7 Must-See Places in Lima

Lima, the capital of Peru, is an ocean city. This city, where the Pacific Ocean constantly beats its shores, is distinguished from other major cities in Peru with its unique liveliness. Let’s explore 7 must-see places in Lima, the city known for its surfing, music, local flavors, and dance.

It would be the best decision to start exploring the city from Miraflores, which always welcomes its visitors warmly. Life is always very lively in this area located in the southern part of the city. There are many restaurants, shops, cafes and bars in the area where high-income people live.

As you start walking on the streets of Miraflores and pass different shops and venues on both sides, you suddenly find yourself on a long hill overlooking the ocean and the beaches called Playa Waikiki, Playa Makaha and Playa Costa Verde. This is a large recreational area with lush green parks and walking paths. The most famous park here is Parque del Amor (Love Park). Every tourist who comes to the city stops by here. The reasons for this are both the magnificent view and the large red statue called ‘El Beso‘ (The Kiss) in the park, created by Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín. The other decorations in the park bear traces of the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi.

This shopping center, located along the continuation of the Miraflores walking path, stands out from typical shopping centers due to its ocean view. Thanks to its open areas, it is an ideal place to take a break in nice weather, relieve fatigue and eat and drink something with the ocean view.

Huaca Pucllana is a kind of pyramid made of adobe and clay. It is thought that the pyramid was built in the 500s AD. It was built as a place where ceremonies were held, and administrative tasks were carried out. You can also join tours to visit the pyramid, which does not have a very high entrance fee. You can also consider the Huaca Pucllana restaurant, located at the pyramid site, for a meal break. The Huaca Pucllana Pyramid is just a 20-minute walk from the Miraflores district.

Plaza Mayor de Lima (Lima Main Square) is the largest square in the city. The construction of the square, which houses government buildings and museums such as the Catedral de Lima (Lima Metropolitan Cathedral), Palacio Arzobispal de Lima (Lima Archbishopric Palace) and Palacio Municipal de Lima (Lima City Hall), began in 1535. With its geometric structure, central pool, and surrounding buildings, this square truly captures the South American spirit.

I really liked these two parks located next to each other in the city center. These parks, which are always crowded, are quite suitable for witnessing the daily life of the city and observing the local people. If you visit the parks on the weekend, you might also come across events where people dance freely to Peruvian music. Click here to watch the dance video from Parque 7 de Junio! The many cafes and restaurants around the parks provide great options for a relaxing break.

The Monumento al Soldado Desconocido (Monument to the Unknown Soldier) was built in memory of the soldiers who died during the Pacific War between the Bolivia-Peru alliance and Chile between 1879-1884. The Cristo Del Pacífico (Christ of the Pacific) statue is a 37-meter-high Jesus statue erected in 2011. I’m describing this monument and statue together because they are located very close to each other. The best way to reach them is by private car or taxi, as they are situated on two different hills about 10 km outside the city. From this area, you can view Lima from a different perspective.