Lima in Peru
Lima – the underrated capital of Peru
..and the second largest desert city in the world
If one thinks of the South American metropolises, Peru may not be the first to think about it, but the Peruvian capital Lima has more to offer than one might initially suspect.
Of course, the first impression is usually instructive. However, this is mainly due to the fact that the international airport is located in an industrial area away from the center. The beauty of Lima is revealed only at second sight.
Specifically, when you stop at the magnificent Plaza de Armas and marvel at the old manor houses, talk to the friendly inhabitants of Lima or enjoy a fresh and unique ceviche overlooking the sea. But then you lose your heart forever in Lima.
The center of the Spanish colonial power
In 1535, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro decided that the natural port, the “City of the Kings”, would be the perfect place to send all the gold stolen by the Incas to Spain. Lima would be the center of Spanish colonial power for more than 300 years, during which time Lima enjoyed wealth and prestige.
When Peru declared its independence from Spain in 1821, it happened in the Plaza de Armas designed by Pizarro and when the walls of the city were demolished in 1870, the city grew day by day. New neighborhoods were added, such as the Miraflores secret center nowadays or even the Barranco artistically inspired.
Today, almost a third of the almost 29 million Peruvians live in Lima and its surroundings. Many of them arrived in the 80s and 90s to escape poverty and political violence. During the last decade, peace has been peaceful in Peru, and with peace, prosperity slowly returns to Lima. Many ancient ruins have been restored and tourists are increasingly heading to the capital of Lima.
Current weather
Sights in Lima
Not in vain, the historic center of Lima was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and, therefore, placed under its protection. Here you will find some very interesting historical buildings and, of course, the beautiful Plaza Mayor with its fountain dating from 1651. The course is the zero point, from here all distances are measured in Peru.
The “Cathedral of Lima” became the last resting place of Pizarro, whose secular remains are today in the first lateral chapel. If you want to visit the cathedral outside the services, you must pay an entrance fee of 10 soles. But then you can also visit the Religious Art Museum next to the main altar, where you can find numerous works of art.
The government palace “Government Palace” is located today where the Pizarros palace was. If you do not want to take a guided tour of the building, you can also see the change of guards, who are dressed in colorful clothes every day, except on Sundays for lunch.
If you want to follow the steps of the Incas and the oldest villages, you can do so at the Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological site in Miraflores dating from before the Incas. In the past, the people of Lima, who also owe their name to the Peruvian capital, used to live here.
And also in the district of San Isidro there is an excavation site. The Huaca Huallamarca is a memory that vanishes from the Hualla town.
What can we do here?
Ok, of course, New York has the title of “City that never sleeps”, but Lima is not bad either. Here you can experience something throughout the day. Whether it’s live music in one of the many bars, clubs and pubs in Miraflores or rather a relaxing day in the almost Caribbean neighborhood of Barranco, boredom is barely noticeable here.
Lima is also a true feast for the culinary senses. If you visit here, you should not ask about one or another kilos, that you can grow here. Especially recommended is ceviche, raw fish or seafood cooked in lemon or lime juice. The Pisco national drink can be found here on almost every corner.
If you want to use the time (and extremely favorable prices) for a little shopping, you will definitely find what you are looking for in the Jiron de la Union, a long pedestrian street in the center of the city. If you are looking for a place where you can really find everything, you should visit the Jockey Plaza Shopping Center in the district of Surco. It is one of the largest shopping centers in the city and offers everything from banks to boutiques and hardware stores, all in one.
The capital offers many opportunities for sightseeing. Strolling along the promenade, visiting the museums with their magnificent works of art, strolling along the beach, parks, enjoying the nightlife or visiting one of the many archaeological sites make the capital of Peru a unique experience.
When is the best time to visit Lima?
The stations of Lima are a little easier: there are summers and there is winter. The best time to visit is in the summer months, which are from December to April. Then the fog, which is almost famous for winter, disappears and the sky is clear at temperatures between 18 ° – 29 ° Celsius. In summer, are the fascinating sunsets for which Lima is known. When the sky glows red fire, orange, pink and purple around seven o’clock in the afternoon, the locals call it the “Sky of Witches”: the sky of the witches.
In the winter months (June to August), the average temperature is around 15 degrees Celsius, the days are often cloudy and rainy, and a thick fog called “Garua” widens. However, surfers and other water sports fans are very happy in winter, since cold temperatures also mean better winds and, therefore, better conditions for surfing.
In May and November, so to speak, “spring and autumn” can lead to dramatic temperature differences in a short period of time. If you want to visit Lima, you must be prepared for everything in terms of luggage technology, from shirts and shorts to thick sweaters.
Where can I stay?
Lima offers accommodation for all budgets, most of which are located in the modern district of Miraflores or downtown. From a simple but elegant hostel in a central location with English and German speaking staff to the luxury hotel like the J.W Marriott Lima or the Belmond, it is guaranteed that you will find the right place to stay.
Hotels and Accommodation
Pariwana Hostel
Love this place, it’s one of those places where you keep extending your stay!!! The vibe is cool, Michel the barman is so cool. The toilets are cleaned very often, breakfast is good as there’s quite.read more
atemporal
A small boutique hotel with friendly staff and amazing decor. The beautiful breakfast was personalized and delicious.read more
Arrival and public transport
Lima has an international airport, which is not yet served directly from Germany, but with stopovers, for example in Madrid, Caracas or Amsterdamm.
If you want to travel in Peru, you have the option between the plane and intercity buses, which are much cheaper. Another advantage: you can see much more land and people than at the airport. There is no own bus station, each company operates its own terminal (which, however, are very close to each other).
In Lima, it is best to trust the taxis and minibuses, which can be found literally on every corner and waving. The prices are also very moderate for taxis. For security reasons, however, you should not enter any taxi. In addition to the technical conditions of the taxi, it can also happen that you fall into the hands of criminals. It is recommended to make a reservation through Uber. There the drivers are registered and the trip can be tracked.
Province of Lima
Population: 9,32 Mio (2018)
Area: 2.672 km²
Height: 161 m
Districts: 43
Nearest airport: Callao
Municipalidad
The districts in Lima
The most beautiful districts in Lima
Lima includes 43 districts (Districts) in which almost 10 million inhabitants live. Peru has around 30 million inhabitants, of which 1/3 live in very poor conditions in Lima. For tourists it is more likely than rich neighborhoods like Miraflores or Barranco of interest. This is where cultural life takes place.
Barranco – romance and a touch of nostalgia in Lima
Admittedly, Peru’s capital, Lima, and especially the city center are not necessarily all that beautiful – but just a few minutes further on is the Barranco district and belies that statement.
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Miraflores – the district of the beautiful and wealthy in Lima
Probably the most popular area of the Peruvian capital, Lima, Miraflores, attracts with its excellent restaurants, international hotels, colorful shops, beaches and the general style, so it is so unique in the rather gray Lima.
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San Isidro – Lima’s Garden District and Financial Center
San Isidro is not only characterized by its green areas and exclusive residential areas. San Isidro is home to many of the best restaurants, hotels and concert halls in the city.
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Lima´s Districts
- Comas – district in the limit of the northern city of Lima
- Independencia – poverty and economic recovery
- Puente Piedra, or the bridges from the Inca period
- San Martín de Porres – Huacas and a Peruvian saint
- Breña – Streets and squares in the neighborhood of the locals
- Jesús María and his popular places
- La Victoria – Clothes make people
- Lince: The “Heart of Lima”
- Magdalena del Mar – The quiet west of Lima
- Pueblo Libre: Small but fine
- Rímac – bullfighting and happy parties
- Santiago de Surco – From gold and weapons to horses
- Chorrillos – When the sun sinks into the sea
- Punta NegraPunta Negra – surfing, swimming, high waves and beaches
- Ate Vitarte, or: “The past empire of ancient cultures”
- El Agustino, or “The lost treasure”
- La Molina – the sunniest district in Lima
- San Luis: sports, markets and parks
Limas Top Sight
- The hustle and bustle in the markets of Lima.
- The baroque splendor of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy.
- Four pre-Inca tombs discovered in Lima.
- El Callao – the port city near Lima.
- Miraflores – the district of the beautiful and wealthy in Lima.
- The Cathedral of Lima: testimony of the Spanish colonization of Peru.
- Limas meeting place Plaza de Armas.
- Church and Franciscan Monastery: Iglesia San Francisco in Lima.
- The Palacio de Gobierno del Peru in Lima.
- The Plaza de San Martín – a reminder of Lima’s struggle for independence.
- The House of Aliaga: home for seventeen generations.
- The Club de la Unión in Lima – exclusive meeting place.
- The Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Merced: A baroque piece of jewelery.
- Limas “local mountain” – The Cerro San Cristobal.
- Dominican Monastery of Lima: Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo.
- Fortaleza del Real Felipe – The Fortress of Callao.
- The Kennedy Park in Miraflores – the modern site of Lima.
- Punta Negra – surfing, swimming, high waves and beaches.
- The Park of the Legends: diverse complex in Lima.
- Shopping in Larcomar – The shopping center with sea views.