Lima on Foot: Routes and Street Safety
Walking is the best way to feel Lima’s districts, as long as you pick the right streets and times. Below are three routes with the safety points that go with each. A Metropolitano ticket between districts costs S/ 3.20 on the trunk route, and cash is not taken at the turnstiles.
Before you set out
- Walk in daylight in the centre and keep to pedestrian streets.
- Carry one card and a little cash.
- Do not use your phone near the kerb, since motorbike riders snatch them.
- Have a taxi app ready. Fake taxis are a known problem.
The UK government names gunpoint robberies of tourists in Miraflores and Barranco, so these tips apply even in the pleasant districts.
Route A: Historic Centre, about 3 km
Begin at Plaza San Martin. Follow the pedestrian Jiron de la Union to the Plaza Mayor, where the Cathedral and the Government Palace stand. Continue to the San Francisco convent, whose catacombs are entered with a guide, and end at Bar Cordano on Jiron Ancash 202 for a drink. A guide lists its hours as 8:00 to 20:00 on Monday to Saturday and until 16:00 on Sunday.
Stay clear of: the back streets towards Barrios Altos, the bridges across to Rimac and anywhere quiet after dusk.
Also note: protests are common here and can shut streets.
Route B: Miraflores cliff path, 4 to 5 km
Start at Parque del Amor and follow the Malecon along the clifftop. The path is paved, flat, and shared with cyclists, and ends at Larcomar. The beaches below can be reached only by the ramps and the footbridge. The cliff itself is not a route.
Route C: Barranco, 2 to 3 km
From the main square, walk to the Puente de los Suspiros, then down the Bajada de Banos, a cobbled path with murals, and come back up to the Museo Pedro de Osma. The streets fill up in the evening, so go home by app taxi.
A walk that should not be on foot
Cerro San Cristobal, reached through Rimac, has had armed robberies on the approach. Choose a licensed operator or a registered taxi, or leave it off your list.
Guided walks
Guides run walks in the centre and in Callao Monumental, a street-art district west of the centre. In Callao, remain with the guide and finish by day. Look for clear prices and licensed guides.
Quick comparison
| Route | Length | Surface | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Centre | About 3 km | Flat pavement | Morning |
| Miraflores cliffs | 4 to 5 km | Paved, cycle lanes | Late afternoon |
| Barranco | 2 to 3 km | Cobbles and steps | Late afternoon |
The UK safety advice for Peru is the best source for current warnings. For a guide, compare Lima walking tours .
Read more: sightseeing in Lima and the 7 day Lima itinerary .