Built on the banks of the Rio Rimac, Lima is the largest city and capital of Peru. Founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, Lima was used as the headquarters of the Spanish conquistadors, ideally located because of the surrounding fertile planes irrigated by the Rimac and its close proximity to the natural port at Callao. Lima soon became the commercial and administrative center of the Spanish empire in South America, bringing a period of prosperity to the city until an earthquake in 1746 destroyed all but 20 houses. Following this devastation the opportunity was taken to elaborately rebuild the city. Today's wide streets, huge plazas and old houses with ornately carved balconies are a legacy of this period.

Downtown Lima is distinctly Spanish with a colonial feel. The streets follow a checkerboard pattern surrounding the Plaza de Armas, flanked by the Palacio de Gobierno, the cathedral and other important buildings.

Street names can be confusing here due to a mixture of old and new names. The pedestrian thoroughfare Jiron de la Union contains many shops and is a good place to wander. There are some parks and gardens towards the southern end of downtown surrounding Plaza Grau.

The most pleasant downtown places are those around the major plazas (Plaza de Arms, Plaza San Martín, Parque Universitario and Parque Italiano). These places have striking buildings and are quite safe during business hours due to a large police presence.