2 Days in Lima: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

2 Days in Lima: The Best Itinerary + Where to Stay

Lima, the capital of Peru, is a bustling, sometimes chaotic metropolis of 10 million people—nearly a third of the country’s entire population.

Often overlooked by travel agencies and some travelers, Lima actually has a lot to offer and definitely deserves a spot on your Peru itinerary.

If you’re short on time but want to make the most of your visit, here’s my 2-day Lima itinerary featuring all the must-see attractions, along with my personal tips and hotel recommendations for every budget.

• Don’t forget to check out My Complete Guide to Lima and my 1-Day Lima Itinerary if you’re planning a shorter stay.

So, what are  the best things to do in Lima in 2 days? Where should you stay?

Let’s find out!

How to Spend 2 Amazing Days in Lima

Day 1 in Lima

In the morning – Exploring Miraflores

1. Malecón of Miraflores

To kick off your 2-day itinerary in Lima, I suggest starting with a walk through Miraflores—the city’s most touristic neighborhood, but also one of the safest and most scenic.

Stroll along the Malecón, the iconic boardwalk that runs along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. From early morning until sunset, you’ll spot surfers riding the waves below.

Don’t miss the Parque del Amor, decorated with romantic quotes by Peruvian poets and home to El Beso, a famous sculpture by Victor Delfín.

Continue your walk to Raimondi Park, a popular spot for paragliders who soar above the cliffs. Here, you’ll also find the Miraflores lighthouse, one of the most photographed landmarks in the area.

Finish the walk at the Parque Chino, a peaceful green space with ocean views and a touch of cultural charm.

2. Parque Kennedy

Continue to Kennedy Park.

This is the heart of Miraflores, and an important meeting point for locals and travelers. It is also home to a multitude of stray cats, fed by protective associations.

On weekends, artists come here to exhibit their work, and the small amphitheater hosts poets, musicians and singers.

I recommend buying picarones, a kind of Peruvian doughnut served with honey, it is excellent!

3. Huaca Pucllana

Next, head to the Huaca Pucllana, a must-see in Lima.

This 1600-year-old site was a religious and administrative complex, successively occupied by the Lima, Wari, Yschma and Inca civilizations.

It is located in the heart of Miraflores and yet it is often forgotten by travelers, as it is quite well hidden!

• Address: Calle General Borgoño 8, Miraflores, Lima
• Guided tour 15 soles
• Open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 4.15 pm
• I invite you to read my article about the Huaca Pucllana to learn more.

During the afternoon – Surquillo and Barranco

4. Surquillo Market

Head down Junín Street to the lively Surquillo Market No. 2. Less touristy than its better-known neighbor, Market No. 1, this bustling spot offers a real taste of local life—with everything from fresh meats and fish to exotic fruits, vegetables, and grains from the jungle, coast, and Andes.

If you’re curious and friendly, vendors might even let you sample ingredients you’ve never seen before!

You’ll also find delicious fresh juices and set lunch menus (menús del día) for just 10–12 soles—great value for generous, home-style portions. It’s a chance to taste authentic dishes, though I’d recommend it more for adventurous eaters or those with a sturdy stomach.

If it’s your first time in Peru or Latin America, give yourself a few days to adjust before diving into street food. You might prefer starting with a sit-down restaurant in Miraflores just outside the market.

5. Stroll through Barranco

After lunch, take a cab to Calle Saenz Peña in Barranco, the perfect place to start your walk through this lively neighborhood.

Here there are several new cafes and bars, as well as nice stores, museums and lots of street art.

You can go back to Dedalo (Sáenz Peña 295, Barranco, Lima), a house that has been converted into a boutique space with several artisans displaying their Peruvian products, with a nice interior courtyard.

Next door is the Jade Rivera Museum showcasing Peruvian muralist Jonatan Rivera.

In fact, you are likely to come across several of his works on the streets of Lima, characterized mainly by the presence of birds, children and masks.

Opposite the museum is the Hotel B 5-star accommodations in a beautiful casona (a rich Lima family house from the beginning of the 20th century). Don’t hesitate to go inside to see the building and, why not, have a coffee or a drink at the bar– they have excellent cocktails!

Stroll along Cajamarca street, one of the most charming streets in Lima.

You’ll see pretty little colorful houses, murals, Volkswagen combis on the flowered and tree-lined streets, and a tranquility that is quite rare in Lima. The perpendicular streets also have a lot of charm.

Walk to Jirón Unión to get to Grau Avenue, then continue to the Parque Municipal de Barranco, which is the neighborhood’s main square.

It’s time to go for a good homemade ice cream! There are two options: Crem dela Crem, which is located in the square, or Blu 5 minutes away.

Both offer very good flavors, but I have a special preference for Blu because of their friendly service. Also, their affogato is delicious.

Next stop: the Bridge of Sighs, which is a great place to take photos.

Watch the sunset from the beach: walk down Bajada de Baños (a small pedestrian street lined with restaurants) to the beach or go to Mirador Chabuca Granda, a lookout hidden behind the church, to enjoy the view over the Pacific.

At night – Nightlife in Barranco

There are many good restaurants in Barranco, such as Isolina, which offers traditional cuisine, with portions large enough to share.

If you want to try anticuchos (beef heart skewers), go without hesitation to El Tio Mario, which has made them its specialty.

To experience a traditional bar, frequented mostly by Peruvians, I recommend Piselli o Juanito for a pisco sour with a ham sandwich, a classic!

For a drink in Barranco, in a beautiful mansion, you can go to Bar Ayahuasca or Bar Dada.

Day 2 in Lima

In the morning – Pueblo Libre

Your second day in Lima begins in the charming district of Pueblo Libre—a more local neighborhood that still holds a few gems well worth your time.

Start with a visit to the Larco Museum (allow around 2 hours), one of the most important museums in Peru. It’s renowned for its vast collection of pre-Columbian art, including the world’s largest display of pre-Columbian erotic ceramics—offering a fascinating look at 4000 years of history and culture.

For lunch, make your way to the beloved Antigua Taberna Queirolo.

Originally opened in 1880 by an Italian immigrant family as a grocery store and local hangout, it gradually transformed into a restaurant-bar that’s now a Lima institution. You don’t just go here for the food—you go for the atmosphere.

• What to try: a classic ham sandwich, pejerrey (small fried fish) sandwich, papa rellena (meat-stuffed potato), or a fresh ceviche.

But the real draw is the traditional Lima tavern vibe: old wooden furniture, vintage photos, and nostalgic objects that tell stories of a bygone era.

Afternoon – The historic center

Departure to the historic center of Lima, starting with the Plaza San Martin, named after Jose de San Martin, who declared Peru’s independence.

The square is surrounded by beautiful white buildings, including the Gran Hotel Bolivar, which in its best days (1920-1950) was a must-see hotel for high society.

You can enter the lobby to see the interior or, better yet, stop by the bar to try their pisco sour. They have a specialty called the cathedral pisco sour, which is bigger and more full-bodied than the original. It is very good, but it does go to your head!

Leave Plaza San Martin through Jiron de la Union, a long pedestrian street that leads to the Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas.

• Among the numerous stores, you will come across the beautiful Iglesia de la Merced.

In the Plaza Mayor you can visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Lima, which contains the tomb of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro.

Nearby is also the famous Monastery of San Francisco. It is a building that is still partially occupied and contains a magnificent library, paintings of the Cusco School, a cloister and catacombs.

At night – Pisco and show

A few steps from the Plaza de Armas is the Pisco Museum. It’s not a museum, but a bar that pays homage to pisco, Peru’s national spirit.

There are classic cocktails, many homemade creations with interesting local ingredients, and even hot pisco-based drinks, along with some food and tapas.

For a more traditional atmosphere, you can also go to the Cordano bar, which has hosted many politicians and intellectuals (writers, poets, etc.) since its opening in 1905.

Next, you can leave the historic center to make one last essential stop during your stay in Lima: the Parque de la Reserva.

Here you will find the Circuito Mágico del Agua (Magic Water Circuit), the largest fountain complex in the world, with 13 fountains that light up at night.

Take your time to stroll through the fountains, but don’t miss the sound and light show with regional dances, which is presented every night at 7:30 pm, 8:10 pm and 9:00 pm.

1 or 2 days in Lima: where to eat, where to drink

Here are some suggestions of cafes, bars and restaurants in Lima.

• To have a good coffee and breakfast: Café Rutina y Milenaria in Miraflores; Bodega Verde y Caleta Dolsa in Barranco
• La Lucha in Miraflores: delicious traditional snacks from Lima. I especially recommend the chicharrón and sweet potato sandwich and the wood-fired turkey sandwich
• El Bodegón in Miraflores: a very good restaurant near the Huaca Pucllana that serves typical Peruvian dishes with generous portions. I recommend the stuffed rocoto and the aji de gallina.
• Isolina in Barranco: good restaurant with generous portions. Try the pejerrey (fish) sandwich, the papa rellena (potato stuffed with meat) and the lomo saltado
• El Tio Mario in Barranco for anticuchos and picarones for dessert
• Have a drink: Dada, Ayahuasca, Piselli or Juanito in Barranco Malajuntas (cocktails), Bárbaro (craft beer) or Ginebra (gin) in Miraflores; Pisco Museum y Gran Hotel Bolivar (cathedral of pisco sour) in downtown

You can find all my suggestions in My Touristic Lima Map (here below)

Practical map: 2 days in Lima

Here you have the map of Lima with all the tourist attractions mentioned in the article. I have also traced the itineraries to make your visit easier.

Where to stay  in Lima?

For these 2 days, I recommend staying in Miraflores or Barranco, which are safe and well-located neighborhoods:

• Pariwana Hostel Lima: a very friendly youth hostel in the heart of Miraflores. Clean rooms, relaxed vibe, good Wi-Fi, with a restaurant, bar, and rooftop terrace. Dorm bed from only $13 USD and $50 USD for a private room!

• Casita Libertad Homestay: a small house located on a quiet and safe street in the Barranco neighborhood. Cozy atmosphere, very clean, with access to a fully equipped kitchen. Room from only $29 USD per night.

• Casa Andina: a 3-star hotel in Miraflores offering one of the best value-for-money stays in Lima. Modern hotel, recently renovated, with excellent service and an on-site restaurant. Buffet breakfast included, from $87 USD per night.

• Courtyard Lima Miraflores: a modern 4-star hotel perfectly located just steps from Kennedy Park. Comfortable and bright rooms, with a gym and a café-restaurant. From $165 USD per night.

The best guided tours for 2 days in Lima

It is quite possible to visit Lima on your own, but there are also several interesting guided tours offered in the capital.

Here are some of them:

• Gastronomic tour through the historical center of Lima (to discover the best street food places in Lima)
• Guided tour of Lima walking tour of the historic center with pick-up at your hotel
• Bicycle tour miraflores, Barranco and Chorrillos
• Visit to the fountains with dance show and Peruvian Paso horses

Book Your Flight at the Best Price

Planning a trip to Peru? To get the best deal on your flights, I recommend using this flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner.

It’s the easiest way to find the lowest prices for both international flights and domestic flights within Peru—ensuring you pay the best rate with no hassle!

Rent a Car in Peru

Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Peru at your own pace and make the most of your trip!

Personally, I always use Booking.com Cars for a few key reasons:

• Easily compare prices from all major rental agencies in one place—finding the best deal has never been easier!
• Free cancellation on most bookings, so you can reserve with peace of mind.
• Better insurance coverage at a lower price than rental companies—saving you money with no extra effort.

Click the button below to find the best car rental deals in Peru:

Traveling to Peru? These articles will help you!

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• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Peru
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Peru + Bolivia – The best itinerary for visiting both countries
• Itinerary: 1 month in Peru – What to see and do in 30-31 days

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