Peru may be best known for the legendary Machu Picchu, but its cultural richness stretches far deeper. From remarkable pre-Columbian civilizations to its rich Spanish colonial heritage, Peru’s world-class museums offer an in-depth exploration of the country’s fascinating past. Their remarkable collections have been brought to life by a passionate team of expert curators and private collectors, who work tirelessly to preserve Peru’s priceless treasures for future generations.
Claudia Coral, a longtime Lima resident and member of our 24/7 Trip Support team, has handpicked her top 10 museums in Peru for history and culture lovers.
1. Larco Museum
Ancient Peruvian history
The Museo Larco, located in Lima’s Pueblo Libre district, was established in 1926 by Rafael Larco Hoyle, a renowned Peruvian archaeologist. It is housed within a viceroyalty-era mansion surrounded by lush, tranquil gardens.
Step inside and journey back over 5,000 years into the heart of ancient Peru. The museum’s exceptional private collection features around 45,000 artefacts. Its beautifully curated displays of ceramics, sculptures and jewellery provide a deep insight into Peru’s pre-Columbian civilisations. One of the Museo Larco’s most interesting exhibits is its collection of erotic Moche ceramics.
Insider tip: After exploring the museum, relax at the delightful garden café, where you can sip a coffee or enjoy a light lunch.
Claudia recommends: “Make time to visit some of the historic taverns in the Pueblo Libre district. El Bolivariano and La Antigua Taberna Queirolo are both excellent choices. Sip a classic Pisco Sour or Chilcano and try a few traditional Peruvian dishes while you’re there.”
2. Lima Art Museum (MALI)
Art and Architecture
Located in Lima’s historic centre, the Palacio de la Exposición is among the city’s most striking landmarks. Originally built in 1869 to host art and industrial exhibitions, it has been home to the Museo de Arte de Lima – MALI (Museum of Art in Lima – MALI) since 1961.
The museum’s collection is arranged according to the key eras of Peruvian history – pre-Columbian, colonial, republican, and modern. Alongside photographs and paintings, its 17,000 exhibits include pre-Hispanic ceramics and textiles, and colonial-era furniture.
Insider tip: Try to catch ‘La Noche del Museo’ (Museum Night), which is held on the last Friday of every month. The museum comes alive with art, music, and dance performances, offering a fantastic opportunity to experience Lima’s vibrant cultural scene first-hand.
3. Pedro de Osma Museum, Lima
Viceroyalty-era art and heritage
Set within a beautiful early 20th-century mansion, the Pedro de Osma Museum holds Peru’s most important private collection of Viceroyalty-era art. Its eleven rooms, arranged by theme, display impressive sculptures, large frescoes, silverwork, paintings and examples of early Andean art.
Architecture enthusiasts will appreciate the French-style building’s stained-glass windows, tin ceilings, and crystal chandeliers. In April 2024, it received UNESCO’s ‘Blue Shield’ status, highlighting its significance as a cultural heritage site.
Claudia recommends: “Round off your museum visit with a leisurely walk through Lima’s bohemian Barranco district. Pause at the iconic Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros), a landmark that has inspired countless artists. From there, take the Bajada de Baños, a picturesque walkway that winds down to a viewpoint overlooking the Bay of Lima. While you’re in the neighbourhood, you should stop by Isolina, one of the city’s most iconic restaurants for traditional Criolla cuisine.”
4. Amano Museum, Lima
Pre-Columbian textile art
The Museo Amano, located in Lima’s Miraflores district, is widely regarded as one of the best museums in Peru for pre-Columbian textile art. Inside, you’ll find an excellent collection of fabrics, garments, and vibrant designs on display.
The museum was established in 1964 by Japanese entrepreneur Yoshitaro Amano. During his travels across Peru, he encountered numerous artefacts discarded by grave robbers and quickly recognised their cultural importance. From that point on, he dedicated much of his time and resources to recovering and preserving these neglected treasures. Over the years, he built up a remarkable collection of around 30,000 pieces, most of them textile art.
Insider tip: You can explore the museum in around two hours, giving you plenty of time to wander through Miraflores. Take a walk down to the pier or unwind in one of the district’s pretty green parks.
5. Museum of Italian Art, Lima
The Museum of Italian Art is housed in an early 20th-century building donated by Lima’s Italian community. It is the only one in Peru devoted exclusively to European art. Though modest in size, it features an extensive collection of sculptures, drawings, prints, paintings and ceramics by Italian artists from the early 1900s.
Insider tip: The Museum of Italian Art is located just across from MALI, making the two a perfect pairing for art and architecture lovers.
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6. Museo de Santa Teresa de Virreinal Arte, Arequipa
The Carmelite Monastery (Monasterio de las Carmelitas Descalzas de San José), located in the heart of Arequipa, dates back to 1710. Over the years, it obtained furniture, paintings, murals, sculptures, everyday objects, and gold and silverware from different periods. In 2005, the monastery opened a museum to share its remarkable collection of artefacts with the public.
Insider tip: Certain exhibition areas close during lunchtime for prayer. Although you won’t see the Carmelite sisters, you can listen to their singing and prayers through the doors, a truly captivating experience! Also, be sure to try the delicious pastries made by the nuns, which can be purchased at the sweet shop near the museum entrance.
7. Machu Picchu Museum, Cusco
Incan artifacts excavated by Hiram Bingham
Chalisimo5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Common
The Museo Machu Picchu Casa Concha displays more than 360 archaeological artefacts excavated by Hiram Bingham at Machu Picchu in the 1910s and later sent to Yale University. Following years of negotiations, they were eventually returned to Peru in 2011. These artefacts are now part of the museum’s permanent exhibition and offer a fascinating insight into ancient Incan culture.
Our favourite moment: The black-and-white photographs captured by Hiram Bingham during the excavation of Machu Picchu are especially interesting.
8. Museum of Royal Tombs, Chiclayo
Moche culture and The Lord of Sipán
The Museum of the Royal Tombs (Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán) is located in the northwestern Peruvian town of Chiclayo, and is the final resting place of the Señor de Sipán. He was a powerful ruler who governed the region before the emergence of the Incan civilisation. The museum, which is designed to resemble a pyramid, showcases more than 2,000 gold artefacts, pottery, jewellery, and funerary offerings.
9. Cao Museum & Huaca Cao Viejo, Trujillo
The Treasures of ‘Señora de Cao’ and the Magic of ‘El Brujo’
Located just outside Trujillo on Peru’s north coast, this museum contains the remains and funerary offerings of the first known female ruler from pre-Hispanic times. The ‘Señora de Cao’ site was unearthed by Peruvian archaeologist Régulo Franco in 2005 at Cao Viejo, one of the four sacred huacas (sites) within the El Brujo archaeological complex.
This was a sensational discovery, because it was the first archaeological evidence that women in Moche culture could wield both religious and political power.
Claudia recommends: “The museums and sights in northern Peru need a little more planning, but they are definitely worth visiting if you can spare the time to explore the region.”
10. LUM Memorial Museum, Lima
History of the 1980s Shining Path insurrection
LUM (Lugar de la Memoria, la Tolerancia y la Inclusión Social) commemorates the internal conflict between the government and guerrilla groups like Shining Path that shook Peru during the 1980s and 90s.
The museum preserves and presents the testimonies of thousands of individuals, from civilians and victims to members of the armed forces. It features a permanent exhibition, a historical archive, and rotating temporary exhibitions.
Our favourite moment: Most of the exhibits are in Spanish, making the museum especially suitable for Spanish-speaking visitors.
Inspired to explore Peru beyond the Machu Picchu? Speak to our experts to craft a bespoke holiday and uncover the country’s rich culture through some of the best museums in Peru.
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