One day in Lima, what to do?

Lima Main Square - Plaza de Armas (pic of www.destination360.com)

First of all, Lima is a very nice city with a lot of attractions. One day will not be enough to enjoy it. If you have just only one day (because you are in transit or just have some hours), it would be a good idea that you use the following tips.

If I have to spend one day in Lima, I would follow more or less this itinerary:

• 9.30 – 11.00: Larco Herrera Museum.
  
  
• 11.00 –13.00: Historical Center (Plaza San Martin, Plaza de Armas, San Francisco Church)
  
  
• 13.00 – 15.00: Lunch in some Miraflores Restaurant
  
  
• 15.00 – 18.00: Barranco, Miraflores, Larcomar
  
  
• 18.00 – 20.00: Magical Fountains Park (only from Wednesday to Sunday)
  
  
• 20.00 – 22.30: Dinner

You could start your tour visiting Larco Herrera museum. This museum has a lot of pre-Columbian art, including a big erotic ceramic gallery. It is located about 20 minutes from airport (and also from Miraflores). It opens everyday (including Sundays and holidays) from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; it has a nice cafeteria. The entrance ticket to the museum costs around US$ 10.00 and a complete tour could last 2 hours.

Larco Herrera museum (pic of www.s-church.net)

Lima Historical Center is an obligatory stop when you visit this wonderful city. Start in Plaza San Martin and then walk to the Main Square (“Plaza de Armas”) through the pedestrian street “Jiron de la Union”. In “Plaza de Armas” you will be able to see the Government Palace, the Cathedral and other magnificent buildings.

Two blocks away from “Plaza de Armas”, you will find San Francisco Church. This monastery has an art museum inside and also catacombs where visitors’ blood seems to get frozen. The complete tour lasts less than an hour and the entrance ticket to this church costs less than US$ 2.00.

Lima Main Square - Plaza de Armas in Lima

After Historical Center, it’s time to taste one of the best food of the world. Go to “La Rosa Nautica” or “Costa Verde” and enjoy Peruvian traditional Cebiche and lots of seafood with a nice view of Pacific Ocean. You can also try “El Señorio de Sulco”, another restaurant where you will eat like nowhere in the world. Do not miss the “Causa” and drink some Pisco Sour, the best Peruvian traditional drink (but do not drink it that much or you will end up dancing in the street!!). Prices for a meal in any of these restaurants are about US$ 30-40 per person.

After that spectacular meal, it’s time to walk a bit through Barranco, a bohemian district. Visiting the “Bridge of Sights” is almost obligatory stop when you go to Barranco. Then you can go to Miraflores and Larcomar, a mall with an extraordinary view of the ocean. Sunsets there are wonderful even if its winter!!

Sunset from Larcomar. La Rosa Nautica restaurant over the sea

Falling the night, the “Magical Fountains Park” (aka “Magical Water Circuit” too) is the best option. Those amazing fountains where lights and music play over water will surprise you. Entrance ticket is very cheap (about US$ 1.50), but this Park opens just from Wednesday to Sunday.

Magical Fountains Park (pic of www.viajeahorro.com)

Magical Water Circuit

Magical Water Circuit

Dinner in Lima is the perfect excuse to end a perfect day. Do it in “Brujas de Cachiche” or in "Astrid & Gaston" and you will stay in Lima forever just to taste the food again and again.

So, if you come to Peru, you have to stay at least one day in Lima. If not, that would be a sin you would regret the rest of your life. Enjoy Lima, a beautiful city with one of the best gastronomy of the world!!