5 top attractions in Magdalena del Mar, Lima and rooms to stay: South of central Lima in Pueblo Libre is the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum, more commonly called the Larco Museum. The 18th-century viceroy mansion that houses it was built on the site of a pre-Columbian pyramid from the 7th century. The Larco Museum contains a huge collection of more than 40,000 pieces of Peruvian ceramics, a large portion of which is from the Moche and Chimu cultures. These are not all on display at once. There is also an excellent collection of gold work, along with some textiles, stone carvings, and metalwork.
Head to Museo Larco for, of all things, some erotic pre-Columbian pottery. The museum is located in an 18th-century building and has a large archaeological collection, including a lot of Peru’s pre-Colombian art, but it is most famous for its collection of erotic pottery. There are also changing temporary exhibitions. At the Miraflores boardwalk you can paraglide over the upscale beach city and the Pacific Ocean. If the sun is out, you’ll have a beautiful view of the Pacific and of Lima’s beach neighborhoods. It cost around $70 for 10 minutes.
Peru has long been recognized as home to South America’s most exciting fine-dining, with its restaurants consistently appearing on the world’s best lists. Among those not to miss include Central, which, led by chef Virgilio Martinez, has a tasting menu exploring every inch and altitude of Peruvian territory and cuisine. Maido, with its Peruvian-Japanese fusion tasting menus, a la carte and sushi dishes, is another one for a food splurge, while perhaps Lima’s most famous restaurant, Astrid y Gaston, which opened over 20 years ago, continues to lead the way when it comes to top-class, contemporary Peruvian cuisine. Book well ahead and expect to pay for an experience—you might leave with an empty wallet, but it’ll be an evening you won’t forget.
Visit metal artist Mario Torres Sanchez at his shop El Quijote (Av. Sucre 1198 – you can’t miss the whimsical front gate). Torres Sanchez has been making fantastical junk sculptures (go browse those photos a minute—we’ll wait) since the sixties. His store is stuffed full of sculptures both small and large, and he’ll take a break from grinding and welding new fantasies to come show you around. The sculptures are affordable, though a splurge on a backpacker’s budget. This would be a great place to visit right before you get on that plane—you don’t want to lug something that heavy all around Peru. If you go nowhere else in Lima, go here! See additional pictures of this incredible ocean view penthouse on Facebook. Need a place to rent in Lima, Peru? See additional details on Amazing Penthouse in Lima, Peru.
Groundbreaking for the construction of the original Lima Cathedral took place in 1535, and was expanded over the years. After it was destroyed several times by earthquakes, it was demolished and a totally new cathedral built several centuries later. The current cathedral is based on the 1746 cathedral. With additions over the years, the cathedral represents architectural styles from baroque to neoclassic. Located in historic Lima, the ornate cathedral has 13 chapels; the cathedral’s main altar is gold-plated. Saints, virgins and apostles are carved into the choir stalls. The Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro, who conquered Peru, is buried here. The cathedral is even more impressive when it is lit up at night.