There is no better way to start your visit to Lima than where it all began. The Plaza de Armas or Plaza Mayor is the birthplace of Peru's capital and still the city's main hub. Around the square, you will find many of Lima's historic landmarks such as a 17th-century Cathedral, the Government Palace (the official residence of Peru's president), the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace, the Palace of the Union, and the Casa del Oidor — it is a great place to admire many of the colonial architectural gems Lima boasts. Embellishing the centre of the plaza is a beautiful 1650 bronze fountain set on what once was the grounds of the city's gallows. At noon, walk to the Presidential Palace to watch the traditional changing of the guards. Just a few minutes from there is the historic Gran Hotel Bolivar, where many Hollywood stars, singers, politicians and famous authors have stayed. The list includes former American President Nixon, Ernest Hemingway and Mick Jagger, among others.

The amount of churches in Lima can be overwhelming to a first-time visitor. Wherever you look, you will find beautiful religious buildings rich in both architectural detail and history, especially when walking around the city centre. To make your life easier, we have selected five churches that are well worth visiting: 1. Lima Metropolitan Cathedral (2nd picture) In the city's main square, the cathedral is not only Peru's most important catholic church but also the first one ever built, dating back to the foundation of Lima in 1535. Inside the cathedral lie the bones of the city's conquistador, Francisco Pizarro. 2. Basílica and Convent of San Francisco (1st picture). A curious fact about this church is that it was built on top of catacombs, which served as a cemetery during colonial times. A visit to its basement will surprise you with bones and skulls of around 25 thousand people. 3. Sanctuary of Saint Rose of Lima. It was erected in the exact place where Santa Rosa was born. Here, you can explore the grounds where the city's patron lived and treated the poor. 4. Basilica and Convent of San Pedro. Many consider it to be the most beautiful church in Lima. Check out its magnificent interior and see for yourself. 5. Parroquia Santa María Reina. Its unusual oval shape is the big draw here. *Bonus: Church of La Merced. Even if you decide not to enter this one, just take your time admiring the stone carvings on its beautiful facade.

At the National Air and Space Museum, you can see historic aircraft, from Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed to World War II fighters, as well as spacecraft and moon landing exhibits. There’s also a planetarium, IMAX theatre, and flight simulators, plus workshops and demonstrations that make the science behind aviation and space exploration come alive.

With this open-top double-decker City Sightseeing bus, you will get a great view over some of the most important sights in the city. The tour starts from the Belfast City Hall, but you can hop on at any stop along the route. There are 20 total stops, and the entire route takes about 1 hour.