Magdalena del Mar, Lima travel attractions with places to rent: The pyramid-shaped temple of Huaca Pucllana lies in the heart of Miraflores and is now incongruously surrounded by buildings. Built of adobe and clay bricks – a construction material that would never have survived for more than 1,000 years in any other climate – the pyramid is formed in seven staggered platforms. The Lima Culture, by whom the pyramid was built, developed in the central coast of Peru between AD 200 and AD 700. From artifacts discovered here, it is known to have been important as both a ceremonial and administrative center. The area is divided into two sections, one of which shows evidence of being used for offerings of fish, while the other appears to have been administrative. A burial vault was uncovered here with human remains, and artifacts have been found from the later Wari culture, which thrived in this area from about AD 500 to 900. You must tour the complex with a guide, but the tours are quite inexpensive.
You can find this bridge, and its surrounding park, in the Barranco district. The bridge was built in 1876 and is small and wooden, but looks rather like something found on a postcard, which is why you may run into people posing for wedding photos as you walk around. The hustle and bustle of Lima’s Chinatown is not to be missed. Start on the main walkway, which is lined with Chinese-themed benches and lampposts and is not far from the Metropolitano, Peru’s bus rapid-transit system. From there, find a chifa restaurant (Chinese–Peruvian fusion food) and enjoy a meal.
There are plenty of excellent art museums in Lima, with the most famous being the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI), located on the northern edge of the Parque de la Exposicion and hosting objects covering 3,000 years of history, including a superb collection of religious paintings from the Cusquena School. Further south in Barranco, the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Lima (MAC Lima) is a good place to sink your teeth into modern and contemporary art. Look out for evening events (En Lima has a list of what’s happening in Lima’s museums) where you can sometimes meet the artists. Don’t miss the nearby MATE, Museo Mario Testino, where spacious rooms are filled with the work of the acclaimed photographer, who rose to fame with his portraits of her Royal Highness, Princess Diana.
For traditional Peruvian handicrafts, try the numerous Artisanal Markets along Av. La Marina, just north of the neighborhood (technically in Pueblo Libre, which we’ll talk about next week). There are all the usual suspects of crafts from all over the country, and it’s a great place to go to get your last-minute gifts. The prices are slightly higher than they would be in a smaller town, but they’re lower than the artisan shopping area of Miraflores. Find additional pictures of this amazing ocean view penthouse on Facebook. Need a place to stay in Lima, Peru? Explore even more info at Amazing ocean view penthouse in Magdalena del Mar, Lima.
The Monastery of San Francisco, which dates back to 1673 when it was consecrated, is famous for its Spanish Baroque architecture. This graceful, stately complex is a landmark in historic Lima. It honors Jude the Apostle; on his feast day 40 people carry about a silver stand weighing 1.5 tons. The monastery is famous for its library, which contains 25,000 antique texts, including a Bible printed in 1571. The monastery is just as famous for what lies beneath it: catacombs in which anywhere from 25,000 to 70,000 people were buried. Today their bones are arranged in artistic designs.