Lima

Founded in 1926 by pioneer of Peruvian archeology, Rafael Larco Hoyle, The Larco Museum features a captivating collection of pre-Columbian art, roughly 45,000 pieces. Surrounded by gorgeous gardens, the museum is housed in a magnificent, 18th century, viceregal-era mansion. The museum explores over 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history through their intriguing permanent exhibition which provides an in-depth look at the world as viewed by Andeans, and helps visitors understand the development of pre-Columbian civilizations. This is done through an extraordinary collection of artifacts including their visible storage displays with contain 30,000 cataloged ancient objects. A one-hour guided tour, Masterpieces of Ancient Peru, is available for visitors.

Avenida Simon Bolivar 1515, Pueblo Libre 15084, Lima, Peru, Phone: +51-14-61-13-12

Located in the center of Lima, The Government Palace is the home of the country’s sitting president. It also hosts government meetings. Built in the early 16th century by Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador considered the founder of the city, it was the first official palace of Lima after the Spanish took rule. Taking up an entire block, this historic, Neo-Plateresque style Palace offers free guided tours of the gardens, inner courtyards, grand halls, and colonial-style ceremonial rooms. This includes the Presidential Office, Agreements Rooms, and Ministers’ Council Room, each named after notable Peruvian figures, as well as the Golden Living Room with a magnificent collection of paintings.

Jiron de la Union s/n, Cercado de Lima 15001, Lima, Peru, Phone: +51-13-11-39-00

Basilica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima is a vibrant-yellow Franciscan church and monastery known for its Spanish Baroque architecture, its bone-lined catacombs, and an expansive library. The latter contains a remarkable 25,000 antique texts, a few which actually predate the conquest, notable works include an Antwerp printed Holy Bible from between 1571-1572 and the first Spanish dictionary written. Its most iconic feature, the catacombs, is a collection of underground vaults residing beneath the churches chapels. They are said to contain the remains of approximately 70,000 people. A 30-minute tour of the Basilica, library, and catacombs is included with the price of admission.

Jiron Lampa, Cercado de Lima 15001, Lima, Peru, Phone: +51-14-26-73-77

Nestled in the heart of Miraflores, an affluent, oceanfront district of Lima, Huaca Pucllana is a former settlement turned historic complex with a clay pyramid and an ancient adobe. It was built around 500 CE by a Pre-Incan indigenous seaside civilization that remained from approximately 100 CE to 650 CE. Members of the Lima culture were regarded by their contemporaries as masters of irrigation, which allowed them to develop settlements across a substantial amount of land. Today, the complex features a restaurant overlooking the ruins, a space for workshops, a souvenir shop, and a museum. The latter exhibits textiles, ceramics, artifacts, and tools that have been discovered on the site throughout the years.

Cuadra s/n, Calle Genera Borgono 8, Miraflores, Lima, Peru, Phone: +51-16-17-71-48

Housed in the former building of the National Senate, The Museum of Inquisition and Congress was opened in July of 1968, it is considered one of the most important museums in Peru. Located in the capital city, Lima, the building is a national monument with a rich history dating back to the city’s roots. It’s most notably known for its dungeons which during the Spanish Inquisition were used to torture prisoners. Today, the macabre museum explores the role the building played during the Spanish Inquisition, its history, and its role in developing the Peruvian Congress. Exhibitions include the Hearing Room, Chamber of Secrets, Room of Processes, and Room of the Inquisition. They feature recreations using eerily realistic wax sculptures.

Plaza Bolivar, Jiron Junin, Cercado de Lima 15001, Lima, Peru, Phone: +51-14-28-79-80

Attractions for Couples

Opened in 1929, Park of the Reserve was built to honor reservists who fought to defend Lima in 1881 during the Pacific War, specifically those who fought in the Battle of Miraflores and in the Battle of San Juan and Chorrillos. Influenced by European style, the nearly 20-acre park features a large green space with neo-classical style architecture designed by renowned French architect, Claude Sahut. It also includes several prominent sculptures created by famous Peruvian artists. In 2007, the park added the Magic Water Circuit – 13 cybernetic fountains supported by cutting-edge technology where water, sound, laser light, and music are mixed to create incredible shows.

Jr. Madre de Dios s/n, Cercado de Lima 15001, Lima, Peru, Phone: +51-14-24-08-27

Museo de la Nacion is one of two important museums of Peruvian history in the city of Lima. The other is the much smaller, Peruvian National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History. Museo de la Nacion is home to thousands of historic objects spanning the entire duration of human occupation in the country. This includes an extraordinary collection of Wari, Moche, and Nazca ceramics. It is also known for its replications of several legendary ancient Andean artifacts, such as the iconic Revolt of the Objects and the Lanzon from Chavin de Huantar – a reproduction of the burial chamber of El Senor de Sipan, or the Lord of Sipan.

Avenida Javier Prado Este 2465, San Borja 15021, lima, Peru, Phone: +51-14-76-98-78

Opened on St. Valentine’s Day in 1993, Parque del Amor, or Park of Love, is one of the most magnificent and popular parks in the city of Lima. A common meeting spot for couples, the park is situated on a cliffside facing the Pacific Ocean and offering extraordinary vistas of the coast. There are several gorgeous mosaic benches for lounging, as well as several beautiful paintings and sculptures scattered throughout the area. This includes a large sculpture created by famous sculptor, Victor Delfin, which depicts him and his wife kissing. According to local stories, the mayor of the district held an annual competition for couples to see who could maintain the longest kiss, this sculpture represents that tradition.

Malecon Cisneros, Miraflores 15074, Lima, Peru, Phone: +51-12-34-03-40

Founded in 1826, the National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology, and History is the oldest and largest public museum in Peru. It is home to a large-scale archeological collection containing over 100,000 pieces from pre-Inca civilizations including, Chavin, Chimu, Moche, Nazca, and Paracas. Items include textiles, tools, ceramics, and ruins that were created over 3,000 years ago. Inca artifacts from Republican and Colonial periods are also included. Important exhibitions include the Tello Obelisk and the original Raymondi Stella from the Chavin culture, and a comprehensive collection of textiles from the pre-Columbian age to the Inca civilization. The National Museum also features a significant collection of metals showcasing metallurgic development from the Formative age until the Inca Empire.

Plaza Bolivar, Pueblo Libre 15084, Lima, Peru, Phone: +51-13-21-56-30

Museum of the Central Reserve Bank is home to an outstanding pre-Columbian exhibition, a Folk art exhibition, the incredible Hugo Cohen Gold collection, and a gorgeous art gallery. The latter features artworks by renowned Peruvian painters who represent all styles and schools including early Republican masters like Pancho Fierro and Gil de Castro. A focal point of the museum, the pre-Columbian exhibition features 4,000 immaculately-preserved artifacts including gold, textiles, wooden objects, and pottery from eight ancient civilizations - Inca, Chancay, Nazca, Chavin, Chimu, Moche, Vicus, and Lambayeque. Visitors can also view over 500 silver and gold artworks from the legendary Hugo Cohen collection, and roughly 2,000 artworks from the Folk art collection of Mrs. Nadia Carnero.

Avenida Jorge Basadre 610, San Isidro 15073, Lima, Peru, Phone: +51-14-21-16-27