Lima is one of South America’s largest cities, with a population of over 11 million. This coastal metropolis has dozens of museums, galleries, murals, and studios that rival anywhere else in the world. From street art to fine art, murals to colorful ancient textiles, Lima has plenty to offer, no matter what medium you enjoy. Below are the 10 best places in Lima, Peru for art enthusiasts to visit.
1. Lima Museum of Art (MALI)
Lima’s Museum of Art is located in the beautiful Exposition Park. The iconic and expansive museum displays over 12,000 works, from pre-Columbian works to contemporary masterpieces. You’ll get to experience the most dramatic and diverse Peruvian art in the world. The building was built in 1872 as the home of Peru’s National Exhibition. It served several functions, including as a military hospital during the War of the Pacific between Peru and Chile, before finally becoming the city’s Museum of Art in 1954.
Highlights of the MALI include Luis Montero’s The Funerals of Inca Atahualpa, traditional Khipu weaving, and colorful Inca textiles. The diverse collections contain art from several mediums that highlight Peruvian art from several millennia. After visiting, head to the south end of the park to visit Lima’s Metropolitan Museum. The museum mixes historical representations, contemporary art, and traditional art to tell the story of Peru’s history and culture.
2. Lima Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC)
On the border between the Barranco and Miraflores neighborhoods is the MAC, one of Lima’s most exciting art museums. Located in a beautiful open green space, the museum is a hub of contemporary art in Peru. It opened in 2013 and contains three large halls that feature revolving exhibits from artists based throughout Peru.
The contemporary art displayed at the MAC consists of a wide variety of mediums, including paintings, murals, sound installations, and textiles. The works are often inspired by Peruvian society, politics, and history. Outside of its displays, the museum works with local groups to promote art education and help local artists reach a larger audience. After enjoying the museum, you can enjoy the terrace which features statues and a fountain. Locals and visitors often picnic in the surrounding green space, making the MAC the perfect afternoon destination.
3. The Barranco Neighborhood
Barranco is a neighborhood full of murals, hidden art studios, and some of Lima’s best street art. Originally a small beach community for the city’s wealthy, it grew to become the center of art, music, and bohemian lifestyles. The neighborhood’s most popular art area is the ocean walk underneath the 19th-century Bridge of Sighs at Plazuela Chabuca Granda Park. Along the footpath to the beach are beautiful murals and art galleries, such as Jade Rivera’s second gallery. Along the romantic path, you’ll find painters and art vendors displaying their work.
After exploring the footpath, you can walk throughout the neighborhood’s eclectic streets. You’ll find art studios and museums such as José Antonio Galería, an open art studio featuring paintings from local artists. After enjoying the neighborhood’s street art, galleries, and museums, don’t miss the chance to experience its unrivaled culinary scene and cafes. Many cafes double as art venues for local artists to display their work.
4. Museo Jade Rivera
Jade Rivera is one of Peru’s most famous artists and an international superstar in the world of street art and murals. He started his career in 1997 as a graphic designer and expanded his portfolio to include some of South America’s greatest murals, such as the mural Contemplación in Lima. Rivera’s work incorporates themes of nature, transcendence, life, and death into socially conscious and vividly beautiful paintings, drawings, and murals. His work draws inspiration from Lima and Peruvian culture, as well as the natural world.
In the neighborhood of Barranco, you can visit his museum and gift shop. The museum showcases the artist’s work inside a beautiful 19th-century mansion near the coast. You can see Rivera’s graffiti, murals, paintings, and unreleased sketches.
5. The Miraflores Neighborhood
Miraflores is one of Lima’s most popular districts for gastronomy and tourism. However, it’s also a major art destination. Throughout the city, you’ll see towering murals painted on high-rise facades, statues, and private art galleries. One of the most lively spots for art is the 7th of June Park. The park is home to giant colorful statues of the traditional Pucara Bulls, which symbolize prosperity for communities in the Andes. Throughout the year, the park hosts art shows and art walks, where you can meet local artists and buy their work.
Near the 7th of June Park is the PLAM, Miraflores Palace of Arts (Palacio de las Artes de Miraflores). In 2022, the neighborhood of Miraflores inaugurated the space that became one of the city’s largest public art locations. Here, you’ll see revolving exhibitions from some of Peru’s most influential artists.
6. Amano, Pre-Columbian Textile Museum
Textiles are at the backbone of Indigenous Peruvian art and few places are better at showcasing this incredible art style than Lima’s Amano Museum. It was created from a collection by the Japanese art collector and businessman Yoshitaro Amano, who founded the museum in 1964. Amano was one of the greatest supporters of Peruvian art and built his personal collection to help protect the country’s long heritage of textile making.
The museum houses a diverse collection of pre-Columbian art showcased in three large rooms. Inside the first room, you’ll take a tour through the history and materials of Peruvian textile art. You can learn about the evolution of Peruvian textiles from Chavín, Paracas, and Chimú cultures to the Inca.
The second room displays the techniques used to make the art through detailed interactive displays. You’ll learn about the dying techniques Indigenous societies in Peru used to create striking colors and patterns. The museum offers guided tours which go into great detail about the art of Peruvian textile making.
7. Italian Art Museum
Few museums outside of Italy have such a diverse collection of Italian paintings and sculptures as Lima’s Italian Art Museum. Since 1923, it has been one of South America’s most beloved centers for European art. Inside are exhibits and collections featuring masterpieces from over 120 Italian artists. The collection contains Italian art from various mediums from the 20th and early 21st centuries. You’ll see highlights such as Emilio Quadrelli’s bronze statue of Leonardo da Vinci, Giorgio Belloni’s Primavera, and Pietro Canònica’s El Abismo statue. After your visit, don’t miss the chance to walk around the surrounding De Los Museos Park. Here, you’ll find several artistic monuments, including the Neptune Fountain and the towering statue of Don Manuel Candamo, the 33rd president of Peru.
8. Museo Central MUCEN
When you’re in Lima’s busy downtown historic district, take a break from the crowds and visit the MUCEN. This incredible art space showcases the Central Reserve Bank of Peru’s Museum Network. It houses Peruvian art from antiquity to the 21st century, and its exhibits contain some of the country’s finest art.
You’ll see highlights such as Peru’s original Coat of Arms, designed by artist José Leandro Cortés in 1832. There are masterpiece paintings such as José Sabogal’s Amancaes and works by Santiago (Rember) Yahuarcani. The museum also houses an impressive collection of pottery and ceramics from Inca and pre-Inca cultures.
Throughout the year, the museum hosts rotating exhibits of works made by Peruvian artists. These include thought-provoking displays such as the recent EN RESERVA: 4000 years of architecture and urbanism in Lima, which showcased the evolving architecture of Lima over four millennia.
9. Museo Pedro de Osma
The prominent politician and lawyer Pedro de Osma y Pardo built his dream home in 1906. The architect Santiago Basurco constructed the house in French and Art Nouveau style. Pedro de Osma amassed a large collection of colonial Peruvian and European art. After his death, the collector’s family preserved his collection by creating the Pedro y Angélica de Osma Gildemeister Foundation. In 1996, the Museo Pedro de Osma opened its doors to the public to show the foundation’s magnificent collection.
When you visit, you’ll be transported back to Lima’s Republic and colonial periods through art’s best-known architecture. You’ll see incredible paintings from some of Peru’s best-known artists. Besides the priceless art, the iconic space itself, which includes gardens and plenty of green open spaces to enjoy during your visit, will also be a treat.
10. Casa Taller Víctor Delfin in Lima, Peru
Tucked away and hidden from the busy streets of barranco is the part museum and part guest house, Casa Taller Víctor Delfin. This beautiful space overlooks the ocean and houses the work of Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín. Delfin revolutionized Peruvian art through his animal sculptures and the use of metal, wood, and even plastics to create vivid depictions of life. His art is political, socially conscious, and sensual.
In his Barranco home, you’ll find beautiful sculptures and paintings, including the artist’s newer works and classics. Politically charged works, including paintings depicting the bloody conflicts with the terrorist organization Shining Path share the space with lively animal paintings and sculptures. Casa Taller Víctor Delfin is a functioning studio and completely covered in Delfin’s masterpieces. For the ultimate art experience, you can stay the night in the guesthouse and spend the entire day admiring the beautiful ocean views and art, making this the ultimate experience for any art lover.
