Lima Main Square — Attraction in Lima Metropolitan Area

There is so much Plaza de Armas can offer to a visitor, beautiful cityscape, a park, a fountain, a wide range of historical buildings, churches, and unparalleled photo ops. The square, recently rechristened as Plaza Mayor (often a times the double or overlapping names are the cases with many a landmark in Lima; for instance Miraflores park got two additional names, Kennedy Park and June 7th Park) consists of the following main attractions:

1. Two arcade buildings (south side of the plaza), with the first one being the headquarters of the weekly publication Caretas. The arcades provide pleasant shelter during hot days (rain is very rare in Lima) and are lined with shops and mostly tourists-oriented restaurants (for fine dining one has to leave the historic center of Lima and head to Miraflores, Barranco or San-Isidro districts of the city).
2. On the plaza's eastern side there is magnificent Lima Cathedral, with its construction began almost 600 years ago and Archbishop's Palace of Lima (about 100 years old but built in the neo-colonial architectural style).
3. The Government Palace of Peru on its northern side (Palacio de Gobierno del Perú) dating back to the same time period as the Archbishop's Palace of Lima, the late 1920s - early 1930s. The palace is hard to take a good picture of due to the massive fence in front of it.
4. The City Hall (Palacio Municipal de Lima) and Palacio de la Union, hosting the prestigious social institution, Club de la Unión, both on the western side of the square. Both buildings are the latest additions inaugurated in the 1940s. As mentioned, even though all the yellow buildings with its wooden carved Moorish balconies resemble the classical colonial architecture, in reality they all date to the first half of the proceeding century. Each building on the plaza deserves a dedicated tour and description, however, as a whole ensemble, Plaza Mayor is one of the best known places in the city and should be visited on a broader tour of the historical center of Lima. Usually a walk from Plaza San-Martin in the south, including the pedestrian Jirón de la Unión, and the areas surroundings Plaza Mayor (Jirón Cabaya, Jirón Lampa, Jirón Callao, Jirón Junín, Jirón Ancash, Plazuela San-Francisco, and the area facing Rimac river) will give you a great sense of downtown Lima. There are lots of souvenir shops offering bottles of Pisco in various shapes and sizes, and products woven of llama, alpaca, or vicuna fur, in addition to the more standard tourist items. Exercise prudence venturing to the east of Plazuela San-Francisco; crossing Avenida Abancay will take you to Barrios Altos, not a neighborhood best-suited for solo walks, especially...

Lima's Main Square, known as the Plaza de Armas, is the historical and cultural heart of the city, and it truly lives up to its reputation. Stepping into this magnificent square feels like stepping back in time, surrounded by stunning colonial architecture and a vibrant atmosphere.

One of the standout features of the Plaza de Armas is its impressive Cathedral, a grand and imposing structure that dominates the square. The Cathedral is a marvel both inside and out, with its intricate facades and beautifully adorned interiors. It's worth taking a guided tour to learn about its rich history and see the priceless treasures it houses.

Surrounding the square, you'll find other historic buildings, including the Government Palace and the Archbishop's Palace. These structures are not only architecturally significant but also provide a glimpse into the political and religious history of Peru.

What truly makes the Plaza de Armas special, though, is the lively ambiance. The square is a gathering place for both locals and tourists, and it's common to see street performers, artisans, and vendors offering traditional snacks and crafts. It's a fantastic spot for people-watching and soaking in the local culture.

In the evenings, the Plaza de Armas comes alive with beautifully illuminated buildings, creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere. Whether you visit during the day or at night, the square offers an excellent opportunity for photography and capturing the essence of Lima.

One tip for visitors is to be cautious of your belongings, as the square can get crowded, attracting both tourists and opportunistic individuals. However, with reasonable precautions, you can thoroughly enjoy this iconic destination.

In summary, Lima's Main Square, the Plaza de Armas, is a must-visit attraction in the city. Its historical significance, stunning architecture, and lively ambiance make it a memorable and enriching experience for travelers. Don't miss the chance to explore this cultural gem at the...

As far as most historic centers go in Latin American metropolisis, this is definitely one that has been taken care and preserved by the government and it's citizenry. It's historical buildings and facades showcase the architecture that was prevalent during the colonial era and it's promenades, plazas, government palaces and Catholic places of worship are grand buildings worthy of preservation and conservation efforts for generations to come. It's beautiful but like all great modern cosmopolitan cities, Limas historic center also has pickpockets and people of ill-will looking out for bedazzled tourists sporting their wealth through their jewelry, flimsy backpacks, and expensive camera equipment. This place is worth the visit but just be extremely aware of your surroundings at all times and wary of "friendly" strangers who approach you attempting to make casual conversation. In particular, stay away from the young, urban men selling "Tattoo" services, which after a while becomes almost amusing, as if it was the only clandestine service in need of a large throng of roaming salesmen throughout the plazas and public walkways of this grand historical center. Please visit and enjoy during the day but be extremely careful in the late afternoon hours and postpone coming at night, unless accompanied by tour guides or citizens of Lima aware of what's going on. Many of these warnings are common sense, applicable to all major Latin American historical centers but people lower their guards when they become enchanted taking pictures or gazing upon the beautiful buildings. To it's credit, the government is aware of it's issue and has deployed a good show of force with it's tourism police officers who walk throughout the center wiling to offer assistance. Great place to take pictures, but never let...