The City
Lima, christened the “City of Kings” is the capital and largest city of Peru. Lima was founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. The city has a population of about 9 million of which about one-third of the Peruvian population lives in the metropolitan area.
Tourism
Lima is known as the gastronomic heart of Peru with some excellent restaurants serving peruvian food from every region of the country. It is also the main gateway to Peru and a major city bustling with living history and extreme movement.
Airport
Jorge Chavez International Airport is the main international and domestic airport. The airport is located about 11km from the Historic Centre of Lima and in 2010 the airport served 10 278 493 passengers.
Airlines
The following airlines offer flights to Lima from Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban:
- South African Airways (SAA) (from Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban)
- British Airways (from Johannesburg, Cape Town)
- Air France (from Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban)
- Iberia (from Johannesburg)
- KLM (from Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban)
What to see / do
- The Larco Museum
- The Barranco-district
- Lima Cathedral
- Lima Mentor
- Perubike
- The Huallamarca Complex – Metropolitan Temples
- The Lomas de Lachay – A National reserve
Events
- The Festival of Lima
- Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima
- El Senor de los Milagros (Lord of the Miracles)
General Info
Weather
Lima’s climate is mild and comfortable, despite the fact that it is built upon a valley surrounded by an extremely arid desert. Summers are usually warm, sunny and beautiful, although it might rain around January. Winters are wet and overcast, raining for days at a time.


