The Barranco of art: Lima’s trendiest district oozes inspiration

What to do in Barranco if you visit Lima? Tour art galleries and museums in one of the capital of Peru’s most charming areas – where you can fly from 21,250 Avios each way – and enjoy some of its most interesting events.

Once the home of fishermen and the residential area of the local bourgeoisie, Barranco has put Lima on the world art map thanks to its fresh and extensive cultural offerings. Its streets – splashed with murals and street art – are home to museums, art galleries and nightclubs, leaving this district on the shores of the Pacific no reason to envy the artsy, bohemian neighbourhoods of other big capitals, such as Madrid and Buenos Aires.

Art galleries in Barranco: emerging local talent

There’s nothing like visiting the independent art galleries in this Lima neighbourhood to discover its essence. Many are in former 20th-century mansions, including Jade Rivera Museum, open by the artist to bring his magic realism style works together, while other, more contemporary ones, are located in business premises. Visit 80m2 Livia Benavides and Wu Gallery, which showcase young talent.

Among the can’t-miss museums is Pedro de Osma, acclaimed for preserving the most important collection of virreinal art in Peru. Its location, a neo-baroque mansion with art nouveau influences dating from 1906, is one of the most impressive buildings in the area.

Classes and workshops for all audiences

Thanks to its murals, visitors can soak up art and culture as they stroll through Barranco. The most striking, by Jade Rivera, are next to the Puente de los Suspiros bridge. Art classes for all ages are offered in this area. Edith Sachs Artes Visuales organises one of the most popular for adults, but there are also options for children at places such as Corriente Alterna, close to the Miraflores area.

In the workshops of Edith Sachs an individual follow-up is done according to the interests and personal projects of each artist

Calendar of activities

The Art Lima | Gallery Weekend is a massive showcase perfect for exploring the district’s cultural offerings, special exhibitions and additions to permanent collections of galleries and museums. This year, for example, Crisis Galería has participated, which represents some of the best contemporary artists in Latin America. In addition, this spring Pinta PArC, the most important contemporary art fair in Lima, returns for its eleventh edition from April 17 to 21, once again with a significant representation of Barranco's galleries.

We do not forget the Museum of Contemporary Art of Lima, the famous MAC, epicenter of the art of Barranco, with activities and exhibitions throughout the year that attract thousands of visitors and continue to spur avant-garde creativity in a capital as talented as Lima.