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Lima in a day – the very best things to do, see and eat
Unless you love doing all of your own research, you might appreciate our carefully chosen selection of the very best things to do, see and eat if you only have 24 hours to explore Lima! We've included history, culture, beautiful sights and tasty treats. 😋
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Lima is home to over 11 million people! The clifftop city is aptly nicknamed El Pulpo (‘The Octopus’) for the shape of its urban sprawl.
Pueblo Libre , a small district that's centuries old. The Historic Centre , also known as Ciudad de los Reyes (‘City of Kings’). Miraflores , just to the west of the Historic Centre, which runs along the clifftop. Barranco , which also extends along the clifftop just south of Miraflores.
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In the morning, do a guided or independent walking tour
Larco Museum, to learn about pre-Colombian Lima
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Opening hours: Weekdays and weekends, 10 am to 7 pm Entrance fee: Around US$10
Lima Main Square (Plaza de Armas), for a dose of colonial history
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The plaza's name literally means 'Weapons Square' and is a good reminder of the violent conquest of what is today Peru by the Spanish conquistadores.
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Useful info
You can watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the Presidential Palace if you're in the plaza at 11:45 am. You can explore the plaza yourself or join a free guided walking tour. Just note that tour groups meet at the Tourist Information Centre on Avenida Jose Larco 799 in Miraflores.
Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, for beautiful architecture and artworks
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Useful info
Opening hours: 9 am to 8:15 pm daily Entrance fee: Around US$3
Have lunch and rub shoulders with locals in Kennedy Park – the 'cat park'
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Grab some post-lunch coffee and chocolate
It's well-known that Peru produces some of the very best coffees and chocolates in the world!
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In good weather, spend the afternoon outdoors in clifftop Miraflores
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Visit the pre-Inca Huaca Pucllana pyramid
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Useful info
Opening hours: The site is open to the public from 7 am to 5 pm and again from 7 pm to 10 pm every day of the week except for Tuesday Entrance fee: Around US$5 Guided tours: The tours provided by the museum are free, but note that you need two to three hours for a full tour
Stroll along the clifftop Malecon Scenic Walkway
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Go on a guided paraglide from the clifftop to the beach
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Useful info
Tickets: These can be purchased at the kiosk in Antonio Raimondi Park Cost: US$50 for a 10-minute flight
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Take a surf lesson at Waikiki Beach
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Peru is known among experts as having some of the best surfing conditions in the world – if not THE best!
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Useful info
Duration: You’ll need around an hour for a surf lesson Cost: US$25 for an hour of surf instruction + US$10 per hour for surfboard rental and US$4-5 for wetsuit and booties rental.
In poor weather, spend your afternoon exploring colourful Barranco
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Wander the colourful streets of Lima’s artistic district
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Try lucuma ice cream
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Peruvian ice cream is as unique and delicious as Peruvian chocolate and coffee, and that’s really saying something.
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Visit markets and boutiques to support local artisans
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At dusk, visit a unique water fountain
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The Magic Water Circuit of the Reserve Park is the biggest fountain complex in the world, recognised by the Guinness World Book of Records.
Head to vibey Barranco for dinner and nightlife
If you're staying overnight in Lima, Barranco is where you want to be to join the throngs after dark.
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The best local dishes and drinks to order for dinner
Lima is the culinary capital of South America, so be sure to try a local dish for dinner to really get the full Limeño experience!
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Ceviche
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Lomo saltado
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Rocoto relleno
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Pisco sour
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Pisco Sour is as ubiquitous in the Lima food scene as ceviche.
Chicha morada
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Peruvian beer
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