Best Things to Do in Lima Peru: Top Activities & Hidden Gems for 2026

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Lima has spent years being misunderstood. People land here, look around for five minutes, and assume the city is “meh, fine, maybe a little dirty” — usually on their way to somewhere requiring hiking boots, altitude pills, or malaria pills. But Lima has been quietly leveling up for over a decade, especially in the food world. In 2023, Central was ranked the best restaurant in the world; in 2025, Maido took that global top spot.

Translation: Lima is no longer a pit stop.

I started coming here in 2009, and let me tell you, I didn’t have the insider information and I wasn’t convinced Lima was so great. But over the years, it was like pulling a thread on an alpaca sweater — the more I searched, the more I discovered in this hidden city. Now my finds can be yours.

Below is your fully vetted guide to the best things to do in Lima, Peru.

Why Lima Is Worth Visiting in 2026

If you’re debating whether to spend actual time here instead of racing to Cusco, take this as your sign: yes, you should. Lima offers something unique: an atmospheric blend of colonial history, modern art, world-class cuisine, and coastal energy.

A Historic City with Modern Energy

Lima’s Historic Center is all colonial drama — Plaza Mayor, balconies, cathedrals, and formal architecture. But the real story is the contrast. Walk through revitalized neighborhoods like Barranco, and you’ll see restored colonial mansions next to murals next to tiny cafés that feel like someone’s living room.

Miraflores has its chain hotels (yes, we all see them — and yes, some are fabulous), but also excellent restaurants, boutiques, and cliffside parks you’ll wish you lived near.
It’s the mix that makes it interesting, not the monuments.

Growing International Recognition

Lima didn’t wake up one day and become a culinary capital. Chefs, markets, and home cooks built this reputation over decades. The awards — including world #1 rankings for Central and Maido — simply caught up. Add rising street art, new galleries, and neighborhoods like Barranco being “discovered” every few years, and you get a city that’s finally getting the attention it deserves.

Can You Explore Lima on Foot? — Walkable Boroughs & Routes

Yes, but do it in the right neighborhoods. Lima is huge; do not attempt to walk between districts unless you enjoy long distances paired with questionable sidewalks. Within Miraflores, Barranco, and the Historic Center, however, you’re good.

Historic Center Walking Tour

If you’re going to see the Historic Center, make it a morning. It feels safer, brighter, and more alive.

Start at Plaza Mayor — the Cathedral, Government Palace, and mustard-colored Municipal building frame the square. It’s busy in the best way: school groups, office workers, families, and the occasional wedding party.

Walk toward the San Francisco Monastery. The cloisters are beautiful; the catacombs are… a choice (but an interesting one).

Along Jirón de la Unión, expect:

• Throngs of People
• Street performers
• Stunning colonial storefronts that look like they’ve been here forever, but they actually contain restaurants like Dunkin Donuts
• Souvenir stands, sweets shops, clothing, jewelry
• There is even a discount Pima cotton shop called La Fabrica (Jiron de la Unión 439) selling seconds from known brands like Lacoste, Vineyard Vines, and Travis Matthews — extremely Lima 

When you need a break, go to Bar Cordano. It opened in 1905 and hasn’t changed much since. That’s the charm. The food is solid and straightforward; the atmosphere does the heavy lifting. Exactly the kind of place people skip because it isn’t shiny — and exactly why you shouldn’t.

Miraflores to Barranco Coastal Walk

If you want an easy win, do this.

• Start in Miraflores and walk the Malecón: the clifftop greenway overlooking the Pacific. It’s clean, safe, scenic, and one of the few places where you’ll think, “Okay, I get it now.”
• Stop at Parque del Amor. Tourist trap? Yes. Worth a peek? Also yes.
• Pass Larcomar — touristy, but the restaurants and views deliver.
• Walk the cliffs south into Barranco. The vibe shifts: a little bohemian, a little saltier, a little “let’s see what’s around that corner.”
• Barranco is also home to Dédalo — one of Lima’s best curated artisan boutiques. If you want gifts that don’t look mass-produced or sad, start here.
• End at the Bridge of Sighs. Legend says hold your breath and your wish comes true. Your call. The cafés around it are the real highlight.

Coastal Views, Parks & Outdoor Experiences

Lima is one of the only major capitals built on cliffs above the ocean. Even locals don’t get tired of it.

Seaside Promenade and Cliffs (Miraflores & Beyond)

The Malecón is not optional. It’s the walk you do to shake off jet lag, recalibrate your brain, or fill an awkward hour between lunch and dinner.

You’ll pass:

• Parque del Amor
• El Faro lighthouse
• Paragliding launch points
• Dogs who seem to have a significantly better work-life balance than most humans

If you’re adventurous, book a paragliding flight. If you’re like me, politely decline and enjoy watching from a safe distance.

Parks and Green Spaces

Lima gets a bad rap for feeling dusty and gray — and honestly, that was my first impression too. But once you start paying attention, you realize the city is threaded with green pockets: cliffside lawns, neighborhood parks, and a few iconic oases.

• Kennedy Park (Miraflores): Part cat sanctuary, part plaza, part unofficial dance floor.
• Parque de la Reserva (Magic Water Circuit): A legit crowd-pleaser — especially for kids. Go after dark.
• El Olivar (San Isidro): Calm, elegant, and uniquely Lima — walking paths, ponds with turtles, century-old olive trees, and dogs everywhere.

After soaking in Lima’s greener side, it’s time to dive into its real flavor — literally.

Food & Drink — Where Lima Really Shines

People travel to Lima for the food — and they should. It’s that good. Lima is Peru’s culinary heartbeat, where world-famous chefs and humble market stalls coexist. If you’re a foodie, this is your paradise.

Iconic Dishes You Have to Try

• Ceviche — Eat it at lunch. Non-negotiable.
• Papa rellena — Crispy outside, soft inside, savory filling.
• Lomo saltado — Peru’s Chinese fusion history on a plate.
• Chaufa — Comforting, wok-kissed, everywhere.
• Causa — Soft, layered, Peruvian to its core.

Best Places to Eat (Curated, Always Good)

• La Mar: The no-drama cevichería. Arrive at 11:45 and wait with purpose.
• Madam Tusan: Classic Chifa — comforting, familiar, very Lima.
• Shi-Nuá: Sleek Chifa option with excellent chaufa and polished flavors.
• Troppo (San Isidro): Italian comfort with Peruvian ease. The patio is a win.
• El Pan de la Chola — La Mar: Breakfast, pizzas, bread. Simple done right.
• Isolina (Barranco): Hearty Peruvian classics. Loud, crowded, worth it.
• Mercado de Magdalena: Great for juice, snacks, and an authentic market hit.
• Alanya (Barranco): A major Lima favorite — refined pastries, gorgeous cakes, brunch plates, and a polished café vibe.
• El Hornero (Chorrillos): An epic colonial mansion with expansive sea views and wood-fired meats. Local, lively, satisfying.
• Cala: Oceanfront staple — sunset is the move.
• Siete: Stylish, warm, contemporary Peruvian. Great cocktails.
• Astrid y Gastón: Elegant, iconic, and still one of Lima’s finest.
• Huaca Pucllana: Culture + cuisine. Dine beside pre-Incan ruins for a one-of-a-kind experience.

World Chart-topping restaurants

• Central
• Kjolle
• Maido

Your splurge picks. Book early and build your day around them.

Once you’ve eaten your way through Lima’s greatest hits, it’s time to balance it out with another essential pleasure: shopping. And yes — Lima delivers big there too.

Where to Shop — The Top Stores in Lima

A Lima guide without shopping? Impossible.

• Fringe Mod: Art-forward fashion with personality. Pieces you actually keep.
• Casa Lerner: Boutique + gallery energy. Beautiful edit of Latin American design.
• Dédalo: Many artisan stores in one curated space. Always a good idea.
• Claire de Lune: Chic, feminine, quietly luxurious — great for gifts.
• Kuna: Modern alpaca clothing. Polished, soft, timeless.
• Inka Market: Vibrant marketplace with vendors selling everything Peru including textiles, ceramics, silver and more. Lots of junk but some great finds.
• Inka Market’s Mil Colores Elegant, high-quality textiles in a sea of “not that.”
• Inka Market’s Camaq: Peruvian baskets and home goods— stylish and affordable.

Once you’ve done some damage to your suitcase space — as you can and absolutely should — let’s map out how to structure your days so Lima feels effortless instead of overwhelming.

Sample Itineraries for 1 to 3 Days in Lima

Dont’ skip out on buying fabulous textiles at the Inka Market

Not sure how long to stay or what order makes sense? Use these sample itineraries based on how much time you have and what you love. Realistic, door-to-door friendly. No chaos.

1-Day Itinerary (Highlights Only)

• Morning: Inka Market + Kennedy Park + Larcomar
• Afternoon: Ceviche lunch at La Mar + Walk the Malecón.
• Evening: Barranco — Bridge of Sighs + dinner at Isolina, Siete, or Alanya.

3-Day Itinerary (Full Experience)

Day 1: Historic Lima

• Walk the Historic Center.
• Lunch at Bar Cordano or Museo Larco (quick taxi).
• Magic Water Circuit — great for families and night photos.

Day 2: Miraflores

• Slow morning + Malecón walk+Larcomar
• Ceviche lunch at La Mar
• Shop the Inka Market (Camaq + Mil Colores).
• Special dinner — Maido, Astrid y Gastón, or Huaca Pucllana.

Day 3: Barranco

• Street art + galleries.
• Dédalo shopping.
• Lunch at El Hornero (Chorrillos) — epic mansion + sea views, or Isolina, or Alanya.
• Sunset drinks and dinner at Cala or Siete 
• Or if you’re a foodie swap out one of those meals for Kjolle or Central

With your days mapped out, let’s get you set up with the practical intel that makes Lima even easier — the tips that smooth out the edges and make your trip feel seamless.

Practical Travel Tips & Local Advice

Even seasoned travelers can benefit from a few local insights. Here are smart tips to make your Lima trip smooth and enjoyable.

When to Visit

• May–October: Cool, gray, reliable.
• November–April: Warm, sunny, busier.

Transportation & Safety

• Use Cabify or Uber.
• Avoid street taxis.
• Public transport? Hard no.
• Walking in Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro is great — just avoid unlit side streets at night.

Budget Tips

• Street food is famous; tours help if you’re nervous.
• Pay in soles for small buys.
• Bargain gently.

Language & Etiquette

• Basic Spanish helps.
• Greet people.
• Tip ~10% for good service.

FAQs About Visiting Lima, Peru

Conclusion

Lima is full of the good kind of surprises. You can eat one of the best meals of your life, walk a cliffside promenade that feels like a movie set, wander galleries in renovated mansions, and still be back at your hotel by 9 p.m.

Use this guide as your starting point — the exact insider intel I wish someone had handed me back in 2009 — and skip everything that’s forgettable. Hit the standouts, savor the magic, and see the Lima most travelers never do.

See you in Lima.

You’re officially in the know now.