Best Things To Do In Lima, Peru

Lima has so much to offer, being one of the largest cities in South America and with a long history behind it. If you’re only here for a short amount of time and looking for something to do, here are the Best Things To Do in Lima for your reference.

7 Best Things To Do In Lima, Peru

1. Take a Free Walking Tour

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 travellers. 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 in 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.

2. Explore the Plaza de Armas

While you’ll walk through the Plaza de Armas on the free 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.

3. Drink Pisco Sour

You have probably heard that Pisco is one of the Peruvian alcoholic delicacies, and from which the great Pisco Sour appetizer was created. It is made of blends of Pisco (a kind of liquor) combined with fresh lemon juice, cane syrup, and (don’t get scared!) egg whites that create the foamy part of the drink.

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.

5. 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.

6. Try Paragliding

And while we’re on the subject of the beach, did you know that the coast here in Lima is famous for 2 different sports?

The first, which is most popular from Barranco, is paragliding and there’s a school here, who operate daily from a public green space perched on a cliff above the beach.

You can join them for tandem dives if you’re new or go it alone if you’re more experienced!

7. Watch Sunset from Love Park

And while we’re on the subject of public spaces, another great one in Miraflores is Love Park, or Parque Del Amor, so-called because of the huge erotic sculpture that lies at its heart!

Perched on the cliff above Playa Waikiki, this is a great spot for the evening, where you can watch the colours of the day slowly fade over the Pacific Ocean along with lots of locals.