10 History Museums in Lima That You Shouldn't Miss

August 22, 2021 Malia Yoakum

Lima, founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, is a fascinating city and a treasure trove of history. Explore ancient Incan archeological sites, or stroll through the elegant cathedrals and opulent palaces dating from Spanish colonial times. Downtown Lima is crowded, but you'll enjoy exploring the city's neighborhoods—especially the beachfront areas, which have great shopping and dining and fabulous hotels.
Restaurants in Lima

1. Museo Larco

Avenida Bolivar 1515 Pueblo Libre, Lima Lima 21 Peru +51 1 4611312 [email protected] http://www.museolarco.org/
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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5.0 based on 12,417 reviews

Museo Larco

MUSEO LARCO OPENS FROM 9AM TO 10PM, DAILY. The Museo Larco is housed in an exquisite 18th century vice-royal mansion, built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The museum’s galleries exhibit the finest and most magnificent gold and jewelry treasures from Ancient Peru and the renowned erotic collection, one of Peru’s most celebrated attractions. Founded in 1926 and located in Lima, the Museo Larco holds the largest and most important archaeological collection of Ancient Peru in the world. Peru is known worldwide thanks to the legendary Inca Empire on the Andes Mountains; however few are aware that this society existed only for the last 100 years before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores. The Museo Larco portrays to the visitor an engaging narrative, recounting 5000 years in the development of Peru’s pre-Columbian history; thus becoming the ideal means to understand and enjoy Ancient Peru. On the Museum’s terraces overlooking its vibrant and stunning gardens, find Museo Larco´s Café restaurant, where one can savour the best of Peruvian and International cuisine.All in all, it’s accurate to say that to become fascinated by Peruvian history, the journey begins at Museo Larco!

Reviewed By MHH-Berkshire - South Devon, United Kingdom

Brilliant museum, well laid out with an large collection of Inca pottery and grave goods, and a selection of “erotic” pottery in a separate wing. Some outstanding pieces

2. Museo Nacional Afroperuano

Jiron Ancash No 536, Lima Peru http://www.mincetur.gob.pe/TURISMO/OTROS/inventario%20turistico/Ficha.asp
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Museo Nacional Afroperuano

3. Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas

Plaza San Francisco Jirón Lampa y Ancash, Lima 15001 Peru +51 1 4267377 [email protected] http://museocatacumbas.com/
Excellent
53%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,337 reviews

Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas

This church and monastery of St. Francis (circa 1674) is known for its catacombs that contain the remains of more than 70,000 people and a magnificent library that houses thousands of antique texts.

Reviewed By eval682 - Boston, United States

I sold my sons on a visit to this church by telling them about the bones they'd be able to see in the catacombs. I don't think they were disappointed! Of equal interest to my husband and me, however, was the beautiful church, with woodwork and murals, the open courtyard/cloister, and its rich history through multiple earthquakes. Definitely worth a visit. Tours are conducted in English and Spanish. We arrived just as a Spanish group was getting started, so we waited 15 minutes for the next tour in English.

4. Museo Nacional de Arqueologia, Antropologia e Historia del Peru

Av. San Martin Cdra. 9 Plaza Bolivar S/N, Pueblo Libre Lima 21, Lima Peru +51 1 3215630 http://mnaahp.cultura.pe/elmuseo/quienes-somos
Excellent
50%
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50%
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

Museo Nacional de Arqueologia, Antropologia e Historia del Peru

5. The Amano Pre-Columbian Textile Museum

Calle Retiro 160 Miraflores, Lima LIMA 18 Peru +51 1 4412909 [email protected] http://www.museoamano.org/
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 291 reviews

The Amano Pre-Columbian Textile Museum

This museum features the private collection of Mr. Yoshitaro Amano, which contains selected pieces of ceramics and textiles, arranged chronologically to illustrate the development of weaving throughout Peru's pre-Columbian cultures, featuring special items from the Chancay culture.

Reviewed By H9427OPfrankm

The collection of ancient textiles are covered here in detail, and taken from dozens of tribal regions of Peru. The amazing thing is there is also an gallery space and a courtyard where post-modern contemporary art highlighting Artists from the Lima region and they are exhibited throughout the year.

6. Casa O'higgins

Jr. de la Union 554, Lima lima Peru +51 1 6266624 https://www.facebook.com/CasaOhiggins
Excellent
59%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
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4.5 based on 27 reviews

Casa O'higgins

7. Casa Museo Raul Porres Barrenechea

Calle Colina 398 Miraflores a la espalda de la Casa Museo de Ricardo Palma, Lima LIMA 18 Peru 6197000 http://www.enlima.pe/lugares/casa-museo-raul-porras-barrenechea
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

Casa Museo Raul Porres Barrenechea

8. Casa Grau

Jr. Huancavelica 172, Lima 15001 Peru +51 1 4285012 [email protected] https://www.marina.mil.pe/es/cultura/museos/casa-grau-lima/
Excellent
67%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
33%
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4.5 based on 3 reviews

Casa Grau

9. Museum of Peruvian Culture (Museo de la Cultura Peruana)

Av. Alfonso Ugarte 650, Lima Peru 423-5892 [email protected] http://museos.cultura.pe/museos/museo-nacional-de-la-cultura-peruana
Excellent
21%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
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4.0 based on 19 reviews

Museum of Peruvian Culture (Museo de la Cultura Peruana)

This small museum features items of popular art and handicrafts including ceramics, carved gourds, folk art and traditional costumes.

10. Museum of the Inquisition

Jr. Junin 548, Lima Peru +51 1 4287980 http://www4.congreso.gob.pe/museo/index.html
Excellent
31%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
6%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 257 reviews

Museum of the Inquisition

This grisly museum features the underground dungeons and torture chambers that were used to punish accused heretics.

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