The Ultimate Self-Guided Free Walking Tour: Lima, Peru

Lima, Peru is a giant, bustling sea-side city, full of delicious food, beautiful parks, stunning art and rich culture. During our year-long honeymoon, we spent 2 weeks in Lima, which allowed us to do things like befriend every cat in Kennedy Park, eat at a zillion incredible restaurants, learn to make ceviche and Pisco Sours, and try every specialty coffee shop in Lima.

Honestly, we’d love to go back to Lima just for the food. Ooh, and the drinks. And the cats. Lima is rad, y’all!

One thing we wish we had during our trip? A free self-guided walking tour of Lima! So when Bernard Sury of GuruWalk reached out to us with one he’d created, we were stoked (and immediately started researching plane tickets to revisit Lima).

Bernard spent 5 months living as an exchange student in Lima, which means he had a lot more time than we did to explore Lima’s every nook, cranny, alley, park, and mercado. We’re thrilled to share his walking tour of Lima! Take it away, Bernard.

Psst: Planning a trip to Peru? We’ve got a few other posts that might be helpful!

• 13 Things to Know Before You Go to Cusco and Machu Picchu, Peru
• 40 Things Nobody Tells You About Backpacking in Peru
• The Best Third Wave Coffee Shops in Lima, Peru
• Hiking Laguna 69 in Huaraz, Peru: Everything You Need to Know

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About the Self-Guided Lima Walking Tour

This ultimate self-guided walking tour of Lima is all about the coast, from Miraflores to Chorrillos. There are many other neighborhoods to see but it’s just impossible to cover a city of nearly 10 million inhabitants just by walking from one point to another.

When arriving in Lima, you’ll quickly realize that the touristic area is not really the “Old Town” of Lima. Of course, you should visit the Old Town with its beautiful colonial buildings to learn about the roots of the city and the country of Peru. However, as the area is not the safest, we recommend you to go with a local, someone who knows where to go, and with a guide.

And don’t even think about renting a bike: traffic is insane and chances are you won’t find your bike after lunch!

The coastal parts of the city covered in this walking tour are quite safe during the day, and frequented by locals and tourists alike. That said, if you’re looking for a guided tour, we totally recommend taking a free tips-based tour like these to explore the district of Lima you most want to visit. It’s an affordable option as you can pay what you want at the end of the tour and you’ll be able to get a local overview of the city. It’s also a lot of fun! 

Lima is a huge city with thousands of neighborhoods. The ones in this guide were chosen as the most interesting ones for travelers spending a day in the Peruvian capital – but also the safest!

Safety is key in South America and even if a local recommend you a place to visit, always make sure to ask if it’s safe to go there. For more safety tips, check out our travel safety guide.

Here are the neighborhoods you’ll be exploring on this self-guided walking tour of Lima:

1. Miraflores: This is the safest and most modern area in Lima and the center of Lima tourism. Chances are that your hotel will be in this neighborhood. It’s the trendy and luxurious neighborhood where Peruvians like to go out, with a lot of restaurants, cafes, and clubs. All of that, right facing the sea.
2. Barranco: This is the gypsy and alternative district of Lima. Lovers of of street art, fusion food and alternative parties will love its bohemian spirit. It’s located right next to Miraflores.
3. Chorrillos: This is an area where few tourists go, which  is a shame as it’s absolutely worth the visit! This neighborhood is more authentic than the two previous ones and gives a better idea of daily life in Lima for its many locals and residents. Plus, it’s right next to Barranco!

This tour is about 6 miles long. It’s a self-guided tour, so the timing all depends on you! Temptations along the road to stop for a snack or a drink are infinite. But usually this tour can be done in about 2-4 hours. If you’re tired, don’t hesitate to take a taxi, they are very cheap.

Alright, now let’s start our self-walking tour of Lima!

 

A post shared by cardinali22 (@cardinali22) on Mar 17, 2018 at 1:25pm PDT

Miraflores, Lima

1. Start your tour on the green side of the coast at Grau Miraflores Park, a beautiful green park up on a cliff overlooking the ocean. From this stunning park located on a cliff, you’ll have one of the most beautiful views of the ocean.

• This park is primarily frequented by locals who love to do picnics there during the weekend. In fact, it’s one of the only parks where picnicking is allowed.

2. When you have the sea in front of you, turn to the left (the sea will be on your right). You will cross two small parks before reaching the Miraflores Lighthouse – you can’t miss it! This is the perfect spot for an Instagram photo, so get your camera ready.

• Fun fact: This lighthouse was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the French architect who imagined the Eiffel Tower! 

3. Continue in the same direction along the sea and you will arrive at the Love Park (Parque del Amor). This is one of the most romantic and photogenic places in Lima! There are beautiful flowers, stunning statues, and jaw-dropping views of Lima’s Green Coast with its sheer cliffs and surf down below. If you’ve ever been to Barcelona, you might feel a bit like you’re in Güell Park, with its beautiful ceramics.

Oh, and there’s also a VERY sexy statue. This is Love Park, after all.

Remember this spot: you just might want to return later to catch an amazing sunset over the ocean.

• Looking for a beachy detour? Cross the bridge over the coastal road down below the cliffs, and look for the Miraflores Beach Viewpoint, where you’ll find a beautiful view – and some stairs leading down to a pebble beach. This is Playa Makaha. From here, headto the left (keeping the sea on your right) and you’ll soon reach a pier suspended over the ocean which is home to one of the most famous restaurants in Lima: La Rosa Nautica. It. Is. STUNNING. The restaurant looks straight out of a Disney movie, and the pier it’s located on is super cute. You can spend some time walking up and down this stunning pier, admiring the shops and taking romantic photos.  
• Looking for a slightly more athletic detour? Playa Makaha may be a small pebble beach with freezing cold water, but this beach is the best place to surf in Lima!  Renting a surfboard costs around 30 soles for the day at somewhere like Pukana, a very good and cheap surf school. 

 

A post shared by Daylight Viagens & Turismo (@daylightviagens) on May 1, 2018 at 8:56pm PDT

4. Once you’ve soaked up the sea breeze, head out of Parque del Amor. Go to the bridge without crossing it and keep walking with the park in your back. You will quickly arrive at  Kennedy Park. 

The Kennedy Park is the central park of Miraflores and it’s full of… cats! Lia and Jeremy wrote an entire post about this awesome place for cat lovers!

After befriending as many cats as humanly possible, you can take a break in one of the numerous cafes nearby – just have a look at Lia and Jeremy’s post about the best third wave coffee shops in Lima.

Alternatively, you can also find the famous ‘Pizza Street’ so-called because of the high concentration of Italian restaurants in the street.

5. After you’ve got your fill of cats and coffee, head out of Kennedy Park in the direction of the church. Pass the church until you reach the street. Turn right and continue straight to the seafront – it should take about 15 minutes walking.

At the end of the street, you’ll arrive in a small park which gives you access to the Larcomar Shopping Center. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, just enter to appreciate the astonishing view of the ocean.

 

A post shared by Mathilde (@matilde.lt) on May 29, 2018 at 8:09am PDT

Barranco, Lima

6. Go out of the Larcomar and keep walking along the seafront (the ocean will be on your right). You’ll soon enter in the Barranco district!

While walking you will notice you’re leaving the seafront. No worries, keep walking until crossing the bridge on your right. On the other side, you’ll find the MAC (Contemporary Art Museum).  

• The museum and its park showcase modern and contemporary art pieces. It’s open from Tuesday to Sunday and costs 10 soles/person. Feel free to spend some time perusing some art here for a while if you’re feeling cultural.

7. With the entrance of the Museum in front of you, turn left and continue on the Almirante Miguel Grau Avenue. You can also walk in the parallel street on your right called San Martin Avenue.

Here you’ll see beautiful colonial mansions and gothic architecture. If you’re still feeling cultural and artistic, you can peruse some more art at the art gallery on the promenade called Galeria de Arte Lucia de la Puente.

8. Keep walking on San Martin Avenue. You will cross various restaurants and craft shops. Take some time to stop, browse, shop, buy gifts for your friends and family back home, and support local artists!

 

A post shared by José Pantoja FOTÓGRAFO (@josepantoja.pe) on Feb 19, 2018 at 10:03am PST

9. Keep walking until you reach a small park. This is the starting point of the Bajada de Baños, a long, picturesque alley connecting Barranco to the ocean. That’s what baños refers to here: baths – aka beaches. Not bathrooms!

Head through the alley and explore at your leisure. The alley is filled with stunning historic architecture, street art, and places to get a bite to eat or a drink. It’s also an excellent spot to take photos!

The alley will lead you to a small bridge called the Bridge of Sighs, one of the major attractions of the neighborhood. However, don’t expect a copy of the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Although it was built in 1876, is just a wooden bridge. If you cross it, don’t forget to make a wish!

 

The Bridge of Sighs in Barranco, being far less grand but just as special as its Italian namesake. According to legend, a woman was forbidden by her wealthy father to be with the man she loved as he was a street cleaner and deemed unworthy. Those crossing the bridge could hear the heartbroken woman’s sighs of pain from her window…Today, it is said that if you make a wish while crossing the 44m bridge with your breath held, your wish will come true!

A post shared by MyTravelRULES (@mytravelrules) on Mar 9, 2018 at 7:23am PST

• The walking tour is going to continue up the hill – but if you like, you can go all the way down to the beach first. There you’ll find Circuito de Playas, a street that connects multiple beaches at the bottom of Lima’s stunning coastal cliffs. But if you do climb all the way down to the beach, be aware you’ll have to climb up everything again to continue your self-guided walking tour of Lima!

Once you’re done exploring, turn around and head back to the entrance of the Bajada de Baños. 

10. When you’re back at the entrance of the Bajada de Baños, you can easily find the Ermita church, a pretty yellow church. The church was built in the 18th century but you can’t visit it as an earthquake damaged its foundations. According to legend, it was built by fishermen who were lost in the fog of the sea and saw a light coming from the land. Once they reached the land, saved, they found a cross and decided to build this sanctuary.

After admiring the church from a safe distance, head back to the San Martin Avenue and keep walking until you reach the Plaza de Armas, the main square of Barranco. 

Continue on San Martin Avenue, which is now called ‘Pedro de Osma’. Surprise!

• On this street, after leaving the main square, you’ll see the Electricity Museum on your left. This interesting little museum covers the development and history of the electricity in Peru and electric trains. If it’s your cup of tea, go for it, but otherwise, you’re not missing something.

Keep walking down Pedro de Osma and you’ll find two other museums. If you’re feeling cultural, check ’em out!

•  MATE (Mario Testino Museum) is entirely dedicated to the work of the Peruvian Photographer Mario Testino.
• The Pedro de Osma Museum is a beautiful colonial building offering stunning archeological pieces coming from the former private collection of the Osma Family.

 

A post shared by Choloviajero (@choloviajero) on May 7, 2018 at 2:22pm PDT

Chorrillos, Lima

11. Keep walking down Pedro de Osma Avenue and you’ll soon find yourself in the Chorrillos neighborhood.

You’ll know when you’ve officially entered the neighborhood because the name of the street will change AGAIN: it’s now called Chorrillos Avenue!

Continue straight and take the small street on the right called Malecon Grau. Cross the bridge.

• Chorrillos was a small and quiet neighborhood of fishermen. In 1881, the area was mostly devastated by the Chilean Army during the Pacific war.  

12. At the end of the street, you’ll arrive at the coast. Keep walking and turn left on the Mariscal Castilla Avenue. You will quickly arrive at the San Pedro Square and the San Pedro Church.

• San Pedro is Saint Peter and the protector of Chorrillos.

13. Go back to the coast and turn left. Continue until you arrive at the Sanctuary Virgen del Morro. You will see a small cliff where you climb walk to the top and discover the Cross of the Cliff (Cruz del Cerro in Spanish) and bit further the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. At night, these landmarks are lit up and can be seen across the city.

Get your camera out again here – this is one of the best views to see the coast of Lima and the sandy beaches of Chorrillos (some of the best places to surf in Lima).

• This area is known as Morro Solar. During the War of the Pacific, Morro Solar was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles, the Battle of San Juan and Chorrillos. The Monument to the Unknown Soldier represents the anonymous soldiers who died defending their homeland against the Chilean army.
• Feeling starry eyed? The Museo Planetario y Observatorio del Morro Solar, a museum, planetarium and Peru’s first astronomical observation center, is located here as well.

Congratulations, you made it! Now it’s time to relax on the beach of Chorrillos, have a delicious snack or visit Lima’s old town.

 

A post shared by Manuel Velasquez (@_visual.life_) on May 22, 2018 at 8:03pm PDT

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Printable Free Walking Tour of Lima

Looking for an easy way to take this self-guided free walking tour of Lima along with you? Sign up for our mailing list and we’ll send you a handy dandy printable Lima Walking Tour guide, with step by step instructions. We’ll also send you some tips for visiting Lima & Peru – you can unsubscribe at any time.

We’ve also created a Google Map of the route below – we’ll send you the link along with your printable map. Or, you can just bookmark this page!

About Our Guest Poster

Bernard Sury is an avid traveller who lived in Lima for 5 months for an academic exchange. He’s now living as an expat in Spain where is working for GuruWalk, a platform of tours only based on tips all over the globe. You can reach him on LinkedIn.

Are you interested in writing us a guest post? Head over to our guest post guidelines and send us your ideas!

Psst: Planning a trip to Peru? We’ve got a few other posts that might be helpful!

• 13 Things to Know Before You Go to Cusco and Machu Picchu, Peru
• 40 Things Nobody Tells You About Backpacking in Peru
• The Best Third Wave Coffee Shops in Lima, Peru
• Hiking Laguna 69 in Huaraz, Peru: Everything You Need to Know

Did you find this self-guided walking tour of Lima helpful? What neighborhood are you most excited to explore? Drop us a comment below! Looking for more to do in Lima? Check out these Lima attractions or this itinerary for 2 days in Lima, Peru!

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