Lima, Peru

Lima

Lima's historic centre of colonial churches and balconies, the clifftop districts of Miraflores and Barranco and its famous food scene make it far more than a stopover on the way to Cusco.

Lima: Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups)
Featured walk: Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups) · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Lima was the capital of Spain's South American empire and is now Peru's largest city. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It sits on cliffs above the Pacific. The historic centre, and the seaside districts of Miraflores and Barranco, are the best areas to walk, and the city is one of the world's great places to eat.

What makes Lima distinctive

  • The Plaza Mayor and carved wooden balconies
  • The San Francisco monastery and its catacombs
  • Clifftop walks above the Pacific
  • Ceviche and pisco sour

Walking tours in Lima

Hand-picked guided walks in Lima, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.

Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 28 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in Lima · History walks in Lima

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Historic centre

    The colonial core around the Plaza Mayor.

  • Miraflores

    A seaside district of hotels, parks and restaurants.

  • Barranco

    A bohemian district of old mansions, galleries and street art.

  • San Isidro

    The business district, with an olive grove park.

Free self-guided walk

Historic centre, from Plaza San Martín to San Francisco

A free self-guided walk through Lima's historic centre, from Plaza San Martín along Jirón de la Unión to the Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco Monastery.

1.6 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Historic centre

    From Plaza San Martín along Jirón de la Unión to the Plaza Mayor and San Francisco.

  2. Malecón

    The clifftop path from Miraflores towards Barranco.

  3. Barranco

    Around the main square and down to the Bridge of Sighs.

Practical walking notes

  • Weather

    It almost never rains, but from June to October the sky is often grey and damp.

  • Distances

    The centre is about 30 minutes from Miraflores by bus or taxi.

  • Safety

    Keep valuables out of sight in the centre, and use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps.

When to visit

  • December to April

    Summer, sunny and warm.

  • June to October

    Cool and overcast.

  • Food festivals

    Food events run through the year, and Mistura has been the best known.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Jorge Chávez Airport is in Callao, 45 minutes to over an hour from Miraflores by road.

Local transport

  • Metropolitano and taxis

    A bus rapid transit line links Barranco, Miraflores and the centre.

Questions travellers ask about Lima

How many days do I need in Lima?

Two days covers the historic centre, Miraflores, Barranco and a food tour.

Is Lima walkable?

Its districts are; use transport between the centre and the coast.

What should I eat in Lima?

Ceviche, lomo saltado and a pisco sour are the classics.

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Country overview

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Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.