21 Best Things To Do in Lima

While you may be tempted to breeze right through the Peruvian capital, I’m here to show you that there are numerous things to do in Lima to warrant sticking around for a while.

One place that seems to be on everyone’s bucket list these days is Machu Picchu . The ancient city of the Incas is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and is probably the most popular destination in all of South America.

In order to get to Machu Picchu, though, chances are you’ll have to pass through Lima.

Exploring the historic centre, paragliding high above the coast, feasting on Peruvian cuisine, and dancing all night in a hidden bar. These are just a few of the many awesome things to do in Lima.

I spent a month living in Lima as a digital nomad and really enjoyed my stay. Read on for an in-depth look at all that Peru’s capital has to offer!

1. Take a Walking Tour (what to do in Lima when you first arrive)

There’s no better way to get to know a city than by exploring it on your own two feet. It’s even better when you can do so with a local guide and a group of like-minded travelers. The real icing on the cake, though, is when the tour is totally free!

Joining a free walking tour is definitely one of the best things to do in Lima, and it’s the perfect place to begin your trip to the Peruvian capital. While there are quite a few groups running tours these days, the original free walking tour is with Inkan Milky Way .

These tours last a few hours and cover some of the highlights of Lima’s famed Historic Centre. All the while, you’ll learn about the history and culture of Lima from your guide, who will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Be sure to ask for some recommendations on the best places to eat, shop, and drink while you can.

Tours operate from Monday-Saturday at both 11AM and 3PM starting at La Merced Church. For the earlier tour, a guide will even meet you in Miraflores at 10:00 to help you navigate the public transportation to get to the city centre.

While the tour itself is indeed free, they operate solely on your tips. If you enjoy the tour, be sure to tip your guide. How much you tip is entirely up to you, but I feel like around 20-30 soles ($7-10) per person is fair considering what you get out of it.

Looking for a more “official” walking tour in Lima? Check out this highly-rated walking tour that includes pick-up from your accommodation, entrance tickets to some main sights, a guide, and a snack. Learn more about this fun experience here .

See Also: Why You Can’t Miss The Free Walking Tour in Medellin

Things To Do in Lima

2. Explore the Plaza de Armas

While you’ll walk through the Plaza de Armas on a walking tour, you don’t have a whole lot of time to take it all in. As such, you’ll want to go back there on your own at some point for further exploration.

Also known as the Plaza Mayor, this was the birthplace of Lima when the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1535. As per the order of King Charles I of Spain, the city was centred on a square-shaped plaza.

The Plaza de Armas is surrounded by important historical and cultural landmarks, such as the Lima Cathedral and Government Palace. It’s a beautiful tree-lined plaza with a fountain in the middle and a great spot to relax for a while.

The cathedral has a gorgeous exterior, but you’ll need to go inside to truly appreciate it. It’s free to enter to a certain point, but you’ll need 10 soles (about $3) to go further inside and see the museum full of religious art.

As for the Government Palace, it’s the official residence of the Peruvian president. Tours are free, but you’ll have to arrange them ahead of time by calling the office at +51-(0)1-311-3908.

If you don’t get on a tour, at least be sure to catch the daily changing of the guard ceremony at noon. Those who do the early free walking tour will be able to see it.

For directions to the Plaza de Armas, click here .

3. Visit the Catacombs in San Francisco Church

One of the most popular (and eerie) things to do in Lima is taking a tour of the catacombs under the San Francisco Church. This beautiful Spanish Baroque church was built in the late 1600’s and is probably the best-preserved in all of Lima.

In addition to the church, there’s an adjoining monastery with a very impressive collection of ancient religious texts. Most travellers don’t come here to read, though. They come to head underground to see the catacombs.

This was the original cemetery in Lima, and it’s estimated that up to 75,000 people were buried here. Many of Lima’s wealthy elite chose to be buried here due to the belief that doing so would leave them closer to God.

In an effort to make visiting the catacombs less terrifying for visitors, the bones have been arranged in artistic patterns. I still think it’s a bit creepy, but it’s an important part of the city’s history and worth a visit unless you’re incredibly claustrophobic.

The Church of San Francisco is open daily from 9AM-5PM. The church is free to visit, but you’ll need to join a tour to visit the catacombs. This walking tour of Lima actually includes a visit to the catacombs (and the entrance ticket).

The catacombs are one of the best places to visit in Lima. You can get directions to the church here .

Things To Do in Lima

See Also: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Colombia

4. Tour the Aliaga House

Back when Pizarro founded the city in 1535, he gave a plot of land near his palace to one of his trusted allies, Jerónimo de Aliaga. Aliaga built a mansion there, and it still stands to this very day. Obviously, there have been several renovations to the house over the years.

Not only is the house as old as Lima itself, but it’s the oldest house in the Americas to be continuously occupied by the same family. His descendants still live on the property in a modern wing, and the mansion is now a museum.

Inside the house, you’ll see a very impressive collection of Peruvian art and artifacts. Visiting the Casa Aliaga is definitely one of the top things to do in Lima Peru.

Tours of the house need to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance by calling +51-(0)1-619-6900 or sending an e-mail to reservas@casadealiaga.com . They’re not cheap (about $40 per person), but they’re well worth it if you’re interested in art and history. You can find the Aliaga House on the map here .

5. Sample Peruvian Cuisine (one of the top things to do in Peru!)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — Peruvian cuisine is the best in all of South America. Your taste buds are in for a real treat when you travel to the Peruvian capital.

This highly rated food tour in Barranco includes stops at 15 unique food stalls. You’ll sample the true flavors of Peru with your local guide. Learn more about the food tour here .

Thanks to its long multicultural history, Peruvian cuisine has fused flavours from many corners of the globe using local ingredients. From the Spanish conquistadors to Chinese immigrants, there have been many different influences on Peruvian cuisine over the centuries.

Eating your way around the city is a major highlight of a visit to Lima. If you’re not sure what to do in Lima, go sit down in a local restaurant and plan your day as you enjoy a fantastic meal.

Perhaps the most famous dish in Peru is ceviche.

This dish of raw fish marinated in lime juice is so important in Peru that it even got its own holiday. That’s right, Peru celebrates National Ceviche Day every year on June 28th! Eating a fresh plate of ceviche is definitely one of the tastiest things to do in Lima.

In addition to ceviche, other must-try dishes include lomo saltado (stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes, and French fries), aji de gallina (a spicy chicken stew), and Chifa (Peruvian-Chinese food).

Things To Do in Lima

6. Take in the Views from San Cristobal Hill

If you’d like to admire the Centro Historico from above, be sure to include a trip up to San Cristobal Hill to your Lima itinerary. At 400 metres above sea level, this is the highest natural point in the city .

The hill is revered as an apu – a mountain deity that protects the city. As they tended to do, the Spanish conquistadors imposed their beliefs on the indigenous people by planting a cross here.

People still make offerings to the mountains, and a massive pilgrimage of Christians occurs here during Semana Santa.

While you may be tempted to hike up the hill, that is ill-advised. This isn’t the safest part of Lima, so it’s not the best place to be walking around on your own.

The best way to get up the hill is by catching the bus in the Plaza de Armas. It costs 10 soles ($3) round-trip and gives you enough time to enjoy the views and take photos.

San Cristobal Hill is located just northeast of the Plaza de Armas, on the other side of the Rimac River. You can check its location on the map here .

See Also: Best Things To See and Do In (And Around) Mendoza

7. Hang Out in the Cat Park

If you’re a cat-lover, then you’ll definitely want to check out Parque Kennedy while in Lima. While the park is actually named after John F. Kennedy, many people simply refer to it as the Cat Park these days.

Nobody is quite sure where they came from, but the park is home to well over 100 stray cats. One common theory is that it started when a few cats escaped from a church where they were being used to catch mice.

However they got there, the famous felines have made themselves quite comfortable in the park. While many residents despise them (some have even been poisoned), there is thankfully a great non-profit here that feeds the cats, spays and neuters them, and helps find a home for them.

Parque Kennedy is located right in the heart of the Miraflores district of Lima, which is basically backpacker central. There are several hostels around the park, making this a very popular place to stay. You can find the exact location of the park here .

See Also: A Guide to Valparaiso – Chile’s Colourful Street Art City

Things To Do in Lima

8. Stroll or Bike Along the Malecon

Lima is known as the Garden City, and that’s thanks in large part to the beautiful, cliffside Malecon. It stretches for several kilometers high above the Pacific Ocean in Miraflores and contains several different parks.

Taking a walk or riding a bike along the Malecon is easily one of the most fun things to do in Lima. The views of Lima’s Costa Verde (Green Coast) off to the side are incredible, and there’s a lot to see and do along the way.

One of the highlights of strolling the Malecon is the Parque del Amor (Park of Love). Here you’ll find the huge sculpture called El Beso (The Kiss), which depicts the artist smooching his wife. You’ll also find many young Peruvian couples re-enacting the scene themselves.

For an easy, informative and fun bike tour of the city, check out this tour on Get Your Guide, which takes you around Miraflores and Barranco, or this cycling experience on Airbnb .

9. Go Paragliding (one of the more adventurous things to do in Lima)

For adrenaline junkies wondering what to do in Lima, the choice is easy — go paragliding! Thanks to the tall cliffs and strong winds that prevail in Lima, this is the perfect spot for it.

Just north of the aforementioned Park of Love, you can sign up for a quick flight above the Malecon and the Pacific Ocean. It’s hard to beat the views from this vantage point, that’s for sure!

You don’t need to sign up for paragliding in advance. Just show up, pay the fee (about $75 per person), and sign all the necessary documents. You’ll also get the video and photos from the flight so you can show off on social media later.