Information for Travelers
Lima, the capital of Peru, is located on the country's dry Pacific coast.
It is a bustling metropolis, one of the largest cities in South America and has a well-preserved center dating back to colonial times.
At first glance, Lima seems to stretch endlessly from the ocean to the hills.
The city has become a sprawling metropolis that looks nothing like the touristy images of well-dressed Andean villagers posing with their llamas in front of towering mountain peaks.
The city is home to nearly a third of Peru's population and has its own attractions that are as fascinating and colorful as the countryside scenes you imagined.
Lima retains colonial architecture, with beautiful buildings embellished with carved wooden balconies and baroque flourishes.
You'll see why the Spanish conquistadores, who founded it in 1535 under Francisco Pizarro, called Lima "King of Cities".
Culture
Lima has exceptional museums to set the historical and cultural backdrop for what you'll see elsewhere in Peru.
In Lima you will find the Museo Larco with its collection of pre-Columbian art and the Museo de la Nación, dedicated to the history of Peru's ancient cultures.
In the heart of the old city Lima Centro is the Plaza de Armas with a 16th century cathedral.
Read about Lima in Wikipedia