Walking Lima: Three Routes on Foot
Three routes cover most of what visitors want to see on foot in Lima. Each is a separate outing, so link them by taxi or bus rather than trying to walk between districts. Take a small amount of cash, a card and your phone, and leave the rest at your hotel.
Route 1: Historic Centre
- Start: Plaza San Martin.
- Length and terrain: about 3 km, flat, paved and mostly pedestrian.
- Stops: Jiron de la Union, Plaza Mayor with the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the San Francisco convent and catacombs, and Bar Cordano on Jiron Ancash 202.
- Time: about 3 hours with a stop at the convent.
The catacombs are a colonial burial site and are visited on a guided tour. Walk by day and stay on the pedestrian streets. Avoid the side streets towards Barrios Altos, and avoid crossing to Rimac on foot. The UK government says Lima’s historic centre is a common site for protests, so check the news first.
Route 2: Miraflores clifftop
- Start: Parque del Amor on the Malecon.
- Length and terrain: about 4 to 5 km along paved cliff-top paths with cycle lanes.
- Stops: the park’s mosaic walls and the sculpture El Beso, viewpoints over the surf, and Larcomar at the end.
- Time: about 2 to 3 hours.
The beaches below sit behind a fast coast road. Reach them only by the ramps and the footbridge. Do not climb down the cliff.
Route 3: Barranco
- Start: the main square.
- Length and terrain: about 2 to 3 km, cobbled with some steps.
- Stops: the Puente de los Suspiros, the Bajada de Banos with its murals, and the Museo Pedro de Osma.
- Time: about 2 hours.
Barranco is busiest in the evening, and the UK government reports gunpoint robberies of tourists in this district and in Miraflores. Keep your phone away at the kerb.
Guided options
Guided walks exist for the centre and for Callao Monumental. Look for licensed guides and clear prices, and in Callao stay with your guide in daylight.
Summary of risks
| Risk | What to do |
|---|---|
| Phone snatching | Keep the phone in a pocket near the kerb |
| Fake taxis | Use a taxi app or a licensed car |
| Protests | Check the news, avoid the centre on protest days |
| Cerro San Cristobal | Do not walk up from Rimac |
Practical points
The coast is cool and grey for much of the year, so bring a layer. The Metropolitano bus links Miraflores, Barranco and the centre for S/ 3.20 on the trunk route, with a rechargeable card since cash is not taken at the turnstiles. Read the UK safety advice before you go.
Compare Lima walking tours if you want a guide to set the pace.
Read more: solo activities in Lima and group activities in Lima .