Callao

Temples & religious sites

Cathedral of Lima

Construction of this Roman Catholic cathedral began in 1535 under Francisco Pizarro and was completed in its present form in 1797; it serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Lima. Dedicated to the Apostle John, it's a place where visitors can experience both Peru's faith and history.

Museums & galleries

Larco Museum

This private museum in Peru is housed in an 18th-century building. It presents artifacts from 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian civilizations in chronological order and is also known for its distinctive collection of erotic pottery.

Parks & gardens

Plaza Mayor, Lima

A plaza at the heart of Lima's historic center, built on the site where Pizarro founded the city in 1535. Surrounded by landmarks like the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral, it offers a vivid sense of the city's history.

Castles & palaces

Government Palace

Peru's government palace, originally built as the presidential residence. It is also known as "Casa de Pizarro," named after Pizarro, who was involved in its design.

Heritage & monuments

El Paraíso

This prehistoric archaeological site lies in the Chillón Valley north of Lima, Peru, and is believed to date from around 3500–1800 BCE. Spanning more than 58 hectares, it was one of the largest settlements of its time.

Museums & galleries

National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru

Located in the Magdalena Palace in Lima's Pueblo Libre district, this is Peru's largest and oldest museum. It houses more than 100,000 artifacts spanning Peruvian history, including the Raimondi Stele and a model of Machu Picchu.

Nature

San Lorenzo Island

A Pacific island off the coast of Callao, Peru, and the country's largest island. It's uninhabited, making it a nice sight to admire from a distance.

Museums & galleries

Museum of Italian Art

This is Lima's only museum dedicated to European art, opened in 1923. Now run by Peru's Ministry of Culture, it's a great place to see European paintings and sculpture.