Lima · Peru
Lima Tours, Tickets & Things to Do
Discover the best Lima tours, the vibrant coastal capital and culinary heart of Peru: the colonial historic centre and catacombs, the seaside districts of Miraflores and bohemian Barranco, world-renowned ceviche and gourmet food tours, boat trips to the sea lions of the Palomino Islands, paragliding over the Pacific cliffs, and day trips to the Paracas reserve, Huacachina oasis and the Nazca Lines. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Peru trip.
1,452 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Lima
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Lima
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Lima by interest
Whatever brings you to Lima — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
City & history
Centre and catacombs.
ExploreFood tours
Ceviche and pisco.
ExploreParacas & Huacachina
Islands and dunes.
ExploreNazca Lines
Mysterious geoglyphs.
ExplorePalomino Islands
Swim with sea lions.
ExploreMachu Picchu
The lost Inca city.
ExploreParagliding
Fly over the cliffs.
ExploreDay trips
Pachacamac and beyond.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in Lima
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Historic Centre
Plaza and catacombs.
300+ toursView tours
Peruvian Cuisine
World food capital.
300 toursView tours
Paracas & Huacachina
Islands and dunes.
300 toursView tours
Nazca Lines
Desert geoglyphs.
150 toursView tours
Palomino Islands
Sea lion colony.
150 toursView tours
Machu Picchu
The lost Inca city.
150 toursView tours
Miraflores
Seaside cliffs.
200 toursView tours
Pachacamac
Ancient pyramids.
100 toursView tours
2 days
Lima in 2 days
- 1Day 1: City & food
- 2Day 2: Paracas & Huacachina
- 3Ballestas Islands
- 4Desert dunes
3 days
Lima in 3 days
- 1Day 1: City & food
- 2Day 2: Paracas & Huacachina
- 3Day 3: Nazca Lines
- 4City, desert & mystery
With kids
Lima with kids
- 1Palomino sea lions
- 2Parque de la Reserva
- 3Miraflores park
- 4Chocolate workshop
Theme day
Lima food capital
- 1Ceviche food tour in Barranco
- 2Hands-on Peruvian cooking class
- 3Surquillo market walk
- 4Pisco sour tasting to finish
Half day+
Lima history & coast
- 1Centro Histórico & San Francisco catacombs
- 2Barranco's bohemian art walk
- 3Huaca Pucllana adobe pyramid
- 4Miraflores clifftop malecón
3.5 hrs awayParacas & Huacachina
Islands and dunes.
from €40View trips
South awayNazca Lines
Mysterious geoglyphs.
from €90View trips
Boat trip awayPalomino Islands
Swim with sea lions.
from €35View trips
Multi-day awayMachu Picchu
The lost Inca city.
from €400View trips
1 hr awayPachacamac
Ancient pyramids.
from €30View trips
In the city awayFood Tour
Ceviche and pisco.
from €35View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Lima visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
December to April brings warm, sunny weather to Lima — the prime time to enjoy the coast, though the southern desert trips are good year-round.
Summer (Dec–Apr)
Warm and sunny, perfect for the seaside districts, paragliding and beach trips; the busiest, brightest season.
Shoulder (Nov, May)
Pleasant transitional months with a mix of sun and the first or last of the coastal mist, and fewer crowds.
Winter (Jun–Oct)
Cool and famously grey with the coastal “garúa” mist, though it rarely rains; the desert south stays clear and sunny.
Desert south year-round
Paracas, Huacachina and the Nazca Lines enjoy sunny desert weather all year, a great escape from Lima’s winter mist.
Combine with Cusco
The Andes and Machu Picchu are driest and best from May to September — handy if combining with Lima.
One day
The historic centre and a food tour.
Two days
Add Paracas and the Huacachina oasis.
Three days
The sweet spot: city, Paracas and the Nazca Lines.
Combine with Cusco
Add several days for Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Longer trips
Add Caral, the Amazon or the Colca Canyon.
Travelling with kids
Mix sea lions, parks and chocolate.
Taxis & apps
Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Cabify are the safest, easiest way to get around Lima; avoid hailing unofficial street taxis.
Tours & transfers
City tours and day trips include transport, and the southern desert trips depart by comfortable coach or van.
On foot
Miraflores, Barranco and the historic centre are pleasant to explore on foot, district by district.
Metropolitano
The Metropolitano bus rapid-transit line runs north–south, useful between the centre and Miraflores/Barranco.
Stay aware
Stick to the well-known districts, use apps for transport at night, and keep valuables out of sight.
From the airport
Jorge Chávez Airport is about 30–60 minutes from Miraflores depending on traffic; use a pre-booked transfer or app.
Peruvian sol
Peru uses the sol; carry some cash for taxis, markets and small eateries, though cards work in restaurants and hotels.
Book top restaurants
Lima’s famous restaurants book out weeks ahead — reserve early, or join a food tour for a guided taste.
Plan southern trips
Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca are far south, so book day or multi-day tours with transport rather than going alone.
Pack for the mist
Lima’s winter (Jun–Oct) is grey and cool, so bring a light jacket; the desert south is sunny year-round.
Tipping
A 10% tip is customary in restaurants if service isn’t included, and small tips for guides and drivers are appreciated.
Pre-book day trips
Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca tours fill up — book ahead.
Food tours
Popular food tours and top restaurants book out — reserve early.
Paracas & Huacachina
Desert day trips fill up — book ahead.
Nazca flights
Small-plane flights have limited seats — pre-book.
Palomino Islands
Sea-lion boat trips are popular — reserve early.
Machu Picchu
Multi-day Cusco trips need early booking — plan ahead.
Summer high season
December–April is busy — book ahead.
City tours
Around €20–50 for a Lima city and catacombs tour.
Food tours
About €35–80 for a Peruvian food tour or cooking class.
Paracas & Huacachina
Roughly €40–100 for a Paracas and Huacachina day trip.
Nazca Lines
Around €90–180 for a Nazca Lines flight tour.
Palomino Islands
About €35–60 for a Palomino sea-lion boat trip.
How to save
Join group tours, book multi-day desert trips together, and travel in the shoulder months.
When to visit
Lima through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Summer (Dec–Apr)
Dec–Apr
- Best for
- Sunny coast.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal; book ahead.
Shoulder (Nov, May)
Nov, May
- Best for
- Mild, fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Good value.
Winter (Jun–Oct)
Jun–Oct
- Best for
- Desert south, Cusco.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Grey mist in Lima.
Desert south
All year
- Best for
- Paracas, Nazca sunny.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great year-round.
People also ask
Lima travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Lima?
The highest-rated Lima experiences are a historic centre and catacombs tour, a Peruvian food tour with ceviche, a Palomino Islands sea-lion boat trip, and day trips to Paracas, Huacachina and the Nazca Lines.
What should I book in advance in Lima?
Book food tours, top restaurants, and Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca day trips ahead, as they sell out, especially in the December–March summer peak.
How many days do I need in Lima?
One to two days covers the city and food; add days for Paracas, Huacachina and the Nazca Lines, or to combine with Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Is Lima worth visiting?
Yes — Lima rewards with its grand colonial centre and catacombs, world-famous cuisine, seaside Miraflores and Barranco, Palomino sea lions, and as the gateway to Paracas, Nazca and Machu Picchu.
What are the best day trips from Lima?
Top day trips are Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, the Huacachina oasis, the Nazca Lines, the Palomino Islands, and Pachacamac, with longer trips to Cusco and Machu Picchu.
When is the best time to visit Lima?
December to April brings warm, sunny weather ideal for the coast; winter (June–October) is cool and grey with coastal mist, though the desert south of Paracas and Nazca stays sunny year-round.
How do you get around Lima?
Use ride-hailing apps like Uber for safe, easy travel, explore Miraflores, Barranco and the centre on foot, and take guided tours with transport for the southern desert trips; the airport is 30–60 minutes from Miraflores.
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