City of Kings

Lima architecture

Lima is the second-largest city in the world built in a desert, trailing only Cairo in Egypt. It is widely considered the 'Gastronomic Capital of the World,' where centuries of history and diverse immigrant cultures have blended to create a world-famous culinary scene.

6Landmarks
1535Oldest · Cathedral of Lima
140 mTallest · Torre Banco de la Nación
7Architects

Torre Banco de la Nación
Cathedral of Lima
Convent of San Francisco

Before you go

Fly intoJorge Chávez (LIM)
Jorge Chávez International has consistently been named the best airport in South America due to its efficiency and role as a major Pacific coast hub. In 2025, it opened a massive new passenger terminal that tripled its capacity, featuring state-of-the-art technology to handle over 30 million travelers per year.
CurrencyPeruvian Sol (S/)
LanguageSpanish
Peruvian Spanish is widely considered to be some of the clearest and easiest to understand in South America. Most locals speak with a neutral accent that is very welcoming to students of the language.
Getting aroundMetropolitano
The Metropolitano is a Bus Rapid Transit system that runs in a completely isolated, dedicated lane through the heart of the city. Lima's Metro Line 1 is an elevated railway that connects the northern and southern outskirts to the center. Thousands of colorful 'combis' and traditional buses provide the majority of the city's flexible transit coverage.

6 landmarks in Lima

Photo: SamF9, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Torre Banco de la Nación

Avenida Javier Prado Este 2465, San Borja, Lima 15037, Peru

Standing as the tallest building in Peru, this skyscraper is a definitive landmark of Lima's modern financial district. It features a distinctive 'folded' glass facade designed to reflect the dynamic sky and the surrounding San Borja urban landscape. The tower was engineered specifically to withstand the region's high seismic activity through advanced structural damping. It serves as the primary headquarters for the nation's bank and the financial heartbeat of the country. This contemporary structure represents Peru's rapid economic growth and architectural modernization over the last decade.

Built
2015
Architect
Arquitectonica (Bernardo Fort-Brescia)
Style
Contemporary / High-Tech
Height
140 m (459 ft)
Stories
30
Today
Financial HQ / Government
Photo: Gatodemichi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral of Lima

Jirón Carabaya s/n, Plaza de Armas, Cercado de Lima, Lima 15001, Peru

This historic Roman Catholic cathedral is the centerpiece of Lima's UNESCO-listed Plaza Mayor. The structure has been meticulously rebuilt multiple times following major earthquakes throughout the centuries. These successive reconstructions have resulted in a unique architectural blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Its exterior is famous for its massive carved wooden balconies and the warm hue of its sand-colored stone. Inside, the cathedral houses a museum and the tomb of the city's founder, Francisco Pizarro.

Built
1535
Architect
Francisco Pizarro (Founding)
Style
Baroque / Neoclassical
Height
35 m (115 ft)
Stories
1
Today
Cathedral / Museum
iSpace Jockey Plaza (Apple Premium)

Avenida Javier Prado Este 4200, Santiago de Surco, Lima 15023, Peru

Located within the prestigious Jockey Plaza shopping center, this flagship store represents the peak of retail technology in the city. The storefront features expansive open glass panels that create a seamless transition from the mall into the tech space. Inside, the minimalist wooden layout is modeled after the global 'Genius' design to provide a clean and organized aesthetic. It serves as a primary gathering hub for Lima's growing community of creative and tech professionals. The facility offers specialized support and training for the latest hardware and software ecosystems.

Built
2018
Architect
N/A (Mall Flagship)
Style
Minimalist / Modern
Height
6 m (20 ft)
Stories
1
Today
Tech Flagship / Retail
Photo: Velvet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Convent of San Francisco

Jirón Lampa s/n, Cercado de Lima, Lima 15001, Peru

This monastery is a world-renowned example of Spanish Baroque architecture and a major cultural site in Peru. It is instantly recognizable by its vibrant yellow facade and the flock of pigeons that inhabit its expansive front courtyard. Beneath the church lie the famous subterranean catacombs which house the remains of over 25,000 people. The convent's library is considered one of the most beautiful in the world, containing thousands of ancient religious texts. Visitors can explore the intricate tile work and peaceful cloisters that offer a glimpse into colonial monastic life.

Built
1674
Architect
Constantino de Vasconcellos
Style
Spanish Baroque (Churrigueresque)
Height
25 m (82 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Museum / Historical Site
Photo: Utec2016, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

UTEC Campus

Jirón Medrano Silva 165, Barranco, Lima 15063, Peru

As the winner of the RIBA International Prize, this building is often described as a 'modern-day Machu Picchu.' The vertical concrete campus is designed with a series of open-air terraces that cascade down toward the Pacific Ocean. Its brutalist aesthetic purposely interacts with the coastal breeze to provide natural ventilation for the students. The structural engineering of the campus is a masterpiece of sustainable design and social integration. It serves as an innovation hub where the architecture itself encourages collaboration across different engineering disciplines.

Built
2015
Architect
Grafton Architects
Style
Modern Brutalism
Height
40 m (131 ft)
Stories
10
Today
University / Innovation Hub
Photo: User:Pedro Felipe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Government Palace

Jirón de la Unión s/n, Plaza de Armas, Cercado de Lima, Lima 15001, Peru

Commonly known as the 'House of Pizarro,' this palace serves as the official residence and office of the President of Peru. It occupies a historically significant site where the original city foundation was established in 1535. The current Neo-Baroque structure features grand halls and ornate decorations that reflect French Neoclassical influences. A major tourist attraction is the daily changing of the guard ceremony held in the main courtyard. This building stands as a powerful symbol of the Peruvian executive branch and the country's political history.

Built
1938
Architect
Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski
Style
Neo-Baroque / French Neoclassical
Height
20 m (66 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Presidential Residence