LimaCapital
Peru · Country profile
Lima is the enormous capital of Peru, a sprawling city of the Pacific where the fog of the winter, the golden light of the summer and the ruins of a kingdom older than the empire meet on the same dusty shore. The city centre mixes the colonial plazas, the cathedrals and the balconies of the old viceroyalty with the modern suburbs of the Miraflores and the Barranco, while the pre-Inca pyramids of the Huaca and the adobe city of Pachacamac hold the history beneath. The food of Lima is the great culinary story of the continent, the ceviche and the pisco of its bars, and the surf of its coast adds the blue. Vast, humid and golden, Lima is the living museum of an entire continent.
About Lima
Lima is the capital of Peru. The city's documented population is around 10,092,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN) and Spanish is spoken; the dialling code is +51. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Jorge Chávez International Airport.
The Cliffs of the Miraflores, the Waves and the Winter Fog
Lima is a enormous city of the Pacific coast where the colonial past, the pre-Inca ruins and the modern suburbs come together, and most travellers meet it at the beginning or the end of the Peruvian journey. The centre’s colonials plaza, the cathedrals and the balconies hold the old face, while the seaside districts of the Miraflores and the Barranco keep the food, the views and the nightlife. The city is famous for its table — the ceviche, the pisco and the restaurants of the world’s best lists — and for its coastline of the surf and the cliffs. It is safe in its tourist zones, foggy in the winter and dazzling in the summer.
Ceviche, Pisco and the Booking of the Top Tables
The climate is odd: the summer from December to April brings the heat and the blue, the winter brings the grey fog and the drizzle; the walking and the outdoor days are best in the summer. The district of the Miraflores on the cliffs is the visitor base, and its promenade and the surf beach make the days easy. The ceviche and the pisco sour are the national treasures, and the museums of the city, the great collections of the pre-Columbian and the colonial eras, deserve a proper morning. The currency is the sol and cards are universal. Book the top restaurants ahead, and leave a day for the ruins of Pachacamac and the surf of the coast.
The Old Centre, the Ruins and the Surf of the Coast
The Miraflores and the Barranco hold the best of the new Lima, with the cliffs of the waterfront, the park of the kisses and the surf beach below; the morning fog turns the coast to a silver dream. The historic centre, a world heritage site, packs the plaza of the arms, the cathedral and the balconies of the old viceroyalty, and the museum of the mummies and the gold holds the pre-Columbian riches. The cevicherias of the district and the bars of the Barranco give the food and the drink of the night. The surf of the winter swell draws the boards to the coast, and the days of the warm summer fill the beaches.
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- Country
- Peru
- Population
- 10,092,000
- Coordinates
- -12.0219, -77.1143
- Capital
- Lima
- Region
- South America
- Currency
- Peruvian Sol (PEN)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +51
- Country code
- PE
Entry requirements for Peru
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Peru for tourism.
Getting to Lima
Airports we list for Lima:
Frequently asked questions
Is Lima the capital of Peru?
Yes — Lima is the capital of Peru.
What currency do I need in Lima?
The local currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). Languages spoken in Peru include Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Peru?
The international dialling code for Peru is +51.
Which airport should I fly into for Lima?
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) is the airport we list for Lima.
Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Italy currently enter Peru visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Lima? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.