The 3 Best Places to Visit in Lima

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Lima once had a bad reputation, and was skipped in favour of other cities. Visitors to Peru were interested in Cusco and Machu Picchu.

However once you visit Lima you’ll see how undeserving of this reputation the city really is. It isn’t Paris, but Lima doesn’t want to be, and is still a developing metropolis with style and culture.

Here are the 3 best places to visit in Lima:

1

Mercado Surquillo

For those who like to eat, Lima is a must visit, and Mercado Surquillo is known as the gastronomic capital of Latin America. The food in Peru is famous, so head to Mercardo Serquillo, a bustling market selling vegetables, fruit, fish and meat, along with traditional dishes waiting to be sampled.

Many tour operators offer tours through the market, but much of the fun is getting lost amongst the stalls and speaking with the locals. Try ceviche, cuy, pachamanca and Pisco Sours, and be sure to take some food to go.

4

Museo de la Nacion

If you’re hoping to learn about Peru’s culture and history, the Museo de la Nacion is the best place to start. The Museum of the Nation is a great place to brush up on your local knowledge, although you’l need to set aside at least a few hours due to the wealth of information. The sixth floor has some incredible black and white photos which will teach you about the more recent (1980-2000) history.

The rather nondescript building certainly doesn’t inspire much confidence in the museum, however if you take the time to go inside you’ll find it to be one of the best ways to begin to understand some of the background of both Lima and Peru in general.

2

Miraflores

This beach side suburb is more than just the average coastal destination, and you’ll find dramatic cliffs, lush green parks, eye-catching art, upscale shopping and gorgeous mosaic-covered walls.

While the area is undoubtedly a tourist hub, locals also enjoy the spot and flock to the area to drink, eat, shop and watch movies at one of the most modern cinemas in the city.

El Parque del Amor (Love Park) is one of the highlights of the area, and you’ll find the beautiful (and famous) El Beso (The Kiss), a statue which overlooks the ocean. This makes it a popular place for couples at sunset, and also one of the most popular places for paragliding in the area due to the incredible views across the city and ocean.

If you’re considering visiting Peru, skipping Lima would be a mistake. Even just a few days in this city will allow you to learn about Peruvian culture, food, and see the sights, and you’ll be glad you took the time.

There are a number of airlines which fly into Lima, and LAN is the most popular. For the best flight prices be sure to check at least a few months in advance.