Cercado de Lima

Lima

Downtown Lima featuring heritage architecture and street scenes
Downtown Lima featuring interior views, building ruins and heritage elements
Cercado de Lima
Downtown Lima featuring street scenes as well as a large group of people
Downtown Lima showing a house and heritage architecture

Learn about Lima’s past by touring the cathedral, palace and churches of its well-preserved historic centre. Visit galleries, museums and go on a shopping spree.

Downtown Lima is a lively neighbourhood that showcases a legacy of architectural masterpieces and bears witness to the development of an important Spanish colonial town. Admire centuries-old palaces and beautiful churches, explore shopping districts and visit museums and art galleries. The downtown area is also known as the Historic Centre of Lima and is a constant hive of activity. 

Start at Plaza de Armas, Lima’s handsome central square, which dates back to 1535. Framing the square are some of the city’s most prominent landmarks. Step inside the opulent 16th-century Catedral de Lima to see its Baroque art and the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire. 

Watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the Palacio de Gobierno de Perú, the Government Palace. Admire the arcaded façade and elegant wooden balconies of the Palacio Municipal de Lima, the Municipal Palace.

Just a short walk from the main square are more architectural wonders, such as the Iglesia de Santo Domingo and Basilica de San Francicso. Visit the Casa de Aliaga, one of South America’s oldest colonial buildings.  

Devote some time to Downtown Lima's galleries and museums. Inspect work by national and international artists at the Pancho Fierro Art Gallery and examine the fine collection of pre-Colombian gold at the Museum of the Central Bank of Peru. 

Stroll along Jirón de La Union, a pedestrianized avenue between Plaza Mayor and Plaza San Martín. It’s where old meets new, with ancient churches located near modern retail outlets, cafés and restaurants. 

As the heart of Lima’s city centre, Downtown Lima is well served by public transport. The metro stations of Desamparados and Estación Jirón de la Unión provide easy access to the neighbourhood’s attractions. Downtown Lima is a short walk or metro ride from other major Lima attractions. After your visit, explore the streets of Chinatown and enjoy the gardens and art museums at Parque de la Exposición.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Cercado de Lima

Sheraton Lima Historic Center
Sheraton Lima Historic Center
4 out of 5
Paseo De La Republica 170, Lima, Lima
The price is S$113 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
S$113
5 Aug - 6 Aug
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lima. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (698 reviews)
"Everything is great"

Reviewed on 10 Jul, 2025

Sheraton Lima Historic Center
GRAN HOTEL BOLIVAR
GRAN HOTEL BOLIVAR
3 out of 5
JIRON DE LA UNION, 958, Lima, Provincia de Lima
The price is S$100 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
S$100
16 Jul - 17 Jul
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lima. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Plaza de Armas de Lima and Plaza Norte Peru are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (103 reviews)
"Lorena was amazing"

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

GRAN HOTEL BOLIVAR
Hotel Diamond Lima
Hotel Diamond Lima
3 out of 5
Jr. Cuzco, Lima, Lima
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lima. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (346 reviews)
"it was more modern than our previous hotels."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Hotel Diamond Lima
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
4 out of 5
Av Elmer Faucett S N, Aeropuerto Jorge Chavez, Callao, Lima
The price is S$146 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
S$146
28 Jul - 29 Jul
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Callao. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,014 reviews)
"Nice hotel. Very close to the old airport but the offer a shuttle"

Reviewed on 13 Jul, 2025

Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima City
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima City
4 out of 5
Av. Salaverry 3060 - Magdalena del Mar, Lima, Lima
The price is S$87 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$87
20 Jul - 21 Jul
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Lima. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"Amenities!! The sauna and jacuzzi were exactly what I needed to relax"

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima City
Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores by IHG
Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores by IHG
4 out of 5
Calle Alfonso Ugarte 117, Miraflores, Lima
The price is S$136 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
S$136
18 Jul - 19 Jul
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lima. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (559 reviews)
Holiday Inn is a great hotel!
"Clean hotel. Friendly staff. Great meals. Stored our luggage."

Reviewed on 11 Jul, 2025

Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Cercado de Lima

Plaza Mayor featuring flowers and a park

Lima Historic Center

Unique features of Lima Historic Center include the historical sites and shopping. Make a stop by Church and Convent of San Francisco or Government Palace while you're exploring the area.

Lima Historic Center
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Brena

You'll enjoy the shopping and historical sites in Brena. You might want to make time for a stop at La Rambla or Archaeological Site of Mateo Salado.

Brena
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Jesus Maria

You'll enjoy the live music and monuments in Jesus Maria. You might want to make time for a stop at Real Plaza Salaverry or Peruvian Japanese Cultural Center.

Jesus Maria
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Lince

4/5(1 area review)

Travellers enjoy Lince for its restaurants and shopping. Consider checking out Risso Commercial Center while you're in the area.

Lince
Larco Museum featuring a park and flowers

Pueblo Libre

Pueblo Libre is noteworthy for its museums, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Larco Herrera Museum and Great Craft Market.

Pueblo Libre
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San Isidro Centro Financiero

San Isidro Centro Financiero is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Camino Real Mall and San Isidro Shopping Center while in the area.

San Isidro Centro Financiero

Cercado de Lima