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Food and Shopping Walk, Lima

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.
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Food and Shopping Walk Map

Guide Name: Food and Shopping Walk
Guide Location: Peru » Lima (See other walking tours in Lima)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 5
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Author: Daniel
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Inka Market
  • Indian Market - Centro Artesanal Miraflores
  • Surquillo Market
  • Mercado 28 Food Hall
  • Larcomar Shopping Center
1
Inka Market

1) Inka Market

Inka Market is known as one of the top markets in Peru. The artisan market has a wide variety of merchandise that offers great deals. Those shopping for souvenirs are sure to find reasonably priced items while enjoying a uniquely Peruvian shopping experience.

Inka Market is located in a shopping district where there are many places to both shop and people watch. One of these is the larger Indian Market, which boasts a more plentiful array of goods. However, visitors should plan on attending both in order to see the grand scale of Indian Market while enjoying the great prices at Inka.

Higher-end items that visitors will find at Inka Market include traditional textiles, alpaca scarves and shawls and jewelry created using beading and Incan techniques. Visitors will also find standard souvenir items like refrigerator magnets, beads, glassware and toys.

Inka Market is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.
2
Indian Market - Centro Artesanal Miraflores

2) Indian Market - Centro Artesanal Miraflores

Visitors to Lima who want to buy truly beautiful, locally crafted items should stop by Indian Market - Centro Artesanal Miraflores. Located on Petit Thouars Avenue, the market is said to be the largest handicraft complex in the country.

Visitors are greeted with bright murals surrounding the gate that leads to the Indian Market. Inside are stalls that are filled with rugs, pottery, toys, statues, clothing and other souvenirs of all prices and sizes. Each stall offers something unique to tourists who want to take a piece of Peru back home with them.

Shoppers should note that most vendors are willing to bargain, so they should not be afraid to ask for lower prices. Likewise, some stalls may offer Peruvian artifacts or antiques. While it is legal to buy and sell these items in Peru, it is illegal to leave the country with them.

Indian Market - Centro Artesanal Miraflores is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. Tourists should plan at least a couple of hours to explore the many offerings at Indian Market.
3
Surquillo Market

3) Surquillo Market

Surquillo Market is known for its wide array of fresh fruits, vegetables and spices. Many of the offerings at Surquillo Market are unique to Peru, making it a great place to stop and have a one-of-a-kind food experience.

Unlike some of the markets in Lima that cater primarily to tourists, Surquillo Market is a mainstay for local residents. The prices are low and the variety is vast. It even offers an organic market on Sundays.

Those who don't have the ability to buy and use fresh food can still enjoy Surquillo Market. Within the stalls are small eateries that use the freshest ingredients to make traditional Peruvian meals. Dried goods, like tea and spices, are also available and easily transportable.

Head to Surquillo Market earlier in the day so they can experience the food at its freshest. It is also easier to get great deals in the morning when all supplies are in surplus. It is open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM.
4
Mercado 28 Food Hall

4) Mercado 28 Food Hall

Lima has no shortage of open air markets, farmer's markets and food halls that have a wide variety of fresh fruit, meat and seafood. Mercado 28 Food Hall doesn't try to be like all of these other markets. It offers something unique that can't be found anywhere else in the city.

Located on the second floor of Balboa Strip Mall, Mercado 28 Food Hall is Lima's first gastronomic market. It includes 16 permanent residents and one pop-up booth. Each provides a different type of cuisine that is ordered by the plate. Visitors are encouraged to mix and match as they sample foods from Peru and beyond.

Seating is set up in a cafeteria-style atmosphere with long rows of wooden tables. Visitors may find themselves eating with other patrons from around the world or with locals from Miraflores neighborhood. On Wednesday evenings, the market hosts live music to accompany the meals.

Mercado 28 Food Hall is open daily from 11 AM to 8:30 PM.
5
Larcomar Shopping Center

5) Larcomar Shopping Center

Larcomar Shopping Center, located along Parque Alfredo Salazar, is a shopping center with more than 70 stores and 17 restaurants. The shopping mall is perched on the side of a cliff with excellent views of the Pacific Ocean.

Larcomar Shopping Center opened in 1998. It is owned by Chilean company Parque Arauco S.A. Some of the shops at the mall include Aldo, Converse, Calvin Klein, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Steve Madden, Under Armour and Pandora.

Visitors who wish to shop with their families can take advantage of a nursery room that is exclusively made for nursing and changing babies. The mall also offers a personal shopper service for those patrons who need help deciding on the best options.

Along with the shops and restaurants, Larcomar offers a cinema, bowling alley and a museum. The stores are open from 10 AM through 10 PM daily. The coffee shops and restaurants are open from 8 AM through midnight.

Walking Tours in Lima, Peru

Create Your Own Walk in Lima

Create Your Own Walk in Lima

Creating your own self-guided walk in Lima is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Miraflores Walking Tour

Miraflores Walking Tour

The district of Miraflores is one of Lima's key tourist destinations, renowned for its affluent setting, upscale shopping, phenomenal oceanic views, seashore restaurants, parks, and interesting archaeological sites. The attractions here are numerous and include, among others, the following:

La Huaca Pucllana – an archaeological complex, featuring a clay pyramid made of seven staggered...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Lima Introduction Walking Tour

Lima Introduction Walking Tour

Lima, the capital of Peru, is a huge, thriving metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities; it was established by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535. The carefully preserved city center has retained much of its original colonial character set in the stones of Plaza de Armas – the city's main square, as well as numerous Baroque and Renaissance cathedrals, colonial...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles

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