Lima has some of the world's best restaurants, a colonial center, cliffside neighborhoods like Miraflores and Barranco, and museums on pre-Columbian cultures. It is often the gateway to Machu Picchu. The best weather is December to April.
Good to know
- Winter (June to October) is gray and damp; summer is sunny.
- Take taxis from app or hotel at night.
- Book top restaurants such as Central and Maido weeks ahead.
Eat this
Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
Cliffside parks and paths with paragliding and ocean views.
Raw fish cured in lime, served with sweet potato and corn, best at lunch.
Market visit and class on ceviche and pisco sours.
Adobe pyramid within the city, with a restaurant overlooking the illuminated ruins.
Bohemian district with the Bridge of Sighs, street art and live music.
Photography museum in a Barranco mansion devoted to the work of Peruvian photographer Mario Testino.
Peruvian biodiversity from altitude to sea in a multi-course menu.
UNESCO colonial center with the Plaza Mayor, cathedral and catacombs of San Francisco.
Pre-Columbian art in a mansion, including a famous erotic-pottery gallery and a garden cafe.
Light and fountain show in a park in the evening.
Pre-Inca ceremonial center south of the city, with museum and sea views.