Itineraries for Your Trip to Lima
3 Days in Lima for First Timers
Though often overlooked by time-pressed travelers desperate to reach the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, Lima is a destination worthy of spending a few days. When I arrived in Peru’s capital, formerly called the City of Kings, I only planned to spend a day or two.
However, after sampling delectable seafood with Peruvian flair and exploring distinctive districts such as Miraflroes and Barranco, two days quickly turned into a week, which then melted into several weeks of joyous exploration. Here’s my 3-day guide to the best sights and bites that Lima has to offer.
Rain is rare, but summers are incredibly muggy and humid, so stay hydrated.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Miraflores for coastal vista, grand architecture, and the best bars and restaurants.
Brightly colored and bohemian, the hipster Barranco neighborhood is perfect to kick off your 3-day Lima stay. Start at the Bridge of Sighs for sweeping city views, before absorbing culture at the Museum of Contemporary Art. On the 20-minute stroll between them, you’ll encounter street art and cute cafés serving freshly ground Peruvian coffee.
In the afternoon, switch from classic to contemporary and visit the grand Centro Historico neighborhood. Using the bustling Plaza Mayor Lima as your orientation point, walk to the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Lima, the custard-yellow Church and Convent of San Francisco, and the baroque church of Santo Domingo.
Swap the city for the sea today on a day trip to the wildlife- and nature-rich region of Paracas. Tours typically include a boat ride around Ballestas Islands, hailed as Peru’s equivalent to the Galapagos Islands, during which you’ll see hundreds of sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and more. Plus, you’ll likely stop in the desert oasis of Huacachina, where you can go sandboarding and ride the sand dunes in a super-fast buggy.
Tonight, see the spooky side of Lima at the Lima Catacombs—an eerie, lesser-known attraction in the bowels of the Church and Convent of San Friansisco. Explore the underground tunnels on a 30-minute tour to see the bones and skulls of what’s estimated to be about 25,000 people.
Dedicate your final morning to Miraflores, a chic, coastal suburb home to some of the city’s best bars, restaurants, and real estate. Soak up sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean from the romantic Parque del Amor, from which thrill-seeking paragliders leap into the air, and visit some of the district’s gourmet restaurants on a tasting tour.
Tonight, witness a sensory extravaganza at the Magic Water Circuit, where light, music, and water combine for a show. The fountains are choreographed to classical and Peruvian music in the lush Parque de la Reserva in Miraflores.
