What to see in Lima

Lima is the Capital of Peru. However most travelers use it for a starting or end point of their trip. This is quite reasonable, as there is not much to do in Lima. And during the South American winter it is a completely grey city.

But here are still some interesting ideas of what to see in Lima. I think you should take one day for the center and one day for Miraflores. As the center is super busy I recommend to stay in Miraflores or Barranco (the party quarter), depending what you prefer. Furthermore most of the vegan and vegetarian restaurants are in Miraflores.

Miraflores

A walk along the coast is relaxing and gives a great view on one end of the city and the sea, of course.

In the San Martin you can find some high class street art, but I’m sure there is more to find.

If you still can’t get enough of archeology there is a sight, the Huaca Pucllana in the middle of Miraflores.

You can also find Bookstores close to the parque central and the Ovalo Gutierrez.

Center of Lima

Take the Metrobus to the center of Lima. As you need a magnetic card to enter the gates you have two options. You can either spend 5 Soles (1.50$) for a card and an additional 2.50 Soles (0.75$) for each time you use it or you wait and give the money (2.50 Soles) to a random person who owns a card and she/he will help you get in. This is an advice I got from my hostel. Hop off at Jiron de la Union. Be aware that in rush hour the busses get quite full and that you might not feel save if you travel alone as a woman.

The Convento San Fransico has a pretty nice tour of two hours through their building with the oldest library of South America, the last dinner and the vaults as highlights. The tour lasts 2 hours and is either in English or Spanish. The entrance fee is 15 Soles (4.50$).

The Plaza de Armas is a splendid place in the center of the town. With the Palacio de Gobierno and the cathedral at their sides. The Plaza San Martin is less glamorous and shows a statue of San Martin in its center. It is surrounded by commercial stores and grand hotels. If you follow further down the street from the Plaza de Armas to the Plaza San Martin you finally end up on the Plaza Grau, which is close to the Parque de la Cultura, where you can find the Art Museum and the Museum of Italian Art.

The Mali or Museo de Arte de Lima shows precolonial artefacts, colonial art and modern art. They also have temporary exhibition in the ground floor which are either contemporary or modern art. On special Thursdays and on the first Sunday of the month the entrance is free, otherwise you pay 30 Soles (9.10$) which is quite a bit of money.

If you are interested in torture practices the museo de la inquisicion is the right place for you, as they have an exhibition about torture in their cellar. Unfortunately it was closed for an unspecific time, when I was there.

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