Among the sea of things to do in Lima, the Miraflores district gathers some of the most exciting adventures and attractions in the bustling capital of Peru. This upscale neighborhood comprises a great touristic infrastructure, where you’ll find renowned hotels and restaurants, sweeping views of the pacific coast and the best of our gastronomy.
Most travelers stay in Miraflores thanks to its stylish urban scenery, as well as the many things to do there. Honestly, there is no better place to stay in Lima than this modern district and here we’ll tell you all about it.
Miraflores is recognized as a shopping and entertainment center since it holds many shopping malls, nightclubs and bars. Likewise, it also shares an artistic side, where famous art galleries, museums and an archeological site add a special touch to the overall experience.
For those looking to experience Lima in one day, here we have gathered some of the unmissable attractions within the Miraflores district that you should visit during your stay. Lima is definitely not a place to be overlooked and we want you to know everything about it before you plan your trip through Peru!
1. Discover the Huaca Pucllana
The Lima region was already inhabited long before the Spaniards invaded their lands. The Huaca Pucllana, an important ceremonial, administrative and residential center, represents one of the biggest pre-Inca settlements of the region.
The ancient construction is located right at the heart of the upscale Miraflores district, a neighborhood with a great touristic infrastructure. For those looking to experience a bit of ancient Peru, this is the way to go.
Huaca Pucllana was built by the Lima culture, which developed between 200 and 700 A.D. The site comprises a truncated pyramid of 25 meters of height, a group of courtyards, plazas and precincts, all of them constructed with adobe bricks filled with pebbles and sand.
The site has been adapted to tourism, so visitors can have a broader understanding of the customs and ceremonies carried out in this massive construction.
The archeological complex also holds a museum where the archeological findings of the site are exhibited; a native flora and fauna park, where they show how the Lima culture managed to cultivate different types of plant species; and a famous restaurant that offers exquisite Peruvian dishes.
2. Sample the best of Peruvian Gastronomy
Just in case we haven’t mentioned this enough, Lima is the perfect place to try the best of Peruvian cuisine. The so-called Gastronomic Capital of Latin America holds an extensive list of famous restaurants belonging to The World’s 50 Best Restaurant list.
Therefore, if sampling the most delicious Peruvian dishes is one of the main goals of your trip, you must not leave Lima behind. Our gastronomy is as extensive as our history and each dish comprises a mixture of cultures and exotic flavors from all around the country.
The culinary art of Peru comes from the ancient cultures and foreign influences that marked our country, as well as the ones that are currently living here. Our cuisine has European, African and Asian influences, which combined resulted in a total delight.
If you’re looking for the best places to eat in Lima, here we have listed three restaurants that you should visit in Miraflores:
- Maido Restaurant
This is the 10th best restaurant in the world, characterized for harmonizing the exotic flavors of Peru with the complexity of the Japanese cuisine. The Maido restaurant offers a Nikkei gastronomic experience, prepared by the very hands of the renowned Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura.
Address: Calle San Martin 399, Miraflores, Lima. - Punto Azul
For those looking for the best ceviche in town, Punto Azul could be the best option! The renowned restaurant started with a small establishment in 1992, which due to its authentic flavor grew exponentially and eventually became one of the best seafood restaurants in Lima. If you’re looking to experience the best of the coastal cuisine, this is the right place to go.
Address: Calle San Martín 595, Miraflores, Lima.
These are just a few of the many restaurant options in Lima. However, some institutions and restaurants offer a more intimate way to experience the Peruvian Gastronomy.
Keep in mind that if you wish to learn how to cook one or two typical dishes of Peru, then you must join a cooking lesson in Lima to do so!
3. Stroll along the Miraflores Boardwalk
Miraflores has a privileged location overlooking the vast Pacific ocean, and the best place to appreciate this awe-inspiring natural setting is from the Malecón de Miraflores, a boardwalk that follows the sheer drops of the coastside cliffs.
The Miraflores Boardwalk extends to 5 kilometers and comprises several parks, attractions and a luxury shopping center, which we’ll talk about later on this blog. There you can also rent bikes and tour the entire district by the bikeways, a special activity that you should do while the sun sets behind the sea.
Here you’ll find locals and tourists enjoying the breezy ocean air, eating some good desserts or just contemplating the vastness of the ocean. Likewise, there are special spots like the Love Park, suitable for a romantic walk.
But the experience doesn’t stop there since there’s a designated place to take off on a paraglider, an adrenaline-packed adventure for those looking to spice up their experience in Lima. Below we’ll tell you everything about it.
4. Fly across the sky with a paraglider in Miraflores
If you prefer to master the winds instead of just walking around the neighborhood, then taking a flight on a paraglider could be the most suitable option for you. The air currents in Lima offer an optimal weather condition to fly over the vast pacific ocean and the city.
If you have what it takes to explore the sea, you should definitely go for a flight across the Peruvian sky. However, it is worth mentioning that there are many operators that offer this activity, which is why we encourage you to do your research before committing with any company.
However, they don’t rent the paraglider for solo use, but a certified pilot will accompany you in this adventure, making sure you’re safe and sound throughout the whole journey. Likewise, just before launch, the operator will give you instructions and assistance during takeoff and landing.
We’d like to note that this activity depends on the weather conditions. Generally, Lima’s coastline has an optimal weather for paragliding, though it may change drastically from one hour to another. If you’d like to know everything about this adventure, here’s a blog about Paragliding in Lima.
5. Buy the Best Souvenir at the Indian Market in Miraflores
If you’re looking for a varied and big artisan market in Lima, then you should definitely visit the Indian Market in Miraflores. Located in Petit Thouars Avenue lies one of the biggest local markets where you can buy cheap souvenirs of your trip.
The market holds a great variety of artisan crafts and clothing. However, it is worth mentioning that if you’re looking for alpaca sweaters, it is advisable to do so in the city of Cusco since there’s a more considerable price range and better quality products.
Nonetheless, the site certainly captivates everyone since it gathers artisans from different regions of the country. The cultural expression here is like no other, therefore, we totally advise you to stroll around the place and find something remarkable to take home with you.
6. Visit the Larcomar Shopping Center
Larcomar is the most luxurious shopping mall in Miraflores and though it may seem small compared to the other ones in the rest of the city, Larcomar comprises renowned international and national clothing brands, as well as some of the best restaurants in the area.
It is located along the Miraflores Boardwalk, nested in the stunning cliffs of the neighborhood, granting breath-taking seaside views from nearly everywhere. Although a shopping mall may not be the usual thing you’d find on a tourist guide, this one does stand out on its own.
If you’re looking for something nice for your trip or simply would like to experience the international and national gastronomy with sweeping views of the Lima coastside, this is the way to go!
7. Tame the waves at the Makaha beach
For those who wish to practice surfing for the first time, there’s a special beach located in the Miraflores district, where you can learn how to surf and tame the waves like a total expert.
There are different surf schools in Lima, some offer their lessons out of the city, while others are located just in the heart of the upscale district of Miraflores. If you’re eager to experience this adventure sport for the first time during your time in Peru, this is the way to start!
Most surfing schools include all the necessary equipment and depending on your physical condition and experience level, they’ll optimize the class so you get to learn even more besides just the basics. The surf lessons in Lima last from 1 to 1.5 hours, you just need to show up, get ready and let the sea wash all those nerves and worries away.
The Makaha beach has the perfect wave breaks all year round, which is why you’ll be able to spot many surfers from the Miraflores Boardwalk. If you’re feeling adventurous enough, make sure to include this activity in your itinerary!
8. Go cat-spotting in Kennedy Park
There might be tons of things to do in Lima but if you’re a cat lover like us, there’s only one and it’s the Kennedy Park in Miraflores.
This triangular park is located right at the very heart of the district, surrounded by the most significant shopping centers, international and national restaurants, as well as a contemporary cultural and artistic expression.
However, that’s not all the so-called Central Park has to offer since it houses over 100 not-so-stray cats. These beautiful fluffy friends are taken care of by the municipality of Miraflores and some non-profit organizations.
Here you’ll be able to spot a lot of cats living freely around the district and the good thing is that most of them are used to people and would literally jump on you for little love and attention.
Likewise, the Kennedy Park offers a lively atmosphere at the evenings, where people gather in the mini-amphitheatres to dance, sing, or play music.
9. Know more about the Peruvian textile art at Museo Amano
As you may know, our country is famous for its top-quality textile production and this isn’t just a recent thing because it comes from a tradition deeply rooted in our civilization since pre-Columbian times.
The Amano Museum was born out of the initiative of a renowned Japanese entrepreneur called Yoshitaro Amano, who understood the importance of the precious objects abandoned by the tomb looters back in the 50s.
The famous character, after spending years as a war prisoner during World War II, decided to return to Peru and managed to collect several archeological artifacts including textiles from several cultures and the tools they used to create them.
Nowadays, it is one of the most important museums in Lima since it gathers the textile history of the Chavin, Paracas, Nazca, Mochica, Huari, Sihuas, Lambayeque, Chimú, Chancay, Chuquibamba and Inca cultures.
10. Make your way from Miraflores to the Barranco district
Another of the special things to do in this upscale neighborhood is taking a stroll around the Miraflores Boardwalk as we mentioned earlier, but what if you continue down to the bohemian district of Lima?
Barranco is an artsy neighborhood located at a 30-min walk from Miraflores. It is one of the most vivid districts in the city and has an impressive artistic and cultural expression. The neighborhood holds important art galleries and museums, without forgetting that it is entirely decorated with colorful murals.
Also, Barranco holds some of the best spots for dining in Lima which you should definitely visit. And if you’re thinking about going to the beach, the district has easy access to it, as well as a viewpoint where you can fully appreciate the beautiful sunsets along the pacific coast.
As you can see, Miraflores has a lot of things to do and we’d love that you see it by yourself. If you’d like to know more about the best things to do in Peru, check these travel packages and start planning the best trip of your life!