Last Updated on October 22, 2024
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Lima is the Capital of Peru and a gateway to the country. This is where the main international airport is, so you go through Lima when you want to visit Peru. Most people won’t spend a lot of time in the city, if any. They stay at the airport and hop on the next plane, usually to Cusco. But even though the city might not be the most spectacular place in Peru, it does have a lot to offer and is definitely worth visiting. Since you’re already there, why not add one day in Lima to your Peru itinerary.
Food alone is good enough reason to make a quick stop in Lima. The city is known as one of the best foodie capitals in the world and is an excellent introduction to Peruvian cuisine. There’s no shortage of fantastic restaurants and cafes in the city.
Even though the city is huge and traffic the worst I’ve ever seen, with an early start and good planning, it’s possible to see the highlights of Lima in one day. So, if you wonder what to in Lima in just 24 hours, here are some ideas. Feel free to use this 1-day Lima itinerary and make the best out of your short time in Peru’s capital.
How to get to Lima, Peru
Lima is the very first stop for most who visit Peru, as it has the main international airport. Aeropuerto International Jorge Chávez (LIM) is located 11 km (6.8 miles) from Lima’s center. It can take anywhere from 40-60 minutes to get to Miraflores, where most visitors stay, depending on time of day you arrive and traffic.
You have a few options of getting from Lima Airport to your hotel.
- Airport Express Bus – this is a relatively easy and budget friendly option of getting from Lima airport to Miraflores. Buses are big, comfortable and have Wi-Fi. The bus runs every hour and makes 4 stops in Miraflores close to all major hotels and the price is 20 soles one way. You can pay on the bus (must have exact change!), at the airport or pre-purchase your ticket online.
- Taxi – there are three authorized taxi companies, that operate at the airport. Once you collect your bags, you have to go to the counter to pay for it. The rates are flat, and the cost will depend on your final destination. Expect to pay 60 soles to go to Miraflores.
- Taxidatum – the easiest and most convenient is private transfer and if you are looking to arrange one, Taxidatum is excellent. I’ve used them not just to get to and from the airport in Lima, but also throughout my Peru trip. They are reliable, safe and professional. To book, you send a request online with all the details, then pay in person. The entire process is very easy, and their prices are competitive.
There’s also public transportation, but I doubt you’d want to deal with that, right after stepping off a plane. Especially not being familiar with how it works and if you are not fluent in Spanish.
Getting around Lima
Lima is a huge city with 43 neighborhoods. It’s the largest city in Peru and one of the biggest cities in South America. The three main and very different parts of the city worth visiting are Historic Center, Miraflores and Barranco. Each of these neighborhoods is walkable once you’re there, but you will need to use transportation to get from one to the other.
Uber operates in Lima, and it’s a great and convenient way to get between neighborhoods. It’s easier to use than a taxi, as you don’t need to worry about communicating about where you want to go and negotiating the price, if your Spanish is not great.
Just be prepared, that a couple of Uber drivers might cancel on you, before one actually shows up. It seems to be a common practice in Lima. My guess is they get stuck in heavy Lima traffic and an easier and closer request comes along.
* If you are up for it and time allows, it is possible to walk from Miraflores to Barranco.
One day in Lima, Peru
It is possible to see all the highlights of Lima in one day but be ready to start your day early. In this itinerary I focus on three main neighborhoods in Lima: Historic Center, Miraflores and Barranco. That’s where all the main Lima attractions are and all three are safe to visit (although it’s not recommended to walk around the Historic Center at night).
Best of all, most of the things to do in Lima in this one-day itinerary are free!
Here are all the things you can do in Lima in one day:
- Explore the Historic Center
- Stroll along the Malecón in Miraflores
- Visit the colorful and artsy Barranco neighborhood
- Stop at Parque de Kennedy, aka “Cat Park”
- Try the National drink of Peru
- Enjoy the world-renowned food scene
Things to do in Lima, Peru in one day
Explore the Historic Center
Start your day in Lima with exploring the Historic Center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you will most likely be staying in Miraflores or Barranco, you will need to get there by Uber/Taxi. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Miraflores to Plaza de Armas but could be more depending on traffic. And traffic in Lima can be brutal.
Plaza de Armas, also known as Plaza Mayor, is the main square in Lima and the perfect starting point to explore the Historic Center. The large Plaza is surrounded by several beautiful and important buildings.
To start on the east side of the square, side by side, are Lima’s Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. The large building on the Northern side is Palacio de Gobierno, where the President of Peru resides. Since it’s a working Palace, you can only visit it on the weekends during a couple of hours in the morning. This can be arranged through the Tourist Office.
Just one block away from the square is another amazing building worth visiting, Basilica y Convento de San Francisco. It’s a beautifully preserved Baroque style church, that is especially known for its library and the catacombs. The catacombs can be visited on a 30-minute tour (available in both English and Spanish), which is included in the 20 soles entrance fee.
You can wander around the Historic Center and see all these places on your own, or you could join a guided tour, if that’s your preference. There are a couple of morning tours, that would work with this 1-day Lima itinerary. This Lima City Highlights Small Group Tour is highly rated and is a great introduction to the city.
There is also a Free Walking Tour by Guru Walks, that starts at 9.30 am (in English) and lasts 2 hours covering all the highlights of the Historic Center. Be sure to sign up online to reserve your spot and don’t forget to tip your guide!
Watch the Change of the Guard
Around 11.30 am start making your way back to Palacio de Gobierno, which is the large building on the Northern side of Plaza de Armas. This is the official residence of the Peruvian President, and every day you can watch the Change of the Guard in front of it.
It starts at 11:45 am with the band playing National music as well as some contemporary pieces. The actual Change of Guard start at 12 and goes on for about 15 minutes.
While it’s not as popular as the Change of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, it can get a little bit crowded in front of the Palace, so be sure to head there shortly after 11.30 am to get a good spot. Be sure to keep an eye on your belongings.
Have lunch with a view at Restaurant Moyas
After the Change of the Guard, head directly across to the other side of the square. On the 4th floor of the building, you will find Moyas Restaurant, which has the best view of Plaza de Armas from the small terrace. It’s a very small place with about 8 tables, so it fills up quick.
It’s a great spot to grab a snack or/and drink. The menu isn’t very extensive, but they serve classic Peruvian dishes like ceviche, alpaca, Lomo saltado and Cuy among other things. The view from the terrace cannot be beat.
The entrance to the restaurant is a bit tricky to find, as there are no signs out front. You need to walk into the small shopping center and go up the stairs (or take an elevator) to the 4th floor. Once you get there, you’ll see the sign right outside the door for the Moyas Restaurant.
Try Pisco Sour at Gran Hotel Bolivar Bar
One day in Lima would not be complete without trying Pisco Sour, the National drink of Peru. It was invented in 1920 by Victor Morris, a bartender and owner of the Morris Bar in Lima. It’s made with Pisco, white brandy made from grapes, lime juice, sugars, angostura bitters and egg whites.
You can find Pisco Sour in pretty much any bar and restaurant in Peru. Not far from Plaza de Armas is Gran Hotel Bolivar Bar, which is known for Pisco Sour Catedral, which is a bigger version of the traditional drink.
Gran Hotel Bolivar is located in Plaza San Martin, which is an easy 10-minute walk from the main square. You do not need to be a guest to use their bar or restaurant. The hotel itself is quite historic, as back when it opened in 1924, it was the first big, modern hotel in Lima. Be sure to walk around and take a look while you’re there.
Stop at Parque Kennedy
From the Gran Hotel Bolivar, hop in an Uber and go back to Miraflores, which again will be about a 30+ minute ride. Have it drop you off at Parque Kennedy.
This park is a nice green space in the heart of Miraflores, but it’s mostly known for the cats that live there. To the point, that it’s often referred to as the “Cat Park”. Not sure of the exact number, but there are a ton of cats there. There is an organization, that looks after them proving food and water and they sure look happy and comfortable.
Definitely one of the must things to do in Lima for a cat lover.
Stroll along the Malecón
From Parque Kennedy, head towards the water. In about half a mile you’ll end up at the Malecón, a 6-mile-long boardwalk, that runs along the Pacific Ocean. It’s a popular place with people walking, biking and enjoying the ocean breeze. There are a couple of small places to get a snack and a drink.
You can walk as little or as much as you want. If you start at La Marina lighthouse and go as far as Larcomar shopping center, that is a nice, enjoyable stretch. And if you are up for it, you can walk all the way to Barranco. This will take about 50-60 minutes, depending on your pace and stops you make.
Parque de Amor is probably the most popular section along the Malecón. It’s best known for the colorful mosaic walls and benches, which are said to be inspired by Gaudi’s Park Güell in Barcelona. And there’s the impossible to miss El Beso sculpture by Victor Delfin.
Visit Barranco
If you continue walking south along the Malecón, you eventually end up in the Barranco neighborhood. It will take you about one hour assuming you started from around the La Marina lighthouse or Parque de Amor. Or you can hop in an Uber for a quick ride.
If you do decide to walk, there is an overpass walkway near the colorful Barranco letters, that you can use to safely cross the highway into the neighborhood.
Barranco is a hip and bohemian neighborhood with great restaurants, cafes and amazing street art. It’s really colorful and everywhere you look, there amazing murals to be found. If you love street art, you will love Barranco.
One of the most popular attractions in Barranco is Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs). It’s a small wooden bridge, that was built in 1876 to cross the stream. The stream is no longer there and Puente de los Suspiros is a popular landmark. According to a legend, if you cross the bridge holding your breath, your wishes will come true.
From Puente de los Suspiros, take a walk down Bajada de los Baños, which is a fun paved pathway lined with historic buildings and restaurants. It’s especially vibrant at night, with people strolling, musicians and street performers. At the end of it, there is a viewing point with great views of the ocean.
Last but not least, Barranco has a lot of great cafes and restaurants, where you can try traditional Peruvian food. Isolina Taberna is one of the favorites, with line out the door to get in most nights. Barranco Beer Company is a fun stop if you want to try some local craft beers.
If you’d like to try several different places, while exploring the neighborhood, you might enjoy the Walking Food Tour in Barranco. They have an afternoon tour, which would work with this 1-day Lima itinerary.
Dinner
Peruvian cuisine is world renowned, and Lima is the one of the best food destinations in the world. The number of amazing restaurants is insane. You will definitely eat well in Lima.
If you follow this one day in Lima itinerary and end your day in Barranco, you’ll have plenty of restaurant choices there for dinner. Isolina Taberna is one of the favorites and there’s always a line of people waiting.
Punto Azul in Miraflores is another popular place, known for its Ceviche. It was recommended to me by a couple of people, and I have to say it definitely lived up to the expectations. It’s pretty popular, so there might be a bit of the wait. It’s just a quick Uber ride from Barranco.
Lima is also home to several Michelin starred restaurants like Astrid y Gastón, Central or Maido, just to name a few. These places will require advance reservations though.
Where to stay in Lima, Peru
When choosing your Lima accommodations, you want to look at two neighborhoods: Miraflores and Barranco. Both are very convenient, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, cafes and plenty of shopping. Most importantly, both are very safe, which can’t be said about some of the other parts of Lima.
Even though both neighborhoods are great, for a short stay, such as one day in Lima, I would pick Miraflores over Barranco. It’s a little closer to the airport and if you plan on using shared airport transfers, those go to Miraflores exclusively.
Hotels in Miraflores
Iberostar Selection Miraflores – great hotel with ocean views and many amenities. Excellent location, with Malecón and Parque de Amor just a10 minute walk away.
Pullman Lima Miraflores – top rated hotel in a prime location. Some of the amenities include the roof top pool, on site restaurant and live entertainment. Huge selection for breakfast, which is included in your rate.
INNSiDE by Meliá Lima Miraflores – modern hotel in the great location, just a 5-minute walk to Parque Kennedy and many restaurants nearby. You will love the roof top pool and bar,
Hotels in Barranco
Casa Republica Barranco Boutique Hotel – charming boutique hotel located just one block from the ocean and within walking distance to several restaurants in Barranco. Your stay comes with great breakfast every day and there is a roof top bar, perfect to relax at the end of sightseeing.
Hotels at Lima Airport
If you need a hotel near the Lima Airport, whether you have a late arrival or early flight, you have two good options.
Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport – this hotel is extremely convenient, as it’s right at the Lima airport. You step outside of the Terminal, cross the street and you’re there. You can’t get any closer than that. Rooms are comfortable and modern. Free breakfast is included in the rate.
Holiday Inn Lima Airport – really nice and comfortable hotel with incredible service. Great breakfast buffet with many choices. Even though the hotel is technically within walking distance from the airport, it’s located on a very busy rotary with crazy traffic, so walking is definitely not recommended. They have a free shuttle to and from the airport every 30 minutes.
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