Is Lima Worth Visiting? A Two-Day City Guide with an Expandable Backpack
Among South American capitals, Lima doesn’t always get the spotlight—but it surprised me more than once. Compared to the chaos around the airport, the city itself felt calm, well-paced, and strangely livable. Safe neighborhoods, balanced weather, good food everywhere, and a coastline that actually made sense to walk along.
The landmarks are clustered and easy to navigate, especially with something like a lightweight expandable backpack that fits my daily essentials without slowing me down.
Day 1 – Culture and History Walk
Start at Plaza José de San Martín, one of Lima’s most iconic squares. The statue of General San Martín in the center gives you the tone: proud, a bit worn, full of history. From there, it’s a short walk to the Iglesia de La Merced—over 400 years old but still glowing in quiet grace.
Plaza Mayor marks the next stop. Surrounded by government buildings, it feels like the city’s official heart. I spent a quiet moment here sitting on the edge of the square—nothing grand, just the kind of simplicity that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
Day 2 – Ocean Views and Modern Lima
Parque del Amor is a local favorite—its sculpture of lovers kissing draws both tourists and Lima locals, but the real charm is in the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves right below the cliffs. I walked the whole coastal path that day, not checking my phone once. Just air, sun, and movement.
From there, Larcomar offers shopping, food, and sea views in one cliffside complex. Not my usual stop, but I ended up appreciating its open-air calm.
Finish your day at the Lima Museum of Contemporary Art—smaller than most, but its modern architecture and rotating exhibits add a thoughtful pause before dinner.
I didn’t expect Lima to become one of my favorite cities in Latin America—but it did. And like all the best places, it’s not just about what you see. It’s about how it feels to move through it slowly, freely, without needing a plan.
This trip was made easier with an expandable backpack that handled museums, cafés, and sea breeze strolls without fuss.
