Lima Travel Guide
The capital and the largest city of Peru, Lima is located in the central part of the country, on a desert coast of the Pacific, in the valleys of three rivers, Chillon, Rimac and Lurin. The city was first founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, it became the capital of the Republic of Peru following the Peruvian War of Independence at the beginning of the 19th century.
The historic center of Lima was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, due to the many fine buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, the Plaza Mayor, with its 16th century Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Monastery of San Francisco, the Covenant of Santo Domingo or the Palace of Torre Tagle are bound to attract the tourists in Lima.
Lima is home to many important museums, such as Museo Nacional de Arqueología Antropología e Historia Del Perú, Museum of Art of Lima, the Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of the Nation or the Museum of Gold.The cuisine in Lima is known to be one of the best in the world, as the city is also known as the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas. Lima's gastronomy is a mix of Andean, Spanish and Asian culinary traditions.
Lima's beaches, along the southern and northern ends of the city, are visited by tourists during the summer months. Numerous hotels, clubs and restaurants have been opened in these places to serve the many tourists.
The vast and vibrant city of Lima is often noted for its pollution and poverty, yet its renowned friendly people and dream like mist, settled over the city from spring till autumn, make it truly unique.