Barranco, Lima

Barranco, one of the 43 districts in Lima, holds a special place as the city's most romantic and artistic neighborhood. Over the years, it has been a hub for Peru's leading artists, musicians, designers, and photographers. In the 19th century, it gained popularity as an upscale beach resort for the Limeño aristocracy, attracting summer vacationers from near and far, along with neighboring Chorrillos.

Today, Barranco's beaches have garnered international acclaim within the surfing community, while a modern marina, established in 2008, caters to the needs of its yacht club members.

The name "Barranco," which translates to "ravine" in Spanish, aptly describes its geographical features. The district boasts homes and eateries nestled around a ravine, perched atop a cliff that overlooks a sandy stretch extending from the Miraflores District to Chorrillos, now flanked by the Costa Verde Ave.

Barranco offers a picturesque pathway to the sea, known as the "Bajada de los Baños." Along this path stands the "Puente de los Suspiros," or the "Bridge of Sighs," an iconic structure spanning the ravine, inaugurated on Valentine's Day in 1876. On the opposite side of the bridge, a park features a statue honoring Chabuca Granda, a famous singer and composer hailing from Barranco.

Colonial and Republican-style houses, referred to as "casonas," adorn Barranco, along with charming parks, flower-filled streets, and inviting beachfront areas. The district hosts Lima's contemporary art museum, the MAC, and the Museo Pedro de Osma, which houses a remarkable collection of colonial art and stands as a well-preserved example of late-19th-century architectural style in Barranco.

The neighborhood is brimming with restaurants, nightclubs, discos, bars, and peñas, where visitors can enjoy Peruvian music performances. Along Pedro de Osma Ave., remnants of the former streetcar tracks, originally part of a railroad connecting Chorrillos/La Herradura to Downtown Lima, can still be spotted.