Sunsets on the Miraflores boardwalk: Lima's best walk

If there's one must-do in Lima, and a free one at that, it's walking the Miraflores boardwalk (the malecón) at dusk. It's several miles of landscaped clifftop parks, with the Pacific Ocean at your feet and the sky turning orange. From Lima Penthouse it's a short stroll, and we're not exaggerating when we say it's one of the best sunsets in the city.

The Park of Love and the lighthouse

The most photographed spot on the boardwalk is the Parque del Amor (Park of Love), inspired by Gaudí, with its colorful mosaic benches and Víctor Delfín's sculpture The Kiss. It's the ideal place to watch the sun go down. Nearby is the Faro de la Marina lighthouse, another classic photo stop, and the parks run one after another: Parque Salazar, Parque Yitzhak Rabin, Parque Antonio Raimondi…

Paragliding over the city

Paragliders launch from the Miraflores cliffs for much of the day. It's one of the few places in the world where you can paraglide over a major city and right beside the sea. No experience needed: you fly tandem with an instructor, and the feeling of soaring over the buildings and the ocean is unforgettable. A perfect activity for late morning or mid-afternoon.

Larcomar and sunset with a view

Built into the cliff face is Larcomar, an open-air shopping center with restaurants, cinemas and terraces overlooking the sea. Having a drink on one of its terraces as the sun sets is a perfect way to close the day.

The best viewpoint: your own terrace

After walking the boardwalk, the perfect finishing touch is at home. The private terrace at Lima Penthouse faces the Pacific, so you can enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand, no crowds and complete privacy. Many of our guests tell us it's their favorite moment of the day: firing up the barbecue, opening a bottle and watching the sun sink into the ocean.

For running, walking or cycling

The boardwalk is also the great sporting lung of Miraflores. In the mornings it fills with runners, and if you like, you can rent a bike and ride it from end to end. It's beautifully lit and one of the safest, best-kept areas of Lima to get around on foot.

Whatever the hour, the boardwalk is the best way to understand why Miraflores is the city's most beloved district. And from Lima Penthouse, it's literally just around the corner.