What to See in Lima in 3 Days: a Tour of the Ceviche City

What to see in Lima in a 3-day trip

Day 1: Historic center essentials

The first day we arrive in a city, we should explore the historical part to delve into understanding its heritage, past, and present. For that, there is nothing better than starting with the historic center of the city, an area that has witnessed the life, chaos, and passage of time and its inhabitants. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for, in their words, its integrity, authenticity, and exceptionality, this area is the oldest, and it houses most of the capital's most emblematic buildings. Let's find out, then, what we can discover on our first day exploring Lima!

1. Armas Square, Cathedral, Government Palace, and more

Also known as the Plaza Mayor, the Plaza de Armas has long been the epicenter of meetings for the locals of Lima, their lives, leisure, and sorrows. There you will find the typical colonial benches among the gardens, and, in the center, the main fountain, which they usually decorate for special occasions like Christmas. Additionally, you will encounter craft vendors, street artists, and even a few local food stalls. 

Surrounding it, you will find the Government Palace and the Cathedral, built in the 16th century and, since then, it has witnessed events and historical occurrences that have shaped its society. You can visit it from the inside and admire its colonial-style architecture, as well as its works and testimonies related to the Catholic faith. There, you will also find the Chapel of the Tabernacle, which houses the largest silver tabernacle in Latin America, and the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, a historical figure of the country. 

2. San Francisco Monastery

This convent, built in the 17th century, is famous for its underground catacombs and Baroque architecture, which allow you to learn a bit more about the city's religious history and enjoy its collection of colonial art that records the Spanish colonies once settled in the city.

It is an architectural example of imposing arcades, a church, and a monastery, from where you can contemplate the cloisters, gardens, and its central fountain. Additionally, it has a library, which is considered one of the oldest in America, housing books and historical documents from the 15th and 16th centuries.

3. Lunch at El Gran Bitute

For lunch, we recommend choosing El Gran Bitute, a typical restaurant that has been offering homemade and traditional food since 2013. There you can taste typical dishes like tacu tacu with lomo saltado, ceviche, causa limeña, or seafood rice and get to know the flavors of Peruvian cuisine. 

4. Lima Art Museum (MALI)

After lunch, relax by touring the Lima Art Museum to learn about the artistic history of the country, as it has works from the pre-Columbian period, through the colonial, 19th, and 20th centuries, and even the most contemporary. It also offers collections of photography and colonial and republican silverware. It has regular hours, so you can visit at the beginning of the afternoon to rest quietly after lunch and then walk or have a snack around the city again.

5. Dinner to taste Nikkei food

To end this first great day, we recommend visiting one of the many restaurants in the city specializing in Nikkei gastronomy, the style that was created from the fusion of Japanese gastronomy, brought by immigrants, and traditional Peruvian flavors. In this article, we share the best restaurants to discover Nikkei food in Lima.

Day 2: Miraflores and the Costa Verde

1. Dedicate the morning to the Huaca Pucllana

The Huaca Pucllana dates back 1500 years, and is an archaeological site built mainly by a pyramid of adobe and pre-Inca excavations located in the heart of Miraflores, and is one of the greatest exponents of the pre-Hispanic period of the city. There you can see, on your own or by purchasing a guided tour, the only existing ruins of the pre-Inca culture. We recommend that you hire a guided tour to be able to learn and fully appreciate every bit of history present there.

2. Get your lunch at Costazul

If you are a fish, shellfish, and seafood lover, you have to visit Costazul, a place with an abundant and fresh fish market. Visited daily by both locals and tourists, this restaurant offers an excellent price-quality ratio to bring you the best of the sea. Some of its star dishes are the Octopus Muschame or the Tacu Tacu with dried fish.

3. Relax by strolling along the Miraflores Boardwalk

The Miraflores Boardwalk (Malecón) is known for its incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and relaxed atmosphere amid a big city. You can walk to Love Park (Parque del Amor), a well-maintained green space known to locals, and if you're an adventure lover, you can take the opportunity to go paragliding over the Miraflores beaches, an incredible experience. On the Malecón, over 10 kilometers of path await you to enjoy a free, relaxed morning while soaking in the vibe of one of the city's most characteristic neighborhoods.

Before going to dinner, you'll surely want to stop by your accommodation to take a shower and rest. Miraflores is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Lima, especially if you choose an apartment with all the necessary amenities, from workspaces to cleaning and breakfast services. Discover the Zip Housing options in Miraflores by clicking here!

4. Ceviche Dinner at Larcomar

We already took you through a sample of the fish and other marine species offerings at noon, but now, you're missing the best part: the great ceviche. We recommend trying this dish at Larcomar; our choice is the mango ceviche. The ideal is to arrive early, so you can get a table by the sea and fully enjoy the experience. 

Day 3: Barranco, Lima's bohemian neighborhood & San Isidro

1.Breakfast and the Bridge of Sighs

The iconic Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros) is a characteristic monument of this neighborhood. A legend says that whoever crosses the bridge for the first time without breathing must make a wish that will come true. Below the bridge lies the Bajada de los Baños, a natural ravine you can appreciate and enjoy by walking down to the sea.

Hundreds of tourists visit it daily, so you won't have any trouble finding a coffee store to have breakfast while you explore that area of the city. Now, if you prefer to have breakfast in the comfort of your private accommodation, check out Zip Housing apartments: 100% furnished and with amenities available, such as breakfast delivered straight to your bed as soon as you wake up.

2. Mario Testino Museum (MATE) and Contemporary Art Museum (MAC)

Barranco is home to the museum of the famous photographer Mario Testino and the Museum of Contemporary Art, where great representative works of modern and contemporary art from the country are preserved and exhibited, being the only institution dedicated to seeking out and showcasing contemporary and emerging artists. There, depending on the time you go, you will find interactive exhibits, collective interventions, projections, and temporary exhibitions.

3. Have lunch in San Isidro

Very close to Barranco is San Isidro, one of the most luxurious areas of the city. Here we recommend arriving with time to spare and getting lost in the San Isidro Market, where you'll find typical regional products and local representatives of Peruvian cuisine. You can choose to go on your own or book a guided tour. Some of these usually include tastings of dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, and ají de gallina, where the flavors and aromas of Peruvian cuisine unfold in a unique sensory experience.

San Isidro is one of the neighborhoods chosen by thousands of tourists each year to stay in Lima. Discover our offerings in the neighborhood and choose your favorite apartment.

4. Enjoy the afternoon at El Olivar Park

As its name suggests, this is a park full of ancient olive trees that, along with the colonial-style mansions surrounding it, make it a tranquil and relaxing green space with a very particular vibe. 

5. Dinner at Kjolle

Currently ranked 16th on the list of the world's best restaurants according to 50 Best, Kjolle is the space of Pía León, where the main attraction of her offer is the origin of the ingredients. Through a simple spirit, the chef seeks to convey the warmth of home combined with the excellence of haute cuisine. Her combination of flavors turns something simple into incredibly creative dishes, with a mix of flavors and textures that will make you remember this night forever.

Conclusion

This tour is specially designed for those who seek to know not only the tourist spots of a city but also want to get closer to those places, flavors, and environments that locals experience daily, which in turn make up the life and energy of the cities. 

Make sure to make the most of your time in the city and stay in one of the most tourist-friendly and strategic neighborhoods. Discover Zip Housing options and find a new way to travel.