16 TOP Things To Do In Lima, Peru
Not sure what to do in Peru’s capital? I go over my top things to do in Lima, Peru with a wide range of activities filled with cheap things to do and plenty of delicious food. Keep reading for all the details!
Lima: A Hidden Gem In The World Of Travel
Lima, Peru is a beautiful city filled with absolutely amazing food and unforgettable experiences. Most people stop over in Lima for a few days before heading over to historical sites like the famous Machu Picchu.
I stayed a month in Lima discovering its unique charms, making me eager to return in the future. This list of top things to do in Lima, Peru includes budget friendly items, free things to do in Lima, adventurous activities, and must try foods.
Free Things To Do In Lima
With travel costs on the rise, I value the little things in life that create impactful memories. Throughout the city, I found a few amazing experiences that are worth the time. If you want to save a little cash, then check out these free things to do in Lima and allocate those funds for other delicious endeavors.
1. Watch The Sunset At Libélulas Park
Trust me, you want this. Out of all the parks in Miraflores for watching the sunset, Libélulas Park was my favorite.
The sun sets differently in Lima. Clouds and mist along the edge of the ocean help the sun’s rays shine bright, making the ocean glow a vibrant orange. The sea slowly blends into the horizon like watching Bob Ross himself take his brush and gently blend the lines of the ocean into the sky right before your very eyes.
Take your time, take a deep breath and soak in the amazing scenery.
Libélulas Park VXH4+M8R, Unnamed Road, Miraflores 15074, Peru
2. Hangout With The Cats Of Kennedy Park
Nestled in Kennedy Park are cute and cuddly cats waiting for love. Yes, these cats enjoy the attention and will approach you for a simple pet, or lay down next to you for a cuddly cat nap.
Remember, pet these cats at your own risk. They can bite or scratch anyone, but from my own experience, they stayed calm and grateful for any attention.
And since you are in Kennedy Park, be sure to try a pork sandwich or some freshly fried picarones at the north end of the park.
Kennedy Park Diagonal, Miraflores 15074, Peru
3. Hunt Down The Best Barranco Street Art
Buildings and bridges throughout the Barranco neighborhood display colorful works of art that move beyond normal street art and into true masterpieces.
Out of all the top things to do in Lima, Peru, walking around Barranco on a sunny afternoon is one of the best ways to take your time in the city. Slowly stroll, walk down unassuming streets and see where the road takes you.
I loved Barranco for having some of the best restaurants in Lima, but spending a few hours after lunch walking through the small streets brings a unique adventure of finding your favorite pieces of street art.
Barranco Neighborhood
4. Have A Picnic At El Olivar Park
Out of nowhere, a strip of beautifully twisted olive trees leaves their mark on the city with a peaceful park where families spend the evenings playing with their kids.
I think El Olivar (Olive Grove) Park is the perfect place for an evening picnic with plenty of space for everyone to bask in the shade while enjoying a delicious Peruvian meal. I recommend a roasted chicken with papas fritas, but that’s just me.
Yes, a picnic costs money, but if you are short on cash, just spend an afternoon reading a great book under one of these majestic trees.
El Olivar Park VXX8+M38, Av. Los Incas, San Isidro 15073, Peru
Cheap Things To Do In Lima, Peru
If you want to level up your experiences but still keep the budget in check, these top things to do in Lima, Peru will curb your hunger while taking you around the city.
5. See The Main Sights At Lima’s Main Square And Grab A Churro
Of course, every traveler to Lima needs to see the main sights at Lima’s Main Square. The Cathedral of Lima and government buildings show their unique colonial style architecture and are the perfect spot for photos and a few selfies.
Make your way behind the cathedral and grab yourself a Peruvian Style Churro, a flaky dough filled with dulce de leche and fried until super crispy. Our churro came from Churros Españoles Virgen del Carmen, and it was worth the half hour wait.
Lima Main Square Jirón Carabaya, Lima 15001, Peru
6. Try Peruvian Ceviche
A unique culinary treat, the Peruvian Ceviche is a common staple and is served in just about every Peruvian restaurant. I know, it’s raw fish, but trust me, it doesn’t taste like fish!
In Peru, they cure their ceviche using a mixture called Leche de Tigre (tiger milk) which slightly “cooks” the outside of the fish. The leche de tigre recipe changes from restaurant to restaurant but usually consists of ginger, garlic, and lime juice.
Even if raw fish makes you squeamish, take a chance here and experience a truly Peruvian specialty.
El Muelle Cevichería Jr. Alfonso Ugarte 206, Lima 15063, Peru
7. Rent A Bike And Ride Along The Coast
Throughout the streets of Lima, bike lanes hug the edges of the road giving riders plenty of room. Along the western side of the city, a long stretch of road runs along the coast giving ambitious bikers miles of uninterrupted road.
If you feel so inclined to cycle off those extra calories, now is your chance to keep your waistline in check during your stay in Lima.
Don’t have a bike? No problem! Bike rentals pop up every few miles along the busy areas along Miraflores and Barranco. Download the City Bike Lima App to find locations and rent a bike for what you need. Super simple and super cheap.
City Bike Lima
8. Seal Your Love With A Lock At Parque del Amor
Oh, the Parque del Amor (Park Of Love) in Miraflores acts as the make out point of Lima with randy teenagers smooching under the trees and open grassy areas. At the center towards the edge of the park is a fence where couples place their locks symbolizing eternal love.
Although the lock cliche finds itself in almost every major city in the world, Parque del Amor is a pretty good place for a cliche with a beautiful sunset every evening. Oh, who cares! If you want to do it, don’t let anyone stop you!
Parque del Amor Av, Mal. Cisneros, Miraflores 15074, Peru
9. Spend An Afternoon At A Speciality Coffee Shop
Best Coffee of my life! Peru cultivates unique varieties of coffee throughout the country. Coffee shops in Lima specialize in small batch roasting, working directly with the farmers to curate delectable roasts with unimaginable flavors. No exaggeration here. DO IT.
My favorite cups of coffee in Lima: Ciclos Cafe and Puku Puku Cafe
Ciclos Cafe Jr. Colina 111, Lima 15063, Peru PukuPuku Av. Pardo y Aliaga 695, San Isidro 15073, Peru
10. Eat Delicious Peruvian Chocolate
Along with the coffee is amazing chocolate, with cafes offering a wide variety of chocolates crafted by local producers. Peruvian chocolate hits on another level, and it’s why I needed to add this to the top things to do in Lima, Peru.
The chocolates I experienced tasted fruity, nutty, and even acidic without ever adding anything to the mix besides cocoa, milk, and emulsifiers. A true magic trick in my mouth, I tasted dried cherries in one bar of 70% dark chocolate and the intricate flavors I experienced.
Find a local chocolate shop in Lima like El Cacaotal which is part of Ciclos Cafe. Two delicious treats in one spot!
El Cacaotal Jr. Colina 111, Barranco 15063, Peru
11. Eat The Ripest Mangos Of Your Life
Throughout the streets of Lima, you will find fruit carts filled with a dazzling array of varieties. I recommend trying anything that looks ripe, especially the mangos. Make sure to bring cash and browse the selection, squeezing the mangos for the right softness. The softer the better.
Buy a few and take them back to your room. Have napkins ready because these mangos are juicy.
12. Don’t Forget The Chicharron Sandwich
Yes, the legendary Peruvian sandwich that will satisfy the hunger of any traveler, the Chicharron is a roasted pork belly sandwich with slices of fried sweet potato on a roll usually topped with pickled red onion.
One of the most perfect sandwiches imaginable, the chicharron hits all the major flavor profiles with fatty, sweet, and satisfying. Pair that with Chicha, a Peruvian beverage made from sweetened purple corn, and you have a match made in heaven!
Sanguchería El Chinito (multiple locations) Jirón Carabaya 303, Lima 15001, Peru
Adventurous Activities In Lima, Peru
For those looking for something exciting and different, these adventurous activities will cost a little bit more but are worth the expense.
13. Eat At A Nikkei Restaurant
Listen to me. You ABSOLUTELY MUST eat Nikkei in Lima. If you are unfamiliar, Nikkei is a mix of Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients and flavors creating an unbelievably delicious style of cuisine.
One of the best restaurants in the world is a renowned Nikkei restaurant, showing the importance and impact of Nikkei cuisine.
I’d rather eat sushi in Lima, Peru than in Tokyo, Japan. That’s right. You heard me.
Every single piece of sushi holds its own identity with delicious characteristics that make it completely unique from any other piece of sushi.
The entire time I ate Nikkei in Lima, I never ate the same piece of sushi twice or anything similar at any of the restaurants. Incredible.
Matsuei C. Atahualpa 195, Miraflores 15074, Peru
14. Learn About Ancient Peru At Museo Larco
You need to visit at least one museum and I think Museo Larco in Lima, Peru is your best choice. With a wide range of artifacts, the museum keeps visitors engaged with different themed rooms showcasing unique artifacts ranging thousands of years.
The Museo Larco Cafe makes the trip to the museum even better with a wonderful setting in the garden filled veranda. Even if you can’t sit down for a full meal, have a coffee and take a few minutes to enjoy the peaceful scenery.
Museo Larco Av. Simón Bolivar 1515, Pueblo Libre 15084, Peru
15. Take Surf Lessons
Although I traveled to Lima in the early spring, the cooler weather didn’t stop hundreds of surfers from taking to the waves at all hours of the day. From what I saw, these were calmer waves and perfect for beginners.
Along the coast, surf shops offer lessons for all who want to learn and might just be the exciting thing you need for your trip to Lima.
Although I didn’t take surf lessons myself, I could see myself riding a wave or two if the water was a tad bit warmer.
16. Paraglide Along the Pacific Ocean
Every day I saw experienced and beginner paragliders taking to the skies, enjoying the swift winds coming from the pacific ocean along the western cliffs of the Lima.
Plenty of reputable and licensed paragliding companies offer a variety of options for beginners to advanced flyers. Walking along a popular take off route in Miraflores, a few paragliding instructors asked if I wanted to give it a try, and I would be going up with an experienced paraglider.
NO THANK YOU! I have a manageable fear of heights but paragliding is out of the question for me!
If you live life on the edge, literally, then give paragliding a shot for an unforgettable travel memory.
Conclusion: DO MORE THINGS IN LIMA
I hope your travels to Lima are filled with delicious food and amazing adventures. After a month in Peru’s capital, I experienced amazing parts of the city that made me fall in love with its simplicity.
Even if you are only staying for a few days, get out of the hotel and track down the best items on this list. Taking a few hours to stroll the coastline or eat some legit chocolate and make your time in Lima memorable and delicious.
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Chris Kretzer has traveled the world visiting over 35 countries and eating his way through every city. With his wife Tiarra, they explore different food cultures and create food guides, podcasts, and travel articles helping everyone experience the world through food.