Lima is the capital of Peru and, with a metropolitan area of about ten million people, the country's largest city. Founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, it was the centre of Spanish rule in South America during the colonial era, and its historic centre has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1988. The colonial core gathers around the Plaza Mayor, while the coastal districts of Miraflores and Barranco run along cliffs above the Pacific. Peruvian cooking, led by the national dish ceviche, is the city's strongest draw, and the journey to Cusco and Machu Picchu usually starts here with a domestic flight of about an hour and a half.
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When to visit Lima
The seasons are the reverse of Türkiye's. December to April is Lima's summer, sunny and between 26C and 28C, when the coastal districts are at their liveliest. From June to October the city sits under a low grey cloud cover called the garúa and temperatures drop to around 18C, though it almost never rains. If Cusco and Machu Picchu are part of the trip, May to September, the dry season in the Andes, suits better.
Things to do in Lima
Plaza Mayor
Laid out with the founding of the city in 1535, the main square is the heart of the historic centre. Around it stand Lima Cathedral, the carved wooden balconies of the Archbishop's Palace and the Government Palace, where the changing of the guard takes place each day towards noon.
Convent of San Francisco
The baroque convent from the 17th century is known for its yellow facade, its domed library and cloisters lined with tiles from Seville. The catacombs beneath the church served as the city's cemetery in the colonial era and are visited on guided tours.
Larco Museum
Set in an 18th century mansion built over a pre-Columbian pyramid, the museum was opened in 1926 by Rafael Larco Hoyle. It holds Moche ceramics, gold and silver ornaments and a collection telling five thousand years of Peruvian history, and the restaurant in its garden is known in its own right.
Huaca Pucllana
The adobe pyramid rising in the middle of Miraflores was a ceremonial centre of the Lima culture between AD 200 and 700. The excavation site is visited on guided tours, and a restaurant looks out over the stepped structure, which is lit up in the evenings.
Parque del Amor (Miraflores)
The park on top of the Miraflores cliffs is known for Víctor Delfín's large 1993 sculpture of a kissing couple and its mosaic benches reminiscent of Gaudí. The coastal walk that starts here follows the Malecón above the Pacific, and paragliders take off from the same cliffs.
Bridge of Sighs (Barranco)
The wooden bridge of the Barranco district crosses an old path leading down to the sea and is the symbol of the neighbourhood. The colourful mansions, art galleries and cevicherías around it make Barranco the city's bohemian quarter.
Flights from Turkey to Lima
There is no nonstop flight from Istanbul to Lima. The shortest connection is with KLM via Amsterdam, a total journey of about 17 hours 30 minutes; Air Europa via Madrid, or Avianca flights connecting with the Turkish Airlines service to Bogotá, are the other options.
Lima FAQ
How many days do you need in Lima?
Three days cover the historic centre, Miraflores and Barranco. Most travellers combine Lima with Cusco and Machu Picchu, in which case at least eight to ten days in total are needed.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Jorge Chávez International Airport is in the neighbouring port city of Callao, about 12 kilometres from the historic centre and about 18 kilometres from Miraflores. Lima's traffic is heavy, so a taxi or the airport bus can take between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.
Do you need a visa for Peru?
No visa is required for a Turkish passport for tourism. The permitted length of stay is set by the border officer on arrival, and a return ticket, accommodation details and proof of sufficient funds may be asked for.
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