Archbishop’s Palace of Lima
Jirón Carabaya, Lima, Peru, 15001
Holding sentinel alongside the Lima Cathedral along Plaza de Armas, the Archbishop’s Palace is a shining example of 1920’s neo-colonial architecture. Carved cedar balconies hang above the doors of the spectacularly intricate façade, while inside, light filters through a stained-glass ceiling onto sweeping marble staircases. It’s certainly a regal home for the city’s Archbishop and the country’s Cardinal.
The Basics
Travelers may explore the Archbishop's Palace and the surrounding historic city center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) as part of an extended private or group half-day or full-day tour that incorporated Lima’s top cultural spaces and neighborhoods dedicated to various themes like shopping, sightseeing and food. Some tours include archeological sites such as Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Columbian site in Miraflores, and important museums such as the Larco Museum, which holds an extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Suitable for solo travelers, couples, families.
- Admission fee is about US$6 to enter the palace, or about US$10 for a combination ticket for entry to both the palace and Lima Cathedral.
- Tours may include round trip hotel transfers and snacks. Check specific tours for details.
How to Get There
The Archbishop’s Palace is located on Plaza des Armas (also known as Plaza Mayor) along Jirón Carabaya. It’s walking distance from anywhere in the historic center. Take a cab from other parts of the city or from Miraflores, take bus #301 to the Quilca stop and walk about five minutes to the plaza; expect about a half-hour trip. From Barranco, take the Metropolitano bus going North (Norte) to the Colmena stop.
When to Get There
The Archbishop’s Palace is open to visitors year-round Monday - Saturday, 9:00am - 5:00pm. Mornings are the most quiet times to visit. In general, the best time to visit Lima is wintertime (May–September), when there is the least amount of rain, especially important if planning a trip to Cusco or trek to Machu Picchu. The summer months (December–March) are warmer, but wetter, and in Lima especially, quite foggy.
Second’s a Charm
Though it rests on the land Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro had allocated for the Archdiocese of Lima in 1535, the original building had fallen into such disrepair it was replaced in 1924, replacing the colonial architecture with a gleaming example of neo-colonial. Polish Peruvian architect Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski designed the sprawling shrine to Catholicism, referencing the Palacio de Torre Tagle in downtown Lima, the residence of the former treasurer of the Royal Spanish fleet.
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