Lima—founded in 1535 and long known as the City of Kings—has reinvented itself as Latin America’s culinary powerhouse. Pre-Columbian ruins sit beside belle epoque balconies, while surfers and paragliders carve the same Pacific air. This itinerary balances headline sights with local markets, neighborhood walks, and low-cost eats.

Peru’s capital is a city of districts and microclimates. You’ll base in walkable Miraflores and bohemian Barranco, then dip into UNESCO-listed Centro Histórico for plazas, churches, and catacombs. Expect sea breezes on the Malecón, color-drenched street art, and café culture that fuels long days on your feet.

Practical notes: tap water isn’t recommended; stick to bottled or filtered. Lima is safe in tourist zones when you’re alert—keep phones zipped in crowds and use official taxis or ride apps at night. Cash helps in markets (Peruvian sol; USD ≈ PEN 3.7–3.9), but cards are widely accepted in restaurants and museums.

Lima

From cliff-top parks in Miraflores to Barranco’s murals and Centro’s colonial façades, Lima rewards slow exploration. Top sights include Huaca Pucllana (pre-Inca adobe pyramid), the San Francisco catacombs, Museo Larco’s world-class ceramics, and the nightly Magic Water Circuit.

• Getting there: Search budget-friendly flights to Lima (LIM) with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Nonstops from U.S. hubs can be 6–9 hours (often $350–$700 in shoulder seasons), connections from Europe are typically 12–15 hours.
• Getting around: The Metropolitano BRT is fast and cheap (Miraflores–Centro ~35–45 minutes). Taxis/ride apps are affordable for evenings or longer hops. Most days here are built for walking.
• Where to stay (budget-first): Search deals on Hotels.com or apartments on VRBO. Consistently good-value picks include Selina Miraflores Lima (social, central, dorms and privates). If you plan a splurge night, check JW Marriott Hotel Lima or oceanfront Belmond Miraflores Park.

Eat & drink (on a budget): Markets like Surquillo serve menus del día (soup + main) for PEN 12–22. Street stars: chicharrón sandwiches at El Chinito, anticuchos at Tía Grimanesa, picarones (sweet potato doughnuts) by Parque Kennedy. Coffee culture thrives at Neira Café Lab, Puku Puku, and Bisetti.

Day 1: Arrival, Malecón Sunset, and Miraflores Bites

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the flight with a gentle walk along the Malecón from Parque del Amor to Faro la Marina—Pacific views, paragliders overhead, and pocket-friendly ice cream carts along the path. Coffee stop: Puku Puku (good filter and local beans).

Evening: Stroll Parque Kennedy (cat-spotting is a Lima rite of passage). For an inexpensive dinner, try La Lucha Sanguchería (butifarra and chicharrón sandwiches) or Siete Sopas (a rotating soup calendar; portions are huge). If you want a classic street-food flavor, grab anticuchos at Anticuchos de la Tía Grimanesa in Miraflores.

Day 2: Historic Center, Plazas, and Catacombs

Morning: Join a small-group city walk to cover the essentials efficiently and inexpensively:

Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups)

Expect Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral exteriors, and San Francisco Monastery. It’s a time- and budget-saver that orients you to Centro’s highlights.

Afternoon: Cheap-and-cheerful lunch at El Chinito (try the tamal + chicharrón combo). Wander Jirón de la Unión for historic balconies and street life, then step into the San Francisco catacombs if the tour didn’t. If you’re into Chinatown’s “chifa,” duck into Calle Capón for a budget plate of arroz chaufa.

Evening: Ride the Metropolitano back to Miraflores (avoid rush-hour crush if possible). Dessert run: Picarones Mary near Parque Kennedy—fresh, hot, and under the stars.

Day 3: Clifftop Cycling, Huaca Pucllana, and Barranco at Dusk

Morning: See Lima’s coast on two wheels with a wallet-friendly group ride:

Lima Bike Tour in Miraflores & Barranco - Shared small group

You’ll coast past parks, murals, and ocean overlooks. It’s flat, photogenic, and far cheaper than private tours.

Afternoon: Refuel with a market menú at Mercado Surquillo (ceviche-and-rice plates on the cheap) or a hearty pan con chicharrón. Visit Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores—an adobe pyramid older than the Incas. Entry is affordable and the on-site museum gives quick context.

Evening: Head to Barranco for golden-hour light on the Puente de los Suspiros and Bajada de los Baños. Eat simply at La Bodega Verde (sandwiches, salads) or share a portion of picarones near the plaza. Nightcap at Juanito de Barranco for classic bodega vibes without a high tab.

Day 4: Markets, Street Art, and the Beach

Morning: Breakfast like a local: emoliente (herbal warm drink) and a tamal from a street vendor, then browse Surquillo Market for tropical fruit tastings—ask for lucuma and chirimoya. Bring small coins for tastings.

Afternoon: Barranco DIY street-art walk: start at the main plaza, loop past Cajamarca and San Martín streets, then down to the seafront. Pop into Dédalo for artisan browsing (window-shopping welcome). If the ocean calls, head to Playa Makaha in Miraflores—surf schools rent boards and offer budget lessons.

Evening: Cheap ceviche dinner? Try Al Toke Pez in Surquillo—fast, fresh, and famous for value (go early; they sell out). For a quiet end, sit at Parque Raimondi and watch the paragliders lift off the cliffs.

Day 5: Museums Day + Magic Water Circuit

Morning: Take a bus or ride app to Pueblo Libre for Museo Larco—Peru’s timeline in 90 minutes, beautifully labeled in English/Spanish. The galleries and gardens are a joy even for non-museum types.

Afternoon: Lunch at nearby Antigua Taberna Queirolo (classic tavern plates at reasonable prices), then continue to MALI (Museo de Arte de Lima) by Parque de la Exposición for a broad sweep of Peruvian art. If budgets are tight, choose one museum and keep the other for a future trip.

Evening: Cap the day with Lima’s beloved fountain park:

Magic Water & Laser Light Show Including Pick Up And Drop Off

You can also go independently for a few soles, but this tour is convenient at night. It’s colorful, kitschy, and uniquely Limeño.

Day 6: Chorrillos, Morro Solar Views, and Chocolate Workshop

Morning: Ride south to Chorrillos. Climb or taxi up Morro Solar for sweeping city-and-sea panoramas—free and breezy. Walk the fish market by the pier for the day’s catch and photos.

Afternoon: Sweeten the day with hands-on chocolate making in Miraflores:

Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Workshop in ChocoMuseo Lima Miraflores

It’s fun, affordable, and you leave with your own chocolates—souvenir solved.

Evening: Budget dinner ideas: arroz con pollo or ají de gallina from a local menú spot, or share a lomo saltado with a friend. If you want nightlife without cover charges, Barranco’s plaza often has live buskers; grab a bench and enjoy the show.

Day 7: Lazy Brunch, Last Strolls, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at El Pan de la Chola (split a big sandwich and a pastry to keep costs low) or a simple eggs-and-juice combo at a corner café. Pick up last-minute textiles at the Inca Market (haggle politely).

Afternoon: Final Malecón walk to Parque del Faro for a goodbye view. Allow 3–3.5 hours pre-flight including traffic to the airport. Search any same-day flight changes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Fly out with a pocket of soles for airport snacks and a head full of Pacific sunsets.

Optional Swap/Addition (if you find a great deal): District Highlights Tour

If you spot a discount and prefer a single outing to hit multiple neighborhoods with context, this small-group tour is a strong value:

Miraflores, Barranco & San Isidro - Districts Tour (Small Group)

Use it to replace Day 3 morning or Day 4 afternoon if you prefer guided overview to DIY roaming.

Budget, Food, and Practical Tips

• Daily budget (excluding lodging): PEN 60–120 ($16–$32) covers transport, a market menú, coffee, snacks, and one paid sight. Eat big at lunch (menús) and lighter at dinner.
• Transport: Metropolitano card is cheap to load and handy (Miraflores–Centro ~PEN 3–4 each way). At night, choose taxis/ride apps from well-lit spots.
• When to visit: Lima is mild year-round. Summer (Dec–Mar) is sunny and busy; winter brings coastal mist (“garúa”) and cooler temps—great for walking and museum days.
• Safety: Keep phones and cameras discreet in crowded areas; avoid empty beaches after dark. Use ATMs inside banks/supermarkets.

Where to book: Flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Stays via Hotels.com or VRBO. Budget-friendly: Selina Miraflores Lima. Splurge nights: JW Marriott Hotel Lima, Belmond Miraflores Park.

In one week, you’ll walk centuries of history, eat like a local, and breathe the Pacific from Lima’s clifftops. With savvy market meals and smart transport, this is a budget itinerary that still feels rich in color, flavor, and story.