Barranco is a well-known bohemian and artsy neighborhood in Lima, where you can spend many hours exploring and discovering new art, restaurants, street performances, museums and music. If you are planning to visit Lima, this is definitely a place you must visit to enjoy a relaxing day full of art and culture. Keep reading to find out the best things to do in Barranco, as well as the many places and activities to enjoy in this area.
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Jade River is a muralist whose technique and style are determined by his personal experiences and his perspective of the environment in which he lives. Themes like nature and man’s relationship with it are recurrent in his work. This is quite an “under-the-radar” museum and visiting it is a great opportunity to discover new art and live a new experience.
The museum is located at: Bajada de Baños 349, Barranco Peru
<<If you would like to visit it with us, click here>>
All along Lima’s long Pacific coast we can find many beaches, usually with La Punta and Playa Makaha being the most popular for tourists. However Barranco Beach is another great spot to enjoy the coastal views regardless of the time of year. In the warmer summer months (between November and March) you can sunbathe here, and take refreshing dips in the cooler waters. Whilst the other times of the year may be too cold for your personal likings, you can still enjoy some epic ocean views here!
Barranco Lima is one of the best places to enjoy street art. Walk around the streets of this neighborhood and you will find many colorful murals. This makes this area of town very ‘instagrammable’ and fun to explore.
Here in the Pedro de Osma Museum we can learn about the more recent Republican era of Peru, which followed right after the ending of the Colonial Era (when the country became independent from Spanish rule). Many paintings and contemporary art from famous Peruvian artists like Luis Riano and Bernardo Bitti are on display here, and walking around we can also enjoy the various rooms of the mansion which are rooted in the French “Beaux Arts” architectural style.
This is one of the “must-see” places in the area and where all the action takes place. In the middle stands a beautiful colonial church around which you will be able to see many flowers, statues, fountains and also enjoy street performances, live music, an artisan fair and other activities. Another true highlight to explore when in Barranco Peru.
One of the most unorthodox museums you can visit in Lima, the Mario Testino Museum (also known locally as MATE) has nothing to do with Inca heritage or the usual findings of archaeological digs. Instead here we can see the lifeworks of Mario Testino, who photographed royal families and other celebrity icons for many years. The museum is laid out in quite a hip and trendy way too, so is great for changing things up during your time in Barranco.
This is a signature place in the area and a great spot to take a souvenir photo – making it one of the best things to do in Barranco. Legend has it that the wealthy owner of one of the neighboring house forbade his daughter to see a lowly street-sweeper who she was in love with. She then spent the rest of her days sighing and crying over her lost love thus the name ‘Bridge of Sighs’. Legend also says that if you make a wish and hold your breath while crossing it this wish will come true. You have to visit it to find out!
Once you have finished exploring the district’s incredible sites and foods for the day, we can now enjoy the sultry nightlife scenes. Barranco in particular is a hotspot for both tourists and locals, where we can find many upscale and alternative spots that range from cocktail bars and beer cafés to heavy dance clubs. Night of Barranco in particular is a great place to enjoy live music, whilst Barra 55 is a really hip lounge bar which is perfect for some swanky cocktails and late-night bites. Definitely a must when looking to enjoy the area of Barranco Lima!
Heading down from the Bridge of Sighs is the “Bajada de Baños”. A long time ago this area served as a road to lead fishermen to the beach area. Now it is a walkway where you will find many restaurants and bars to hang out at.
One of the most trademark sites of all that you can visit in Barranco, this iconic church is quite hard to miss. Located on the end of the Bridge of Sighs, this old yellow cathedral was the first of its kind in Barranco, which was built way back in 1750. Whilst La Ermita remains unusable since restoration efforts haven’t yet taken place, here we can see how half of the church survived two major events in its long history: the Pacific War as well as the infamous earthquake of 1974.
Of course, Barranco is also a place where you can enjoy great food. There are many casual restaurants where you can enjoy the famous Peruvian dishes such as Lomo Saltado and Ceviche, and also on some weekends you can find a street food fair in the Main Square.
One of the biggest exports from Peru, Cacao is a firm favorite for all travelers that want to satisfy their sweet tooth. Hailing from the jungle regions, it can be quite difficult to get your hands on the most true and authentic chocolate if you are only staying in and around Lima. Heading to El Cacaotal is our best answer to this, who help to promote locally grown cacao which they sell in all kinds of chocolate varieties and concoctions. You can even buy chocolate soaps and eye creams if you particularly like the sweet stuff!
If you are looking to buy unique and artsy souvenirs, this is the place to go. Barranco is full of galleries and shops where you can buy interesting gifts and souvenirs. In the Main Square you will also find an artisan fair where you can buy all sorts of crafts such as jewellery, toys and other handcrafted goods.
One of the most fun ways of experiencing Barranco is by heading by bike. Along the Costa Verde (the big green hills that overlook the sea) we can find safe bike lanes that connect this district to others like MIraflores and Chorrillos. Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we operate a memorable bike riding tour that begins in Miraflores, where we’ll see numerous important sites as well as eating traditional Peruvian foods once we arrive in Barranco.
When it comes to ticking-off worthy things to do in Barranco, sometimes the most simple can actually be the best during your trip. And here we can do just this by visiting the “malecón” or boardwalk area, where you can have a beautiful view of the sunset and have a relaxing time after a day full of activities. You can also pack some snacks and a blanket and have a picnic while you enjoy the colorful view.
Wednesday June 19, 2024
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