Many visitors are bewildered by Lima’s sheer size, but many of the city’s museums, churches and colonial treasures are conveniently located in the historic centre. The city has recently undergone a campaign to clean up the dirty streets, which are now really clean, and the city now revels in the huge increase of tourism that this has ensured.

Government Palace
This palace is also known as the House of Pizarro, as it was the conqueror’s home until his death in 1541. The magnificent hall, Salon Dorado, features important and historic artwork. The palace also houses the official residence of the President of Peru. There is a ‘changing of the guard parade’ every day, which is always worth watching.

Miraflores and Barranco
One of Lima’s main attractions is the city’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean. In the last century, many of the capital’s richest families built summer houses in the seaside suburbs of Miraflores and Barranco. Miraflores is home to the beautiful Parque Kennedy, which is surrounded by pavement cafés as well as a large multiplex cinema and a number of excellent arts and crafts shops.

Barranco is where Lima’s party-goers head at the weekend. You will find a lively nightlife consisting of restaurants, bars and discos. Many large colonial houses can be found here, along with a beautifully restored tram car.

Pachacamac
This town is situated very close to Lima and houses some of the best pre-Incan ruins in the country. The Temple of the Virgins, Temple of the Sun and the excellently preserved irrigation systems are among the town’s top attractions. It is a great way to experience a small taste of what life would have been like before the Inca’s arrived in Peru.

Palacio de Torre
This palace is the present headquarters of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The building dates back to the early 18^th century and was created in the Sevillian, Mudejar and Criollo styles. It has a stone portico and two intricately carved balconies, which are considered to be the most beautiful in the whole of Lima.

Plaza de Armas
This is the main square in Lima, which was designed by Francisco Pizarro, the founder of Lima. The square used to be the hub of all activity in Lima, which included trading and administration, and although the square is in the same location as it was in the 16th century, it is more of a tourist attraction rather than a working centre now. There is an impressive bronze fountain which can be found in the middle of the square and dates back to 1650.

Santa Rosa Church and Sanctuary
This church was built upon the place where Isabel Flores de Oliva, a famous Peruvian saint, was born in 1586. It keeps its relics and the famous image of the Christ Child, who is believed to have assisted her when taking care of the sick people. The garden is home to the hermitage that she built and the well in which the saint dropped the key to the lock of her penitence waist chain.

The Cathedral
The original cathedral was initially devoted to Our Lady of Assumption, but unfortunately, it was almost entirely destroyed during the 1746 earthquake. The Viceroy Jose Antonio Manso de Velasco Conde de Superunda had it rebuilt in 1758. The cathedral’s interior is stunning and full of intricate wood carvings and also houses an elaborate chapel of Baroque style. There is another smaller chapel which holds the remains of Francisco Pizarro.

The Nazarenas Church and Convent
This church was built during the colony on the old site of Pachacamilla. This was an area inhabited by descendants of black slaves, brought from Angola and who had formed a fraternity. It is said that one of the descendants painted an image of Christ on the Cross on a wall here, which remained unharmed in spite of a severe earthquake in 1655. The survival of the wall led to a cult following of the image. A replica of the painting was made and it is carried throughout the city, every October, in annual processions. The image is known as Señor de los Milagros (Lord of the Miracles), Cristo Morado (Christ in Purple) or Cristo de los Teniblores (Christ of the Earthquakes) and is considered the patron saint of Lima.

Take a cruise to the Palomino Islands
The Palomino Islands can be found just a short distance away from the port of Lima. These small islands are home to small colonies of sea lions, Peruvian boobies and Guanay cormorants. If you want to you want to swim with the sea lions, you can join them in the sea.

Take a Trip to a Market
Markets are great places for people watching and picking up a bargain or two. The markets are especially exciting for those who always shop in the same supermarket at home and want to experience something different. You should always be careful when buying raw food, and always make sure meat is properly cooked.

Surf the Waves
Go surfing on Lima's beaches, which are a paradise for surfers. The beaches get very busy at the weekends which while providing a great atmosphere, can also be quite intimidating for beginners. There are some lovely beaches south of Lima, in an area known as Asia, although they are orientated towards locals rather than tourists.

Try a Pisco Sour
Pisco Sour is the national drink of Peru. It is made with fermented grape juice, called pisco. It has a strong alcohol content, so be careful, but it has such a unique taste that all adult visitors should try it at least once. Peru and neighbour Chile each claim to have invented the pisco sour, and this is a bone of contention with each country.

Tackle the Inca Trail
Your trip to Lima would not be complete without hiking the Inca Trail. This is a popular activity with many tourists who visit the city and is a chance to get a glimpse of what life was like for this famous ancient tribe. The trail would have originally run from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, but the 50kms that has been restored and preserved are just a fraction of the trail. You will trek through stunning scenery and visit local tribal communities.