Barranco is a beachside community just south of Miraflores. Where Miraflores is a fast-paced hustle and bustle, Barranco has a more laidback, artistic vibe.

Below is a custom-designed walking tour to cover the best sights. Continue reading for detailed descriptions of each step.

Start at Barranco’s central plaza, the Parque Municipal. It’s a short walk from the Metropolitano bus station, Bulevar.

Parque Municipal de Barranco

The plaza features the Barranco library, Iglesia de la Santisima Cruz (Church of the Blessed Cross) and several fountains with park benches. Looking east from the plaza (looking toward your right if facing the church), you’ll see a pedestrian alley. This is Boulevard Sanchez Carrion.

Boulevard Sanchez Carrion

If you came on the Metropolitano, you already passed through this pedestrian alley of bars and nightclubs. If you haven’t seen the boulevard, take a quick up and down if you like, and come back to the plaza.

San Martin Avenue

San Martin is home to bars and restaurants, boutique shops and some of Lima’s most expensive real estate.

To go north on San Martin, walk on the left side of the Iglesia de la Santisima Cruz (Church of the Blessed Cross). Keep the church on your right as you walk north on San Martin about six blocks until you reach Saenz Peña Avenue.

You’ll recognize this historic promenade by the wide, tree-lined median between eastbound and westbound lanes, as well as the San Martin Obelisk in the middle of the intersection.

Avenida Saenz Peña

Avenida Saenz Peña is home to republican mansions of European architecture. At Saenz Peña 206 is the Lucia de la Puente art gallery, which is worth a visit if open (Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

At the west end of Saenz Peña is a “mirador” overlooking Lima’s coastline. Once you’ve seen the promenade, continue north on San Martin Avenue. Walk four more blocks north on San Martin until you come to a park on your left at El Sol Avenue.

Avenida El Sol

Turn left before this park and you should be able to see where the street meets the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Walk toward the sea.

Malecon de Barranco

At the end of El Sol Avenue you’ll come upon the Malecon of Barranco. While it doesn’t offer as much as the Malecon of Miraflores, it is a peaceful stroll overlooking the Pacific. Turn left to head back toward the heart of Barranco.

It’s not the Malecon of Miraflores, but the Barranco Malecon features some beautiful gardens and views of the coastline.

You’ll pass a few small parks before coming to the mirador at Saenz Peña. Continue past the mirador, hugging the coast with the sea on your right. After five more blocks, the street will end at Federico Villarreal Park.

Iglesia La Ermita

Pass through the manicured garden overlooking Barranco’s La Ermita chapel, where Lima’s fishermen prayed for a good catch. Take a pathway through the garden to the front of the church.

Descending the steps in front of the church, you’ll see two statues to your left. The woman is Chabuca Granda, Peru’s famous 20th-century singer of hits like “La flor de la canela” (Cinnamon Flower). Past the statues, you’ll see Barranco’s signature landmark, the Bridge of Sighs.

Puente de los Suspiros

The Puente de los Suspiros, or Bridge of Sighs, was constructed in the 19th century and overlooks the Ermita Chapel and Bajada de Baños pathway down to the ocean. Legend says that your wish will come true if you hold your breath while crossing the bridge after seeing it for the first time.

Cross the bridge from the chapel but, instead of walking up the stairs, turn left to go down to the Bajada de Baños.

Bajada de Baños

The Bajada de Baños, or Pools Pathway, is a pedestrian path that leads to the beach. The highly recommended hostel, Kaminu, is located on the right.

Follow the pathway past patio restaurants to the lookout point. As you will see, you can continue descending to a bridge that crosses the highway if you want to visit one of Barranco’s beaches. If you turn right, all the beaches are rocky. Turn left to find a small sandy beach.

But before continuing down to the beach, keep in mind how much of a climb it is to return to the Parque Municipal, the main plaza, of Barranco.

To return, walk back up the Bajada de Baños. There are two staircases on your right which will bring you back to the Parque Municipal. The first one, a ways down from the Bridge of Sighs, will leave you on Mariscal Castilla Street. If you take that staircase, turn left to get to the plaza.

To take a more direct route, turn right to ascend the stairs after passing under the Bridge of Sighs. You’ll pass Tio Mario, one of Lima’s best anticuchos restaurants. After passing Tio Mario, cross the side street and continue walking straight past Starbucks to arrive back at the Parque Municipal.

If you’re not tired yet, turn right before the plaza to continue south on San Martin to see the Pedro de Osma and MATE museums. Barranco is also great for getting lost in the blocks closest to the cliffs overlooking the sea.