Lima city is the capital of the Republic of Peru. It is located on the central coast of the country, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, forming an extensive and populated urban area known as Metropolitan Lima, 70 km north to south, from the district of Ancón to the district of Pucusana, and 44 km east to west, from the district of La Punta to Chosica (district of Lurigancho-Chosica), flanked by the coastal desert and extending over the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurin.
On January 18, 1535, it was founded with the name of Ciudad de los Reyes by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro within the agricultural region known by the indigenous people as Lima, a name that it acquired over time.
It was the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru for its valleys and its low altitude above sea level in replacement of Jauja that was in the heights of the Andes.
The viceroyalty, at the time, served as the most relevant administrative entity of the Hispanic Monarchy within South America, while Lima in turn was the largest and most important city in all of Austral America during the colonial period.
After the process of Independence, it became the capital of the Peruvian Republic until today.
As the Capital of Peru, the Lima city offers different tourist attractions you could visit on your next trip to Peru.
What to See in Lima:
The Lima cathedral
The cathedral of Lima is the most important in Peru for being considered Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Inside are the remains of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima, as well as the religious art museum with an extensive collection of “holy saints”.
The Lima Main Square
The Plaza de Armas is the most emblematic point of the historic center, which is why it is included in the list of things to do in Lima.
In this square the city was founded and independence was proclaimed. Around this square are important buildings such as the Government Palace of Peru and the Cathedral of Lima.
The Magical Water Circuit
The Circuito Magico del Agua is a night tour under the open sky full of lights, music, water and a lot of magic, it is perhaps the most visited tourist attraction in Lima.
An unmissable visit to do in Lima and which you will not regret, especially if you travel with children.
Puente de los Suspiros
The story behind the Puente de los Suspiros says that if you cross this bridge holding your breath, your wish will come true.
True or not, we recommend you visit this picturesque place in Barranco, with beautiful gardens, churches and a variety of excellent bars and restaurants around it.
Huaca Pucllana
La Huaca Pucllana is an archaeological site in the heart of Miraflores, in Lima. This truncated pyramid was the place of ceremonies of the Lima Culture, the Wari and the Ychsma, 3 pre-Inca societies. A walk that will make you travel back in time.
Malecón de Miraflores
One of the must-see in Lima is the Malecón of the Miraflores district from where you will have the best view of the coast.
Explore the parks and gardens, as well as El Parque del Amor and the peruvian coast.
The Catacombs of the San Francisco Convent
Below the Convent of San Francisco de Asís are the Catacombs of Lima that served as crypts for members of associations of Catholic faithful in the city.
It is impressive to see how the bones and skulls of the corpses were organized inside the catacombs in order to make better use of the space.
The Costa Verde
The Costa Verde is the road that runs along the beaches of the coast of Lima and has parks and boardwalks for the enjoyment of locals and tourists. From here you will have a different perspective of Lima.
This is the favorite place for surfers and you would have the opportunity to learn to surf.
What to do in Lima:
The Larco Museum
Full of history and valuable collections of gold and silver from Peru from pre-Columbian times, the Larco Museum is a recommended visit for travelers.
This is the most famous museum. It takes about half a day to visit. In addition to the museum, you can explore its gardens and enjoy a coffee
The Palomino Islands
The Palomino Islands are home to sea lions, part of the Peruvian marine life. For getting there you must leave from El Callao.
The tours on these islands are done by boat and depending on the weather, sometimes you can swim with the sea lions. This is a recommended visit to do in Lima during the summer.