Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

Half-Day Lima City and Larco Museum Tour

Half-Day Lima City and Larco Museum Tour

3MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2022-11-07

Peru’s capital is a sprawling metropolis with a population of almost 10 million people. While it might not be top of your list on your visit to Peru, the capital offers plenty of historical and cultural attractions to entice you to stay a while. This half-day tour of downtown Lima and The Larco Museum is the perfect introduction to the country and its colonial past and includes a visit to The Larco Museum, one of the top 25 museums in the world!

 

The Government Palace in Lima is one of the most spectacular buildings in the capital´s Plaza de Armas. Of course, it is the most heavily guarded building in the area, is where the President of Peru and his family live. The palace also serves as the location for various state meetings and functions and is not open to the public, yet it is an awesome sight on any Lima city tour and the changing of the guard is a blast!

Government Palace

Huaca Pucllana

This archaeological site located in Miraflores dates back to the 4th century and was once a very important ceremonial site, with pyramids made of adobe clay. Today The Huaca Pucllana is immaculately restored and there is an on-site gourmet restaurant to admire the ruins from your dining table.
 

Hidden in the bustling tourist district of Miraflores, Lima, you can find a massively contrasting site called the Huaca Pucllana. One of many ancient monuments to explore when you travel to Lima, Peru, the  Huaca Pucllana is a gigantic pyramid (yes A PYRAMID!) in the middle of modernity and is one of the oldest buildings in Lima!

Huaca Pucllana

Lima’s Historic Center

Next up is The Plaza Mayor or main square, the most representative one in Peru and forms the epicenter of the historical center of Lima. Admire the numerous architectural relics that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site. See impressive buildings such as The Government Palace, The City Hall, The Archbishop’s Palace, and The Cathedral. The Lima Cathedral, built in 1625 is a Roman Catholic cathedral that still retains its colonial structure and façade. The tomb of Francisco Pizarro lies here overlooked by gold-leafed altars and wonderfully carved wooden choir stalls. The cathedral also exhibits sculptures and oil paintings from both the 17th and 18th centuries. Your expert guide will explain all about the rich history of Peru’s capital. 
 

 Surrounding the Plaza Mayor in Lima are a number of significant public buildings. On your Lima Peru tours, marvel at the Palacio Arzobispal, built in 1924 and boasting some of the most stunning Moorish-style balconies in the city. On the opposite side is the government Palace that takes up the whole side of the plaza!

Plaza de Armas, Lima

 

Next, just a block away is the magnificent Santo Domingo Convent, which was built during Lima’s foundation, and originally housed the San Marcos University, the oldest university in the Americas. Stepping into the convent is like stepping back in time. The library has 25,000 books from the Dominicans, some of which were printed in the 15th Century.  The Santo Domingo Convent was transited by all the major Saints of Lima, and currently houses the remains of San Martín de Porres, San Juan Masías y Santa Rosa de Lima. 

 

The Lima Cathedral is the most important church in Peru and is located on the main square. At first glance, it stands out for its beautiful Renaissance-style façade that is illuminated at night, and the fact that is bright yellow!.  It has thirteen chapels, choir stalls, and the crypt where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are buried. Visit the Lima cathedral on your Lima tour packages.

Lima Cathedral

The Larco Museum

The Larco Museum was founded by archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle, who spent his life investigating and protecting the vestiges of Peru’s northern, pre-Colombian cultures. Larco Hoyle not only treasured and cataloged the remains he found on his scientific explorations of the archaeological sites on the north coast of Peru, but he also purchased numerous private collections. Today, the Larco Museum exhibits almost 45,000 artifacts from the Mochica, Virú, Chimú, and Sipán Cultures, as well as other, smaller civilizations that populated pre-Inca Peru. Its awesome collection covers 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history, including jewelry, made of gold, silver and precious stones, pottery, metals, textiles, and more. "Museo Larco” is also famous for its gallery of pre-Columbian erotic pottery. The Larco Museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens that offer respite from the sprawling capital city on this excellent half-day tour of downtown Lima and the Larco Museum.
 

In the galleries, hallways, and gardens of the Larco Museum, you can discover the union between Peruvian history and the country´s identity. Peru is a fascinating country still discovering its astounding past. In 1953 the museum moved to Lima, where it stands to this day. The Larco Museum houses an extensive ceramic collection from Rafael Larco Hoyle. Rafael Larco Hoyle. Visit on your Lima City tour!

Pottery Exhibit, Larco Museum

 

This Lima tour is ideal for history enthusiasts and travel specialists. Without a doubt, it is one of the best museums in Latin America and the world. Book the Valencia Travel  Lima City and Larco Museum Tour here!
 

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