5 of My Favorite Museums in Lima Peru
Downtown Museums – Lima’s Historical Center
Downtown Lima hosts some of the best Museums in Lima Peru. Here is a list of my favorites.
MALI – Museo del Arte Lima
Very impressive collection of art by Peruvian Artists. This is a must see. I can’t recommend it enough. The Museum is housed inside of an enormous Renaissance Style Palace which was constructed along with El Parque de la Exposición, which, together, hosted a world exhibition on the ten year anniversary of Peruvian Independence.
Noche MALI
Last Friday of the Month from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
At the end of the month, on a Friday, they have a Noche de MALI, where a young crowd gathers over drinks and live music.
I was lucky to be in Lima for that event and I recommend it. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the locals. Most of them were eager to speak English.
La Bodega Verde
Cute stylish Museum restaurant with table service. Delicious food is easy to come by in Lima, so chances are you will have already eaten. But if not, this is a tasty restaurant and a safe bet.
This brand is actually a small local chain with locations around Lima.
El Parque de la Exposición
Beautiful fenced in park adjacent to the museum. Well worth a stroll around and if you’re tired, and who isn’t after a museum, it’s a great place to lay down and maybe even take a little nap. The fence allows you to do this in a safe responsable way.
Plaza Mayor
Every Spanish town, big or small, has a Main Square. The Architectural Style of the Main Square will vary depending on the part of the Catholic Church was in charge of the area you are visiting.
Lima’s Main Square is very well maintained. The style of architecture is very unique to Peru and it’s well worth the time to visit.
If you only stay in Mira Flores and you skip Downtown, I think you really missed out on something special.
The churches have been transformed into some of the best museums in Lima Peru.
Cathedral de Lima
The Cathedral de Lima charges 10 soles cover to enter. I was surprised as the equivalent Cathedral in Mexico City is free. When you enter it is very empty but you quickly find out that you will get your 10 soles worth. This cathedral has every nook and cranny open to the public.
Underground toumbs are open and remarkably well preserved. Other secret attic stairways and secret meeting rooms of priests are all open. This church is a fascinating museum and highly recommended.
Basílica and Convent of San Fransisco
Another well restored Catholic Church, convent, library, and tomb.
Museo Lacro
Beautifully restored Spanish style mansion houses an enormous private collection of pre-Columbian art pieces. This multilingual museum serves as a wonderful introduction of Andean geography and history. A wonderful introduction to Peru and one of the best museums in Lima Peru.
Barrio of Pueblo Libre
Museo Lacro is located in the Barrio of Pueblo Libre. It is a perfect example of a middle class neighborhood in Lima. Small parks dot the area and host basketball games, skateparks, and tons of people walking their barking dogs. If you want to walk around the neighborhood, here are two places I recommend.
La Panera Cafe
Stylish neighborhood cafe with a one of a kind view of an ancient archeological site right in the middle of the neighborhood.
Señor Limón
While there is no shortage of Cevicherias in Lima, this one has a great neighborhood vibe and the food is top notch. Absolutely delicious.
I ordered a combinado, of cheviche de pescado and arroz con mariscos. It was heavenly and it paired great with Lima’s signature Pisco Sour.
Just like the cafe mentioned above, this restaurant is across the street from the same enormous Ancient ruin that the Pueblo Libre Barrio is built around.
Museo Pedro de Osma
Antique Mansion beautifully restored hosting a stunning Spanish art collection. This is a great museum for architecture and design lovers as well as history buffs. A must see for people who like to get to know a city through its architecture.
El Barranco
This Museum is located in El Barranco neighborhood. Unlike the two previous neighborhoods that I profiled, El Barranco is covered intensely by the travel YouTubers. They say it is a hipster alternative scene and to be honest I didn’t get that vibe at all.
El barranco is beautiful and instagrammable but after my first half hour I found it to be very touristy and mainstream and I didn’t get an alternative vibe at all. I looked for all of the cool galleries that the YouTubers talk about and I couldn’t find them. They oversell the Museo Del Arte Contemporaneo, which I say is a pass.
One thing I can’t speak badly about is the waterfront. It is stunningly beautiful and if you find yourself getting bored in Barranco, like I did, the waterfront is always nearby.
