Best Things to do in Lima 2024 | Best Cities in the World #98: Lima

98. Lima PERU 🇵🇪 Score: 179.10

by Omnespsx (cropped) / [CC BY-SA 4.0

Colonial Splendor, Modern Charms, and Coastal Beauty

Table of Contents

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A. About Lima
B. Best Things to Do in Lima in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Lima
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Lima
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Lima (including close-by excursions)

A. About Lima

Nickname: City of the Kings

At first glance, Lima may look like a loud, chaotic, and gritty city.

But taking a closer look you’ll discover elegant colonial architecture, fascinating museums, beautiful palaces, flourishing modern districts, and fine beaches.

In addition, you'll find interesting archeological sites both within and around the city.

The Good:

Lima enjoys, first of all, a scenic location overlooking the Pacific Ocean with several hills, and enjoys on top of that excellent climatic conditions, although it is frequently foggy.

Furthermore, the city scores solidly for its sights.

Prices in Lima are low.

Finally, the nightlife is vibrant.

The Not-So-Good:

Lima is a very polluted city with a poor environmental record. During winter, Peru's capital suffers from smog.

Lima is rated rather poor for its safety. There is not much violent crime, but standard safety precautions are recommended due to the frequent existence of petty crime.

B. Best Things to Do in Lima in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we counted more than forty sights in Lima. The following sights contribute to a solid score of 6.45/10 in this most important category:

# HISTORIC CENTRE 7

Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1988, the charming historic heart of Lima is packed with fine buildings from the colonial era.

City District

by KimonBerlin/ CC BY-SA 2.0

# IGLESIA Y CONVENTO SAN FRANCISCO 6

This impressive colonial church contains a library and spectacular catacombs.

Church

by BrunoLocatelli / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Museo Larco 6

Housed in an 18th-century viceroy mansion, this privately owned museum displays an impressive collection of pre-Columbian art.

Museum

by Cherimoya.lima / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) 6

This private museum houses fascinating gold ceremonial objects from pre-Columbian times as well as a sizable collection of different weapons from across the globe.

Museum

by Manuel González Olaechea / CC BY-SA 3.0

# PLAZA DE ARMAS 5.5

Located at the heart of Lima's historic center, this broad square is lined with remarkable colonial edifices such as the cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, or the Palacio del Gobierno.

Square

by Murray Foubister / CC BY-SA 2.0

# TORRE TAGLE PALACE 5.5

Considered one of the most magnificent buildings in South America, this two-story building is flanked by two impressive carved wooden balconies.

Palace Constructed: 1730

by Capomo81 / CC BY-SA 4.0

# SAN PEDRO CHURCH (IGLESIA DE SAN PEDRO) 5.5

Built by the Jesuits in the 17th-century, this Baroque church features a majestic facade, well-maintained altars decorated in gold leaf, and Moorish-style carvings.

Church

by Jonathan.adrianzen / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Cathedral of Lima 5.5

This beautiful cathedral, Lima’s most iconic building, contains within its walls fourteen side chapels, the tomb of the famous Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, and the museum of religious art.

Roman Catholic Cathedral Completed: 1649

by Avodrocc / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Magic Water Circuit 5

Opened in 2007 after a hefty investment of US$13 million, the Magic Water Circuit in Lima features thirteen illuminated fountains. It is one of the largest water fountain parks in the world.

Park with Fountains Opened: 2007

by Avodrocc / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Miraflores 5

This residential and upscale shopping district on cliffs above the ocean features modern glass-and-steel commercial buildings and some fine old colonial homes.

City District

by Avodrocc / CC BY-SA 2.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Lima

- Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros) 5

Bridge

by Håkan Svensson / CC BY-SA 3.0

- National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru 5
- Pachacamac 5
- Los Descalzos convent 5
- Santo Domingo Church and Convent 5
- Art Museum of Lima 5
- Pedro de Osma Museum 5
- Barranco 5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Lima

Paracas National Reserve & Islas Ballestas 6

National Park Distance from Lima: 230 km southeast

by Unukorno / CC BY-SA 3.0

Pachacamac (48.9 km from Lima) 6

Caral (174 km from Lima) 6

Nazca Desert (419 km from Lima) 6

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Lima (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Lima for at least three entire days:

HISTORIC CENTER 7

IGLESIA Y CONVENTO SAN FRANCISCO 6

Museo Larco 6

Museo de Oro 6

PLAZA DE ARMAS 5.5

TORRE TAGLE PALACE 5.5

SAN PEDRO CHURCH 5.5

Cathedral of Lima 5.5

Magic Water Circuit5

Miraflores 5