25 Unforgettable Places to Go in 2026: Lima

Photo: Spencer Cordovano

Lima sits on Peru’s central coast, where desert cliffs meet the Pacific Ocean, stretching from its UNESCO-listed historic center to modern districts along the shore. Founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, the city became the administrative capital of colonial Peru — a role still visible around Plaza Mayor, where the Government Palace, cathedral, and rows of colonial and republican façades now house museums and shops.

Food has become the way many travelers get to know Lima. In 2025, Maido, led by chef Mitsuharu Tsumura, was named the world’s best restaurant by The World’s 50 Best. It’s known for Nikkei cuisine, born from Japanese migration to Peru and the blending of two culinary styles. Central, from chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León, remains another international landmark. Its tasting menu is organized by altitude — from the Pacific coast to the Andes to the Amazon — to show Peru’s ecosystems through a progression of dishes.

The city’s food story extends far beyond those hard-to-get reservations. Cevicherías across the city serve paper-wrapped portions of Peru’s national dish. In neighborhood markets like Surquillo and Magdalena, vendors sell everything from tropical fruit and cups of chicha morada (a purple corn drink) to picarones (ring-shaped doughnuts of sweet potato and squash). Small, family-run restaurants, known as huariques, serve traditional dishes like lomo saltado (a stir-fry of beef, onions, and fries). However you eat your way through the city, it’s easy to see why Lima has become a destination for food travelers worldwide.

Photo: Spencer Cordovano

Barranco, a seaside neighborhood south of the city center, is home to some of Lima’s best bars. PiscoBar, run by local expert Ricardo Carpio, focuses on the Peru’s signature grape spirit. Order a classic pisco sour or roll up your sleeves and try a pisco tasting flight. Luckily (especially after a few Piscos), the surrounding streets are easy to explore on foot and there are plenty of nearby late-night food stands.

Most visitors stay in Miraflores, the coastal district known for its high-end hotels, restaurants, and ocean views. Opened in August 2025, nhow Lima adds a luxury option to the neighborhood. Every wall in the 243-room hotel is bold with color and contemporary art. The restaurant, Zönico, draws on ingredients from the eight countries linked by the Amazon River. On the 13th floor, the rooftop bar and pool area Pagano has quickly become a gathering spot for both travelers and locals.