Barranco, Lima

Barranco is a suburb of Lima, located south of Central Lima and Miraflores. The area has long had a reputation for being popular with artists and writers. Although the area is not as manicured or meticulously restored as Central Lima, Barranco has some beautiful 19th and early 20th Century architecture and feels more authentic than touristy. Locals come here to sit on the park benches, walk their dogs, and shop or eat at the outdoor patios in front of the street side vendors. The small inns and restaurants that line the seaside hills and cliffs are popular with both locals and travelers. It's a great place to have dinner and watch the sunset.A good place to start in Barranco is at the Parque Municipal, a nice open space for relaxing, surrounded by colonial architecture. From here walk down Zapita, over Puente de Los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs) and out to the cliff side lookout. This is also where the restaurants, bars and hotels lookout over the ocean.