Peru is best-known for the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu, but it also boasts numerous world-class museums that showcase the country’s abundant historical, archaeological and cultural heritage. Their impressive collections have been brought to life by an extraordinary team of curators and personal collectors, who work passionately to preserve these priceless treasures for future generations.
Our Journey Planner, Claudia Coral, who resides in the capital city of Lima, has actually handpicked her leading 10 museums in Peru that you shouldn’t miss during your expedition of this fascinating country.
1 Larco Museum, Lima
Ancient Peruvian history
Larco Museum © Velvet, CC BY-SA 4.0, through Wikimedia Commons The Museo Larco, located in Lima’s Pueblo Libre district, was founded in 1926 by Rafael Larco Hoyle, a pioneer in Peruvian archaeology. The museum is housed within a viceroyalty estate in the middle of beautiful gardens.
Step inside and travel back more than 5,000 years to ancient Peru. The Museo Larco’s remarkable personal collection consists of around 45,000 exhibitions. Its adoringly provided sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry offer a great introduction of the various pre-Columbian civilizations. An especially fascinating emphasize is the museum’s collection of erotic Moche ceramics.
Insider idea: After your check out, unwind at the museum’s captivating garden coffee shop, where you can take pleasure in a coffee or light lunch surrounded by bougainvillea bushes.
You ought to go to one of the historic pubs in the Pueblo Libre district. I advise El Bolivariano or La Antigua Taberna Queirolo. Treat yourself to a classic Pisco Sour or Chilcano and sample some common Peruvian meals
Claudia Coral
Trip Coordinator, Enchanting Travels
2 Lima Art Museum (MALI)
Art and Architecture
Lima Art Museum © Ibrehaut (Ivan Brehaut L.), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Situated in the historical centre of Lima, the Palacio de la Exposición is one of the city’s most lovely buildings. It was built in 1869 as a location for art and industrial exhibitions, and has housed the Museo de Arte de Lima– MALI (Museum of Art in Lima– MALI) since 1961.
The museum’s collection is arranged according to the different durations of Peruvian history– pre-Columbian, colonial, republican, and modern. In addition to paintings and pictures, its 17,000 exhibits include ceramics and textiles from pre-Hispanic times and furnishings from the colonial period.
Expert suggestion: Do not miss out on ‘La Noche del Museo‘ (Museum Night), which is held on the last Friday of every month. The museum changes into a vibrant stage for art, music, and dance. This is a fantastic method to experience Lima’s dynamic art scene up close.
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Splendid Museums with Soul
“/ > 3 Amano Museum, Lima Pre-Columbian fabric art © Museo Amano, Lima The modern-day Museo Amano in
the Miraflores district is thought about among the very best museums in Peru for pre-Columbian fabric art. Here, you can admire a large range of fabrics, fashion, and vibrant styles. The museum was established in 1964 by Japanese businessman Yoshitaro Amano. Throughout his journeys through Peru, he discovered a great deal of objects left by severe robbers and acknowledged their excellent cultural significance. After that, he committed much of his time and funds to recovering and maintaining these cultural properties. For many years, he assembled a collection of approximately 30,000 pieces, mainly fabric art.
Expert idea: You can end up exploring this museum in about 2 hours, leaving you adequate time to roam through Miraflores. Take a stroll to the pier or unwind in among the area’s scenic green parks.
4 Pedro de Osma Museum, Lima
Viceroyalty-era art and heritage
© Pedro de Osma Museum Housed in a magnificent early 20th-century estate, the Pedro de Osma Museum boasts the most essential personal collection of Viceroyalty-era art in Peru. Eleven thematically set up spaces showcase big frescoes, paintings, sculptures, silverwork, and early Andean art.
Architecture enthusiasts will likewise discover much to admire here. The French-style structure functions stained-glass windows, tin ceilings, and crystal chandeliers. In April 2024, it was awarded UNESCO’s ‘Blue Guard’ designation, highlighting its importance as a cultural heritage website.
Integrate your museum check out with a stroll through the bohemian Barranco district. Along the way, stop to admire the view at the renowned Bridge of Sighs. The Puente de los Suspiros has influenced many artworks. From there, follow the Bajada de Baños, a beautiful path that leads downhill to a viewpoint ignoring the Bay of Lima and right approximately the beaches of Barranco. While you remain in the location, do not miss Isolina, one of the city’s most popular dining establishments for conventional Criolla food. Their parts are quite generous and ideal for sharing.
Claudia Coral
Trip Organizer, Enchanting Travels
5 Museum of Italian Art, Lima
© Museum of Italian Art The museum is housed in an early 20th-century building donated by the city’s Italian community. It is the only museum in Peru committed to European art. This small however impressive museum shows paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and ceramics by Italian artists from the early 20th century.
Expert pointer: The museum is located straight opposite MALI. Together, they make a delightful pairing for art and architecture enthusiasts.
Our post on the very best museums in Peru continues below these trip concepts.
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6 Museo de Santa Teresa de Virreinal Arte, Arequipa
© Museum of Virreinal Art The Carmelite Monastery(Monasterio de las Carmelitas Descalzas de San José) in the center of Arequipa dates back to 1710. The monastery has actually collected paintings, sculptures, furnishings, gold and flatware, ornamental arts, murals, and daily things from different periods. In 2005, the monastery opened a museum to make its fantastic collection of artifacts accessible to the general public.
Expert suggestion: Some exhibition spaces close during lunchtime for prayer. While you will not see the Carmelite siblings, you can hear them singing and hoping through the doors, a really unique experience! Likewise, do not miss out on the scrumptious pastries made by the nuns. You can buy them at the sweet shop near the museum entrance.
7 Machu Picchu Museum, Cusco
Incan artifacts returned by Yale University
Machu Picchu Museum © Chalisimo5, CC BY-SA 4.0, through Wikimedia Common The Museo Machu Picchu Casa Concha homes around 360 archaeological artifacts that Hiram Bingham removed from Peru in 1912 following his excavations at Machu Picchu and sent out to Yale University. After years of negotiations, they were gone back to Peru in 2011. Today, the museum’s permanent exhibit showcases these lovely artifacts that offer an exceptional look into ancient Incan culture.
Insider suggestion: The old black-and-whitephotographs taken by Hiram Bingham throughout the excavation of Machu Picchu are especially fascinating.
8 Cao Museum & Huaca Cao Viejo, Trujillo
The Treasures of ‘Señora de Cao’ and the Magic of ‘El Brujo’
This museum outside Trujillo, on Peru’s north coast, houses the remains and funerary offerings of the first known female ruler from pre-Hispanic times. The ‘Señora de Cao’ was found in 2005 by Peruvian archaeologist Régulo Franco in Cao Viejo, one of the 4 sacred sites (‘huacas’) at the El Brujo archaeological complex.
As the first historical proof that women in Moche culture could hold both political and spiritual power, the discovery of the Lady of Cao triggered a sensation!
The museums and sights in the north need a bit more logistical effort, however they are well worth a go to if you can set aside time to check out the region.
Claudia Coral
Journey Coordinator, Enchanting Travels
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the Royal Tombs (Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán)is the final resting place of the Señor de Sipán. He was an effective governor who ruled over the region long before the Incas. Here, you can appreciate more than 2,000 gold items, precious jewelry, pottery and funerary offerings. Expert tip: The captivating museum structure is developed to look like a Moche pyramid.
As you wander through its winding corridors, you’ll experience one surprise after another! 10 LUM Memorial Museum, Lima History of the 1980s Shining Path insurrection LUM(Lugar de la Memory, la Tolerancia y la Addition Social
)commemorates the armed dispute that emerged in Peru in the 1980s and 90s in between the federal government and guerrilla groups such as the Shining Course. It documents the statement of countless witnesses, from civilians to victims of
attacks to military personnel. The museum includes an irreversible exhibit, a historic archive, and short-lived exhibitions. Expert idea: Most of the exhibits remain in Spanish, that makes it more suitable for Spanish-speaking guests.
Influenced to discover Peru beyond Machu Picchu? Get in touch with our experts to produce your customized travel plan and explore the area’s
rich culture through some of the very best museums in Peru.