The Historic District of Lima

Known as "The City of Kings", this South American capital is is a great place to base yourself for an exploration into ancient times   . . . 

This Website Contains Affiliate Links

Adventuring Through the Sights and Tastes of Peru

My flight arrived super early in the morning. It would be a few hours before I could check in to my hotel, so I dropped my bag off in storage and hit the streets in search of a suitable start for this epic journey.
Here is what happened:

---

What to See in Lima

Like i said, it was early, not much was yet open in this seemingly interesting place. I proceed to head on up to Parque de la Muralla to see what I could find. Almost imediatly I was greeted by a horseback statue of Francisco Pizarro. He was the conquistador credited with the founding of the first Spanish settlement in Peru. You may also encounter monuments to other important contributors such as Jose Felix Bogado, who was considered to be one of the key figures in the liberation of Peru. 

Monuments to Pizarro and Bogado

One thing you are sure to notice is the remains of the walls that once guarded this town. These fortifications were built in the 1680s. Around Two hundred years later they were deemed unnecessary and removed to enable expansion of the growing city. If you are interested in the archaeology of this area, there is a museum nearby that will tell you all about it. The museum is completely free of charge. ​

The Walls in Ruins

Heading back toward the center of the Old Town, we have Lima's main square. Surrounding this picturesque plaza you will find historic places such as the Palace of Government and the Cathedral of Lima. In this area there are also many great places to eat, which I will cover later.

Main Square at Sunset

A bit further south along the pedestrian street called Jiron de la Union we see a statue of Ramon Castilla who served as president three times here in Peru. Directly across from him is the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary which was constructed in the 1500s. ​

Ramon Castilla and the Basilica

Remember I mentioned the liberation of Peru? This guy on the horse is Jose de San Martin. He is not only responsible for Peru's liberation from Spanish rule but also the independence of Chile and Argentina as well. 

Jose de San Martin and Church of Recoleta

After a couple more block we arrive at Plaza Francia to catch a glimpse of the 17th century Church of la Recoleta. And right beside this beautiful site I managed to find a museum dedicated to the works of Professor Josefina Ramos de Cox. It too was free of charge. ​

Inside the Museum

There are many other museums scattered throughout the city, but hours and days of operation may vary. Be sure to plan accordingly. Another attraction you will probably want to visit are the Catacombs of the Convent of San Francisco. Unfortunately no photography or video recording are allowed inside. 

---

Where to Eat in Lima?

Food & Beverage of Lima

Like I mentioned earlier there are many great places to eat in the Historic District of Lima. I would specifically like to mention Sangucheria el Chinito for breakfast, the seafood and rice dish at Peru Gourmet, and El Meson del Inca is where I tried chicha morada for the first time. This traditional Peruvian drink made of purple corn, and you have to try it for yourself. 

---

Where to Stay in Lima?

For this adventure I based myself in Hotel Diamond, which far exceeded my expectations. The the room was comfortable, the breakfast was tasty, and the location was centrally perfect. This was one of the most pleasant stays I have had in my world travels.

This area seems to be full of suitable options, but keep in mind there are other place outside of the Historic District. Many people prefer to stay a little further south in the neighborhood of Miraflores, which I will be covering in a later post. 

Lima is an amazing place to base yourself to explore the entire region with daytrips to many other interesting locations!

You can follow along on my epic adventure in this video

Thank you for visiting, and feel free to comment down below