One Week In Lima, Peru: A Travel Guide

If you follow me on Instagram and Twitter, you know I spent a week in Lima, Peru with my boyfriend.

It was the perfect trip for him to meet my grandparents and to show him my favorite thing of Peru. Their food.

One week in Lima, Peru is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of the Peruvian Capital.

There were a few things we didn’t do, but I will still include in the list. You can never have too many options.

One Week in Lima, Peru: Where to go

1. Centro de Lima – Downtown Lima

It’s always a must to visit the center of any country’s capital, where the old and important buildings are located and where you can experience a part of the country’s culture.

In Lima’s downtown, you will find the Government Palace, the cathedral, the main square, and many other important buildings from the Spanish colonization.

When we were there, Peruvians were celebrating the ‘Rose of Lima’. It was a holiday, and people were everywhere enjoying the day.

It can be a little chaotic, but it’s worth the visit during your one week in Lima, Peru.

If you’re considering the best way to discover this lively region, think about participating in one of the numerous Peru group tours on offer. These tours are designed to deliver an in-depth exploration of Lima’s profound historical, architectural, and cultural heritage. Led by knowledgeable locals, the tours provide not just enlightening information but also a chance to engage with other tourists, enriching your experience both intellectually and socially.

2. Barranco – Bohemian District

This district is considered the city’s most romantic and bohemian, being the home and workplace of many of Peru’s leading artists, musicians, designers, and photographers.

It’s safe to say it’s a very Instagrammable place, full of restaurants, boutiques, and beautiful buildings.

The most important attraction there is the ‘Puente de los Suspiros’ or the Bridge of Sighs in English.

Additionally, there are some Peñas around the area. What is a Peña? It’s a place where traditional dances are performed.

A house band typically plays throughout the evening, providing entertainment and the opportunity for dancing.

They are super fun and a great way to experience the culture. I went to ‘La Candelaria’ and had a great time.

When you go, be aware of their schedules because they don’t hold events every day. Friday would be the best day to go.

3. Parque del Amor – Love Park

This is a small park located in Miraflores, on the Malecón de la Reserva. Dedicated to lovers, the experience is enhanced when shared with your significant other.

Thanks to its breathtaking view, it’s the perfect place for a romantic stroll or to watch the sunset with your partner.

At the center of the park stands “El Beso” (the kiss, in English), a sculpture of a couple created by Victor Delfin.

What makes this place a great spot for photos are the surrounding walls adorned with mosaics. Strolling around the area with that view is truly delightful! If you’re fortunate, the sky won’t be cloudy—a definite must-visit during your week in Lima, Peru

4. Parque el Olivar – Olive Grove

I don’t know why, but I didn’t take any pictures of the park as a whole. I just had a bunch of pictures of my boyfriend posing near a tree.

This park is a great place to relax, ride a bike, or simply take a leisurely stroll.

It’s located in a residential area, and some houses are situated inside the park, which I found a little surprising.

Within and around the green space, you will find the municipal building, a children’s library, an art gallery, the El Olivar lagoon, and beautiful mansions from the early 20th century. It even has a nearby Starbucks!

5.  Parque de la Reserva – Magic Water Circuit

This is a must-visit if you’re spending a week in Lima, Peru! The park is located near downtown Lima and is a wonderful spot for photography.

Many brides choose to take their wedding photos here, and I can see why—it’s truly magical. The Magic Water Circuit holds the Guinness record for the largest fountain complex in the world, featuring 13 different fountains, many of which are interactive. All of the fountains are illuminated at night with continuously changing color schemes.

It’s important to note that it’s best to visit near nightfall, around 6 PM, to fully experience the lights.

Additionally, if you’re visiting during the summer, be sure to bring a change of clothes as you can play with the water in one of the fountains.

6. Avenida Petit Thouars – Petituars Ave. 

If you want to buy souvenirs from Peru, you have to go to Petit Thouars Ave. There, you will find markets full of handicrafts where you can purchase gifts for friends, family, and yourself.

From silver rings to the most amazing mirrors, there’s something for everyone.

My boyfriend bought a silver llama necklace for his mom, a mug for his dad, a bunch of T-shirts for himself and his brother, and the most fluffy slippers made of alpaca hair.

To get there, you can instruct the taxi driver to go to Hiraoka de Miraflores. Hiraoka is a building that sells various electrical appliances.

The Inca market is located in front of this building, making it a great place to start your souvenir shopping adventure.

7. Larcomar

Once again, I failed to take a photo of this place, but it’s just beneath where I captured this photo. Larcomar is a mall situated on Avenida Jose Larco, right along the cliff overlooking the ocean (mar means ‘sea’ in Spanish).

Larcomar features both indoor and outdoor areas, including a cinema, bowling lanes, a food court, a museum, tourist shops, and more.

It’s certainly a fantastic spot to savor a delicious meal while enjoying a splendid view.

8. Parque Kennedy – Kennedy Park

This park is an excellent starting point for exploring Miraflores. It boasts numerous restaurants just across the street.

And my favorite aspect? It’s filled with cats! This park is also renowned as the Park of Cats. Why? Because there are many cats leisurely lounging in the grass, awaiting food or a bit of affection.

9. Chocomuseo

We all know that Belgium and Switzerland have good chocolate. But what do you know about Peruvian chocolate?

You might have realized that the cacao used in Belgian chocolates comes from Peru or another Central American country.

However, ChocoMuseo has chosen to produce chocolate in countries where cacao is grown.

They also offer various chocolate-making workshops and other activities, making it perfect for a week in Lima, Peru.

So believe me when I say their chocolate is super yummy!

This place offers different products made of cacao, either for your skin or for eating. What I recommend is trying the chocolate tea.

It smells wonderful and actually has a taste of chocolate. Everything is natural and organic.

10. Museo del Oro – Gold Museum

We didn’t have time to go there. It’s interesting if you like history. The ticket is S/.33  (around USD 10) and it’s open every day.

11. Jockey Plaza

This is Lima’s largest mall, so if you’re into shopping, you’ll definitely enjoy the variety of stores it offers.

Additionally, I must add that clothing in Peru is expensive, so unless you’re specifically looking to purchase something from a local store, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Tips To Enjoy One Week in Lima, Peru

• Cash is everything. For taxis or souvenirs. If you go to restaurants you can pay with credit card, but otherwise, it’s better to have cash with you.
• Taxi is the best way of transportation around the city. You can use the Uber app to know how much a ride will cost to your destination.
  In Lima, taxis don’t use taximeters, so you kinda have to bargain over the price. But with the app, you have an idea of how much you should pay.
  Also, even if you use Uber, you will get a normal taxi. There’s no difference between official taxis and common people driving their cars.
• When crossing the streets, be careful. Cars don’t respect pedestrians. Be aware of the cars or just wait for another person to cross to be sure when to do it.

Is there something else you want to know about in more detail? Are you planning to go for one week to Lima, Peru? Let me know in the comments!

Sincerely,

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