Lima is a city full of wonders waiting to be discovered. Below we've put together a list of Lima's famous tourist attractions known for their charm, plus some lesser-known corners that are equally amazing.
1. Parque El Olivar
A green lung of the city, Parque El Olivar in San Isidro is home to a series of olive trees that are unique in Peru for their longevity. Currently there are approximately 1,670 olive trees and 227 trees of other species. The park also has cultural centers, museums, libraries, a theater, and an art gallery.
How to get to Parque El Olivar: From Avenida Arequipa you should head east along Pallardeli, where you'll reach the center of the park.
2. Museo Larco
Peru has a vast pre-Columbian history that you should explore when you visit Lima. One of the best places to immerse yourself in that culture is by visiting Museo Larco. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, this colonial mansion houses over 40,000 pieces of art dating back up to 5,000 years.
How to get to Museo Larco: Museo Larco is located on Avenida Simón Bolivar between Navarra and San Carlos. At Nomades we offer the Museums Tour in Lima where a guided visit to Museo Larco is included.
3. Punta Negra
Photo by Chimi Fotos
Located south of Lima, Punta Negra is a beach resort with a series of beautiful beaches. A spectacular destination if you're interested in surfing, as its waves are among the best in the district. If you're looking for a retreat in nature, Punta Negra beach has massive dark rocks that offer a particularly beautiful landscape at sunset.
How to get to Punta Negra: Punta Negra is located at Km 45 of the Panamericana Sur.
4. Nor Yauyos-Cochas
The Nor Yauyos-Cochas Scenic Reserve is one of Peru's most naturally beautiful areas. It covers 200,000 hectares protected by the Nevado de Pariacaca. One of the must-sees in Nor Yauyos-Cochas is found along the 20 km stretch where the Cañete River forms impressive waterfalls, such as the stepped cascades of Cabracancha shown in the photograph.
How to get to Nor Yauyos-Cochas: The most common route to Yauyos is taking the Panamericana Sur via Cañete, then after 140 km take the Lunahuaná turnoff and from there follow the road toward Vitis and Huancaya.
5. Malecón de Miraflores
A list of the best tourist attractions in Lima wouldn't be complete without including the Malecón de Miraflores. Here the city meets the sea, and you can walk alongside gigantic cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Don't forget to visit Barranco, located further south, as it's one of Lima's most picturesque and interesting neighborhoods.
How to get to Malecón de Miraflores: The Malecón de Miraflores is located along the entire coast of the Miraflores district, so it's very easy to find.
6. Caral
A visit to Lima would be incomplete without visiting the oldest city not only in Peru but in all of the Americas. This city was the cradle of the Caral civilization, which developed at the same time as those of Egypt, India, China, and Mesopotamia. In the archaeological complex you'll find pyramids dating back around 5,000 years.
How to get to Caral: The Sacred City of Caral is located in Supe, in the province of Barranca, north of Lima, at kilometer 184 of the Panamericana Norte highway. At Nomades we offer a tour to the Ruins of Caral that includes round-trip transportation and the company of an expert guide.
7. Huaca Pucllana
Following the pre-Columbian past of Peru, one of Lima's most recommended tourist attractions is Huaca Pucllana. Belonging to the Lima culture, it dates from the Regional Development period (200 - 700 A.D.). The archaeological complex has LED lighting that makes a nighttime visit even more spectacular.
How to get to Huaca Pucllana: Huaca Pucllana is located between Independencia and Ayacucho streets.
8. Islas Palomino
One of Lima's most popular tourist attractions for those seeking a direct experience with the capital's marine wildlife. Islas Palomino, also called Islotes Palominos, are a group of small islands that harbor a large population of sea lions and seabirds.
How to get to Islas Palomino: Since you need to navigate by sea, the best option is to book a tour from Lima. At Nomades we offer the Islas Palomino Tour, where we'll spend 2 and a half hours at sea while seeing sea lions, penguins and over 50 bird species.
Do you know other Lima tourist attractions that we should add to this list? Leave your suggestions in the comments!
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