Lima was founded here by Francisco Pizarro. North of the Plaza is the Government Palace where the President of Peru lives. On the eastern side is the Cathedral. Built during the 16th and 17th centuries, it was destroyed in the 1746 earthquake and rebuilt during the 18th century. A small chapel houses what are presumed to be the remains of Francisco Pizarro. The Cathedral also has a Religious Arts Museum.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00-18:00 hrs.

A stroll away from the Plaza de Armas is the Church and Convent of San Francisco, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its stunningly beautiful architecture and priceless collection of art.

Open all days, 09:30 hrs-17:00 hrs. Entry Fee: 6 Soles. The admission ticket includes a 1-hour guided tour, also available in English.

Two blocks east from the Plaza de Armas is Lima's finest surviving specimen of Spanish architecture. The superbly maintained 18th century structure belonged to a Spanish noble who was Treasurer of the royal Spanish navy. The facade is extraordinarily beautiful, carved in the baroque style. The offices of the Foreign Ministry are within, so visitors can only access the inner courtyard.

Admission is free, but can sometimes be denied. It is open Monday through Friday, 09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs.

Lima has several excellent museums where you can delve deep into Peru's ancient history and multi-faceted culture.

Museo de la Nacion
Located on the outskirts of the city, Lima's national museum is a modern structure. Don't let the exterior fool you though, for Museo d la Nacion has the best exhibits. The displays, beginning with pre-colonial cultures, are organised in chronological order over three floors. Scale models of the Incan ruins near Cuzco and reproductions of the friezes at Huaca La Luna and Huaca El Brujo serve as introductory material if you have plans to visit the actual sites. The museum showcases a variety of indigenous costumes, exhibits of ceramics and mummies and scaled down models of life in pre-colonial times.

It is open Tuesday through Friday 09:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs and Saturday/Sunday 10:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs.

Museo Larco (Museo Arqueologico Rafael Larco Herrera)
Located on Avenida Bolivar (Pueblo Libre), the building is an 18th century Spanish mansion, built over a 7th century, pre-Columbian pyramid. The main museum has a fabulous display entitled Gold and Silver of Ancient Peru and a spectacular collection of textiles. The collection of pre-Columbian pottery is the world's largest. Don't miss the section on erotic art, the ‘Sala Erotica', explicit and sometimes comic!

It is open all days, 09:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs.

Museo Nacional de Arqueologia, Antropologia e Historia del Peru (National Archaeology and Anthropology Museum)
This museum of pre-Hispanic artefacts was once a colonial mansion used by prominent leaders of Peru's freedom struggle, like Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin.

It is open Monday through Saturday 09:00 hr to 18:00 hrs and Sunday 10:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs.

In pre-Hispanic times, the territory around Lima was the site of several pre-Inca habitations. During Incan rule, the region witnessed the construction of many grand monuments and awe-inspiring temples. The remnants of these great structures continue to evoke wonder among modern travellers. Some of the archaeological sites worth visiting around Lima are the ancient pre-Incan ruins of Caral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pachacamac, sacred site of a pre-Incan oracle (about 45 minutes from Lima by taxi), Puruchuco, the rebuilt palace of a pre-Inca aristocrat and many others.

These two districts show off Lima's contemporary attractions. Enjoy the charming park at Miraflores and browse around the handicraft stores. Both San Isidro and Miraflores are great shopping and entertainment hubs.

A bohemian district known as ‘City of the Mills', Barranco comes alive every evening with cultural shows and a variety of food and entertainment options.

Situated on the north bank of the historic Rimac river is a complex of lovely old colonial buildings and museums. Here, you will also find the famous Plaza de Toros de Acho (‘The Bullfight Plaza of Achos'). During October and November, bullfights are staged every Sunday in which the best international bullfighters participate.

In summer, limeños head for the beaches in droves though these are not particularly attractive thanks to the polluted, chilly water and powerful currents. If you plan to visit them, keep an eagle eye on your possessions. Lima's beaches are located in Miraflores, Chorrillos and Barranco, and also La Punta and Cantolao (Callao). Paragliding is a popular sport off the Miraflores cliffs.

About 40 km north of Lima is Ancón, a beach resort offering water sports and fishing. The most popular beaches are to Lima's south, like Villa and San Pedro. Some are sandy while others are stony beaches.

The outdoor restaurants, bars and discotheques here are frequented during summer nights by scores of young people. El Silencio, Senoritas and Caballeros beaches, which are contiguous, are favoured for surfing, but can be dangerous.

A pulsating nightlife is part of Lima's urban fabric. During weekends, the city stays awake until the wee hours, with throngs of people out to enjoy themselves.

Casinos are legally recognised and there are several reputable national and international establishments where you can seek your fortune in the most luxurious ambience. Enjoy the cultural diversity of Peru through the innumerable folk dance presentations at theatres in Lima. After a day of trekking around ancient ruins, visit a nightclub or bar, taking in a show or simply relaxing with friends over a quiet drink.

Dance your socks off in Lima's discotheques. Some are private; others are in hotels where guests can enter with temporary passes. Salsadromos are for the heady experience of Salsa and Caribbean-style dancing, often with live bands.

Alcohol consumption is restricted to adults of 18 years or over; smoking is prohibited in closed public spaces and consumption of drugs and other stimulants is strictly forbidden by law.