Located on the coast, the vibrant capital of Peru is a melting pot of cultures where rich history can be lived amid modern-day comforts. Our selection of custom private and small group Lima tours show you the highlights of distinct neighborhoods, introduce you to world-renowned Peruvian cuisine at the city’s best restaurants, and so much more.
Explore Peru's largest and most cosmopolitan city. Lima is home to some of the best museums in Latin America, pre Incan ruins, art galleries, and highly esteemed restaurants.
If you’re looking for the top-rated museums that will give you a detailed yet rounded understanding of Peru’s history, you’ll be sure to enjoy the capital of Peru. Museums like Larco Museum, Pedro de Osma, the Gold Museum, and more are well worth visiting during your time in Lima.
Downtown Lima, or the Plaza de Armas, is a UNESCO-world heritage site that is a highlight of a Lima city tour. Here you can explore the Basilica of Santo Domingo, the Convent of San Francisco, admire the wooden balconies of Lima, and much more!
Trying all of the delicious Peruvian food is one of the best things to do in Lima. Lima boasts more than just a couple of the World’s 50 Best restaurants including Central, Maido, and more! Lima food tours are great ways to try out many of the different dishes and restaurants in the city.
The contemporary district of Miraflores is the best place for shopping in Lima. Larcomar is a shopping center with impressive views of the Pacific Ocean. Parque del Amor, featuring a statue from Peruvian artist Victor Delfin, as well as Parque Kennedy are picturesque sites to take in.
Words to describe the Lima neighborhood of Barranco include artsy, bohemian, and romantic - what’s not to like about that? Here is where you can try the best ice cream in the city, taste artisanal coffees, and buy unique Peruvian souvenirs. Meander down the streets lined with gardens and restored historic mansions that were once the summer homes of Lima’s elite before making a wish on the Puente de los Suspiros overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
A day could be devoted simply to gallery-hopping around Lima. From the MAC, to the MALI, to the MATE, to the Pre-Columbian Textile Museum you’ll get a full panorama of Peruvian art.
Just outside of Lima, a couple of hours by car, there are many wonders to behold! The Nazca Lines, Ballestas Islands, Huacachina Oasis, Pachacamac, and more can be visited easily starting from the capital city.
The Magic Water Circuit is a fantastical park in the middle of Lima. Winner of the Guinness World Book of Records for the largest water fountain park in the entire world, it’s a thrilling show of light and water and a perfect activity for the whole family.
A huaca (pronounced wak’a) signifies a place of religious significance. The Lima culture built the Huaca Pucllana sometime between 200-700AD, hundreds of years before the Inca Empire. Today you can enjoy a gourmet dinner on a terrace overlooking the ruins, go on a tour through the ruins, or simply drive by and watch the contrasting modern buildings next to an archaeological wonder.
Av. Malecon de la Reserva 615, Miraflores, Lima
The JW Marriott in Miraflores is an elegant and modern hotel with impressive views of the Pacific Ocean that can be enjoyed from each room. The onsite restaurant, casino, cafe, and rooftop pool make this an ideal 5-star choice in Lima.
4.6 | WonderfulCalle Ernesto Diez Canseco 344, Miraflores, Lima
Innside Miraflores is centrally located for easy access to the highlights of Lima. The personable hotel is fitted with modern designs, artistic touches, and delicious-smelling handsoaps.
4.6 | WonderfulCalle Alcanfores 162, Miraflores, Lima
Tierra Viva Miraflores Centro is our Top-Pick 3-star hotel option in Lima. Conveniently located for those looking to explore top spots in Lima like Parque Kennedy, Larcomar, and Lima’s fantastic restaurants, this is the perfect place to call home for a night or two.
4.7 | ExceptionalAv. de la Aviacion 139, Miraflores, Lima
Hotel Runcu Miraflores is a comfortable and clean hotel with a prime location along the coastal parks, playgrounds, and walking paths. You can rent bicycles, enjoy coffee on the garden patio, or explore the nearby sites of Lima.
4.2 | Very GoodPeru is filled with archaeological ruins, scenic landscapes, and delicious flavors. Must-see places in Peru include:
Peru is filled with archaeological ruins, scenic landscapes, and delicious flavors. Must-see places in Peru include:
Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in four or two days. The Inca Trail is a 500-year old pathway where the elite Incas once entered into the “Lost City of the Incas”. Plan with your Peru for Less travel advisor in advance, Inca Trail permits tend to sell out even 6-months in advance.
Step into the lush Peruvian Amazon Rainforest and witness a spectacular array of wildlife in its natural habitat. Lodges in Puerto Maldonado are ideal for excursions and daily activities. Those looking for a more luxurious Amazon experience would love an Iquitos Amazon River cruise. Colorful macaws, giant tarantulas, and playful river otters are among the sights you’ll behold.
Cusco city has it all, archaeological ruins, colonial buildings, top-rated restaurants, and countless places to explore. Your Cusco City Tour will take you to the top highlights like Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko, the Cusco Cathedral, and more.
Sail on the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca and step on the reed Uros and Taquile floating islands. Some of the best weavers are found in this area so pick up some Peruvian textiles here for unique souvenirs.
Lima is a mixture of modern city living and historical significance. Here you’ll find Central restaurant (ranked #6 by 50 Worlds Best), UNESCO World Heritage sites like Historic City Center with the San Francisco Convent, and the best shopping in Peru.
The Nazca Lines are mysterious geoglyphs and geometric shapes drawn onto the desert floor hundreds of years ago by the Nazca culture. Little is known about them nevertheless, the Nazca Lines inspire awe in those who take a flight over them.
Arequipa is a picturesque town and also the second-largest city in Peru. Local markets, beautifully built colonial architecture, and El Misti volcano are among the things you’ll see while walking the cobblestone streets of the white city.
Yes, Lima is worth visiting because there is something here for everyone. Art galleries, museums, and historical ruins are dotted throughout the city, while great shopping and top-rated restaurants like Central can be found within a short distance of practically any hotel. /p>
Yes, but take standard precautions. Lima is a large city with a population of over 9,751,717 people, so travelers are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and belongings. Pick-pocketing can occur in crowded areas, so valuables should be kept hidden or at the hotel. Certain neighborhoods in Lima are safer than others, so stick to the Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro districts.
Lima can be visited year-round however, the summer months (December to March) offer sunny skies, hot weather, and the most spectacular sunsets. The winter months (June to September) have overcast skies and high humidity in Lima but are the best months to visit Machu Picchu.
We recommend 2-days in Lima. You’ll be able to sample Peruvian cuisine, visit exciting museums, and tour the top spots of Lima. More adventurous travelers can take part in thrilling activities like paragliding over the Lima skyline or surfing.
No. Travelers will not experience symptoms of altitude sickness in Lima, located right on the coast Lima has an altitude of only ~500 ft. above sea level.
The Lima airport is located in the province of Callao.
The journey from Lima to Machu Picchu involves several methods of transportation and a couple of nights of hotel accommodation. First, you’ll fly one and a half hours from Lima to Cusco. It is highly recommended to acclimate in Cusco or the Sacred Valley for at least 24 hours before visiting Machu Picchu. From Cusco, a three-hour and fifteen-minute train ride will bring you to the base of the mountain where the Machu Picchu citadel stands. A twenty-minute shuttle bus will transport you from the base of the mountain to the Machu Picchu main entrance. After your tour, it’s possible to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes or take a train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.