The Many Faces of Lima

For many travelers, the capital city of Lima is regarded as just a stopping point before or after travel to more exciting Peru destinations such as the Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, or the Peru Amazon. However, in recent years, Lima has become a destination in and of itself, and travelers should not pass up the opportunity to spend one or several days of a Peru holiday in this increasingly exciting city.

Lima is a deeply historical city. The surrounding region has been inhabited by cultures that date back to as early as the 4th and 5th centuries. The neighborhood of Miraflores has some ruins that bear witness to this era. After the conquest of the Inca Empire by the Spanish, Lima became an administrative capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and it was the favored city of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. The city retained its importance throughout the colonial and republican era and eventually grew into the bustling and vibrant city that it is today.

City tours are a good way to learn more about the many historical and contemporary facets of Lima. On a tour of pre-Columbian Lima, visit the Pucllana Pyramid, the archaeological site in the Miraflores neighborhood that dates to the 4th century A.D. and which was regarded as a sacred village by the Incas.

In order to appreciate the colonial history of Lima, visit the historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The buildings, including churches, palaces, casonas (mansions), and monuments here will impress you with their elegant architectural design. From the main square, see the Government Palaca, the Cathedral Basilica, and the Archbishop’s Palace. Also of note are the famous Lima balconies which decorate many of the palaces and casonas.

There are 2 must see sites near the historic center. First is the museum at the Central Reserve Bank, which houses an impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including gold objects, ceramics, and textiles from the different cultures that have resided in Peru across the millenia. Second is the San Francisco Convent, where visitors can appreciate the vast holdings of religious art and that shed light on the importance of religious institutions in the history of country. The convent also houses the famous Catacombs, with thousands upon thousands of bones from generations of Lima’s deceased.

Finally, don’t miss a chance to visit the contemporary sectors of Lima. In the neighborhoods of San Isidro, Miraflores, and Larcomar, travelers can witness the best of this increasingly cosmopolitan city.