Only in Lima for a short amount of time and looking for something to do? Discover the 10 Best Things To Do in Lima in one day!
Things to do in Lima 2024: A list of the 10 best Things to do in Lima in 2024. No matter how much time you have in Lima or in Peru, a trip to Huacachina Desert Oasis is simply a MUST thing to do in Lima!
Quick tip: Visit the official Tourist Information Center in Miraflores, where you can find Sim Cards, Money Exchange, Free Wi-Fi, Free Maps, and an ATM machine.
Huacachina – A unique desert oasis surrounded by the largest sand dunes in South America.
Paracas – Stunning beach town which is home of the “Peruvian Galapagos” full of sea lions and penguins.
A day trip from Lima to Huacachina and Paracas is simply a MUST thing to do on any trip to Lima. Ensure you travel with a company who offer big luxury buses and not minibuses, as it’s a long day of travel.
If you want to experience a taste of what Peru has to offer in a unique way, don’t miss out on Luchito’s Peruvian Cooking Class! In this hands-on experience in Miraflores, you will learn how to make ceviche, causa and Pisco Sour with real Peruvian chefs! The cooking class makes a perfect stop for those who want to discover some of Peru’s taste.
Make sure to book your cooking class now!
Here at Peru Hop, we say the best way to truly discover a place is through the eyes of a local and Lima is no exception. Explore the capital city with Free Walking Tour Lima where you’ll experience the culture and history that led to present-day Lima.
3 tours are available, each showcasing the best of each district: Historic Center of Lima Tour, Miraflores Tour, and Barranco Tour. Each tour lasts around 3 hours and you’ll be guided by a friendly tour guide giving you all the details and history of the city. Departures are every day from the Tourist Information Center located in Miraflores.
Alternatively, there’s a Mercado Central tour which takes you to the famous central market to try some of the best street food and get some delicious and exotic Peruvian fruits and vegetables.
Departures:
START LOCATION: TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER MIRAFLORES
Take the time to enjoy the best local cuisine in Lima. Saha offers a refreshing combination of modern and traditional Peruvian cuisine. Sit back and relax as you enjoy the layout of Lima’s hottest restaurant/bar. The world-class chefs of Saha dictate the menu in order to give visitors the best experience possible of Peruvian food.
Come nighttime, the lively music and the extensive cocktail menu leaves nothing to be wanted. If you eat out anywhere in Lima, make it Saha.
Parque de la Reserva is a beautiful park and a nice place to visit during the day but at night this park becomes truly magical. Once night time comes, their famous fountains light up and make for a truly spectacular sight. If you are only spending one day in Lima, the fountains are the ideal choice for you. We recommend checking out Lima Walking Tour’s tour option for an incredible night through the fountains!
Wildlife lovers can’t miss this adventure whilst visiting Lima – What better way to spend your day than by swimming alongside sea lions, spying birds and Humboldt penguins! The Palomino’s Islands are home to large colonies of seabird. This fantastic tour in Callao can be booked on FindLocalTrips.com; Get in the boat and explore these islands full of life!
If you truly want to experience Peru then make sure to visit one of its many markets. Enjoy the visual display of fruits stacked to the brim, exotic food stalls, and interesting souvenirs all in one place make for a shop that won’t be easily forgotten!
Get up close and personal with pre-Inca history. These incredible ruins are located right in the heart of Miraflores, and are a window into history. There is also a world class restaurant within the ruins, where you can enjoy Peruvian food from every corner of the country. Visit at night for an unbelievable view of the ruins lit up.
Quick Tip: These destinations located just outside of Lima are easy to reach with Peru Hop.
If the view of coast of Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro is beautiful from sea level, imagine having a bird’s eye view of the whole thing! Not as extreme as it sounds, paragliding by the coast is the perfect day activity to catch the green areas, ocean and the urban buildings of Lima’s coast with a 360° view.
This district is probably the coolest place in Lima and the perfect escape from Miraflores for a couple of hours. Barranco has great historical architecture and a blooming art scene. At night, Barranco transforms into Lima’s party district with great restaurants and themed alternative bars for Peruvians and foreigners alike.
One of the most interesting places to see, is Puente de los Suspiros. This bridge lies in the main part of the district where it connects two main streets. It is said that if you can cross the bridge while holding your breath, your wish will be granted.
Another great location is the MATE museum that was founded by famous Peruvian fashion photographer Mario Testino. Located in a restored 19th century mansion, the museum exhibits the best of national and international contemporary art and photography. The museum offers guided tours, workshops and talks. A great way to get around this wonderful place and ensure that you see as much it as possible is with a Bike tour of Barranco.
The places above are just a handful of activities and places to visit, in reality there are many more. Lima can seem like a difficult city to navigate – it is! So make sure you look up where to go and how to get there.
Lima is big, chaotic and every district has its own identity and charm. One of the best features of this enormous capital, is it’s high cliffs and views over the Pacific ocean. Even if you are only spending one day in Lima, there is always something to discover in this wonderful city.
Did You Know… If you have a few days in Lima, don’t miss these Day Trips located just a few hours from the city.
