Districts · Lima
Lima by district
Almost everything a first visit needs sits in two clusters: the cliff districts of Miraflores and Barranco in the south, and the historic centre 10 km north-east. Pueblo Libre, with the best museum, sits between them. Everything is a car ride apart.Almost everything a first visit needs sits in two clusters: the cliff districts of Miraflores and Barranco in the south, and the historic centre 6.2 mi north-east. Pueblo Libre, with the best museum, sits between them. Everything is a car ride apart.
About these names
Districts are separate municipalities with their own police, rubbish trucks and rules. Drivers and apps use the district name, so give it with the street address.
- MirafloressleepeatseeSuits: First visit, families, short stays, ceviche lunchesFlat, walkable, well lit and policed. Cliff parks, the Malecón and most mid-range hotels. Pricier than other districts.4 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- BarrancosleepeatdrinkseeSuits: Couples, night owls, art and barsOld villas, galleries and bars 20 minutes south of Miraflores by car. Livelier at night; quieter streets on the hill side.1 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Historic centre (Cercado de Lima)seeSuits: One morning of colonial sightsPlaza Mayor, cathedral, San Francisco convent. Crowded and busy by day; empty and unsafe after dark. Go by car, leave by 14:00.Plaza Mayor, cathedral, San Francisco convent. Crowded and busy by day; empty and unsafe after dark. Go by car, leave by 2:00 PM.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Pueblo LibreseeeatSuits: Museum loversQuiet residential streets around Museo Larco and the national archaeology museum. A car ride from anywhere.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- San IsidrosleepeatSuits: Business trips, fine dining, calmLeafy, corporate, a taxi from the cliffs. Huaca Huallamarca and the olive grove are the local sights.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- SurquilloeatSuits: Market lunchWorking district next to Miraflores with the produce market and cheap eateries.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Callao and La PuntaseeSuits: Sea-front half dayPort town beside the airport; go by car and stay in La Punta and the fortress area, not the port streets.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): San Isidro, Surquillo, Callao and La Punta. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Miraflores: Flat, walkable, well lit and policed. Cliff parks, the Malecón and most mid-range hotels. Pricier than other districts. Suits: First visit, families, short stays, ceviche lunches. Price band $$.
- Barranco: Old villas, galleries and bars 20 minutes south of Miraflores by car. Livelier at night; quieter streets on the hill side. Suits: Couples, night owls, art and bars. Price band $$.
- Historic centre (Cercado de Lima): Plaza Mayor, cathedral, San Francisco convent. Crowded and busy by day; empty and unsafe after dark. Go by car, leave by 14:00.Plaza Mayor, cathedral, San Francisco convent. Crowded and busy by day; empty and unsafe after dark. Go by car, leave by 2:00 PM. Suits: One morning of colonial sights.
- Pueblo Libre: Quiet residential streets around Museo Larco and the national archaeology museum. A car ride from anywhere. Suits: Museum lovers.
- San Isidro: Leafy, corporate, a taxi from the cliffs. Huaca Huallamarca and the olive grove are the local sights. Suits: Business trips, fine dining, calm.
- Surquillo: Working district next to Miraflores with the produce market and cheap eateries. Suits: Market lunch.
- Callao and La Punta: Port town beside the airport; go by car and stay in La Punta and the fortress area, not the port streets. Suits: Sea-front half day.
- Sleep area Barranco: suits Couples, night owls, art and bars, price band $$.
- Sleep area Miraflores: suits First visit, families, short stays, ceviche lunches, price band $$.
- Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), about 14 km8.7 mi from the centre, 60–100 min by the usual route.