Tourist Attractions in Lima Peru | Visit the premium attraction list selected by InkanMilkyWay, note that some of the tourist sites are not necessarily located in the historic center of Lima but in other districts. Most of the places we mentioned have an average entrance of 5 to 7 USD, do always bring some local currency. Check out all details below such as operation days, locations, prices and more, keep in mind that the scheduling can change because of holidays, festivities and strikes.
Note that most Tourist Attractions in Lima open from Tuesday thru Sunday; they do not operate on Mondays.
1. Plaza de Armas in Historic Center of Lima
Don´t miss the Plaza de Armas of Lima or Plaza Mayor, it is the political, cultural and social epicentre of the capital city, therefore around the plaza you will see buildings of great significance such as the Viceroyalty Palace or Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, Palace of the “Club de la Union” and the City Hall.
In the central part of the Plaza there is a beautiful Water Fountain which dates back to 1654, every last Sunday of the month of July is the national day of Pisco (National Peruvian Spirit) therefore on this day the local authorities replace literally the water by Pisco, which means that on this day the Pisco is for Free!
Curious Info: Until the ’80s this was The Kilometer Zero, for example, if you drive a car, at certain points of the highways in Peru you will see signs that say “you are in kilometre 155” so where is the Kilometer Zero? the water fountain at the Plaza de Armas of Lima.
2. The Cathedral in Historic Center of Lima
It is a church built in the colonial era (17th and 18th century), the first construction was a Baroque-style church but it was destroyed by the earthquake in 1746 and rebuilt with another architectural style known as Neoclassic, however, you can still see the baroque style architecture on the facade from the 16th century.
Note that this is a wooden cathedral, the whole skeleton was built out of wood and plastered, therefore, there are no visible wooden columns where you can see the wood. The purpose was to build a very light church so that it can stand out better the earthquakes.
Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. The average entry price is 3 USD.
3. Lima Art Museum (MALI – Museo de Arte de Lima)
If you love Art and History you may want to explore the best Museum of Lima for all historical periods of Peru like the pre-Hispanic, colonial and republican eras of Peru regarding Art, visit the MALI museum, 3000 years of art in one place.
The opening hours are from Tuesday thru Sunday from 10am to 7pm, the entrance fee is an average of 5 USD.
4. Plaza de San Martín in Historic Center of Lima
This square dates back to the Republican era of Peru (beginning of the 20th century), when the city started expanding beyond the historic center. In the central part of the plaza, there is an equestrian figure and a Rider. The Rider represents one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Peru, born in Argentina: Don José de San Martin and that is why it is also called Plaza San Martin.
Fun Fact: In the lower part of the equestrian figure there is a Llama (Animal) that was built right on the head of the figure that represents the motherland(a woman statue), apparently there was a misunderstanding between the city hall authorities and the Spanish architect(Mariano Benlliure). The authorities asked the Architect to carve Llama (Fire), not an Animal called Llama as well.
Take a look at the Llama (Animal) above the statue of the motherland!
5. Magic Water Circuit in Historic Center of Lima
It is a modern and romantic place suitable for families and children from all ages, the place is fully decorated with many water fountains that make a beautiful combination with “Juego de Luces” or Game of Lights. It is also quite often to see musicians.
Visit it from Tuesday thru Sunday from 3pm until 10:30 pm, On Mondays, it is closed. The average entry is 1.5 USD.
6. Church of Santo Domingo in Historic Center of Lima
Visit the church of Santo Domingo in the city of Lima, which also dates back to the colonial era where you will learn about the life of “Los Tres Santos Peruanos”(The Three Peruvian Saints) such as San Martin de Porres, Santa Rosa de Lima and San Francisco de Solano. Note that the First University in South America(Universidad de San Marcos) was established in this church back in the 16th century.
Visit the church and the museums every day from 8:30 am to 5:30pm, pay an average of 5 USD.
7. Catacombs of Lima | San Francisco Church in Historic Center of Lima
Like most churches in the historic center of Lima, this one also dates back to the colonial period, the catacombs were one of the few colonial cemeteries where only the very catholic Spaniards from the middle to the high social class were allowed to be buried.
Inside the church, you will also find a beautiful colonial library.
You can visit the place from 9.30am to 5:30pm, the average price is 5 USD.
8. The Cliff and the Love Park in the district of Miraflores
The Malecon of Miraflores(Cliff) is one of the must-see attraction in Miraflores district, take a boardwalk alongside the coast, as you walk through the green areas decorated with local flowers and trees you will have the best view to the Peruvian coast and the Pacific Ocean. Try to start your walking from north to south, from Parque del Amor to Larcomar Shopping center.
9. Bridge of Sighs and the district of Barranco
Barranco is one of the most colourful and bohemian neighbourhoods in the entire city of Lima, it has many facilities for recreation such as parks, streets of the 50s, restaurants, bars and of course you have to visit the bridge of sighs and the “Bajada de Baños” or descent of bathrooms.
10. Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre district
The Larco Museum was founded in 1926 in Lima. It exhibits galleries that display 3000 years of development of the pre-Columbian history of Peru. It is located inside a colonial state farmhouse from the 17th century. This attraction is full of valuable collections of gold and silver from ancient Peru, there is also a room dedicated exclusively to the Erotic Huacos.
You can visit it every day from 9am thru 10pm, the average price is 10 USD.
11. The Palominos Islands in Callao
If you love animals, then do not leave Lima without visiting the Palomino Islands where you can see a significant amount of sea lions living in their natural habitat. The islands also house large colonies of seabirds, seagulls, pelicans, etc.
How to visit the tourist attractions in Lima Peru?
There are many ways, either by hiring a paid group tour or through a private tour, but we recommend you something way better, many of the places we mentioned above can be done by taking a Free Walking Tour in downtown Lima, book your spot via website, we have Authorized Guides are in English. Consider that at the end of the tour you leave an average donation of USD 7 per person.
