Best Museums to Visit in Lima Peru

Welcome to Lima, a city rich in history, culture, and heritage that offers a unique experience at every turn. Amidst its bustling streets and vibrant urban life, cultural treasures await discovery in Lima’s museums.

From pre-Columbian art to contemporary expressions, these museums are windows to the past, presenting a history spanning millennia and a diversity reflecting the mix of cultural influences that characterize the capital. In this guide, we invite you on a journey through the most prominent museums of the City of Kings, where you can explore the rich cultural heritage that has shaped Lima’s identity over the centuries. ¡Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of art, history, and knowledge as you explore the museums in Lima and discover their fascinating cultural legacy! Keep reading to learn more.     

Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum of Lima

• Description and Location: The Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum, located in the Pueblo Libre district in Lima, is a cultural treasure offering a glimpse into Peru’s fascinating pre-Columbian past. Founded in 1926, the museum is housed in a beautiful 18th-century viceregal mansion, which itself is an architectural gem. The museum boasts an impressive collection of archaeological artifacts, including ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and sculptures, spanning thousands of years of Peruvian history. It also features a spectacular gallery of erotic ceramics, one of the largest and most complete in the world, as well as a fascinating exhibition of gold and silver treasures from ancient civilizations.    
• Hours: The Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum is open to the public every day of the week, from Monday to Sunday, with extended hours from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy the experience both during the day and at night.
• Admission: The general admission cost to visit the museum is S/30.00 (Peruvian soles). Reduced rates apply for students, seniors, and children. Additionally, the museum offers guided tours in multiple languages for those seeking a more enriching and detailed experience.

Explore the treasures of Peru’s past and relive the fascinating history of the ancient civilizations that inhabited these lands at the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum.

National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru 

• Description and Location: The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru is a cultural treasure located in the Pueblo Libre district in Lima. Founded in 1822, this museum is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country, housing a vast collection of artifacts documenting Peru’s rich history from pre-Columbian times to the colonial and republican eras. The museum is located in an imposing neoclassical building, which itself is an architectural attraction.
• Hours: The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is important to note that the museum may be closed on holidays or for special events, so it is recommended to check the hours before planning your visit.
• Admission: General admission to the museum is S/15.00 (Peruvian soles). Reduced rates apply for students, seniors, and children. Additionally, the museum offers guided tours for groups and educational programs for all ages, aiming to enrich the visitor’s experience and promote knowledge of Peru’s history and culture.

Embark on a journey through time and discover the fascinating history of Peru at the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru.  

Pedro de Osma Museum of Lima

• Description and Location: The Pedro de Osma Museum is a cultural gem located in the Barranco district of Lima. Founded in 1988, the museum is housed in a beautiful colonial-style mansion dating back to the 20th century, which alone is an architectural marvel. This museum boasts a prominent collection of Peruvian viceregal art, featuring religious artwork, paintings, sculptures, furniture, and decorative objects dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The museum is located at Calle Pedro de Osma 421, in the heart of the impressive Barranco district.
• Hours: The Pedro de Osma Museum opens its doors to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Specific hours may vary on holidays or for special events, so it is recommended to check in advance.
• Admission: The general admission cost to visit the museum is S/20.00 (Peruvian soles). Reduced rates apply for students, seniors, and children. Additionally, the museum offers guided tours for groups and educational activities for children and families, aiming to bring art and history closer to all visitors.

Embark on a journey to the past and discover the beauty of Peruvian viceregal art at the Pedro de Osma Museum, a cultural experience not to be missed during your tour of Lima.

Lima Art Museum (MALI)

• Description and Location: It is an emblematic cultural institution located in the Barranco district, Lima. Founded in 1961, MALI is housed in a historic building that combines colonial architecture with modern elements, creating a unique space for the exhibition and appreciation of Peruvian and international art. The museum boasts an impressive collection of art spanning from pre-Hispanic times to the contemporary era, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, photographs, and archaeological artifacts. It is located at Prolongación Av. Almte. Miguel Grau 1511, in Barranco.
• Hours: The Lima Art Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. However, guided tours and special events can be arranged outside regular hours, with prior coordination with the museum.
• Admission: The general admission cost to visit MALI is S/30.00 (Peruvian soles). Reduced rates apply for students, seniors, and children. Additionally, the museum offers guided tours, workshops, and educational activities for all ages, aiming to promote access to art and culture.

Immerse yourself in a world of creativity and beauty at the Lima Art Museum, where you can enjoy an enriching cultural experience and discover the richness of Peruvian and international art. 

Metropolitan Museum of Lima

• Description and Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Lima is a prominent cultural institution located in the Historic Center of the city, specifically in Plaza Bolívar, in the Lima district. Established in 1926, this museum is housed in a neoclassical building of great architectural value and hosts an important collection of Peruvian and Latin American art. Its galleries exhibit a diverse selection of paintings, sculptures, religious art, ceramics, and textiles spanning from pre-Columbian times to contemporary art.
• Hours: The Metropolitan Museum of Lima opens its doors to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Admission: Admission is free for all visitors. This museum aims to promote access to art and culture, therefore, no entrance fee is charged, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy its collections and exhibitions. Discover the richness of Peruvian and Latin American art at the Metropolitan Museum of Lima, an unmissable cultural experience that invites you to delve into the history and creativity of the region.

Site Museum of Huaca Pucllana of Lima

• Description and Location: The Site Museum of Huaca Pucllana is an archaeological gem located in the heart of Lima, in the Miraflores district. This museum offers a fascinating insight into the Lima culture, one of the oldest civilizations that inhabited the Peruvian coast. Huaca Pucllana is a pre-Inca pyramid built with adobe, which served as a ceremonial and administrative center over 1,500 years ago. The museum exhibits a variety of archaeological artifacts found on the site, as well as replicas of daily life from that era.
• Hours: The Site Museum of Huaca Pucllana is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. 
• Admission: The general admission cost to visit the Site Museum is S/15.00 (Peruvian soles). Reduced rates apply for students, seniors, and children. Additionally, the museum offers guided tours for groups and educational activities for students, aiming to spread knowledge about the Lima culture and promote the conservation of archaeological heritage.

Immerse yourself in Peru’s ancestral history and uncover the mysteries of the Lima civilization at the Site Museum of Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological experience that will transport you to the pre-Inca past of the region.

Site Museum of Pachacamac

• Description and Location: The Pachacamac Site Museum is a fascinating window into the pre-Columbian past located in the Lurín district, south of Lima. This museum is part of the Pachacamac archaeological complex, an important religious and ceremonial center that flourished from pre-Inca times until the arrival of the Spanish. The museum’s privileged location allows visitors to explore the archaeological ruins of the sacred city of Pachacamac, including pyramids, temples, and palaces, as well as a varied collection of artifacts and ceremonial objects.

• Hours: This museum is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is important to note that the schedule may vary on holidays or for special events, so it is recommended to check the specific hours before planning your visit.

• Admission: The general admission cost to visit the Pachacamac Site Museum is S/15.00 (Peruvian soles). Reduced rates apply for students, seniors, and children. Additionally, the museum offers guided tours for groups and educational activities for students, aiming to spread knowledge about pre-Columbian culture and promote the conservation of archaeological heritage, a highly recommended tourist destination.

Delight in the majesty and mystery of the pre-Columbian civilization at the Pachacamac Site Museum, an archaeological experience that will lead you to discover the secrets of one of the most sacred cities of ancient Peru.  

Exploring the museums of Lima is to embark on an exciting journey through time and culture, where each exhibition is a window into Peru’s rich heritage. From ancient pre-Columbian civilizations to the vibrant contemporary art scene, these museums offer an enriching and unique experience for all visitors. With a wide variety of collections and exhibitions, Lima’s museums capture the diversity and beauty of the country, from its ancestral roots to its modern creativity.

To enjoy this experience to the fullest, Machu Picchu Viajes Peru offers you carefully designed packages. With our expert guidance, you will not only get to know the cultural richness of Lima, but also live fascinating moments in the corners of Peru, full of history, biodiversity and impressive architecture.