Wander down one of the city’s most historic boulevards to get a sense of the local culture and see the churches and plazas that surround it.
Jirón de la Unión is a busy pedestrianized street full of cultural hotspots in downtown Lima. It is among the city’s most active shopping zones, where punters are free to peruse the shops without the bother of traffic. Restaurants and shopping centers line the street, which was once among the city’s most affluent neighborhoods. Start at the Rimac River in the north and make your way south.
Continue down the street, shopping at the various market stalls selling locally made handicrafts. Go during the week to escape the crowds. Ice cream vendors and fast-food chains keep the kids entertained. Be watchful of your belongings, particularly in the evening. Combine your shopping ventures with cultural sightseeing.
Explore the Plaza of the Flag, where a fountain proudly displays the Peruvian emblem. From here, you can see the Plaza de Armas, a large square with several intriguing landmarks. Gaze up at the yellow-and-white colonial design of the City Hall. Capture photos of the large building as a perfect backdrop for the flag-adorned fountain. See the Club de la Union, which has the same colors and style, but is taller and has a colonnade at its base.
Visit the fascinating 16th-century Cathedral of la Merced, which has a Baroque adobe and brick façade. Its style is exceptional with statues built into decorative balconies in the red-and-brown frontage. Enter through its large portal to see the elaborate interior.
Spot the monument to a former president in the square beside the church. As you reach the southern terminus of the boulevard, note the entertainment venues such as clubs, casinos, tattoo parlors and body piercing stores. Finally arrive in the enormous iconic square of Plaza San Martín, which is full of historic structures.
Jirón de la Unión runs from the northern side of the Park of the Flag to the Rimac River in the historic center of the city. Many of Lima’s landmarks are beside the street, such as the Andrés del Castillo Museum, the Colon Theater and the House of Peruvian Literature. Ride the bus to the stop of the same name in the street’s center.
