask about raw ingredients and allergens rather than relying on a dish name.
- Booking and transport: Reserve destination restaurants, and avoid booking a full meal immediately after a substantial food tour. Vegetarian dishes may still contain stock, dairy or eggs.
12. The Lima Gourmet Company food tour
Lima has won renown among food travelers as a place to experience Peru’s cuisine in depth.
This option suits visitors who want several neighborhoods and arranged transport, rather than a walking tour concentrated in Barranco.
One great way to experience the quality and variety of foods Lima offers is through a food tour.
Food tours offer an opportunity to learn about Lima’s geography and history alongside its food. The number of tastings varies by itinerary.
One tour company we recommend, The Lima Gourmet Company, offers daytime and evening routes through several of the city’s food districts.
The five-hour daytime option includes a market visit and a ceviche activity; the evening option focuses on restaurants and regional dishes. Confirm the current stops instead of assuming both tours include the same meal or ruins setting.
Their tours cover the food and drink in the scheduled program. Pickup and drop-off are included in designated districts, not everywhere in Lima.
Disclaimer: I was invited by Parapuerto Miraflores and The Lima Gourmet Company. My opinions, as always, are solely my own.
Plan your visit
- Location: Lima Gourmet Company routes across Lima; exact stops depend on the day/evening option.
- Best for and time: A structured culinary outing; five hours. Choose this or the Barranco walking alternative, rather than booking overlapping tours by default.
- Cost: Get a date-specific quote. The operator includes scheduled food/drink and transport in covered districts; guide tips are separate.
- Hours and access: Advance booking; holiday exceptions apply. Daytime and evening experiences differ.
- Booking and transport: Pickup coverage: Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco. Other areas require arrangements. State dietary needs in advance and check the age rules for the evening option.
Use The Lima Gourmet Company’s own booking information to compare the day and evening versions. The GetYourGuide tour in entry 7 is not this operator’s product.
A realistic three-day Lima itinerary
- Day 1, Miraflores: visit Huaca Pucllana during the day, take a coffee break and walk a section of the Malecón. Keep paragliding optional because of wind. Book Maido only if you want the evening centered on a long meal.
- Day 2, historic center and fountains: explore Plaza Mayor and choose one church or museum interior. Take a proper break before the Magic Water Circuit after dark; use transport between areas.
- Day 3, choose your priority: spend the day in Barranco with a food tour and galleries, or take a Palomino boat trip and keep the evening relaxed. Add a fourth day to do both without rushing.
Only one day in Lima?
Stay focused on Miraflores and Barranco, or make the historic center your main outing. Choose a food tour or a destination restaurant, not several heavy meals back-to-back. A short airport layover is not automatically enough for sightseeing: immigration, baggage, traffic and return check-in all need time.
Where to stay and how to get around
For a first stay, choose a Miraflores base if you want to walk to the coast, cafés and restaurants. Barranco suits a slower arts-and-food itinerary. Compare the hotel’s exact location, nighttime surroundings and pickup coverage rather than choosing on neighborhood name alone.
Jorge Chávez International Airport is in Callao. Its new terminal uses access via Avenida Morales Duárez; do not rely on an old terminal map. Follow Lima Airport’s terminal-access information and your transfer provider’s current pickup instructions. Allow for traffic rather than treating a journey-time estimate as a guarantee.
Walk within compact sightseeing areas and use arranged transport for longer cross-city journeys. Our Peru transport guide helps with the next stage. If you are continuing down the coast, read how to travel from Lima to Paracas before scheduling a separate coastal stay.
When to visit Lima
Summer, roughly December–March, is the better starting point if sunshine and coastal views are your priority. Winter is cooler and often gray or misty. Food, museums and neighborhood walks still make a visit worthwhile, but do not expect the haze to clear every afternoon. See Peru’s official climate guidance.
Planning beyond the capital? Our Peru ideas beyond Machu Picchu help you build a trip that gives Lima and the rest of the country enough time.
Lima FAQs
How many days do you need in Lima?
Allow two full days for Miraflores, Barranco and the historic center. Three days gives more room for meals, archaeology or a Palomino trip. Add a fourth day if you want both a long food tour and the islands without rushing. Airport connections should be planned separately.
What can you do in Lima for free?
Walk the Miraflores Malecón, explore Barranco’s public streets and visit the public squares in the historic center. Cafés, museums, churches with visitor tickets and organized activities can cost extra. A paid guide adds context but is not a general requirement for neighborhood walks.
Do you need to reserve Huaca Pucllana?
The museum currently lists daytime admission in arrival order, without reservations, and evening visits by reservation. It closes on Tuesdays and certain holidays. Day and evening routes differ, so choose the daytime visit if access to the Great Pyramid matters to you.
Can you walk between all Lima attractions?
No. Miraflores and Barranco work well for selected walking routes, but the historic center, Callao and the airport require separate transport planning. Group sights by area and allow for traffic. The coastal clifftop promenade is also at a different level from the beaches.
Which Lima food tour should you choose?
Choose the Barranco walking tour for a focused neighborhood tasting experience. Compare The Lima Gourmet Company’s day and evening routes if you want a longer, transport-based outing across multiple areas. Check language, dietary suitability and pickup coverage; these are different operators and products.
Do you need to swim on a Palomino Islands tour?
No. Wildlife observation from the boat can be the focus of your visit. Water entry depends on the selected tour, conditions and your suitability. Use an authorized operator and follow reserve rules. Do not expect guaranteed animal contact or treat sea lions as tame animals.
Is Lima worth visiting before Cusco?
Yes, if you want coastal neighborhoods, pre-Inca archaeology and time with Peruvian cuisine. Lima provides a different experience from the Andean part of the trip. Give it dedicated days rather than assuming a brief flight connection lets you see the city.
Should you book Maido and a food tour on the same day?
Usually, separate them if your schedule allows. A tasting tour can amount to a substantial meal, while Maido is an experience to enjoy without rushing. Reserve the restaurant first if it is your priority, then arrange other activities around the confirmed time.
- About the Author
- More info
Tim Kroeger is the founder and editor of Universal Traveller, covering luxury stays and active travel. Based in Bangkok, he draws on 15+ years of travel across 112+ countries, from reviewing luxury hotels to bikepacking through Southeast Asia. He also writes about luxury wellness and longevity travel at tim-kroeger.com, where he developed the Restorative Index.
