Peru Travel Guide: A Long Weekend In Lima

Given the vast number of must-see destinations to fit in to a single Peru Vacation, it is hardly surprising that Peru’s capital city of Lima is often overlooked by visitors who are keen to get started on their Machu Picchu Tour, Sacred Valley excursions and Amazon adventures.

Lima Skyline, Peru. Photograph: Simon Ross-Gill, 2009

Yet, as it is home to around one third of the country’s entire population, more persistent visitors will find that Lima offers a taste of all the popular Peru vacation destinations in one vast city.

Start the weekend in the bustling neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, two thriving sea-side districts to the south of Lima’s city center. It is in Miraflores that you’ll find the highest concentration of quality Lima hotels and Barranco is a focal point for much of the city’s cultural and artistic life.

Begin with a walk along the cliff-top malecon in Miraflores and head to the romantic Parque de Amor (Park of Love) which offers views over the Pacific Ocean and picturesque Goudi-style mosaics. Stopping off at one of the numerous small art galleries, head towards the Amano Museum for an insight into Peru’s indigenous civilizations or the galleries at Trapecio for some modern art.

Parque del Amor, Lima, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

At lunchtime, you will find no end of restaurants to suit any taste in Miraflores, but for a typically Peruvian meal try Señorío de Sulco, on Malecón Cisneros, which offers sumptuous dishes from the country’s coast, mountain and jungle regions.

After a hearty and delicious Peruvian lunch make the short journey from Miraflores to the district of Barranco. Travelers looking for an authentic experience during their Peru vacation should hop onto one of the countless combi buses; otherwise a cab can be hailed for around 5 Peruvian soles.

Spend the afternoon exploring Barranco’s quiet, leafy streets and quaint architecture, left over from the days when the neighborhood was a beach-side holiday resort for the wealthy citizens of Lima. Head past the central plaza and take a walk over the ‘Bridge of Sighs’ which leads you to a pleasant viewing point; the perfect place to catch the sun setting over the Pacific ocean.

Take your pick from the surrounding restaurants for dinner before heading back to Miraflores to enjoy a performance of Peruvian folk music and dance at Brisas del Titicaca or one of the many bars which stay open well into the early hours.

The following morning, get an early start and hail a cab (approx. 10-12 soles) into Lima’s historical center for a vision of Lima’s importance to the Spanish Empire. To the sea-faring Spaniards, this coastal city was a vital link to the vast continent and much of the city’s Imperial grandeur is still visible today. Focus your explorations on the Plaza de Armas, home to the Presidential Palace, Cathedral and various other important buildings. Just around the corner you’ll find the San Francisco monastery with its fascinating artifacts and spooky catacombs.

Plaza de Armas, Lima, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

Have lunch in one of the restaurants on or nearby the square before walking to Plazas Bolivar and Colon to admire more colonial architecture. Catch a cab back to Miraflores in time for dinner on Parque Kennedy, named in honor of the former American President. If you have the energy, enjoy a pisco sour in any of Miraflores’ lively bars before retiring to your hotel for a well deserved rest.

Spend your last day exploring the ancient civilizations that inhabited this area long before the Spanish or even the Incas arrived. The wealthy neighborhood of San Isidro, bordering Miraflores to the north, is home to an ancient pyramid complex called Huaca Huallamarca, which reveals the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Peru’s indigenous peoples.

Treat yourself to lunch in the shadow of the pyramids at Bodega de la Trattoria, before heading to one of Lima’s many fine museums. Try the Javier Prado Museum, one of the best in the city with an impressive display of natural history exhibits, or the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum which has an exquisite collection of pre-Colombian pottery.

For a taste of Lima’s undeniably excellent cuisine, get a table at Astrid y Gaston, owned by a local celebrity-chef who prides himself on creating a memorable twist on many of Peru’s most popular dishes including ceviche and lomo saltado. Reflect on the fabulous flavors of your world class meal before a final night’s sleep in preparation for the next step of your Peru travel experience.