3 Days in Lima Peru: Ultimate Itinerary Before Machu Picchu

Peru is a popular destination for all kinds of travelers, from budget backpackers to adventure seekers. For most, the final destination is either Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail for that bucket-list hike they’ve been dreaming about for years. Lima, Peru, often gets overlooked on this journey. Spending 3 days in Lima, Peru, before Machu Picchu is the perfect way to experience the country’s food, culture, and coastal scenery. This Lima, Peru itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors, and this guide will show you exactly how to spend 3 days in Lima, Peru, before heading to Machu Picchu.

Only have 2 days in Lima? This itinerary can easily be shortened to 2 days.

Lima, before heading off to Machu Picchu, has a lot to offer. Bustling markets, some of Peru’s best cuisine—most notably the ceviche—scenic coastal cliff views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, historic landmarks, artsy neighbourhoods with a cultural vibe, and seriously, I could keep going. I am going to share my top highlights of why I think Lima is worth visiting on your way to Machu Picchu.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of them at no extra cost to you. I only promote travel brands that I use myself.

✈️ Planning Your Trip for 3 Days in Lima Peru

To make the most of your 3 days in Lima Peru, here are my top travel recommendations:

🏨 Where to Stay: Stay in Miraflores at Pariwana Hostel Lima (great location + social vibe)

🚶 Best Walking Tours: Book a free walking tour with GuruWalk Lima to explore the historic center

✈️ Flights to Cusco: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights and set price alerts

🚌 Booking Buses in Peru: Use 12GO to book your bus journey.

Is 3 Days in Lima Peru Enough?

Yes, three days in Lima, Peru, is the perfect amount of time to experience the city’s highlights before heading to Machu Picchu. In three days, you can explore the historic center, walk along the scenic cliffs of Miraflores, visit local markets, and enjoy Lima’s world-famous culinary scene.

If you’re short on time, you can still experience the main highlights in 2 days, but 3 days allows for a more relaxed and complete experience.

Why You Should Spend a Few Days in Lima Before Heading to Cusco

Most travelers arrive in Lima only to rush off to Machu Picchu. Often, they spend just a few hours at the airport waiting for a connecting flight. This is a mistake you shouldn’t make. Notably, the food, the coast, the authentic markets, and the culture are what make at least 3 days in Lima, Peru, worthwhile. I originally planned 2 days in Lima but ended up staying 3, and I’m glad I did. If you are short on time and only have 10 days or 2 weeks in Peru, 3 days would be the max. But there is enough to see for an unforgettable stopover. 

Where to Stay in Lima for First-Time Visitors?

The two best neighborhoods to stay in Lima are Miraflores and Barranco.

Miraflores

Miraflores is the ideal base for your 3 days in Lima, Peru, especially if it’s your first time visiting the city. You can easily explore this neighbourhood on foot since it’s very walkable. It offers a great mix of culture, scenic cliffs, beaches, walkable streets, and stunning sunset views. 

The neighbourhood is filled with cafés, restaurants, bars, and boutiques, and it features some of Lima’s top hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels. You’ll also notice the pre-Incan Huaca Pucllana ruins nestled among modern buildings, providing a glimpse into Lima’s ancient history. This also makes Lima an interesting choice as the next stop is likely Machu Picchu. 

My Miraflores Hostel Recommendation

If hostels are your thing, Pariwana Hostel Lima is an excellent choice, and it’s where I stayed in Lima. Located in the heart of Miraflores, it has a 9.5 rating on Hostelworld and features an incredible rooftop with a lively social vibe. It has a bar, a fantastic restaurant, a tour desk, and did I mention it’s smack dab in the middle of Miraflores? And the beds are comfortable. It literally has everything you could ask for in a hostel. If you’re interested in staying here, here is my affiliate link for Pariwana Hostel Lima. 

The Pariwana Hostel Lima rooftop and bar area. This hostel is in a perfect location in the heart of Miraflores.

The Barranco Neighbourhood

The Barranco neighbourhood has a cooler, artsy vibe, known for its colourful streets, ocean views, and relaxed bohemian atmosphere. Just south of Miraflores, it is filled with boutique hotels, cafés, galleries, and lively bars. Highlights include the iconic Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), making Barranco a great base for travellers seeking culture, nightlife, and a more atmospheric side of the city. Barranco is walkable from Miraflores or a short taxi ride away, and vice versa.

Best Things to Do in 3 Days in Lima Peru

Some of my favourite things to do while exploring a city include walking the city and sightseeing. Perhaps my favourite thing to do in a new city is to explore local foods, try the street food, and find hidden gems. Lima, Peru, excels in these areas.

Your 3-Day Lima Itinerary

If you only have 2 days in Lima, this itinerary can be shortened. I prefer to travel at a moderate pace.

Day 1

How to Spend Day 1 in Lima

One of the first things I suggest you do in Lima is visit the Plaza de Armas in the historic center. I love the vibrant energy there, with a nice mix of locals and tourists. The highlight for me is probably the Lima Cathedral with its stunning architecture.

Guru Walk Lima Free Tours

Try the Famous Churros San Francisco Stand

While in the historic center, be sure to stop by the Churros San Francisco stand, a must-visit in Lima. The most famous filling is manjar blanco, so make sure you try this one. The location is around the corner from the Plaza de Armas, but unfortunately, I lost my pictures of my San Fransico Churros because my phone was stolen and they never made it to my iCloud. More on that later in the “Is Lima safe for travelers?” section. But seriously, don’t miss out on these; they are incredible. Expect a long line, but it’s totally worth the wait.

Eat at a Miraflores Restaurant or Visit One of the Many Cafes

The Miraflores area is bustling with amazing cafés and restaurants. It’s an excellent place to grab a coffee, walk around, enjoy the vibe, have lunch, and spend the afternoon exploring Miraflores. If you stay at Pariwana Hostel Lima, there are many spots within a few minutes’ walk. You can also find some fantastic shopping options here. 

Spend an Afternoon or Evening at Parque Kennedy

I recommend doing this early in your trip, especially if you only have 3 days in Lima, Peru. I spent a day and an evening at this park, as the experience was very different. During the day, there’s a market and street food stalls with many places to grab a snack, coffee, or lunch. Afterwards, take a stroll through the park, people-watch, or sit on one of the benches to enjoy your coffee or lunch. 

Try a Picarones Donut at Picarones Mary

Make sure to try the famous Picarones donuts before leaving Lima. They are made with squash and sweet potato and are some of the best donuts I have ever tasted anywhere. I found mine at Picarones Mary in front of the church at Parque Kennedy, but these donuts can be found throughout Lima. The line was long, as the donuts are made fresh, and this stand was featured on Netflix’s Street Food Latin America. It’s a very popular spot, but these donuts are totally worth the wait, trust me on this.

 If you are interested in checking out the Netflix episode from Lima, Peru, featuring Picarones Mary, here it is. Episode 4: Street Food Latin America.

Salsa Dancing at Kennedy Park

At night, the park comes alive. There was salsa happening in the park, which was entertaining, as the participants were very good. If you have a partner, you could easily jump in and join the excitement. The vibe was more energetic at night than during the day. 

There is a church in front of the food stalls, Parroquia La Virgen Milagrosa, which is stunning at night and makes for some epic photos.

Day 2

Walk the Cliffs of Miraflores

If you’re staying in the Miraflores area, you should visit these stunning, scenic cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There’s a walkway called Malecón de Miraflores that spans from one end to the other. I suggest grabbing a coffee and going for a morning walk here, then grabbing lunch. Along the way, there are lookout points where I have spent hours just admiring the view and relaxing to the sound of the ocean waves. I love doing this, and the cliffs of Miraflores should be high on your list during your 3 days in Lima, Peru. 

Admire Mahaja Beach from Parque del Amor

A couple of my favourite spots along the walk are Mahaja Beach and Parque del Amor. You can’t access the water from the cliffs as they’re very high, but the view is picturesque and stunning.

If you’re traveling with a partner, Parque del Amor is your spot, which means Lovers’ Park. I think it even opened on Valentine’s Day if I remember correctly. This would also be an ideal place to take a date for a morning walk if you’re lucky enough to meet a local Peruvian during your stay, especially for all you single folks like me. 

Spend an Afternoon Exploring the Barranco Neighbourhood

I mentioned earlier that Barranco is one of the top places to stay in Lima. Here are a few things to include in your 3-day itinerary in Barranco.

The top thing to do in Barranco is to visit the Puente de los Suspiros, the famous bridge. It’s located right beside the Iglesia de la Ermita, which is pretty iconic in its own right. While in this area, you will have another chance to stop by a Churros San Francisco stand if you didn’t earlier in the historic district. The stand in Barranco is very close to the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs).

Photo by Håkan Svensson (Xauxa), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day 3

Visit Lima’s Markets for Local Food and Culture

The local markets in Lima offer a great way to get a glimpse of everyday life. Markets across South America are vibrant with local food, shopping, meats, and fresh produce, which are where locals go for their daily needs. And Lima offers one of the best market experiences in South America. 

Mercado Central – Lima’s Most Famous Market

If you visit one market in Lima, this is the one. I was on a quest to find the best ceviche in Lima, and I was told this was the place. Mercado Central is one of the most authentic markets in Lima and should be on your 3 days in Lima, Peru list. It’s busy, lively, and chaotic, making for a fun afternoon, especially the ceviche experience. If you aren’t familiar with ceviche, it’s raw fish in a limey citrus marinade, and Peruvians make it better than anyone. If you love fish, you need to try this, and Mercado Central is the place to do it.

Mercado Central is located in the historic center, so you could visit Plaza de Armas in the morning and then head over to this market for lunch if you have a 2-day itinerary.

Trying my first Ceviche in Peru at Mercado Central in Lima.

Explore the Lima Chinatown Markets

Just steps from the chaotic Mercado Central de Lima is Lima’s Chinatown, Barrio Chino de Lima, where narrow streets filled with food stalls and markets offer everything from Chinese street snacks to Japanese cooking ingredients.

What I loved about this market was discovering the Japanese influence on Peruvian culture. I spent a few hours exploring this area, which is another excellent spot to eat and shop at an authentic market with a completely different vibe from Mercado Central. 

Visit the “very local” Mercado Surquillo

A short walk from Parque Central in Miraflores takes you to one of Lima’s lesser-known local markets. You genuinely feel like you’re stepping out of tourist-friendly Miraflores and into authentic local Lima. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Parque Central. 

The Mercado de Surquillo is among Lima’s most authentic food markets, offering a vibrant, unfiltered glimpse into everyday Peruvian life. Think Anthony Bourdain—this is where local chefs, home cooks, and street vendors go to source their ingredients, and where locals shop.

Traveling from Lima to Cusco: Flights & Buses

The quickest and most economical way to travel from Lima to Cusco is by flying. Sure, you might save $20 by taking a 24-hour bus, but if you’re hiking the Inca Trail, that savings probably isn’t a major factor. Flights to Cusco can cost as little as $45 USD and only take about 1.5 hours. 

I booked my flight from Lima to Cusco using Skyscanner price alerts because it quickly shows the best prices and options.

Bus From Lima to Cusco

The only bus route I would recommend is Peru Hop if you have time. It’s tourist-friendly and makes stops between Lima and Cusco (Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno), ending in Cusco. This luxury bus takes you through all of Peru in as little as 6 days, depending on your schedule. The pass is valid for a year, so slow travel is an option. You can likely book this through your hostel or the Peru Hop website. Prices for this bus trip start at $219 USD. 

If you want to travel to Cusco by direct bus instead of flying, as I mentioned, it takes about 24 hours and costs about $25 USD. Cruz del Sur and Oltursa are reputable, comfortable bus companies if you choose a direct bus.

Looking for things to do in Cusco? Check out my blog, 18 Best Things To Do in Cusco Before Machu Picchu.

Is Lima Safe for Travelers?

In Lima and throughout South America, always remain vigilant of your surroundings and safeguard your most valuable belongings with your life. The primary threat comes from pickpockets, who are highly skilled in Lima. Keep your phone in your front pocket, carry a fanny pack or cross-body bag, and put your wallet, money, keys, and anything you can’t afford to lose in there. Keep it close to your body. 

The safest area to stay is Miraflores. If you’re feeling uneasy, even in Miraflores, simply take an Uber. This way, you won’t have to worry about shady taxi drivers or anything happening on your way to your destination. 

iPhone Theft in Lima Peru

This really hits home for me. In 46 countries, I’ve had one iPhone stolen, and it happened in Lima. I always keep my phone in my front pocket or tucked into the front of my pants, under my belt. If you do the same, you should be safe. 

Even in Airports Protect Your Phone

I was at Lima International Airport, going through security and waiting to board a flight to Brazil. Naturally, I let my guard down and put my phone in my back pocket. As I was boarding, I reached into my back pocket to get my phone for my boarding pass, but it was gone. 

I remembered a guy who bumped into me after I cleared security, and there was no one else around. I thought, “That’s weird,” but upon reflection, that was definitely the guy who took my phone. Luckily, I had a backup iPhone in my carry-on so I could board the flight. This all happened at the airport, after clearing security, so you know how rampant iPhone theft is in Lima. Four thousand phones are stolen in Peru every day. Let that sink in. This should never happen in a safe zone, like when boarding a flight. 

When I checked with the ‘Find My Phone’ feature after arriving in São Paulo, I discovered that my phone was at a cell phone parts store in Lima. I called, and they informed me it was probably a chip, as they dismantle phones and sell the parts since iPhones are locked and almost impossible to crack. Never let your guard down with your iPhone in Peru. 

Final Thoughts: Don’t Skip Lima

Lima is more than just a gateway city to Machu Picchu. As you can see, it’s easy to spend 3 days in Lima, Peru. I believe you could easily spend five or six days there and have an incredible experience. Enjoy your time in Lima and throughout your adventures in Peru. Peru is one of my favourite countries I have explored. 

🏔️ Planning Your Trip After Lima

After your 3 days in Lima, Peru, most travelers continue on to Cusco and Machu Picchu—here are my best guides to help you plan.

👉 Short Inca Trail 2-Day Guide for Machu Picchu

👉 Best Tours in Cusco Before Machu Picchu

👉 18 Best Things to Do in Cusco Before Machu Picchu

👉 My 10-day Peru Itinerary – Ultimate Guide

To find out what goes in my backpack check out my blog, My Carry-On Packing List for Solo Travel: How to Pack Light

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