Lima holidays

The first thing to do in Lima is a walking tour, as a local guide can tell you all about the city’s history and help you get your bearings. You can explore the Historic Centre, which is crammed with Spanish colonial architecture. Admire ornate buildings, such as Lima Cathedral, San Pedro Church, and the Basilica of San Francisco. Stroll around Lima’s main square, Plaza de Armas. And remember to look up as you walk around, to see intricately carved wooden balconies – there are more than 1,600 scattered throughout the city.

Make sure you also visit Cementerio Presbitero Matías Maestro. This impressive cemetery is filled with grand mausoleums, and is the resting place of many Peruvian writers, soldiers and politicians.

A 20-minute drive from central Lima, the coastal neighbourhood of Miraflores is also worth a visit. Go surfing off-shore, or hire bikes and cycle along the waterfront. And you can see an ancient clay pyramid at the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site.

Lima holidays are a delight for foodies. Peruvian cuisine serves up all sorts of tasty treats, ranging from fresh seafood and ceviche, to silky cocktails made with pisco, a Peruvian brandy. And Lima’s dining scene is the cream of the crop.

There are dozens of fantastic restaurants in Lima offering authentic Peruvian dishes, which combine Indigenous and Spanish flavours. You can feast on hearty stews, smoky steaks, and refreshing ceviche made with the catch of the day. You’ll also find places that specialise in Nikkei cuisine, which is a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. Make sure you try their sushi, tempura and rich ramen.

If you’re looking for a special dinner, book a table at Central Restaurante which is run by Michelin-starred chef Virgilio Martinez. Alternatively, you can enjoy seafood at La Mar Cevicheria, or experience à la carte dining at Maido. When you fancy a casual bite, simply browse Mercado de Surquillo. The stalls are piled high with freshly-caught shellfish, native purple potatoes, and cocona – a yellow fruit grown in Peru’s forests. Order a bowl of crab stew called chupe, or try zesty ceviche topped with deep-fried squid.

Peru’s coastline stretches for a whopping 1,900 miles. While Lima just occupies a small pocket of that, the city still has a good selection of beaches. So, when you fancy a break from sightseeing, head to the coast.

Towards the south of the city, Playa Los Yuyos has powdery sands and calm waters, making it an ideal spot for swimming. Afterwards, go for a stroll along the Malecon de Chorrillos, which is lined with fountains, parks, and plenty of bars where you can sip an ice-cold beer and watch the sunset.

If you’re a keen surfer, make sure you spend a day catching some waves. We’d recommend heading to the district of Punta Hermosa. An hour’s drive south of central Lima, this area is renowned for its big waves, and is popular with locals and tourists alike. Playa Senoritas has consistently good waves and a number of surf schools, while El Silencio’s big swells are perfect for experienced surfers.

One of the driest capital cities in the world, Lima hardly sees any rain – so, whenever you go, you certainly won’t need a waterproof. But the city still has its own seasonality. Lima is busiest between June and August, when travellers flock to Peru from all over the world, with the aim of seeing Machu Picchu. So, if you’d prefer to enjoy a quieter Lima holiday, it’s best to visit outside of this time.

Peru’s summer runs from January to March, when Lima sees plenty of sunshine and temperatures average 27°C. You might find the humidity a bit uncomfortable, but you can always cool off by going surfing or swimming in the sea. February is also carnival season, which gives you the chance to see the city at its liveliest.  

If you’d rather visit when it’s a little cooler, plan your Lima holiday for April or May, when temperatures are more like 25°C. Alternatively, you could go between September and November, when the mercury hovers around 19°C.