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One Day in Lima Peru: Our Perfectly Easy 24-Hour Itinerary

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This was our second visit to Lima. The first time, right at the start of our travelling adventures, we were a bit less travel-wise and had read so many warnings about safety that we stayed just one night in Miraflores before flying straight to Cusco the next day.

That was such a big mistake but lucky us we had a second chance. And now older and wiser, we planned a few nights in town — and honestly, we could have stayed longer.

If you’re heading to Peru, do allow time to explore the capital. Even if you’ve only got one day in Lima, there’s so much you can see and do, that it’s well worth including in your itinerary.

Our One Day Lima Itinerary At A Glance

We were travelling through Peru with Peru Hop. We had 3 months but we hadn’t allowed quite enough time to explore fully this glorious country (we were on a schedule to meet our Antarctica cruise!). But we were determined to make the very most of our short stay in Lima.

If, like us, you want to see the city’s highlights without spending a fortune — and maybe whilst nursing a touch of jet lag — here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in Lima, without wasting time in the city’s notorious traffic!

24 hours in Lima, Peru.

Our 24 Hours in More Detail

Before we arrived in Lima, I’d done my homework. I read lots of travel blogs and guides — all full of great suggestions for what to do if you only have one day in the city.

They gave us plenty of good ideas, and there was broad agreement on the must-see sights. But what we quickly learned during our stay was that Lima’s traffic needs to be factored in to your itinerary — and Lima itself is vast so do expect to take a few taxis or Ubers to get around.

We also knew that there’s only so much we can (or want to) squeeze into a single day. We were still a bit jaded after our long journey, and we do prefer to explore a few places well, rather than rush through a list.

But if you’re the kind of traveller who likes to pack in more, don’t worry — we’ve included a few extra ideas and alternatives at the end – which could also turn this one-day itinerary into two wonderful days as well!

1. Early Start at Lima Coffee.

We stayed at the Radisson Red in Miraflores, and the staff warned us the night before that traffic would be terrible if we left around 8.30 a.m. So, we decided to leave earlier (at 7.30am) to beat the rush hour — which was a good plan!

The journey took less than 30 minutes, which gave us time to enjoy a quiet wander around Plaza San Martín and have a look inside the stunning Gran Hotel Bolívar before walking over to Lima Coffee for one of their excellent specialty brews.

And we still had time to drop into the famous Pastelería San Martín for a sweet treat. The cakes are famous, and it’s a charming little coffee stop that feels wonderfully old-fashioned and local.

3. Lunch at Gran Bitute

One of the things I love about walking with locals are the fabulous insider tips. By the end of our walking tour we were more than ready for lunch, and our guide suggested a few nearby options. We chose Gran Bitute — and it didn’t disappoint.

Gran Bitute is a classic Peruvian criollo restaurant right in the heart of Lima’s historic centre — a local favourite rather than a tourist spot. The name “bitute” itself comes from old Limeño slang for a hearty meal.

The restaurant is known for generous portions and traditional flavours — the sort of place locals go for lunch.  I think we were the only tourists!

I ordered the vegan ceviche, fresh, colourful, and completely gluten-free, while Gerry opted for the menestron soup — a huge, hearty bowl that arrived with an equally large portion of beef. We also shared a few local dips with yucca crisps and a jug of refreshing lemon juice drink.

The food was excellent, the staff friendly, and the bill modest — everything you hope for when you stumble across a proper local favourite. We’d definitely recommend a visit here!

4. Larco Museum – One of South America’s Finest

We were a bit undecided about visiting the Larco Museum. It’s often described as one of South America’s most important museums, and the reviews were glowing — but we thought we’d wait until our first morning to see how we felt. And thank goodness we decided to go!

We took an Uber from Gran Bitute, passing the Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca ruin right in the centre of Lima, though sadly we didn’t have time to stop.

We absolutely loved Larco. It’s not large, but it’s beautifully curated and laid out in a way that makes every exhibit feel considered. You can take a guided tour, rent an audio guide, or simply wander — which we did.  And every display includes clear information in English.

The museum is housed in an 18^th-century vice-royal mansion, and holds over 45,000 artefacts spanning 5000 years of Peru’s ancient cultures and history, including exquisite Moche ceramics, intricate Inca gold and silver, and some very unexpected erotic pottery!

After a busy morning the lighting and ambiance  felt calm, comfortable, and easy. There’s also a lovely café and restaurant set in a flower-filled courtyard.  We skipped this as we’d planned our next coffee stop in Barranco.

Top Tip : Buy your ticket online for a slightly cheaper rate and quicker entry.

5. Coffee at Ancestral

We knew we had to make some choices for the afternoon. Did we want to stay longer in the historic centre, explore Miraflores, or head to the bohemian district of Barranco?

Barranco won — and rightly so. Once a seaside resort for Lima’s aristocracy in the 19^th century, it later became a haven for artists, writers, and musicians. Today it’s one of Lima’s most colourful and creative neighbourhoods, known for its murals, galleries, and laid-back charm.

We called an Uber and headed straight for one of the area’s popular cafés. We chose Ancestral Café, and it was an excellent decision — though to be fair, Barranco has no shortage of great coffee spots. We ordered coffees and a still warm gluten-free pistachio tart. Both were excellent!

Afterwards, we headed off to take in some of the local colourful artwork and sculpture and little boutique shops that line the streets en-route to the famous bridge of sighs.

7. Dinner at El Parrillón de Pablo Profumo

Dinner for us was a celebration — it was Gerry’s birthday, so the choice was his. We’d read glowing reviews of El Parrillón de Pablo Profumo, and as it was just a short walk from our hotel, it sounded ideal.

It didn’t disappoint. Gerry wanted steak so opted for the Uruguayan ribeye, beautifully tender and full of flavour, while I chose chicken on the BBQ with a fresh salad. We shared a bottle of very nice Malbec, the perfect way to toast both the day and his birthday.

The service here was excellent, the atmosphere lively without being loud —  and again we felt like the only tourists eating.  If you’re looking for a great steak amongst a sea of excellent restaurants, we can happily recommend El Parrillón de Pablo Profumo

8. A Nightcap with a View – Pisco Sours at SaHa

To finish the evening, we wandered over to SaHa, a stylish rooftop bar just a few minutes away.  We learned of this cocktail bar via our Peru Hop bus, but after a little investigation we discovered it’s highly recommended, so we took the plunge!

The view over Miraflores was lovely — twinkling lights, a sea breeze, and that hum of a city just about coming to life!

Of course, we had to try a Pisco Sour, Peru’s national cocktail. It’s made with Pisco (a local grape brandy), lime juice, syrup, and egg white, shaken to a froth and topped with a dash of bitters. Legend has it the drink was first created in Lima in the early 1900s by an American bartender named Victor Morris, and it’s been a national favourite ever since.

I’ll admit, brandy isn’t usually my thing, so one was enough for me — but it felt only right to raise a glass in the city that invented it and toast our day in Lima.

Top Tip : If you’re staying in Radisson Red, Helarte, the very popular little ice-cream shop, is next to the hotel.  We planned to stop, but after such a feast we had to admit defeat.

A few More Coffee Stops and Great Restaurants in Lima

Peru has a huge foodie reputation.  Indeed in Miraflores you’ll find what is considered to be the best restaurant in the world – but make reservations 3 months ahead as it’s popular!

Even if you only have one day in Lima, bring your appetite as you’ll find it hard to go hungry. The city is bursting with cafés, sandwich bars, and restaurants that showcase Peru’s world-famous cuisine.  Our walking tour guide also shared a few local favourites that offered a real taste of Lima beyond the tourist trail.

We tried our best to visit a few during our itinerary but here are a few more that you might like to try :

How to Get Around Lima

Lima’s spread-out layout means you’ll probably rely on taxis.  And distances aside, there were times when we just felt safer, booking a recognised transport option.

Best Areas to Stay In Lima

I’m going to say that we’re no experts.  We’ve been twice and both times stayed in Miraflores.  But I would stay in the Bolivar and I’d also stay in Barranco.

FAQs for 24 Hours in Lima

We had so many questions before we arrived and a lot was about safety.  I have to say that whilst we remained cautious, Lima charmed us and we would love to return.

Is Lima safe?

On the whole we felt it was safe — especially in Miraflores, Barranco, and the historic centre. We walked comfortably in the daytime and used Uber to move around for longer distances. As always, take normal precautions, keep valuables out of sight, and use registered taxis.

Of course, Lima does have a reputation, and it would be foolish to ignore this but don’t let fear spoil what will be a fabulous visit.  Just take sensible precautions and enjoy your stay.

What’s the currency?

The Peruvian sol (PEN). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but it’s handy to have some small notes for taxis, tips, and market stalls.

We use Revolut to withdraw cash but shop around as some ATM’s have high charges.

Can you really see Lima in a day?

Well no – not all of it.  But you can see a lot! With a little planning, you’ll get a great feel for Lima’s history, flavours, and neighbourhoods. Of course more time is better, but if you only have one day, then make the most of it and enjoy all that Lima has to offer!

What language is spoken in Lima?

Spanish is the main language, but in tourist areas most hotel and restaurant staff speak some English. A few friendly Spanish phrases go a long way and are always appreciated – thankfully my Camino Spanish has helped me out!

Do I need to book tours in advance?

For popular experiences like walking tours or food tours, it’s worth booking a day or two ahead. We knew we had limited time and we didn’t want to miss out so we booked. If you only have one or two days I’d recommend you do the same.

Museum tickets and most attractions can easily be bought online.

Can you drink the tap water?

It’s best to stick to bottled or filtered water, which is widely available and inexpensive.

Are taxis safe?

Yes, if you use Uber, Cabify, or taxis arranged by your hotel. Avoid flagging random ones from the street. 

We also booked airport transfers before leaving home – we do this regardless of the location, as it just makes life easier after a long flight.

So, Is It Worth Adding One Day to Your Peru Itinerary for Lima?

Yes, absolutely. Lima is often overlooked as travellers hurry off to Cusco or Machu Picchu — indeed, we did the same on our first visit. If it hadn’t been for friends waxing lyrical about their time here, we might have done so again!

But Lima is the beating heart of Peru — full of life, food, creativity, and layers of history. At times, we felt as though we were wandering through Madrid or another great European city; at others, the rhythm, music, and flavours reminded us unmistakably that we were in South America.

I’m so glad we allowed time here, I wish we’d had another day or two. Even so, a single day in Lima offers a wonderful taste of this vibrant capital. Give yourself that time before moving on — you won’t regret it.