2 days in Lima - what to do?

We had 2 stopovers in Lima last year, only because we were told flights were unreliable and we couldn't get a connection. As it turned out every flight was on time and we could have avoided the stopovers.

We stayed in Miraflores which is one of the better areas, but didn't feel safe walking around at night. We had time to go to Larcomar (modern restaurants and shops near the beach), the main Plaza in the centre, which was interesting and the Museo Nacional which was OK.

The air pollution must be the worst in the world - you just cannot see the sky. If I were planning my trip again I wouldn't stop over in Lima, but you may not have an option if you're on a tour. I would recommend you spend an extra day in Cusco if you can and avoid Lima.

Dwntown LiMa has several places to visit, Jr. Azángaro, Jr. De La Unión; the main two plazas, the cathedral, the train station, the San Francisco church, the cafes and shops in front o fthe cethedral crossing the plaza San AMrtin.

Although Downtown is not really safe at night, Miraflores is indeed safe; specially the area around the park and Larco Avenue, most people try to do the steps to the beach by foot, but that's not really a good idea. LArcoMar is the best place to be around in the evnings (a bit expensive though) and there are lots places to have a drink or a cafe, etc.

Museo de la Nación has good exhibitions but be aware of what taxi you take, it's better if you ask the people in your hotel to look a cab for you, and once you had the idea of the route you could take back a cab knowing the that it should take the same route, just in case.

Go to Centro Lima near the plaza de armas where there is a mall for some shopping or walking along shops.
Around there you also find some markets with handicraft from all over the country and some interesting colonial buildings are in that zone.
Take a taxi to Barranco and have a nice walk around that nice neighbourhood with nice old buildings. Go to the National Museum or to the Museo de Oro, both very interesting. Have dinner in Miraflores and have a stroll there in the evening. Enjoy the great food in Lima; you find seafood, chifa (chinese), creolean cuisin or just the tipical mixed cuisine of Peru 'comida corrida' menues are great and good value.
Have a good time, Lima is not a that bad place if you know what to do. Place to stay: backpacking place
Hotel España Central Lima - good value hotel in Miraflores Hotel Las Palmas.

Loads of ideas in this thread

Re: air pollution. The air quality is not great in central Lima, it's true, but it's an exaggeration to say "you can't see the sky". It may be exacerbated by Lima's weird climate which means that mist is quite frequent, so the sky isn't blue very often anyway.

If it's your first time in Latin America, Lima may be a bit of a culture shock, but it is worth some of your time.

LL

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<hr>We stayed in Miraflores which is one of the better areas, but didn't feel safe walking around at night.<hr></blockquote>
Are you serious? Where do you live, Disneyland?

Indeed, if there is one area in Lima with more security guards and cameras than Disneyland, it is Miraflores!
While I wouldn't call Miraflores a fascist state like someone else did some time ago, I recommend to stay in Barranco: perhaps a bit less guarded, but with much more character. Like others mentioned before, the 'pollution' is the coastal fog which is here from June to November almost every day. Although Lima rules throughout the year, the other months, when the sun is shining, will give newcomers faster a feel for the city.

My 2 days suggestions (of course it depends on your taste and on which days you're here, according to nightlife):

1.
- See the ruines of Pachacamac in the morning (perhaps by organized tour would be most convenient)
- Join the criollo lunch buffet in restaurant Rustica on the main square of Barranco (perfect intro to the delicious Peruvian cuisine)
- In the afternoon. take a taxi and see the main sites in Central Lima
- At night, if here from Wednesday till Saturday, go to a posh club, for instance in entertainment centre Larcomar (for more specific info, just send a PM)

2.
- After a late night we don't get up too early. We talke a stroll from Barranco to Miraflores along the coastline through the beautiful cliff parks (so stay on the cliff, do not walk on the beach!!)
- Have breakfast in one of the cafes along Av. Larco or parque Kennedy in the heart of Miraflores.
- If weather allows, take a parasail tandemflight from the clifftops of Miraflores (great hangover cure!)
- Have lunch in a cevicheria (seafood restaurant) and order 'ceviche mixto', the national dish of Peru.
- After lunch you head by taxi for the national museum in San Borja
- The rest of the afternoon you spend in your own neighbourhood Barranco, stroll a bit, enjoy the nice architecture and have a drink on the square.
- I suppose you'll have an early morning flight, so we don't go clubbing this second night, we'll take it easy and stay the night in Barranco and have a few in one of the sophisticated bars like Mochilleros, Posada de Angel or La Noche (or somewhere else along the Boulevard).

Enjoy Lima, Lima rocks!

If you are into food, Lima is an absolute paradise.
Absolutely the BEST food in all of South America, and among top contenders for the world.
Someone here compiled a great blog about restaurants in Lima, hopefully it can get linked. If not, I know of dozen's upon dozens of top notch restaurants.

I have to agree as well about the coastal mist, is is called 'Garua', and could easily be confused for smog, but it is not.
Lima is a GREAT city, don't be put off by people who don't 'get' it.

Is it really worthwhile to visit Pachacamac if you will see Machu Pichu and the Inca sites in the sacred valley? Is there anything new or unique in Pach? Thanks

Lima is fun...

Just start with the attractions listed in the guidebook, churches, museums, restaurants etc.
You can't even see all of the best ones in two days.

San Francisco monastery, and the Cathedral are must sees.

Museu de la Nacion, Museo Larco are excellent.

On weekends, there are boat trips to the islands off Callao, where you can swim with penguins and sea lions.