Lima Region, Peru
Destination guide
Peru’s capital, while not the most appealing of cities, does offer stately colonial architecture, fascinating museums of Peru’s empirical; history and world-class dining.
Amy Corti
Last updated: 31 March, 2024
Lima has two unmissable museums, the Museum of Art and the Larco; the Larco preserves one of the best collections of pre-Columbian and indigenous objects in Peru.
There are pieces from over 3,000 years of Peruvian history – from brilliantly-painted Moche ceramics to glittering Inca gold and intricately, hand-stitched textiles. This is the only museum anywhere to have an entire room of pre-Columbian erotica. These priceless pieces are kept in the vast, gleaming-white, fortified palace of the colonial viceroy; itself built over an ancient pyramid.
Logistics
Price from: £7
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The museum is in the central Pueblo Libre district, which is about 15 minutes by taxi from either Miraflores or San Isidro. There are no audio guides, but tour guides are on hand at the entrance.
The excellent bougainvillea-draped museum restaurant (Café del Museo) serves Peruvian staples and is popular, especially on weekends. Reserve a table when you arrive and it will be waiting for you when you emerge from the galleries.
When to do it
The museum is open all year round, Monday to Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Destination guides
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Peru
Destination guide
A land of spectacular deserts, high mountains and rainforests that teem with wildlife, Peru is also home to an array of dramatically situated pre-Colombian ruins, including Machu Picchu.