So, you’re finally planning a trip to Peru and looking for some fun and unique Lima Peru things to do. Peru is a traveler’s paradise with numerous treasures to discover, including the capital city of Lima. Located on the Pacific Coast, there are many incredible things to see in Lima Peru. Lima has something for everyone, whether you’re a history person, cultural buff, adventure lover, or nature enthusiast.
This guide to the best things to do in Lima Peru highlights fun and unique Lima things to do during your trip. Let’s get into it!
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
Fun Things to Do in Peru Lima
Take a Free Walking Tour
Few travel destinations offer free activities for foreign tourists, but Lima is an exception! A free walking tour is one of the best Lima Peru things to do. On this tour, you’ll explore and experience Lima’s beautiful culture and history. The tour begins at 9:50 a.m. outside the Tourist Information Center on Avenida Jose Larco. It highlights famous historical landmarks, including San Martin Square, the Main Square, Chocomuseo, the House of Peruvian Literature, Boulevard Chabuca Granda, the Santo Domingo Church, and the Indian Market.
Explore Huaca Pucllana
Huaca Pucllana is one of the best things to see in Lima Peru if you’re interested in history. Huaca Pucllana is an adobe brick pyramid built between 300 and 700 AD. There’s also a popular restaurant where you can savor the local cuisine and enjoy the spectacular (and free) sunset views.
Location: Ca. Gral. Borgoño Cuadra 8, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $5 USD
Paraglide by the Coast
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
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Since Lima is located on the Pacific Coast, it offers many thrilling outdoor activities, like paragliding. There are several paragliding hotspots in Lima—the best one is located in Parque Raimondi. From Parque del Amor, this spot is a short walk to the north and attracts experienced paragliders. This 10-minute experience is at the top of the list of exhilarating things to do in Lima Peru. Flying in the sky and relishing the bird’s eye view of the entire region is unforgettable. Paragliding also includes videos and pictures to relive the moment.
Location: Malecón Cisneros 4013, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Opening Hours: Sunday to Saturday from morning to evening
Entry Fee: $85 USD
Visit the Larco Museum
Larco Museum displays pre-Colombian art dating back to the 18th century, including over 50,000 pots demonstrating traditional Chancay, Cupisnique, Inca, and Chimu cultures. Organize a guided tour through the museum to learn more about the artifacts.
The museum is also home to an Erotic Gallery, one of the most unique things to see in Lima Peru. This gallery houses ceramics with X-rated images and scenes, but if you’re visiting with family, there’s plenty of kid-friendly pottery elsewhere.
Location: Av. Simón Bolivar 1515, Pueblo Libre 15084, Peru
Opening Hours: Sunday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $35 USD
See the Saint Francis Monastery
Saint Francis Monastery, also known as Basilica y Convento de San Francisco, is an incredible Lima landmark. The monastery is home to catacombs, an impressive library, and underground vaults used as the resting places for fraternity members until the 19th century. Saint Francis Monastery’s library houses around 25,000 antique texts, some tracing their history before the Spanish Conquest. The museum also has a version of the Last Supper painting made by Diego de la Puente.
Location: Jirón Lampa, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru
Opening Hours: Sunday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Entry Fee: The church is free, but you must pay a $5 USD fee for the catacombs and monastery.
Walk Around the Plaza Mayor
While walking around the Plaza Mayor isn’t the most unique Lima activity, it is one of the most fun things to do in Peru. Formerly known as Plaza de Armas, the plaza is one of the oldest public spaces in the city, where you’ll find iconic sights like the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, and the Municipal Palace. Another key highlight is the colonial fountain, the main centerpiece. Plaza Mayor holds vast historical and cultural significance for the town of Lima.
Location: Plaza central Lima, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru
Opening Hours: Sunday to Saturday throughout the day
Entry Fee: None
Explore Modern and Historic Peruvian Art at the Museo de Arte de Lima
There are numerous museums in Lima, but the best one is the Museo de Arte de Lima. The museum has artifacts covering 3000 years, including a collection of stunning religious paintings from the Cusquena School. This is the perfect place for art lovers to dive into modern and contemporary art. The museum also hosts events to meet local artists.
Another can’t-miss destination is the nearby Museo Mario Testino (MATE), dotted with rooms housing the spectacular work of Mario, who rose to fame photographing Princess Diana.
Location: Parque de la Exposición, Paseo Colon 125, Cercado de Lima 15046, Peru
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: Around $11 USD
Tour Peru’s Classiest and Trendiest Neighborhood
Miraflores is one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Lima and is home to some of the best things to do in Lima Peru. You’ll find everything from cozy bars to stylish restaurants and a vibrant party scene. Miraflores is also one of the best and safest neighborhoods to stay in Lima.
Adding to the charm of this neighborhood is the coast, which attracts locals and foreign tourists. The seafront area is home to the beautiful Parque del Amor, also known as Love Park, which contains colorful mosaics and sculptures. There are plenty of amazing things to do in Miraflores, like parasailing, surfing, visiting the Pisco Museum, shopping at the Indian Market, and more.
Location: Av Jose Larco 453-497, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Opening Hours: Sunday to Saturday, throughout the day
[mailerlite_form form_id=40]Go On an Ultimate Lima Food Tour
Lima is considered one of the top destinations for culinary experiences in Latin America—Peru has been listed among the World’s Leading Culinary Destinations for many years. Here, you can enjoy a wide array of Peruvian dishes. The city of Lima has incredible restaurants that you should visit if your budget allows you. Otherwise, you can look for cheaper options like La Picanteria, Osso, Malabar, Chez Wong, Amaz, and Maido. To sample the local produce, visit Mercado Central and Mercado Surquillo.
Join a Local Cooking Lesson
Taking a cooking class is one of the most unique and delicious Lima things to do. If you love to cook, I recommend joining a that includes cooking and a market visit to purchase fresh ingredients. Food lovers will be in heaven cooking and eating delicious Peruvian cuisine!
Cost: Around $85 USD
Try Rappelling and Canyoning
If you’re a thrill seeker, travel the 2.5 hours to San Jeronimo de Surco from Lima. This adventure begins with a trek that leads to Huanano Waterfall—once there, take a break to gain some energy. Then, rappel down to Songos Village, where you can try a canyoning ropes course.
Learn to Surf Along Lima’s Costa Verde
Rounding out this list of the best things to do in Lima Peru is surfing Costa Verde. There are many beach spots in Lima where you can enjoy surfing, and Costa Verde is incredibly popular. The area south of Barranco La Herradura is also fantastic to try this thrilling watersport.
If you’re a beginner, Waikiki in Miraflores is the best choice for gentle waves. There are plenty of surfing schools that teach the basics and critical skills of surfing, including how to stay safe. There’s also the famous Waikiki Club, one of the world’s first surf clubs established in 1920.
Wondering where to stay while exploring fun things to do in Peru Lima? Check these out:
Lima 18 Boutique
Belma Boutique Bed and Breakfast
Pariwana Hostel Lima
Things to Do in Peru Lima: Best Time to Visit
Lima experiences all four seasons, and the best time to visit is from December to April. During these months, the weather is pleasant and favorable for outdoor activities. Summer is the peak tourist season, offering fun events like the Foundation of Lima, Carnaval, Pisco Sour Day, Good Friday, Easter, and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
May to November attracts many tourists, but this time is known for misty fog and light rain. Local festivals and celebrations, including Peruvian Independence Day, are hosted during these months. If you are a foodie, consider planning a trip to Lima in September, when South America‘s largest food festival is held in Peru.
Peru Travel Guide Planning
🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in Peru?
I strongly recommend using Bookaway. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Peru?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.
I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Fun Things to Do in Peru: Final Thoughts
Now that you have all the information about unique Lima Peru things to do, you’re ready to plan a tour. This list of the most unique things to see in Lima Peru is just a starting point, as there’s much more to experience. Be open and welcome to everything Lima has to offer. By the end of your trip, you’ll have many unforgettable and cherished memories.
Author Bio
Jimmy & Tah are American and Thai Millennials who left their careers in the military and finance to become full-time travelers.