Lima in one day: five museums for art and history lovers
Lima, also known as the City of Kings, was founded on January 18, 1535, by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. It was given this name in honor of Emperor Charles V and his mother, Queen Joanna.
It is located in the Rímac River valley, along the Pacific Ocean coast. Due to its strategic geographic location, it was chosen by the Spanish as the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, and over time, it became established as the current capital of the Republic of Peru.
Before the arrival of the conquistadors, the indigenous peoples of the area — especially the Yungas — already knew this territory by the name "Limac," a term that influenced the city’s current name.
Today, Lima is a vibrant metropolis that combines history, tradition, and modernity. Among its main tourist attractions are the Historic Center — declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO — and iconic districts such as Barranco, known for its bohemian atmosphere; Miraflores, for its commercial activity and ocean views; San Isidro, with its business profile and green areas; the modern district of San Borja, known for its cultural infrastructure; and the stately Pueblo Libre, home to many museums.
Visit Five Museums in One Day
You can follow the itinerary below to visit five museums in Lima in a single day. They are all located in the city center:
Bodega y Quadra Site Museum
Opened in 2012 and located in the Historic Center of Lima, this museum offers a deep and enriching look into the customs, traditions, and lifestyles of Lima’s society during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Its exhibition allows visitors to understand the cultural, social, and daily evolution of Lima during a crucial stage in its history.
The museum is built on one of the most significant archaeological sites in the city, which has been officially recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Nation due to its historical and patrimonial value.
It is named after Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, a notable historical figure and former owner of the land where the building now stands. His legacy lives on through this cultural space, which aims to preserve and promote the historical memory of Lima and its inhabitants.
Location: Jirón Ancash 213, Lima
Phone: (01) 6321300 ext. 1784
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission: S/ 10.00
Tickets can be purchased through the Tu Boleto Cultura platform.
Email: msbodegayquadra@munlima.gob.pe
Lima Art Museum (MALI)
MALI is located in the historic Palace of the Exhibition, in the district of Lima, the capital of Peru. It is considered one of the most important museums in the country, both for the quality of its collections and its cultural significance. This iconic museum covers an area of approximately 4,500 square meters and was founded in 1959, opening its doors to the public in 1961. Since then, it has become a benchmark for the preservation, study, and promotion of Peruvian art.
MALI houses a vast collection that spans over 3,000 years of art history in Peru, from pre-Columbian cultures to contemporary artistic expressions. Its permanent galleries feature a carefully curated selection of masterpieces representing various periods, with notable collections of pre-Columbian art, colonial (Viceregal) art, republican art, and modern art.
In addition, the museum organizes high-level temporary exhibitions, as well as educational activities, workshops, and lectures, aiming to make art accessible to all audiences and to foster appreciation for Peru’s cultural heritage.
Location: Parque de la Exposición, Av. 9 de Diciembre 125, Lima – Peru
Phone: +51 969 046 254
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Admission:
General: S/ 15.00 – S/ 40.00
Students over 8 years old: S/ 7.50
Accredited teachers: S/ 7.50
Foreign teachers: S/ 15.00
Children under 8 years old and adults over 65: Free
Tickets can be purchased at mali.pe
Huallamarca Site Museum
Also known as Huaca Huallamarca, this impressive truncated pyramid, approximately 19 meters tall, stands in the heart of the San Isidro district in Lima, Peru. Featuring a stepped structure with three levels, this pre-Hispanic construction was formerly referred to as "Pan de Azúcar" (Sugar Loaf) due to its distinctive shape.
The huaca was officially inaugurated as an archaeological site on August 11, 1960, and has since become an important testament to the region’s ancestral past. Its use dates back to the Formative Period, around 200 B.C., and continued until the Inca Period, around 1100 A.D., indicating a continuous occupation of over 1,300 years.
Archaeological investigations at the site uncovered various funerary contexts both inside and around the huaca. Numerous material remains were also found, helping to reconstruct aspects of daily life, ceremonial practices, and funerary customs of the cultures that once inhabited the area. These findings include organic remains, finely crafted textiles, ceramic pieces, minerals, and both human and animal bones.
Huaca Huallamarca is not only a historical monument of great architectural and cultural value but also a space that connects us with the ancient roots of pre-Columbian Peru. The museum is managed by the Ministry of Culture.
Location: Av. Nicolás de Ribera 201, San Isidro District, Lima – Peru
Phone: (01) 2224124
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday and the first Sunday of each month, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission:
Higher education students: S/.3.00
School students: S/.1.00
Special ticket for seniors (60+), military service members, teachers, and adults with disabilities: S/.2.50
Special ticket for students with disabilities: S/.1.50
Special ticket for minors with disabilities: Free (S/.0.00)
Tickets can be purchased through the Tu Boleto Cultura online portal.
National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru
The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru was founded in 1822, making it the oldest museum in the country. It is located in the historic Palacio de la Magdalena, facing the iconic Plaza Bolívar, in the Pueblo Libre district of Lima. It is currently managed by the Ministry of Culture of Peru.
This important cultural venue houses a vast and valuable collection of objects that are true treasures of Peruvian history. Among its most notable pieces are the famous Crossed Hands of Kotosh, the majestic Raimondi Stele from the Chavín culture, the impressive Tello Obelisk, as well as exquisite Paracas textiles. Additionally, it features an outstanding display of viceregal art, prominently showcasing paintings from the renowned Cuzco School.
The museum also offers a virtual tour.
Location: Plaza Bolívar, Pueblo Libre District, Lima – Peru
Phone: (01) 3215630
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free entry
The Larco Museum
The Rafael Larco Herrera Museum, also known as the Larco Museum, was founded in 1926 by Rafael Larco Hoyle. It is located in an 18th-century viceregal mansion in the Pueblo Libre district. The museum houses a collection of approximately 45,000 archaeological pieces, including objects made of gold and other valuable metals. One highlight is a Chimú vessel made of gold and silver that represents the sun — a symbol of the day, the dry season, and masculinity — and the moon — a symbol of the night, the wet season, and femininity.
Its collection includes huacos (ceremonial pottery) from various pre-Columbian cultures of the northern coast, such as the Moche and Chimú cultures, among others. Among these pieces are the famous erotic representations. The museum preserves over 5,000 years of history, and its collections have also been exhibited abroad. Moreover, it was one of the first museums in the world to offer a 100% virtual tour experience of its collection.
There is also a café where visitors can enjoy a relaxing break during their visit, with the opportunity to taste Peruvian cuisine.
Location: Bolívar Avenue, District: Pueblo Libre, Lima – Peru
Phone: +51 (01) 4611312
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Admission:
General admission: S/ 50.00
Seniors (60+ years): S/ 35.00
Students and minors (ages 9 to 17): S/ 25.00
Children (ages 3 to 8): S/ 1.00
Children (ages 0 to 2): Free
Tickets can be purchased at www.museolarco.org/tickets/.
Online purchases offer a special discount and preferential access.
SOURCES:
ANDINA Agencia peruana de noticias
GESTION.PE