Barranco

Lima's most artsy bohemian district, with the Bridge of Sighs, colorful colonial houses, street murals and the MATE photography museum. At night, pisco bars and live music take over.

In the 19th century, Barranco was Lima's upper-class seaside summer retreat. Today it keeps many brightly colored colonial houses and Art Deco buildings, and it is the city's center for arts and nightlife. Its core is Plaza Municipal and the nearby Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros), a wooden bridge built in 1876, where legend says that if you hold your breath all the way across, you will get a wish. Beneath the bridge, the Bajada de los Baños path leads down to the sea, with murals covering both walls. At the bottom, you can look out at the ocean. Worth visiting in the district are the MATE Mario Testino Museum, which showcases works by Peru's renowned photographer, including a portrait of Princess Diana (admission about 30 soles), the Pedro de Osma Museum, which displays colonial art in a beautiful old mansion, the Museum of Contemporary Art Lima (MAC), and many craft breweries and cafés. At night, try the Ayahuasca bar (in a converted old mansion), the old tavern Juanito and La Noche for live music. The celebrated restaurants Central, Isolina and Cala are also in this district. Getting there: walk about 40 minutes along the seaside path from Miraflores, or take an Uber for about 10 minutes. The Metropolitano has a Bulevar station. Notes: take an Uber back to your accommodation after nightlife, most museums close on Mondays, and the mural areas occasionally have pickpockets, so keep your camera close.

Barranco

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