Lima: colonial legacy and top culinary destination
Known as the City of Kings, Lima is much more than just the capital of Peru. It is a vibrant destination where history, culture, and innovation converge to provide unforgettable experiences. Founded in 1535 on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Lima's Historic Center is home to an impressive colonial legacy and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Travelers can step back in time in its squares, balconies, and viceregal mansions, while the modern districts and cosmopolitan atmosphere reveal the city's contemporary side.
Exploring Lima reveals a multicultural city where indigenous, Hispanic, African, and Asian influences coexist, creating a unique cultural mosaic. This diversity is evident in traditional festivities like the Procession of the “Señor de los Milagros” (Lord of Miracles) and the “Virgen del Carmen” (Virgin of Carmen) and in ancestral gratitude customs to Pachamama that persist in nearby villages.
Lima's living culture, hospitality, history, avant-garde spirit, and strategic location on the Pacific coast make it an unmissable destination for discovering Peru. Here, the past and the future come together to offer an authentic, exciting, world-class experience.
Lima
Undoubtedly, however, Lima shines on the world stage for its extraordinary cuisine. The Peruvian capital has won the World Travel Award for Best Culinary Destination several times (winning more than ten editions, most recently in 2023) and is home to some of the world's most prestigious restaurants. In 2023, Central, led by Virgilio Martínez, was named the Best Restaurant in the World by The World's 50 Best Restaurants. Other icons, such as Maido (Nikkei cuisine) and Kjolle (with chef Pía León), also rank among the world's top 50, confirming Lima's status as the gastronomic capital of South America and an international benchmark.
Here, ancient flavors are combined with contemporary creations in a culinary journey ranging from ceviche, a symbol of the Peruvian coast, to Nikkei fusion, chifa, and cuisines from the Amazon and Andes. The combination of this wealth of ingredients and traditions with the innovation of its chefs has conquered palates around the world.
Districts such as Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro, on the other hand, bring together art, design, living culture, and a modern nightlife. Their boardwalks, which offer stunning sea views, are ideal for walking, sports, and enjoying unforgettable sunsets.