Lima Landmarks: Colonial Centre and Coast

This page sorts Lima’s landmarks by area so you can plan a day without crossing the city twice. The Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies about 10 km inland, while Miraflores and Barranco sit on the coast. Prices are in soles (S/).

Area 1: the colonial centre

  • Plaza Mayor. Pizarro founded Lima here on 18 January 1535. The Cathedral fills the east side and the Government Palace the north. The palace guard changes around midday, so check the hour.
  • San Francisco convent. A Baroque church and library, with catacombs entered on a guided tour. The catacombs hold burials of colonial Lima and call for a quiet manner.
  • Casa de Aliaga. At Jiron de la Union 224, open by booking with a guide, from 9:30 to 17:00 daily according to one guide.
  • Bar Cordano. A historic bar at Jiron Ancash 202, beside the palace, open to the public. One guide lists 8:00 to 20:00 Monday to Saturday.

Go by day. Protests happen here, and the UK government says they can close roads.

Area 2: Miraflores

  • Parque del Amor and the Malecon. Cliff-top paths, mosaic walls and the sculpture El Beso.
  • Larcomar. A shopping and dining centre built into the cliff face.
  • Huaca Pucllana. An adobe pyramid from the Lima culture, visited with a guide. Press reports from 2024 give S/ 15 by day and S/ 17 by night, closed Tuesdays.
  • LUM. The museum of memory on Bajada San Martin 151 documents the 1980 to 2000 internal armed conflict, in which about 70,000 Peruvians were killed or disappeared. Entry is free, and it opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Bring ID and allow time to read. The LUM site has current details.

Area 3: Barranco

  • Puente de los Suspiros. A wooden footbridge built in the 19th century.
  • Bajada de Banos. The path down to the sea.
  • Museo Pedro de Osma. Vice-regal art, at Pedro de Osma 421.

Area 4: museums elsewhere

  • Museo Larco, Pueblo Libre. S/ 45 online, S/ 50 at the door, open daily from 9:00 to 19:00.
  • MALI, Parque de la Exposicion. Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, to 17:00 on Saturdays.

Area 5: south of the city

Pachacamac, at Km 31.5 of the old Panamericana Sur, is a very large pre-Inca sacred site with a museum. Walk the marked paths only.

A hill to avoid on foot

Cerro San Cristobal has views, but the approach from Rimac has seen armed robberies. Use a licensed operator or a registered taxi, or leave it out.

Book a guide through Lima sightseeing listings if you want one.

Read more: sightseeing combined with walking tours and the Lima guide .