The 10 most visited tourist attractions in Lima

All the tourists who will visit Peru come to Lima. The reason is its international airport that makes the ‘City of Kings’ a must-see. Many visitors decide to stay a couple of days or weeks in the city. Others prefer to travel to Cusco or other departments as quickly as possible. In this article, you will learn about 10 tourist attractions that will encourage you to get to know Lima better, whether you are a foreign tourist or a national tourist.

1. Miraflores

This coastal district is where most foreign tourists gather. The reason is its great hotel offer as well as restaurant services, cafes, bars and nightclubs. Unlike most of the city, Miraflores has clean, orderly and safe streets.

Kennedy Park is the district’s main square. It stands out for its beautiful gardens as well as the stalls selling Lima desserts. From there you can go to visit the tourist attractions of the place, such as: the huaca Pucllana, the Love Park, the Larcomar shopping center, the Museum of the Place of Memory and more.

Miraflores is located just 9 kilometers from downtown Lima. You can get there by taxi, jeepney or bus (the blue line).

• Location: West of Lima (9 kilometers from the city center).
• Price: Free.
• More information: Kennedy Park is famous for being full of cats that walk outdoors.

2. Pachacamac

Pachacamac is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Peru. It is a religious sanctuary with more than a thousand years old. It was considered a sacred place for different civilizations such as the Lima, Wari, Ychma culture and the Incas themselves.

The Pachacamac Sanctuary covers an area of ​​465,032 hectares. There are dozens of temples and enclosures such as: the Temple of the Moon, the Old Temple, the Painted Temple, the Pilgrims’ Square and more. Perhaps one of the most important enclosures is the Temple of the Sun. There the Spaniards looted the gold and silver placed in offering to the god of Pachacamac, the most important oracle of the Inca period.

Pachacamac is located south of Lima, about 34 kilometers from downtown Lima. The site also has a site museum which is planned to become one of the best designed in the country.

• Location: On the coast – south of Lima (34 kilometers from the city).
• Price: Adults pay 15 Peruvian soles.
• More information: Near the Pachacamac Sanctuary, in the Lurín district, delicious chicharrones are sold.

3. Caral

Caral is the oldest city in America. It is over 5,000 years old. It was built by the Caral culture, which had a surprising architectural development for its time. Due to its historical importance it is considered a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

The archaeological site of Caral covers an area of ​​626 hectares. It is worth highlighting its six pyramidal structures made of stone and adobe and that have been preserved over time. In the place, in addition, a quipu (system of ropes to keep the accounting) was found.

The Caral culture, in addition to the main city, had other settlements of great antiquity such as Miraya, Lurinhuasi, Chupacigarro and more. Of all, Caral is the one with the best state of conservation.

• Location: 182 kilometers north of Lima. It belongs to the Supe valley, Barranca province.
• Price: Adults pay 11 Peruvian soles. University and school students 4 Peruvian soles.
• More information: The Caral civilization existed from 3,000 to 1,800 BC It was contemporary with other civilizations such as Egypt, China, Mesopotamia and more.

4. Lima Main Square

The Main Square is the historic center of Lima. The city was founded there in 1535. It is also where the independence of Peru was declared in 1821. In its surroundings are the most important architectural monuments such as the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the House of the Oidor, the Archbishop’s Palace. and more.

The Main Square has an area of ​​140 square meters. Jirón de la Unión, Jirón Carabaya and Jirón Huallaga are intercepted by the famous streets, where there are handicraft shops, sale of Lima desserts and more.

The square is the central axis of the Historic Center of Lima, declared a World Heritage Site in 1991 by UNESCO. Many tourists visit this place in the famous ‘mirabus’ or in the ‘City tour Lima’ of only half a day.

• Location: In front of the Government Palace and the Cathedral. It can be reached from Abancay avenue or Jirón de la Unión.
• Price: Free.
• More information: Every day at 11:45 am you can see the ‘Changing of the Guard’ at the Government Palace, a formal ceremony of the escorts of the President of Peru.

5. Lunahuaná

Lunahuaná is one of the favorite destinations for the people of Lima. The main reason is its pleasant climate, its good range of accommodations, archaeological sites as well as the adventure sports that can be practiced there.

In Lunahuaná you can visit the archaeological site of Incahuasi, which was the Inca site. In addition, a section of the famous Inca roads (the qhapac ñan ) crosses the place. Likewise, in this town you can taste good wine since there are vineyards on its land. However, the most famous activity is canoeing that can be practiced on the Cañete River.

Lunahuaná has a wide range of accommodation and restaurants. Most tourists prefer to visit it through a tourism agency. However, it is also possible to go on your own. It is located 185 kilometers from the city of Lima.

• Location: District of Lunahuaná, province of Cañete and 183 kilometers from the city of Lima.
• Price: Canoeing costs between 35 and 45 Peruvian soles.
• More information: Do not miss the opportunity to buy wines or piscos made in Lunahuaná, a fertile land for the production of grapes.

6. Chancay

To the north of the city of Lima, about 74 kilometers by road, is the Chancay spa, one of the favorite tourist sites for the people of Lima.

Chancay was an area inhabited by pre-Inca cultures that left a sample of their ceramic art. These pieces can be visited in the Chancay museum.

There are not few beaches that allow you to enjoy the refreshing sun and the waves of the sea. Likewise, the streets and squares of the city show its colonial past. The roundabout in the central part of the square is over 100 years old.

However, the main attraction of the city is the ‘Castillo de Chancay’, built in 1922. The structure of this building has characteristics of medieval European architecture. Most people prefer to visit the castle on their own, although it is also possible to go on a tour.

• Location: Chancay is on the north coast of Lima. It belongs to the province of Huaral, about 74 kilometers from the city.
• Price: The entrance to the castle of Chancay has a cost of 25 Peruvian soles for adults.
• More information: Just 15 kilometers from Chancay is Huaral, a happy land famous for its delicious fruits. Do not miss the opportunity to visit it.

7. Marcahuasi

Marcahuasi is a stone forest located in the Andes Mountains of Lima, more than 4 thousand meters above sea level. It covers an area of ​​4 square kilometers where it is possible to appreciate rock formations that resemble animals, men’s faces and more.

Marcahuasi is reached after an arduous 4-kilometer walk from the town of San Pedro de Casta. Most tourists decide to camp in the place. For this it is necessary to wear a coat as the cold at night can drop to 0ºC.

In Marcahuasi there are also lagoons, chullpas, terraces as well as a flora and fauna characteristic of the Andean plateaus. The beautiful landscapes seen from the top are indescribable. Due to the contrast with the city of Lima it is a good escape route from the bustle of the city.

• Location: Marcahuasi is approximately 90 kilometers from Lima. It belongs to the town of San Pedro de Casta in the province of Huarochirí.
• Price: National tourists pay 10 Peruvian soles while foreign tourists pay 20 Peruvian soles.
• More information: The walk from San Pedro de Casta to Marcahuasi is a challenge that, for an extra cost, can also be done on horseback. Enjoy it!.

8. Real Felipe Fortress

The Castillo del Real Felipe is a military-type building built in colonial times (18th century) by the viceroys José Antonio Manso de Velasco and Manuel de Amat y Juniet. Today it is one of the most historic venues in Peru.

The fortress is located in the province of Callao, about 14 kilometers from the Center of Lima. The construction of this enclosure took approximately 29 years. It has towers, viewpoints, cannon stands, weapons enclosures, military chiefs enclosures, turrets, and more.

Currently the fortress of Real Felipe is in charge of the army of Peru. It has a museum on site. In addition to the classic daytime tours, there are night routes famous for visiting enclosures where voices of former military leaders who have passed away can be heard.

• Location: The Real Felipe fortress is in front of Square Independencia (beginning of Avenida Sáenz Peña). It belongs to the province of Callao.
• Price: National adults pay 10 Peruvian soles while foreign adults pay 15 Peruvian soles.
• More information: On May 1, 1866, the Real Felipe fortress resisted the attacks of the Spanish Navy against the Peruvian defense of Callao.

9. The Magic Water Circuit

In the heart of the downtown area of ​​the city of Lima is this modern park whose main attraction is the thirteen water fountains that, supported by technology, show a light show, music and lots of fun.

The Reserve Park where this show is offered was inaugurated in 2007. The objective of the municipality of Lima was to recover public spaces for citizens. Today it is one of the most visited modern parks in the city for both locals and foreigners.

The Magic Water Circuit is open to the public from Monday to Thursday from 2 pm to 8 pm. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the hours are from noon to 8 pm. It is highly recommended if you are accompanied with children.

• Location: The Magic Water Circuit is located in the shred of Madre de Dios s / n (right next to the National Stadium in Lima).
• Price: Admission for adults is 4 Peruvian soles.
• More information: The Water Park holds the Guinness record for being the set of largest water sources on the planet located in the same public park.

10. Huancaya

Huancaya, in the Sierra de Lima, offers one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Peru. It is located in the heart of the Nor Yauyos – Cochas Landscape Reserve, approximately 3,554 meters above sea level.

Throughout its mountainous areas, there are beautiful landscapes such as the Pariacaca snow-capped mountain as well as the Papacocha and Huallhua lagoons. One of the most famous shows in Huancaya is the continuous waterfalls that form an amazing landscape.

Another of the most famous natural landscapes is the Huyllay stone forest and the forest of love. In both places you can see the beautiful mountain nature of Lima. Many tourists decide to camp on the banks of the river, although in the surrounding towns there are lodgings and restaurants.

• Location: Huancaya is 316 kilometers by road from the city of Lima. It belongs to the province of Yauyos in the Sierra de Lima.
• Price: The 2-day tour to Huancaya has an approximate cost of 300 Peruvian soles.
• More information: Huancaya is 136 kilometers from the city of Huancayo in the department of Junín. Visiting this Andean city is a good option.

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023