2 days in Lima, Peru – the perfect way to spend your time

Despite being one of the largest cities in South America, Lima isn’t often at the top of places to visit in Peru. Many people use it as a stopover point before heading to Cusco or exploring more of this amazing country. However, it will often be here that a trip around Peru begins. And while Peru does have some awesome places to spend your time, it is worth spending a day or 2 days in Lima before you journey on.

Here is how to spend 2 weeks travelling in Peru:
2 weeks in Peru – the perfect itinerary for the best trip

I spent two days in the city before my G Adventures tour started, and there are a few places you should add to your list. The city is enormous; there are actually 43 districts which make up the city and its surrounding areas. This can be overwhelming for visitors. So there are a few which you should focus your time on, both from an attractions point of view and from a safety aspect.

The safest and most popular districts are Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro. These are actually all linked, and therefore easy to walk between the three. 2 days in Lima is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights located in these districts, as well as a couple of others. This post covers exploring 4 of 43 districts while spending 2 days in Lima.

Arrival in Lima – 2 days in Lima

Ideally, you want to arrive in the evening. This gives you an evening to grab a bite to eat, and try to get a good night’s sleep before having a full 2 days in Lima to explore. Lima is located on the coast and is a port city. Therefore, there are lots of arrival options. However, you are most likely to arrive by plane. It is recommended to book a transfer on your arrival. I did this through my G Adventures tour – take a look at their FAQs for more info. It is best to avoid taking local transport, as it is known for pickpockets.

Day 1 – 2 days in Lima

Day 1 in Lima focuses on the districts of Barranco and Miraflores.

Explore Barranco

Start your time in Lima by getting to know the area you might be staying in. Barranco is known as Lima’s artsy neighbourhood, and it does have a relaxed, bohemian vibe. It used to be a fisherman’s district, but in the 1800’s Limeños started going there and built holiday homes for the sea views and beaches. As time passed, the old mansions were converted into restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs, design shops, art galleries and museums.

When you are in this area, make sure to check out the following:

Street art in Barranco

Just a little wander around the area, and you won’t be able to miss the beautiful and colourful street art dotted around. This part of the city is home to some of the best street art in Lima. However, this art only came about in 2015. During this year, the mayor didn’t feel like the street art represented the vibe they wanted for the city, and so ordered all murals to be painted over in yellow. However, the Barranco authorities responded with a street art contest, and the result is this amazing artwork.

Bridge of Sighs

Iglesia La Ermita

Just after crossing the Bridge of Sighs, you will spot Iglesia La Ermita. This chapel won’t be hard to miss, as it is painted in a beautiful bright yellow. It has been closed since 1974, since it was damaged by an earthquake in that year. Originally, the church was built in the mid-18th century as a small chapel where fishermen and travellers attended mass, before it was upgraded and enlarged.

Plaza de Armas (Barranco)

In the centre of the Barranco district, you’ll find the Plaza de Armas. There is one in every major Latin American city (it means ‘the central square’), and Lima has two! One in Barranco and the other in Downtown Lima (read on, dear reader). This is the focal point in Barranco, and you will find yourself ending up here a lot. It’s very pretty, and pink, and great for people watching!

Head to Miraflores

The second district you are going to want to spend most of your time in is Miraflores. It is mainly a residential district and fairly wealthy. Known for its bars and restaurants, as well as being a shopping area. Here are a few things to do when in the area.

Walk the Malecón boardwalk

This coastal path does stretch for almost 6 miles, so you might not have the time to walk the entire thing. But it provides a perfect escape from the bustle and boisterousness of the city, and it runs in three connected segments along the Pacific-facing edge of Miraflores. The southernmost section is the Malecón Armendáriz, which borders the district of Barranco. 

Along the way, you will find Love’s Park, where you can spot mosaic walls of romantic quotes and a statue of a couple. End at the lighthouse of Miraflores, which was built in 1900. The blue and white striped tower rises up to a height of just under 70 feet.

Visit the Larcomar 

One of the coolest places to shop! It’s an open-air mall that is built into the cliff face. Plus, it has great views of the Pacific Ocean. It opened in 1998 and has plenty of modern, high-end shops and delicious restaurants in the food court. As well as a gym, a cinema and a supermarket.

Explore the Huaca Pucllana Ruins 

It’s hard to believe these ruins are in the middle of such a massive city. The Huaca Pucllana ruins are an enormous clay and adobe pyramid. It was created by a civilisation that came before even the Incas. Built around 500AD, it was an important ceremonial and administrative centre for the Lima culture that was developed in this area.

Tours are conducted in Spanish and English and are included in the cost of the entrance ticket. There isn’t really a set time, and they last between 45 minutes and 1 hour and 15.

Day 2 – 2 days in Lima

Day 1 in Lima focuses on the districts of Downtown Lima and Rimac.

Explore Downtown Lima

Start your day by heading to Downtown Lima. This district in the city is also called Lima, so it can be a little confusing, but it is about 13KM away from Barranco. I would recommend a free walking tour to make the most of this area. There are a couple of options here. You can either get an Uber to Downtown Lima and pick up a tour in the district. Alternatively, there are tours that meet in Miraflores, and then you travel together by bus to begin the tour.

Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas in Lima has some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. It is known as the vibrant heart of the city’s historic centre. Steeped in history and brimming with colonial charm, this bustling square is surrounded by some of Lima’s most iconic landmarks. The most imposing of these is the Cathedral of Lima, which houses the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, the city’s founder. It is also home to the Government Palace, where you can catch the ceremonial changing of the guard, and it is the oldest palace in Peru.

Convent of Santa Domingo

Next, visit the Convent of Santa Domingo, which is a 7-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas and is one of the most historic and religious sites in the city. Wander through the peaceful cloisters, and if you have time, head up the bell tower for a panoramic view of the city. The highlights include the beautifully ornate ceiling and three statues of the ‘saints of Lima’. These are the tombs, and they even have the skulls visible at the base.

Casa de La Literatura Peruana

This renovated railway station has been turned into the House of Peruvian Literature. A cultural centre dedicated to the celebration and promotion of Peru’s literary heritage. It is worth a visit for the beautiful ceiling alone. Look up in awe at the beautiful stained-glass design. You can also find exhibits and cosy reading rooms.

Convent of San Francisco

If you decide to only visit one museum in Downtown Lima, then this should be the one! While the monastery and church are beautiful, what makes this place really interesting (and perhaps a little morbid) are the catacombs that exist underneath. It houses more than 25,000 remains of people buried there until 1808. They were closed and then forgotten about until they were rediscovered and reopened in 1947. Nowadays, you can tour them and see how the bones are displayed.

The convent is also home to a very impressive library that houses thousands of beautiful old texts.

Cross the river to Rimac

Rimac is one of the bordering districts to Lima, and is separated by the river Rimac (hence the name!). This district was never considered to be very wealthy, but it is packed full of Peruvian culture and is one of the most vibrant parts of the city in colonial and republican times. Some of the best Peñas and Creole restaurants can be found here. It is also home to reportedly the smallest church in Lima, possibly in Peru and possibly in South America (the guide wasn’t 100% on the last two facts…)

Tips for Lima

• The city has an incredible food scene, and some of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. If you do want to eat at one of these, you are going to need to plan ahead – they get very booked up.
• Avoid using public transport, as it is known for pickpockets
• The city does have Uber, while some people have reported problems, I had no issues.
• As it is a coastal desert city, it has moderate temperatures all year round. However, the best time to visit (assuming you’ll be visiting other cities in Peru as well) is April through October, since this is the dry season (the same applies to all of Peru). From May to November, the temperature can be a little cooler, and the sky is almost always grey or foggy. It’s always humid.

Is 2 days in Lima enough?

I would say, yes. With 2 days in Lima, you are never going to see everything this huge city has to offer. However, it is definitely enough to give you a taste of what it has to offer – as well as a chance to recover from jet lag if you have just arrived. Lima is vibrant and interesting, but I definitely think there is much more Peru has to offer than this city. So spend some time here, but make sure to factor in enough to explore more of this amazing country.

Here is how to spend 2 weeks travelling in Peru:
2 weeks in Peru – the perfect itinerary for the best trip

Read more Peru Articles:

• Things to do in Arequipa, Peru – 10 amazing activities
• One day in Cusco, Peru
• Colca Canyon in Peru, what you need to do! 
• The Inca Trail trek – everything you need to know!
• Fly over the Nazca Lines, Peru – what you need to know

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