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Barranco
The well-known district of Barranco is known for its leisurely strolls, bars and bohemia. Located, along the Chorrillos, at the southern tip of Lima Bay along the shoreline and the Avenida Bolognesi, it is the dividing line between the two different faces of this city: the historic residential area and the other a bustling working class area.
The historic district lies between Avenida Bolognesi and the malecón (quayside), where mid-19th century streets, parks and gardens can be enjoyed. Follow the seafront southward to the beaches lining the coast, to arrive at the Bajada de los Baños (Slopes of the Baths), a romantic location to savour typical local dishes, or enjoy a drink while gazing out over a beautiful ocean view.
The Parque Municipal is found just past this area. Retaining the aristocratic airs of yesteryear, most of Barranco's cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs—housed in mansions—are clustered around this plaza. Like the traditional Bar Juanito, most attract the local bohemians, artists and other patrons who come to Barranco for a good time.
Miraflores
Miraflores is without a doubt the area with the most commercial activity and where tourists generally head towards. Filled with shopping malls, cinemas, hotels, it boasts the highest concentration of cafes in Lima. Located along a sloping shoreline, its surrounding promenade leads to the beaches and parks along with the new shopping complex, Larcomar.
The district is also well-known for its nightlife, which affords all types of entertainment. Grab a pizza along the street named after this dish, the Calle de las Pizzas or take to the floor in one of the modern dance clubs, with the latest techno and trance sounds. For the LGBTQ crowd, you can meet up at Gitano on Berlin street.
City Center
The streets, plazas and alleyways of the historical center of Lima have a myriad of cafes and restaurants, which range from classic turn of the century, such as the Palais Concert to modern such as Café Café and Bohemia. The colonial and republican buildings, along the centuries-old streets, house museums, beautiful, cavernous Renaissance and Baroque churches, old mansions of particular historic interest like Casa de Osambela Oquendo and Palacio de Torre Tagle; as well as museums such as the Iglesia de San Francisco, the National Reserve Bank and the Lima Art Museum, close to the Justice Palace.
From the expansive Plaza de Armas, you have the choice of wandering along one side of the Government Palace toward the charming little plaza in front of Iglesia de San Francisco. On the other side of the palace the alleyway known as Alameda Chabuca Granda is ideal for taste testing typical local sweets and if luck has it, catching a live concert of traditional Criollo or Afro-Peruvian music. There are a host of traditional old bars which serve food and drink in an atmosphere reminiscent of those days of even before yore, such as Cordano and the Queirolo bar, which makes its own wine.
Lima's city nightlife is varied. For drinks, try the choperías (beer pubs) such as La Cervecería or El Munich on the Jirón de la Unión street. Stroll the alleyways of Santa Rosa and Los Escribanos and stop for a coffee, ice cream, snack, or browse through a bookshop. Though there are a few night-clubs in this area, it is not the safest of places to venture after dark.
San Isidro
Originally, this district was an upper class residential area where the scenic neighborhoods are arranged around attractive parks of large, stately trees, such as Olivar de San Isidro, and El Club de Golf. Today the area is best described as a shopping and financial district where streets such as Calle Miguel Dasso provide respite from the bustle in the many cafes ideal for quiet conversation, delis for a quick bite or even a Turkish bath. The Ovalo Gutiérrez district is also alive with shops, cafes, and other activities and is especially popular among those who enjoy savoring the finer foods in life.
Callao
When arriving in Lima, you will probably come from the Jorge Chavez Lima-Callao International Airport. This district has an important maritime port that serves the entire country. The Callao Port was established in 1537 in order transport riches from the new world back to Spain. Don't forget to visit the Fortaleza del Real Felipe which is located in the port and the natural beauty of the Isla San Lorenzo where you can sunbathe, explore aquatic caves and enjoy some delicious seafood. Though Callao is considered part of the greater Lima metropolitan area, Callao is administratively separate from the capital and more than 600,000 people reside in the district.
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