One Day Lima Itinerary
Do you have only one day to explore Lima, the capital city of Peru? Read our travel guide on the best things to do and see in the city center of Lima in 24 hours. Includes tips on top attractions, useful information, accommodation, tours, and getting from the airport.
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is one of those places travelers either love or hate. For some, the metropolis is too big (Lima has nearly 9 million inhabitants), too dirty (that's quite disputable, some places are worse than others), or still considered dangerous (the situation gets every year better and better).
We must admit we weren't somehow drawn to Lima as well, mainly because we had spent one week before entirely cut off from the outside world while we were camping in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. We also met on the road a few travelers who did not enjoy Lima.
But a thousand people can have a thousand opinions, and we like creating our own based on personal experience.
It is general knowledge that Peru is the country of beautiful landscapes and famous ruins, which is the main reason travelers have already discovered this destination.
And although every time we hear the word Peru, we imagine high snow-capped peaks, blue lagoons, and the one and only Machu Picchu, we still do not think Lima should be treated merely as a transportation hub, and the minimum you can do is to spend here one day.
In the end, our travelers' hearts did not let us skip Lima, and we decided to give the city a chance.
Not only because of our desire to see the colonial architecture and historical sites, but we desperately needed to buy a new phone. Mine was stolen when in Bogota while Martin broke his on Laguna Paron.
Obviously, long term traveling is not the best way how to keep our electronics in good shape. By the way, purchasing a new phone in Lima is a story on its own. Anyway.
Lima is a chaotic city, and we did not want to be caught up in its streets for too long, so instead of staying in fashionable district Miraflores, we stayed in the city center, which gave us more time to explore it.
At first, we felt that one day in Lima would be enough for us, but the city and its surroundings have more to offer, so ideally, plan your visit for two to four days, depending on if you also want to make day trips from Lima and extend your Peru itinerary.
In the end, we stayed in Lima for a few days more, thanks to our Amazon trip, but that’s another story.
Also, if you decide to stay longer, we would recommend you to book a room in the tourist area Miraflores.
Cheaper hotels in Lima's center are often located in shady alleyways, and we did not feel there that comfortable, especially when our window lock was broken and we could not close it.
In this blog post, we share tips on the best things to see and do in Lima in only one day.
This one day Lima itinerary brings information on how to spend your time in Peru's capital effectively and give you an idea of what you can see in Lima within 24 hours when your travel itinerary is packed to the brim.
WHERE TO STAY IN LIMA
To make the most of your one day in Lima, it might be a good idea to stay in Lima's city center.
Although it is not the most recommended area to spend the night in Lima, it saved us money and time as we did not have to travel back and forth to a different part of the city by public transport or taxi.
In order to save time, it's easy to take a cab from the airport and then the next day in the morning, take another taxi to the bus terminal.
Most of the travelers decide to stay in Miraflores - a bit upscale area several kilometers from the center with plenty of restaurants and coffee shops. Then they take a taxi to see the best the city has to offer.
We've handpicked the best three hotels in Lima based on location and reviews.
Budget | Hostal La Positiva - Do not expect miracles, but this hostel offers one of the cheapest yet still secured options to stay near the center.
Mid-range | Miraflores Colon Hotel - This reasonably priced hotel is located in Miraflores, so getting to the historical center requires taking a cab. On the other hand, this area is safe and lively.
Luxury | Sheraton Hotel Lima - This is the most luxurious hotel in the city center. The service is perfect, and you won't have to worry about anything else than sightseeing.
In case you have more days to spend in Lima, or you don't mind paying for a taxi, you can find accommodation in Miraflores. This popular district offers all facilities tourists need - hotels, stores, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
The city center in Lima is quite compact, and you won't have any problem seeing the most significant attractions at a leisure pace in one day.
Of course, there are more things to see outside the city center, but as we assume you have limited time, it is better to focus on one area and explore it more thoroughly than jump from one place to another and, as a result, have a blurred image of Lima.
In this blog post, we would like to introduce you to Lima as a place of history and beautiful architecture. During your wanderings, always keep an eye on your belongings and try to avoid dark alleys after dark.
Here's our photo travel guide of the most interesting buildings we spotted in Lima, buildings you should not miss.
PLAZA DE ARMAS
Plaza de Armas, also known as Plaza Mayor, is the core of the city. The plaza before served as a marketplace and even as a bull's fighting ring (Spaniard's idea), but nowadays, tourists wander around, and locals chill and meet with others.
The square is huge, clean, and apart from the fountain in the middle, it is a place where you can see several significant buildings without having to walk much around.
While on the square, you shouldn't miss Municipal Palace of Lima, Club of the Union, Cathedral of Lima, Archbishop's Palace of Lima, or the nonstop guarded Government Palace.
The government building serves as the residence of Peru's president but is no longer open to visitors.
BASILICA AND CONVENT OF SAN FRANCISCO
The monastery building is in the UNESCO since 1991, and aside from the church part, it is also home to a remarkable library and catacombs.
When we arrived at the monastery, we did not know about catacombs inside, but we spotted an English group leaving for a guided tour, so we quickly paid S/15 each and joined them.
Saint Francis Monastery is a peaceful and beautifully restored building, but the most interesting part is the underground containing thousands of bones as the church and attached buildings served as a cemetery.
Unfortunately, it is not allowed to take pictures here, only from the outside.
BASILICA AND CONVENT OF SAN PEDRO
One of the best-preserved examples of the architecture of the baroque-colonial era in Lima. The construction of the church and the position is flawless.
If you have time, do not forget to go inside to see the interiors. It is magnificent.
LA MERCED CHURCH
What will catch your eyes on La Merced Church is the color and differently structured facade with many ornaments.
This style is called Churrigueresque and came from Spain in the 18th century. Pretty unique to see in Peru.
PLAZA SAN MARTIN
The San Martin Square is relatively new, built in the 20th century, but nowadays boldly competes with Plaza de Armas.
It doesn't outshine Lima's main square with architecture but with several restaurants and a relaxed vibe. You will firmly recognize this square thanks to Jose de San Martin's statue, liberator of Peru.
A historical building, Edificio Giacoletti, standing on the side of this square, was destroyed by fire in October 2018, only a couple of days before we arrived in the city.
JIRON DE LA UNION
The main promenade stretching from Plaza San Martin to Plaza de Armas is a pedestrian zone surrounded by many stores, restaurants, and interesting colonial buildings.
Although we haven't experienced any issues here, it is also known as a place where pickpockets prey on unwary tourists.
Unfortunately, it is also a street where Lima's poverty struck us the most, especially in comparison with shiny shops and expensive restaurants around.
READ MORE:
Peru: The Perfect 4 Weeks Itinerary - From North to South
The Ultimate Guide to Cusco: Explore the Ancient Incan Capital
8 Best One-Day Trips from Cusco
Flying Over the Nazca Lines in Peru
Arequipa: Best Things to Do in Peru's White City
Colca Canyon: Is It Worth a Visit For a Day?
A Complete Guide to Hiking Laguna 69
HOUSE OF THE PERUVIAN LITERATURE
Only ten years ago, this building was Lima's main train station, but the local government transformed it into a cultural center and a library.
You can still see the typical clock above the main entrance, which is very similar to what we can see in European train stations. The facade is impressive, but don't be shy and go inside; the interior is amazing.
There is no entrance fee; only keep all the noise at the minimum because it is an open space and local people come here to read or study.
LEGISLATIVE PALACE
The seat of the Congress of Peru lies a short walking distance from Monasterio de San Franciso.
Like other government buildings in Lima, it is impossible to get a bit closer, and you must be satisfied with a view through a high fence.
PERUVIAN CUISINE
Sightseeing is fun, but it also leaves you tired and hungry. Luckily, Lima is famous for the cuisine. That's why take exploring the city slowly and also save some time for a decent meal in restaurants.
Arguably, you will find in Lima the best restaurants in the country, and if there's one recommended meal, it is ceviche, a traditional Peruvian meal made of raw fish marinated in lime juice.
GUIDED TOURS
If you want to be guided by professionals around Lima, it is possible to book a tour. Not only you'll have a knowledgeable guide, but you also do not have to worry about transport.
Barranco Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour | In this tour, you'll experience Lima in the best way possible, through your belly!
Pachacamac and Barranco Private Tour | You will explore the Pachacamac site, temples and stop in colonial district Barranco on the way back. This is for travelers who want to see what Lima has to offer outside the city limits.
Lima Full-Day Historic Tour | This is a private full-day tour where you will visit Lima's top attractions.
SAFETY IN LIMA
Although the safety situation vastly improved in recent years, you still should stay on the gringo's path. The district of Miraflores is safer than the city center after dark, but it is still recommended to use a taxi when coming back after dinner to your hotel.
Watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas.
We stayed in Lima's center, and even though no incident occurred, some side alleys looked at least suspicious and not tourist friendly at all. The ubiquitous smell of urine (and almost no dogs on the streets) was annoying.
We’ve also created a helpful article How To Stay Safe In South America where you will find more information about this topic.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW TO GET FROM THE AIRPORT
The easiest way how to get from the airport to the center is to take a taxi. The official rate is S/55, but we were able to bargain a bit and rode for S/40.
You can also take an airport bus that goes to Miraflores (but not to the city center) for S/27, but as you can see, it is more expensive than a taxi unless you are traveling on your own.
WHAT TO PACK
As you have only one day for exploring the city, you should not overpack as you'll spend most of your time outside, walking the streets. It is essential to pack a comfortable daypack - consider this anti-theft daypack.
It is well designed, comfortable, sturdy day pack where you can easily fit your travel things, phone, and valuables.
A moneybelt is also quite useful not only in Lima but in large cities in general.
Wear comfortable sneakers, and depending on the weather forecast, functional t-shirt, jacket, and you can even leave outdoor pants in the hotel room and wear jeans.
Sunscreen, water bottle, travel camera, and travel umbrella are also must-have items.
We've also written an in-depth South America packing list where you will find more useful tips and advice on what to pack.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
