Even though it’s a part of Lima that’s often overlooked by tourists, there are plenty of great things to explore in San Isidro. Here are some of the top cultural and public spaces.
Orientation
The road that links the coastal districts of San Isidro, Miraflores, Barranco, and Chorrillos is full of art and culture. This is where you’ll find many theatres and galleries, and public spaces.
Top Sights
Parque El Olivar
This park is considered a national monument and dates back to the colonial era when, in 1560, the first olive trees were brought from Spain. The plantation had as many as 2800 trees. Nowadays there are around 1600. The park is large and peaceful, the habitat of important flora and fauna. Next to the Casa de la Cultura, you can see an old olive press and the oldest of the olive trees. It extends from Av. Santa Cruz up to Paz Soldan Park, flanked by Av. Conquistadores and Antero Aspillaga. Entry is free and it is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Museo Marina Nuñez del Prado
Home of sculptress Marina Nuñez del Prado Viscarra (La Paz, Bolivia, 1910). In the neo-colonial style, the house was bought by her in 1973 and converted into her workshop. Today it is a museum containing much of her work. It was the first house in El Olivar to be declared a National Monument.
Location: Antero Aspillaga 300, San Isidro.
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Casa de la Cultura
The old town hall has been converted into the Casa de la Cultura, a venue for artistic activities, recitals, exhibitions, and art workshops. Today it is part of the cultural, environmental and tourism circuit.
Location: La Republica 455, San Isidro.
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Centro Cultural de la Universidad Catolica
This is an interesting and extensive cultural space that includes a gallery, theatre, cinema, café, and bookshop. The Lima Film Festival is held here every year, as well as workshops and conferences.
Location: Av. Camino Real 1075, San Isidro.
Visit their website.
Sitio Arqueologico Huallamarca
Known as the sugar loaf, this site dates from pre-Inca times. It is a truncated pyramid and is in an excellent state of preservation. Construction started at the end of the Formative Stage and beginning of the Lima Culture (200 B.C.) It was also used as a cemetery for various groups until the arrival of the Incas. It has a site museum.
Location: Corner of Av. El Rosario and Av. Nicolas de Rivera 201, San Isidro.
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Credit: Ultimate Journeys Peru
