Ultimate 1 Day in Lima, Peru: Can’t-Miss Spots for the Perfect Quick Trip
Only have a day in Lima, Peru? As Peru’s capitol, Lima is a huge city offering a vast amount of activities to experience and it can be overwhelming to know what to see in a limited amount of time.
But if you only have 1 day in Lima I’ve put together the perfect Lima one day itinerary to make the most of your short trip!
Explore what to do in Lima for a day, where to try the best Lima dishes, and what to prioritize during your stay including the best spot to stay for a night.
Lima boasts an abundance of culture, history, museums, and food experiences you don’t want to miss. So, let’s get started on what Lima attractions are a must-see!
Tip: If you are thinking of staying longer, discover more things to do in this Lima bucket list.
⌛ Short on time? My top picks for your one day in Lima:
🛌 Find The Best Lima Accommodations
💀 Top Catacombs & Magic Water Show
🍽️ Tastiest Lima Food Tour
🚐 Airport Shuttle To Hotel
1 Day In Lima Itinerary
Breakfast In Miraflores
Kick off your Lima one day itinerary with breakfast with a view in Miraflores at one of the growing number of cafés offering awesome breakfast dishes.
Although the food is outstanding in all of Lima, Miraflores has the most restaurant options by far and all are top-notch!
Head to Miraflores coast to bite into the yummiest crepes at Besos Frances {French Kiss) overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Select your fillings of choice, grab a spot on a red stool, and enjoy the views of the coastline as you wait for your crepes to be ready.
My go to crepe fillings are bananas, strawberries, and Nutella that is absolutely delicious.
There are multiple Besos Frances locations, but this one also happens to be at the start of Malecon de Miraflores (coastal walkway).
Hours: Open daily from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Stroll Along Scenic Malecon de Miraflores
After breakfast, take a scenic walk along Malecon de Miraflores, a 6-mile cliff-top pathway overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
With art installations, themed parks, and peaceful views, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a quiet escape from the city.
Even on a cloudy or misty day the walk is beautiful and on a sunny day it’s truly breathtaking.
You can spend as much time here as you like but take at least 1 – 2 hours to see the main highlights.
Best stops along Malecon de Miralfores:
Parque del Amor or “Love Park”: Find the “kiss sculpture” and colorful tile walls.
Navy Lighthouse (Faro de la Marina) – great coastal views and usually see hang gliders soaring above.
Chinese Park (Parque Chino): A peaceful Chinese garden with coy pond and gazebo.
Spot Cats In Parque Kennedy (Cat Park)
Visit Parque Kennedy, a central Miraflores hub famous for its many feline residents, earning the nickname “Cat Park”.
Wander the walkways, browse artisan stalls, visit the church, and see how many cats you can spot!
The park sits in the heart of upscale Miraflores and is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, shops, hotels, and constant activity.
Named after John F. Kennedy, the park spans more than five acres filled with walkways, trees, and flower beds.
The cats first arrived in the 1990s to help solve a rat problem and ended up staying for good.
Once you start looking, you’ll spot cats everywhere: lounging in flower beds, perched in trees, resting on benches, and curled up inside little “cat houses.”
Throughout the year, the park hosts celebrations, art shows, and music, adding to its lively atmosphere.
👉 Next Up: Take an Uber over to Lima’s historic district for the next set of activities.
Bite Into The Tastiest Sandwich
Trying new foods or dishes a city is known for is high up on my list of travel goals.
So, when you only have one day in Lima, that means heading straight to El Chinito for a chicharron sandwich.
Sanguchería El Chinito sits on the corner of Plaza de Armas across from the cathedral, and you’ll spot it instantly by the line of hungry people waiting for a table.
Opened in 1960 by Felix Yong, the son of Chinese immigrants, El Chinito blends traditional Peruvian flavors with Chinese influence (commonly found in Lima’s cuisine).
Their signature chicharron sandwich comes with lightly fried pork wok-style, tucked into a soft baguette with sweet potato and pickled onions. It’s unbelievably tasty!
Another great option is the Lomito Ahumado, a sandwich with smoked pork option, but personally the chicharron is the star pick here.
Even though it is a super casual place, this might be the best sandwich in Lima.
And if you’re thirsty, grab a Chicha Morada, a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink made from fermented purple corn.
Tip: If you are with someone else, consider sharing one sandwich as they are a good size. Plus, that leaves room for a sweet treat later.
See Lima’s Cathedral
The Lima Cathedral, built in 1535 as the city’s first church, has been rebuilt many times after earthquakes, leaving it with a mix of Baroque, Renaissance, Gothic, and Neoclassical styles.
Its Renaissance–Neoclassical façade dominates one side of Plaza Mayor (center square).
Inside, you can walk through the three main naves, several chapels with ornate altars, and a small museum with notable artwork.
Francisco Pizarro initiated the cathedral’s construction, and his remains discovered in 1977 are now in the crypt.
Mysteriously, his head was found separate from his body, in a box inscribed, “Here is the head of Lord Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro, who discovered and won the kingdoms of Peru.”
Tip: Tickets to the cathedral are 30 soles (foreigners). Or get the combo ticket for the cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace to save.
Archbishops Palace
Right beside the Lima Cathedral sits the Archbishop’s Palace, instantly recognizable by its ornate wooden box balconies.
A quick look around the square reveals many buildings with these enclosed “miradores”, from the Spanish word meaning “to look.”
Their Moorish-style design really stands out, since you usually only see this type of architecture in Southern Spain, Northern Africa, or the Middle East.
Built in 1924, the palace serves as the home and office of the Archbishop of Lima, and since 2009 it has opened its doors to visitors, offering three floors to explore.
Stop At Churros San Francisco
If you love churros or anything sweet, head to Churros San Francisco for the best churros in Lima, maybe even the world.
I’ve had plenty of churros before, but Lima’s version is different in the best way.
For over 60 years, Churros San Francisco has served piping hot, melt-in-your-mouth churros.
The Peruvian style, said to be created by a Spaniard using local ingredients, is a larger rolled dough tube—about the size of a burrito—filled with warm sugary goodness, rolled in sugar, and eaten immediately!
You can choose from three fillings: Manjar Blanco, Crema Pastelera, or Fudge de Chocolate.
The most popular, and my personal favorite, is Manjar Blanco (filled with a caramel-like sauce)!
Tip: To avoid sticky hands, carry a pack of travel wipes with you.
Visit Convento San Francisco
Near Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor) sits Convento San Francisco with its Baroque façade completed in 1672 after earthquake damage hit.
One caveat to visiting the convent and catacombs? You can only visit with a guide or on a tour like this one I took.
The tour is incredibly informative, explaining the convent’s architecture and history.
While Lima’s catacombs are much smaller than those in Paris, they’re still fascinating to see especially for the way the bones are on display.
In total, about 25,000 bodies are buried here, with bones arranged by type and in a decorative way.
At the time, being buried beneath the church was believed to bring you closer to heaven, and those interred were wealthier individuals grouped by profession or the saint they donated to.
The convent’s interior is stunning with Neoclassical details, grand paintings, a peaceful cloister, and a library that looks straight out of Harry Potter.
The only disappointment is that you can’t take photos of any of it.
Book This Awesome Convent & Catacomb Tour!
Parque de la Muralla
A minute walk from Convento San Francisco and the catacombs along the Rimac River is Parque de la Muralla.
Here you can see the remaining section of the old city wall that once enclosed Lima’s historic center in the 1600s.
Most of the wall was demolished as the city grew in the 1870s, but this portion was uncovered by archaeologists and thankfully preserved.
The park offers a small green space, a restaurant, petting zoo, plenty of benches, and views of the colorful San Cristobal hillside homes.
Enjoy Lima’s Famous Cocktail
The Pisco Sour, Peru’s beloved national cocktail, is a tasty concoction made up of Pisco (Peruvian brandy), lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and a touch of bitters.
The drink is shaken vigorously with ice before being poured into a chilled glass. The result is a bright, smooth cocktail crowned with a velvety foam.
You can find a few of the city’s finest versions crafted in the historic district at either Bar Cordano or the Gran Bolivar Hotel bar.
You can’t go wrong with ordering a Pisco Sour at either of these locations for anyone eager to taste a piece of Peru’s cocktail heritage.
For those who prefer something a bit sweeter, the Maracuyá Sour, made with passion fruit—offers a vibrant twist.
Watch Lima’s Magic Water Circuit
The Magic Water Circuit show is a colorful light show in Parque de la Reserva (near MALI Museum) that runs daily.
With three evening showings after dark, you can catch it at 7:15 pm, 8:15 pm, or 9:10 pm.
A total of 13 fountains are beautifully illuminated as the water appears to dance in unison with the music.
A highlight of the circuit is the Tunnel of Surprises where you can walk under a tunnel formed by arching water.
I would recommend attending the 7:15 pm show then head to dinner after or if you are hungry come back to one of the later showings after dinner.
To walk the entire magic circuit, it will take about 45 minutes.
Entrance Fee: Admission is 5 soles for all ages except kids under 5 are free.
Next Up: Head back to Miraflores for dinner
Book A Catacombs & Light Show Tour!
Peruvian Dinner At Panchita
As mentioned at the start of this 1 day in Lima itinerary, Miraflores is a mecca for outstanding restaurants from super casual to fine dining.
So, finding a place to get really good Peruvian food is an easy task!
One of my favorite spots to eat in Miraflores is Panchita with several authentic Peruvian dishes to select from.
Regardless of where you eat, these are meals to try when in Peru. I had the first 2 at Panchita and they were fantastic!
- Aji de Gallina
- Rocoto Relleno
- Lomo Saltado
- Ceviche
- Causa
- Arroz con Pollo
Traveling To Lima
Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) is Peru’s main gateway, and most international travelers pass through it before connecting to domestic flights—especially those headed to Cusco.
Major carriers like Delta, United, American, Aeroméxico, and Copa all fly here.
In 2025, Lima opened a brand-new terminal beside the original one, and it’s impressively modern and efficient.
When I traveled through it shortly after opening, security was smooth. I could keep my shoes on, leave electronics in my bag, and even bring water through.
For domestic connections to destinations like Cusco, Arequipa, or Juliaca, LATAM Airlines is the primary carrier and offers a pleasant, reliable experience.
Start Searching Best Flight Deals
Tip: From Lima’s airport, it will take anywhere from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours to get to hotels in either the historic district or Miraflores. Traffic is pretty bad in Lima so have patience…
Book Your Airport Shuttle Now!
Best Time To Visit Lima
Wondering when to visit Lima? The good news is that Peru’s capital is a year-round destination.
Thanks to its coastal location along the Pacific, Lima avoids extreme weather.
There’s virtually no rain (less than an inch a year), no snow, and only light winter mist despite its famously overcast skies.
If warm weather and sunshine are on your wish list, plan your trip for Peru’s summer season from December to March.
But the best time to visit ultimately depends on your broader travel plans.
Most visitors pair Lima with trips to Cusco and Machu Picchu, and if that’s your focus, Peru’s spring, fall, and winter generally offer better hiking conditions and clearer Andean weather.
During those same seasons, Lima stays mild. Cooler at night but perfect for exploring with a light sweater or jacket.
How To Get Around Lima
Within Lima’s key neighborhoods— the Historic District, Miraflores, and Barranco, getting around on foot is simple.
But for traveling between these areas, taxis or Uber are the most convenient options. Traffic can make trips, like Miraflores to the Historic District, stretch from 30 minutes to an hour.
Uber is especially convenient since you can pay by card and avoid language barriers, but if you prefer not to use it, just ask your hotel to arrange a trusted taxi.
Lima Attractions Map
Got Travel Insurance?
Don’t leave home without travel insurance as you never know what might happen on a trip! It is always when you least expect it that something can go wrong like getting sick, in an accident or cancellation of some sort.
Get a no-obligation quote from two trusted travel insurance companies for peace of mind on your next trip!
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Vanessa Shields
Vanessa Shields is the founder of Traveling Ness helping people with trip ideas, itineraries, travel planning, and boosting confidence for female travelers to take a solo trip. She has been a travel writer and content creator since 2019.