Lima Travel Guide: What to See in Lima, Peru in One Day

So many people travel through Lima without taking the time to see what the city has to offer. They may only have one day in the city, as they wait for a flight to take off to see Machu Picchu or to visit the jungle in Iquitos. But a visit to Lima wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Historic Lima City Center. You could spend a week trying to take in all the history and wonderful architecture, but it is possible to spend just part of a day touring Lima and come away feeling satisfied. Here is a walkthrough of Lima you can do on your own in one afternoon.

Lima Tour - Plaza Mayor and Changing of the Guards

Starting around 11am, take a taxi to the Plaza Mayor - from Miraflores, don't spend more than S/.12 ($3). Spend an hour or so walking around the Plaza and admiring the beautiful architecture, for which Lima is rightly famous. You'll see the Archbishop's Palace, and the Lima Basilica Cathedral, which houses the tomb of Lima founder, Francisco Pizarro. The Plaza Mayor itself is the exact spot where Pizarro founded the city of Lima. Keep an eye on the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) - when you see people start lining up in front, make your way over to watch the Changing of the Guard.

Lima Tour - Bar Cordano

After the Changing of the Guards, you may find yourself feeling a bit hungry. That means now is a good time to stop off in the Bar Cordano, just around the corner from the Government Palace on the way towards the old Train Station. Have a sandwich and a Pisco Sour or an Inca Kola in this historic bar that's been here for over 100 years.

Lima Tour - San Franciscan Monastery

When you're nourished enough to move on, continue towards the train station, then take a right. In front of you at the end of the block you'll see the San Francisco Monastery. Go inside the gates and inspect the lovely architecture or buy a bag of seed from one of the vendors out front and feed the pigeons. Inside the Monastery, you can pay a small fee (about $2) to take a guided tour. The convent is filled with historic and religious artifacts, and has amazing frescoes and tile work. At the end of the tour, you'll have the option to go down into the Catacombs, where you'll see the skeletal remains of the tens of thousands of people who were buried here when it was Lima's first cemetery.

Lima Tour - Museum of the Inquisition
When you exit the monastery, walk one block up Av. Abancay to Av. Junin, and visit the Museum of the Inquisition which is open until 6pm. The museum focuses on the impact that the Inquisition had on Peru's history, illustrating the subject with wax figures showing various types of torture.

I hope when you come to Peru you'll make time to tour Lima. This walkthrough guide only touches on some of the basic attractions found in the Municipalidad of Lima (Lima Municipality). There so much more to see outside of the Lima City Center.