Best things to do in Lima, Peru

Are you planning to travel to Peru on your next vacation? Well if you are than you will want to spend some time in the Peruvian capital of Lima. Lima has undergone a drastic transformation in recent years and now is a great location to spend a few days of your holiday time. Here we will give you the best things to do in Lima Peru.

Lima has a wide variety of things to do for everyone from something for the history buff to the foodie you will never be short of something to do.

Let us start in the center of the city with the historic Plaza de Armes; the history of the city center is interesting with impressive buildings like the Government Palace and the Archbishops Palace. On the Plaza, you will also find the Cathedral, which you should take the time to visit.

Not far from the Plaza is the Convent of San Francisco. This is one of many Colonial churches in central Lima but this church stands out because it is so well preserved and for its historical importance. There is a library with over 25000 ancient texts from the Spanish Colonial times but what most people want to see is the Catacombs. It is not only where the rich and powerful were buried but it was also used as one of the main cemeteries of Lima. There are an estimated 75000 bodies buried here and you can see the piles of bones and skulls on display.

The Huaca Pucllana ruins are one of the few that remain from the historic pre Columbian period of Peru. A ceremonial center that would have been used for spiritual ceremonies and sacrifices, it is said to have been built around 500AD. Today the modern suburb of Miraflores surrounds the site. There are daytime tours and you can visit at night for a different experience.

Lima tourism is not only old churches and ancient sites; there are also plenty of modern day best things to do in Lima Peru. Overlooking the ocean the suburb of Miraflores, along the coast has footpaths that you can walk. However, not only walking can be enjoyed on the paths of the green coast, you can also hire bikes and cycle along the cliff sides.

The modern shopping center of Larco Mar has one of the best views you can enjoy anywhere. Also in Miraflores, Larco Mar has some nice restaurants with great food and views.

If you love beaches then make sure you arrive into Lima in the summer months. The most popular beaches in Lima are at Barranco and Chorillos. On the weekends theses beaches are very full and it is hard to find a spot as all the local people flock to enjoy a day at the beach.

If you are the adventurous type, you might like to try Paragliding. Along the Costa Verde, you can find companies that offer a 10-minute experience with an instructor. The experience is worth it just for the views of the coast and the ocean.

You may have heard of how famous Peruvian food is, so what are the best restaurants Lima Peru, well Lima is full of top quality restaurants with some of the most popular being Central and Maido, both these restaurants you need to make a reservation months in advance. Nevertheless, while in Lima be sure to experience all types of food and some of the street food can be very tasty. Do not forget to try Ceviche, considered the national dish of Peru, but only if you like fish.

Lima has a great nightlife scene with something for all tastes. If you get the chance, go to a traditional Peruvian Peña. Peñas are music venues where traditional Peruvian music is played by a live band. These venues could be small houses or large venues. Try to find a traditional Peña like La Oficina or Don Portirio both are located in Barranco.

If you love to dance than Lima if full of bars, discos and salsa clubs where you can dance to you hearts content. The Miraflores and Barranco areas is where you will find the most clubs, check out your guide book for advice on where to go.

Barranco is a must to visit while you are in Lima. Considered to be the artist quarter of Lima, the suburb is full of lovely old houses and the main square features pretty gardens and the Barranco library. Barranco is full of great nightclubs and great restaurants with good Peruvian food, just a short ride from Miraflores by taxi.

One of the principle reason people travel to Peru is to see Machu Picchu. The journey to the sacred ruin is easy so here is some advice on getting from Lima to Machu Picchu. The quickest way is by taking a flight from Lima airport to the Inca city of Cusco, located high in the Peruvian Andes. After a few days to acclimatize you can either do one of the many treks to Machu Picchu, most of which take 4 days or you can go on a day trip to Machu Picchu by train. There are several different train services that go to Machu Picchu daily, so depending on your budget there will be a train for you.

Take the time to visit Lima and experience the mix of ancient cultures and modern day Lima, the city is sure impress.

Peru has many wonders waiting for you to be discovered. Here in Cusco Peru Travel, our speciality is to make your trip an outstanding experience, fill-in this form and let your tailor-made luxury Peru vacation begin.