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Lima’s bohemian district lies in the neighborhood of Barranco. It’s a beautiful area popular with artists, musicians, and Lima’s elite. It is reached easily on the Metropolitano at Bulevar Sation (Estacion Bulevar).
Sánchez Carrión
Once off the Metropolitano, cross the street to reach Sánchez Carrión. At night, this street is full of bars packed with people. During the day, I could hear a pin drop.
Parque Barranco
At the end of Sánchez Carrión, you will come to Parque Barranco. On one end of the park is the Municipal Library (Biblioteca Municipal), which opened in 1922.
On the other end is Holy Cross Church (Iglesia Santísima Cruz), built in 1944 to replace the Hermitage (La Ermita), another church you will read about below.
Bridge of Sighs
Further down from Parque Barranco is the main tourist attraction in Barranco, is the Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros). It was unfortunately under construction when I visited.
Descent to the Baths
Under the bridge is a very popular path called the Descent to the Baths (Bajada a los Baños). Fisherman used to follow this slope down to the ocean. Nowadays, it’s filled with restaurants and bars selling all kinds of Peruvian traditional foods and seafood. It’s a bit annoying walking down the path with all the restaurant owners shouting at you to visit their restaurant, but once at the end of the path, you will find some beautiful views of the cliffs and ocean.
The Hermitage
Across the Bridge of Sighs is a church called the Hermitage (La Ermita), built in 1881. It was permanently damaged by a 1940 earthquake and Holy Cross Church in Parque Barranco was built to replace it.
Casonas
Barranco is full of beautiful colonial homes called “casonas”. The best examples are located along Avenida Sáenz Peña, which also features a memorial obelisk.
My favorite home in Barranco is called Rancho Rosell, located on Avenida Almirante Miguel Grau. It was a summer home built in the early 1900s. The house has fallen into disrepair but still has beautiful stained glass windows and other impressive architectural features.
