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Top 10 attractions in Paracas
Lima Main Square
Lima Main Squarealso known as the central square, is the birthplace of the old town of Lima, the capital of Peru. In 1535, the Spaniard Pizarro founded the city here, and the square subsequently became the center of the entire city's planning and expansion. It is surrounded by the Government Palace of Peru, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of the Union. The colonial-style facades are often adorned with carved wooden balconies, creating a highly recognizable cityscape for Lima, and the Cathedral houses the coffin of the city's founder, Pizarro. The bronze fountain in the center of the square was completed in the mid-17th century and is one of the oldest monuments preserved in Lima, as well as a popular spot for tourists to take photos.Peru · Lima
Centro Historico
Centro Historico is the historic core of Lima, the capital of Peru, spanning the Lima and Rímac districts on both banks of the Rímac River. In the 16th century, the Spaniard Pizarro founded the city here. Over the following centuries, churches, convents, mansions, and squares were built one after another. The old town long served as the political and religious center of the Viceroyalty of Peru, with facades in Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-Baroque, and Neoclassical styles layered upon one another, where traces of Mediterranean, Moorish, and Andalusian decorative techniques can also be seen. A highly recognizable feature of the old town is the rows of carved wooden balconies, mostly built between the late 17th and 18th centuries, which are intricately carved and projecting. The Palacio de Torre Tagle and Casa de Osambela are representative examples. The old town is compact, spreading out from the Lima Main Square along pedestrian streets, and the main attractions can be connected on foot. The changing of the guard in front of the Government Palace is also a common sight in the square.Peru · Lima
Huacachina
Huacachinais an oasis town hidden deep in the desert near Ica, Peru, where a pool of water is surrounded by rolling, towering sand dunes. Palm trees line the lakeshore, and a path around the lake connects old-fashioned hotels and restaurants. With only about a hundred permanent residents, it is so small that you can almost see the whole town at a glance. This landscape of lake and sand was once featured on the back of the Peruvian 50-sol banknote. It was a favorite vacation spot for the elite in Peru in the past, and today it has become a base for travelers to experience desert activities. The signature experiences are all on the sand dunes: ride a sand buggy to dive and leap between the sand ridges, then step onto a sandboard and rush down the steep slopes. The activity is a bit like skiing, and beginners can also choose to lie down while sliding.Ica · 59.4 km from Paracas
San Martin Square
San Martin Squareis located in Lima, the capital of Peru. Inaugurated on July 27, 1921, to celebrate the centennial of Peru's independence, it is named after José de San Martín, the leader of the South American independence movement and the Liberator of Peru, and is one of the most representative public spaces in the old town. In the center of the square stands a bronze equestrian statue created by Spanish sculptor Mariano Benlliure, capturing the moment San Martín led his army across the Andes: the general sits calmly and focused on horseback, without the typical pose of a rearing horse or brandishing a weapon; the pedestal also features a female statue adorned with a small alpaca, symbolizing Peru, and the surrounding marble railings and granite paving were also part of the original meticulous design.Peru · Lima
Malecón de Miraflores
Malecón de Miraflores is located in the Miraflores district of Lima, the capital of Peru. It is a coastal promenade built on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, stretching nearly 10 km. From north to south, it connects three coastal green spaces: Marina, Cisneros, and Reserva. On one side are garden neighborhoods, and on the other is the vast Pacific Ocean. It is a go-to spot for Lima residents for daily walks, jogging, and cycling. The pedestrian and bicycle paths are separated, and the route is lined with flower beds, sculptures, and viewing platforms, offering both leisurely strolls and the opportunity to cycle along the entire coastline. Malecón de Miraflores sits atop cliffs dozens of meters high, with waves constantly crashing against the rocks below. It is especially popular in the evening; finding a bench facing the sea to watch the sun slowly sink into the Pacific Ocean is a memorable experience for many visiting Lima.Peru · Miraflores
Love Park
Love Park is situated on the coastal cliffs of the Miraflores district in Lima, with steep sandy cliffs below and the vast Pacific Ocean beyond. The park opened on Valentine's Day in 1993 and is a popular spot for local couples. In the center of the park stands "The Kiss" by sculptor Victor Delfin, depicting a couple embracing and kissing. Below the sculpture is a curved bench made of colorful mosaic tiles. Its winding, undulating curves are often compared to the Gaudí bench in Park Güell in Barcelona. The bench and the wall facing the sea are covered in colorful mosaics, engraved with Spanish love poems, many of which were written by Peruvian poets. The atmosphere is particularly special in the evening. Sitting on the bench watching the sunset sink into the Pacific Ocean, you can often see paragliders taking off from the nearby cliff tops and gliding over the sea.Peru · Miraflores
Chinatown
Chinatownis located in the historic center of Lima, the capital of Peru, adjacent to the bustling Central Market, and is one of the largest Chinatowns in Latin America. The main street is a pedestrian street with an oriental flair, lined with Chinese-style pavilions featuring red pillars and green tiles. The road is paved with red bricks and embedded with patterns of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. Beneath the archway, shops, pharmacies, supermarkets, and barbershops stand side by side. Most signs are written in Chinese, and the open-air market is crowded with vendors and bustling with people, making one feel as if they have stepped into an old street market in China. It is also famous for "chifa," a fusion of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine. The term originates from the Cantonese word for "eating a meal" and is now the general term Peruvians use for Chinese food. Fried rice, stir-fried noodles, and wonton soup retain their Guangdong roots while incorporating local ingredients. Enjoying a meal in a restaurant under the Chinese-style eaves is a reason many tourists make a special trip here.Peru · Lima
Government Palace of Peru
Government Palace of Peru is located on the north side of the Lima Main Square in the historic center of Lima, on the banks of the Rímac River, and has been the seat of power in this country for centuries. The palace itself has been reborn several times. The residence from the Pizarro era was a Castilian-style courtyard made of adobe. After being repeatedly damaged by earthquakes and fires, the current main structure is a French Baroque building rebuilt in the 1920s and 1930s. For travelers, a major highlight here is the daily changing of the guard ceremony at noon: soldiers in colorful, vintage-style uniforms perform the changing of the guard in the Courtyard of Honor at the entrance, and the military band plays pieces such as "El Cóndor Pasa." The entire process takes approx. half an hour, and you can watch it from behind the iron gates facing the street; if you want a front-row spot, you need to arrive early. The palace halls are occasionally open to the public for guided tours. Highlights worth seeing include the Golden Hall, which is adorned with gold leaf, inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, and furnished with Louis XIV-style furniture; the courtyard paved with Seville tiles, featuring the coats of arms of Peru, Lima, and Pizarro fired onto the tiles; and the fig tree said to have been planted by Pizarro himself, which still grows in the courtyard today—it is one of the few remaining 16th-century artifacts in the palace.Peru · Lima
House of Peruvian Literature
Peru · Lima
Parque de la Amistad
Peru · Lima
Experiences you can't miss in Paracas
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Free things to do in Paracas
Lima Main Square
Peru · LimaCentro Historico
Peru · LimaHuacachina
Ica · 59.4 km from ParacasSan Martin Square
Peru · LimaMalecón de Miraflores
Peru · MirafloresLove Park
Peru · MirafloresChinatown
Peru · LimaGovernment Palace of Peru
Peru · LimaHouse of Peruvian Literature
Peru · LimaParque de la Amistad
Peru · Lima
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What travelers say about Paracas
D31***61February 20, 2020
5.0
One thing that you have to say about LIMA is it has some of the most beautiful buildings that I have ever seen. there is a large police presents so you feel very safe providing that you stay in all the tourist in busy areas of the city. I would definitely say LIMA is worth a visit if you are coming to South America
Lima Main Square
仙人掌花花🌸August 8, 2023
5.0
Lima, known as the "rainless city", has an average annual temperature of around 18 degrees, making it suitable for living.
Centro Historico
기이냥April 7, 2023
5.0
I went boating in the desert oasis and took pictures with the sandy desert in the background. It felt like I was in the Arabian kingdom and like Aladdin. It was so great.
Huacachina
M25***40April 11, 2021
4.0
San Martin Square in the center of Lima is surrounded by cinemas, restaurants and hotels, and is very lively. In the center of the square stands a bronze statue of General San Martin. On the lawn and by the pool below the bronze pedestal, there are groups of local women and children playing in the water. It is very leisurely and romantic.
San Martin Square
ArcachonJanuary 13, 2024
5.0
For outdoors lovers, no matter what your favorite activities might be, it’s one of the most amazing walkways in the world. The water and never ending long trail…
Malecón de Miraflores
_TS***ysAugust 6, 2019
5.0
Lovers Park. A beautiful park overlooking the ocean. Next to the High End Larcomar Mall. Take a stroll by day and also enjoy at night. As you stroll by, make sure to read the tiled engraved phrases of love. Nice place to visit as you make a trip to Larcomar.
Love Park
泰宁根吴承恩April 27, 2020
5.0
Chinatown is a must-visit place in Lima. The number of Chinese here is beyond our imagination. We don’t know how they got here. We flew around half the world and changed planes and were exhausted. Chinatown is very lively. It seems that Cantonese people account for a large proportion of the population.
Chinatown
东张西望望东西April 8, 2020
5.0
This is the Presidential Palace of Peru, which is also a very beautiful building. It is not recommended to visit the Presidential Palace. When you arrive at the Presidential Palace at night, you will see that it is a very distinctive building under the lights.
Government Palace of Peru
