Best things to do in Lima

Is it possible to visit and spend most or all of your time in Arequipa? World-class gastronomy, ancient ruins and breathtaking natural landscapes are just some of the attractions of the capital city. As a metropolitan capital, it is possible to do everything with a modern and urban style. There are thirteen things to do in the city.

1. Meander along the malecón

The malecn is an icon of the capital city of the country. The malecn stretches through a few of the most popular neighborhoods in the city. This pathway is dotted with green spaces, art and children's parks and you can rent a bike, go for a jog or stroll along it.

Av Arequipa is also known as Wilson because of the street's many names. If you're going to catch a taxi, it's a good idea to know the right neighborhood. The tiles indicate that the street names are no longer being used. Green street signs and well-known landmarks can be used for orientation.

2. Tour Museo Larco and sip pisco sour at Queirolo

Less hip than Barranco and not as fancy as Miraflores, there is a hidden gem waiting to be found by tourists. Museo Larco is an incredible museum that houses 30,000 cataloged ancient pottery artifacts and a pre-Columbian erotic Ceramics collection.

You can get a proper pisco sour after visiting Museo Larco.

3. Splurge at one of the world’s best restaurants

With access to the bounty of exotic produce and superfoods that derive from all regions of the country, it's no wonder that the city has been considered a top destination for a decade. Set aside a budget to go to a world-famous restaurant.

Central and Kjolle have exciting concepts that focus on flowers and grains from the Amazon and the Andes.

The country's fusion cuisine, criollo cooking, is without parallel at neighborhood eateries as well as super-chic restaurants.

4. Paraglide above the spectacular Pacific coast

You can take in a bird's-eye view of the City of Kings and the coastline. Tourists can find parasailing sessions in the Miraflores section of the malecn. The 10 minute flight is a pure rush.

5. Take a surfing or paddle board class

Even though it was built on top of a desert, it is still a great place to live. If you want to take advantage of the easy beach access, you should sign up for a surf or paddle board lesson. You can find surfboards, wetsuits and instructors on the beach.

Limeos go to the beaches in droves despite warnings about pollution. Playa Costa Verde in Miraflores is a good place to surf during the year. Playa La Herradura in Chorrillos has waves up to 5m high and is a great place to surf.

6. Visit galleries and boutiques in Barranco

Barranco is described as a bohemian, trendy, artsy district by many people. You can visit galleries and boutique shops for free if you want to immerse yourself in the creative scene. There is a lot of art and culture in Barranco.

7. Follow the locals to the best street food stalls

You can eat out for almost every meal without spending a dime. In the morning, street corners host carts that sell a warm drink made with pseudo-grain, apples and spices. There are carts in Parque Kennedy that have the ingredients to make a pan con chicharron and picarones.

If you're looking for an in-depth primer on Peruvian cooking, look no further than Gaston Acurio'sPeru: The Cookbook. There are 500 traditional home cooking recipes from the country's most popular chef.

8. Stroll the olive groves of Bosque el Olivar

It takes a while to feel the nature-loving side of you stifled by the jungle. You can get a breath of fresh air by visiting the beautiful Bosque El Olivar. Stroll amongst 1500 olive trees that were planted four centuries ago and look at the coy pond or spread out a blanket and read.

9. Visit the incredible Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca pyramid

The ancient Lima culture used to have an administrative and ceremonial center located in the center of Miraflores. The pyramid was built around 400CE. A group of mummies were found on the site in 2010. You can take a daily tour.

If you can, you can visit both day and night. The illuminated ruins at night can be seen from the celebrated restaurant here.

10. Explore South America’s largest collection of catacombs

Is it possible to walk a network of passageways beneath the streets of the historic center? TheMonasterio de San Francisco was the location of 25,000 crypts prior to the first cemetery being built. A tour of the Historic Center can be followed by a visit to the catamus.

11. Splash around at the Magic Water Circuit

The Magic Water Circuit is a great place to visit with your family and friends. The best time to visit the open-air park is at night. During the summer months, a day visit to the city is less colorful but still refreshing as you walk under a tunnel of fountains.

There's good news for travel with children. Children are cherished in this society and are very family oriented. The city streets can be messy. If your family doesn't know how to navigate a busy city, you can go to the Miraflores district.

12. Sample the flavors of Peru in Surquillo’s market

A melting pot of ingredients are indigenous to the coast, jungle and highlands of the country. One of the best examples of a district food market is the Surquillo market. The vendors are happy to explain where curious fruits like chirimoya and granadilla derive, and to discuss the nutrition of sacha inchi that have been eaten since the time of the Incas. Look for the stall with the most people.

13. Indulge your tastebuds on Peru’s best chocolate

The El Cacaotal is located in the charming district of Barranco. The shop sells specialty coffee and chocolate that has been selected by certified tasters who are happy to tell you the full story. Ask them about their tasting courses so you can learn a lot.

The article was last updated about 4 hours ago.