Many of the venues for the Lima 2019 Pan American Games are located close to pre-Incan huacas, museums, parks and historic sites. Find out about things to do only a few minutes from the sports competitions in the list below.
Casa Aliaga is one of the oldest residences in the city of Lima, and was declared a Cultural Heritage sight in 1972. It was built in quincha and adobe on the foundations of a pre-Hispanic building. What stands out most are its 18 rooms and interior courtyards, one of the most impressive of which is covered in nineteenth-century Italian marble with a bronze fountain. Construction on this building began in 1535. One of its most impressive characteristics is its magnificent interiors, revealing the luxury of the first years of the colonial period. When visiting, it is recommended to pass through the 18 rooms, especially the Golden Hall, the Hall of Tiles and the chapel, thus being transported to Lima’s colonial and republican period.
A two-storey building whose construction began in 1735 on the orders of the Marquis de Torre Tagle, treasurer of the Spanish Armada. It is considered one of the best examples of eighteenth-century Lima residential architecture. Noteworthy elements include its carved wooden balconies, baroque chapel adorned with mirrors and colonial paintings, as well as the meticulously carved stone doorway. It was built with materials brought over from Spain. It should be visited for its cultural and historical character, as it was the home of José Fernando de Tagle y Bracho, who was recognized as the Marquis of Torre Tagle by the King of Spain. It is currently the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Featuring on the list of the 25 best museums in the world, it is located in an eighteenth-century colonial mansion with beautiful gardens. It has an impressive collection of ceramics, gold objects, textiles and other examples of pre-Columbian art, including a series of erotic huacos. Its collection, with about 45 thousand archaeological objects, is the only one of its kind in Peru and one of the few in the world open to the public.
The work of the renowned Peruvian photographer Mario Testino is on permanent exhibition here. There are also temporary exhibitions of national and international artists.
The Palacio de la Exposición, built in the nineteenth century, is home to an important collection of Peruvian art. Today this collection comprises nearly 18,000 pieces dating from the pre-Columbian period to the present day.
This is the only museum in the city focused on modern and contemporary art. It exhibits temporary exhibitions of well-known Peruvian and foreign artists. You can find an artificial lake at the foot of a busy garden, a shop full of souvenirs with exclusive museum designs, pieces by local artists, contemporary art books and a cafeteria.
This is a museum of art from the viceroyal period. The facilities were built at the beginning of the 20th century. Fourteen centuries of southern Andean art are exhibited through artifacts from the Tiahuanaco and Inca civilizations, as well as colonial and republican pieces. The mansion houses religious paintings of angels and archangels that are traditional elements of Peruvian art from the time of the Viceroyalty. Furthermore, you can find wardrobes, consoles and silver items such as weapons, sculptures and pieces made of stone. From the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro you can get there in 10 minutes by taxi. If you want to continue visiting more places, nearby are the Lima Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mario Testino Museum and the Museum of Electricity.
Its collection ranges from the pre-Columbian period to the Republic. In addition, there are pieces of pottery, textiles and gold and silverware from the ancient cultures of Peru, paintings from the Cusco school and portraits of viceroys, liberators and presidents. The Quinta de los Libertadores, home of José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar, is also part of the museum.
The National Museum is also the great cultural center of the country, since it presents temporary and permanent exhibitions which display the great variety of different expressions in Peru. Numerous collections of art and culture from the various Peruvian regions are exhibited in its rooms. Moreover, a large number of activities are organized, such as conferences and educational workshops.
This is a popular alternative attraction owing to its mural-covered walls, wide range of dining options, fashion shops, artistic shows such as dances and open-air concerts, storytelling and art galleries that are not to be missed. It is located in Callao, a district close to Jorge Chávez International Airport. It should be noted that it can be reached by car from the districts of Miraflores or Barranco in about 50 minutes. The route through its passages and streets offers excellent photo opportunities. Creative workshops are also organized for children.
This is one of the few works of military architecture built by the Spanish in America and dates from 1774. This structure served to defend the port of Callao from attacks by pirates and corsairs who came to steal the area’s riches. The materials used for the construction of the Fortress were stones brought from the island of San Lorenzo and the masonry, which was made by mixing lime, sand and the white of eggs from guano birds.
A neoclassical church built based on Greco-Roman patterns, with a gold and bronze bell weighing more than 880 pounds. Its facade has a nave and numerous columns and arches. The current structure dates from 1866, but it was rebuilt a century later after the earthquake of 1970. Since then it has undergone several renovations and was consecrated as Cathedral of the Callao in 1995.
This was built in the seventeenth century and was made of earth with cobblestones. It was renovated during the years of the Republic to accommodate the monument that honors the hero Miguel Grau and is known as the Plaza de Armas del Callao. The main civic ceremonies of this province are carried out here. The monument to Miguel Grau was acquired in Italy.
This used to be the old fishermen's quarter and then, following Italian immigration, big houses were built in the eclectic Gothic and Neo-Renaissance styles, which were fashionable at the time in Europe. Some of them have two floors. It is made up of Jr. United States, Av. Buenos Aires, Pedro Ruiz Sáenz Peña, 2 de Mayo, Jr. Paraguay and the maritime terminal. Along the way, you can savor delicious seafood dishes in the various restaurants that are open from noon to 5pm.
This square is located in the district of La Punta, which is formed by two main streets (Jirón Medina and Jirón Sáenz Peña), two secondary streets (Jirón Ucayali and the other without a name) and a wide and leafy square with elegant hotels and restaurants which are enjoyed by visitors. The square is home to the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús church, as well as the La Punta Town Hall.
In this museum you can see the interior of the attack units with the most modern post-war technology that Peru had, as well as the torpedo, the bow and stern batteries, the central post and the engine room of the submarine. The tour begins with a 10-minute video that summarizes Peru's maritime history. After that, a guide takes visitors to the submarine to start the tour. The visit takes a look at the routine of navy officers who spent between 30 and 40 days onboard.
Sea lions, guano birds, dolphins, a mysterious center of moon worship and an old prison can be found on the islands of Cavinzas, San Lorenzo, El Frontón and the Palomino islets. You can enjoy nature and the history of Callao in a four-hour tour that starts from the Callao and La Punta piers. You can also go for a swim in the cold waters next to the harmless marine mammals, turning the experience into an unforgettable journey.
This is one of the largest religious complexes in Lima. It was built in the second half of the 16th century. Its facade combines Baroque, Mudéjar and Mannerist styles. The cloister has notable architectural details: its Mudéjar dome on the main staircase, the chapterhouse and the anterefectory, which has 12 paintings from the Rubens school depicting the Passion of Christ. In 1951 the catacombs were discovered, which can be visited as part of the tourist visit to the convent and the religious museum.
Considered to be Cultural Heritage of Peru. Its pre-Inca architecture has turned this historic complex into a site museum and an area for workshops and research. This ancient ceremonial center of Lima culture currently offers a combination of history and gastronomy, as one of Lima's best restaurants can be found inside. The restaurant, which is also called 'Huaca Pucllana’, has a modern menu featuring every color, taste and flavor imaginable, with a view of the incomparable archaeological site.
This is a large truncated pyramid which is 114 feet high and built with thousands of adobe bricks. Pre-Hispanic tombs were found here, the remains of which can be seen in the site museum. Furthermore, the collection includes textiles, ceramics and even musical instruments from the Lima, Huari, Ychsma and Inca cultures.
Archaeological complex recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Nation for being one of the highest expressions of pre-Hispanic architecture. It has five truncated stepped pyramids, three of which have been enhanced. Thanks to the work of the State and the community, it has become a great model for the recovery of archaeological heritage. Visitors can take a tour through the interior of the pyramids, finding small, strategically-located rest areas, for a tour with a relaxed pace. There is a recreation-educational space called 'Huaca for Children', used for activities with minors and as an auditorium for cultural events (presentations, cinema, discussion). For more information about the ticket office, guided tour, interpretation center and washroom facilities, you can go to the tourist information point.
Lima has a Historic Center, characterized by its beautiful architecture and tradition which has been declared World Heritage by UNESCO. One of the places that comprise the Historical Center is the Plaza Mayor, also known as the Plaza de Armas, the ideal starting point for the tour around the area. In the central part there is a seventeenth-century bronze fountain. Around the square are the Government Palace, the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the House of the Oidor and the Club de la Unión building. This shows how important the city was in colonial times.
The epicenter of Chinese culture in Peru is located on the other side of the Monumental Gate that announces the beginning of this iconic neighborhood. Chifas are popular, where you can enjoy the extraordinary fusion of Chinese and Creole food, and the galleries where you can find traditional Chinese products. This can be visited as part of the tour of the Historic Center of Lima.
It stands on the foundations of the original Main Church. In addition to pieces of art, it contains the remains of Francisco Pizarro and also houses the Museum of Religious Art. The Archbishop's Palace Museum has a collection of canvases, sculptures and liturgical vestments from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Also known as the "Casa de Pizarro" because it was the place where the conqueror settled in 1535, it is the center of the country's political power. The current building was erected in the 1920s, with halls named after important figures from Peruvian history. Every day at 11:45 am you can witness the changing of the guard on the Patio de Honor.
The Reserve Park was inaugurated in 1929 in homage to the reservists who trained in this area for the War of the Pacific. Today it houses the world's largest fountain complex within a park, according to the Guinness World Records. There are 13 fountains that create a wonderful show of water and light.
In 1551, the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, the first in America, was inaugurated here. In the museum you can also visit the tombs of Santa Rosa de Lima and San Martín de Porres. In the church, the altar of the Peruvian saints is noteworthy.
The largest theater in Peru puts on national and international shows, as well as performances by the national ballet company and folklore ensembles. It also offers guided tours and open rehearsals.
Salazar Park is home to the modern Larcomar Mall, which has an unparalleled view of the Pacific Ocean. Moreover, you can find various shops, from international brands to local designer offerings, as well as restaurants and a theater.
The coastal route joins together the districts of Chorrillos, Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro and Magdalena. The road is characterized by being below the cliff, allowing easy access to Lima's beaches. It has various options that will never cease to amaze you. Along the way, you can find sophisticated restaurants located on the seafront, which have terraces and ideal atmospheres for an unforgettable evening. It also has a great variety of recreational areas and spaces to do sport.
Bordering the cliff with a unique view of the bay of Lima, the Malecón Miraflores is a perfect place to stroll, walk pets or practice sports such as paragliding or skateboarding, as well as for recreational activities such as bicycle rides, yoga classes, juggling and skating, to name but a few. You can also enjoy exceptional scenery accompanied by sunsets on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Made up of the 7 de Junio and Kennedy parks, this is one of the most emblematic places of Miraflores. In the park you can find the Chabuca Granda amphitheater and the passage of the painters, while also enjoying Lima desserts along the way, as well as different types of restaurants. If you prefer something more traditional, you can choose between the different tours offered by the tourist buses that depart from Kennedy Park or Larcomar Mall in Miraflores.
Located in the bohemian neighborhood of Lima. It is the meeting point of the Barranco community and witness to important events. It also hosts traditional musical performances and a bustling cultural and night life.
The bridge of the Barranco lovers was built in 1876, and rebuilt after the War of the Pacific. A space of inspiration for musicians and poets, through which you can access the Bajada de los Baños, a passage used in the past by the fishermen, and with which there is a wonderful view of the sea.
