Top things to do in Lima, Peru | Ultimate three-day itinerary

Any trip to Peru wouldn’t be complete without a stop in the capital, Lima! We suggest at least 3 days here if you want to taste some incredible food, visit one of the oldest catacombs in South America, learn a bit of local history and explore the trendy Miraflores and barranco areas…

Quick historical background of the city:

According to historians, the indigenous Ychsma society developed and lived in the area around Lima from 900 CE to 1470’s until they were conquered by the Inca’s.

The area was then conquered by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro who declared it an official city in 1535.

Where to stay – Selina Pousada (Miraflores)

\ Day I \
Explore the historical centre of Lima

Kick off the first day of this itinerary with a walking tour of the center to get a good bearing of the area. Inkan Milky Way offers daily tours, with meeting points in the historical center and Miraflores (if you are staying there). They will show you how to catch the bus to the city center. This tour lasts for about 3.5 hours including the bus ride and you will see all of the main historical sites including the Plaza del Armas. Be sure to ask your guide for a lunch recommendation as they can direct you to some of the best spots in town.

After lunch, head back to the baroque style Basílica and Convent of San Francisco for a visit. You can only visit with a guided tour which is offered in both English and Spanish for around s/. 15 (4 USD). The guided tour was fantastic and lasted for well over an hour. There are many outstanding murals, an impressive library and of course the catacombs which are located underneath the church. Our guide said that up to 30,000 people are buried there which leads to an eeiry experience.

You will probably need another food stop after this and it’s a perfect time to try Chicha Morada, which is a drink made primarily from corn and spices but it has a purple colour!

To round out your day, head out to the Larco Museum which explains Peru’s fascinating history and also holds an impressive collection of historical items from ancient Peru and a renowned erotic archaeological collection! You will need at least 3 hours in the museum and we recommend ordering a taxi from the museum shop back to your accommodation, as they are much more affordable.

City historical centre, Plaza San Martín and Plaza das Armas with Inkan Milky Way
Lima Cathedral
Mercado Central or Mercado Municipal Gran Mariscal Ramon Castilla
Torre Tagle Palace
Arco Chino de Lima – Calle Capón / Barrio Chino
Basílica and Convent of San Francisco
Larco Museum

Museo de Arte de Lima
Circuito Magico del Agua (Jirón Madre de Dios S/N, Lima 15046, Peru)

Reserve a table at the restaurant of Larco Museum

\ Day II \
Take a walk around Miraflores, Lima's most beautiful district

Day two of this itinerary begins with the perfect start – a sleep in!

Head out for breakfast to one of the many cafes in Miraflores. We recommend Pan Atelier and Kaldi’s Coffee & Tea.

After a coffee or two head over to Parque John F. Kenedy where the real attraction is all of the cats that call the area home. Have a seat and you will likely be greeted by few! If you are still hungry there are plenty of local vendors here to stock up on snacks.

Next up is the Pyramid of Lima- Huaca Pucllana (Huaca Pucllana Site Museum) which is only about a 15 minute walk away. It is amazing to find a preserved historical site in the middle of such a bustling city! We highly recommend taking a guided tour as it will give you a much better overview of the site. The tour should cost s/.15 (€3.5) each which is great value!

To round out your day, head back towards the beautiful seaside cliff in Miraflores, known as Malecón de Miraflores. It is an easy 30 – 35 minute walk from the Pyramid and there are plenty of options for a late lunch. We recommend finding a restaurant serving the local version of Chinese food called Chifa, which is a mix of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine!

Once you have arrived at the boardwarks of Malecón de Miraflores, make sure to go slow and take in the views. You will eventually come to a very fancy shopping center called Larcomar Shopping Mall which is built into the cliff side and has a wide range of pricey shops! Watch out as these shops very expensive and will burn a hole in your wallet if you are not careful!

To finish off your day, grab a bottle of wine and some snacks from any local supermarket and enjoy the coastal views from one of the many parks along the Malecón de Miraflores.

Parque John F. Kenedy
Pyramid of Lima- Huaca Pucllana (Huaca Pucllana Site Museum)
Malecón de Miraflores
Larcomar Shopping Mall

Lima Museum of Contemporary Art

La lucha Sangucheria Criolla

\ Day III \
Time to get to know Barranco district - Street Art, Bridge of Sighs, Picarones and more food

Your final day of this itinerary gives you time to explore Barranco which is known as the boho or hipster part of town! It has a impressive amount of stunning street art, galleries, markets and parks. Definitely a must visit in our opinion! You can explore the area on your own, or jump on one of the many free walking tours which are mainly in the afternoon.

It is fairly easy to get to Barranco – you can walk in about 40 minutes, take the local bus and ask if the bus goes to Municipal de Barranco Park or grab an uber.

The best spot to start your day of exploring is the municipal park of Barranco (Parque Municipal de Barranco, Av. Pedro de Osma 102, Barranco 15063, Peru) which is surrounded by colonial buildings and on most days has a little market. You must try some delicious Picarones which are like a doughnut, but they are made with sweet potato and squash! Your best bet is to get a double serving and be sure to ask for some of the syrup called Chancaca. We couldn’t get enough….

Ride that sugar high and head down the stairs towards the bridge of sighs-Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs). Before you cross, have a good look at the amazing murals surrounding you! The artist (Jade Riviera) has created a lot of these art works and even has a little shop/gallery where you can buy some gifts or momentos at affordable prices – Jade Rivera.

We were told by our tour guide that there is a local legend which grants one wish to any newcomers who can hold their breath across the whole bridge. Needless to say we gave it a go and it’s not easy! Continue across the bridge of sighs and you’ll be treated to another beautiful mural which can be found in the adjoining park and underneath the Montero Bernales bridge.

Stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants around the park – we recommend Pan Sal Aire or La Bodega Verde. If you haven’t had a pisco sour by now, this is a perfect opportunity to give one a go!

For the rest of the afternoon, you can explore a few of the art galleries or museums in the area – we recommend Museo Pedro de Osma. If you are not a fan of art galleries there are plenty of options for shopping or a few more pisco sours.

If you caught a bus or uber to Barranco, take the cliff path back to Miraflores (or your accommodation). You will be treated to some more great views and you’ll burn off all those Picarones you ate in the morning!