Food and Shopping Walk (Self Guided), Lima

Today's Lima is a large, commerce-booming and tourist-friendly capital, equally rich in terms of ancient culture as well as intricate cuisine and wealth of shopping opportunities suitable for various budgets.

Although in recent years many international brands have found their way to Lima’s stores, the majority of tourists keep looking to street fairs and artisan “Indian” markets focused on exotic foods and original knick-knacks – small, easy to carry and affordable – that make ideal gifts for family and friends.

One such place, undoubtedly, is the Inka Market located in the heart of Miraflores. Lined with rows of stalls which sell every Peruvian handicraft imaginable: from Arpillera applique quilts to alpaca woolen sweaters, scarves and ponchos, gourd art, and more, at very reasonable prices, this is one of the best markets in Lima when it comes to souvenirs.

Another similarly good location, also in Miraflores, is the Indian Market – aka Centro Artesanal Miraflores – a huge artisan/craft marketplace with everything, from alpaca sweaters to hats to T-shirts to other miscellaneous crafts.

Surquillo Market – perhaps one of the best food hotspots in Lima, offers a vast array of exotic local vegetables, dry goods, meat and poultry, spices and other rare food stuff not found anywhere else.

Mercado 28 Food Hall – a bustling street market dishing up international food & drinks with a trendy vibe.

If you aim at the top of the shopping ladder, head straight to Larcomar – Lima’s upscale, trendy, outdoor mall built into the Miraflores cliff, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

One way or another, no visit to a destination colorful as Lima is complete without trying out the local food and shopping firsthand. For a more complete experience of the Peruvian capital, take this self-guided walking tour.