Are you planning a visit to Peru, and are wondering what are the best places to go shopping in Lima?
Lima is a big city, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start. And if you just walk around, you will probably miss some of the best shops. Most of them aren’t on big avenues.
Here I have made a selection of my favorite places when I want to go shopping in Lima, Peru. I’m Peruvian, so basically most of these are the places where I would go to buy Peruvian gifts if I’m going to travel.
On the first part, we’ll take a look at the places you should go if you want to shop for traditional Peruvian souvenirs, clothing, handicrafts, etc. The good thing about shopping for them in Lima vs. in other regions of Peru is that in Lima you will find items coming from everywhere in the country just in one place.
After that, I will mention the best places in Lima to go shopping for high-quality souvenirs, clothing, home-deco items and art. All hand-made things. Those are the shops you shouldn’t miss if you want to take back home a unique souvenir from Peru.
But not everything at these shops have Peruvian themes, so they are places where I would go to shop for a special present or for something unique to decorate my house.
We’ll also take a look at the best alpaca clothing shops in Lima, something most tourists look for while visiting Peru.
I’ll end with the two best shopping malls in Lima, places to shop for electronics and the most popular department stores.
Where to Go Shopping for Traditional Peruvian Souvenirs in Lima
Lima has all kind of souvenirs that make for great gifts to take back home. The most traditional things to buy are alpaca clothing, tapestries, bags with Peruvian designs, silver jewelry, among many others.
The best places to buy traditional souvenirs from Peru are the tourists markets (like the Indian Market), or specialized shops, like Las Pallas.
Indian Market and the Surrounding Area
The Indian Market, in Miraflores, is a big tourist market where you can go shopping for all kinds of traditional Peruvian souvenirs.
Of course, there’s nothing from India at the market, but the name comes from the term used for describing native people by the Spanish conquerors.
At the market you will find dozens of stalls selling everything from colorful tapestries, to ponchos, bags, jewelry and more. You will find things from all over Peru.
Of course, prices will be a little big higher than if you would buy them in their region of origin. But it’s a great place to go shopping for them if you are not going to visit other parts of Peru. Or in the case you prefer to do all your shopping in Lima not to be carrying too many things around the rest of Peru.
Still, it’s normal if you bargain a little bit for prices.
Another important tip when you go shopping at the Indian Market is not to be too naïve about alpaca products. Sellers can tell you that some shawl or sweater is 100% alpaca but this is not usually the case. If something is 200 dollars at a reputable alpaca store, don’t expect paying 25 dollars at the market and think that it is the same quality.
Right across the Indian Market you can also visit the Inka Plaza, a very similar market. And in the couple of blocks next to it you will find some other smaller markets and shops.
Location
Av.Petit Thouars 5321, Miraflores
Las Pallas
Las Pallas is like the Indian Market in the sense that you will find all kinds of traditional Peruvian artwork and handicrafts.
But what makes it different is that in one same shop you will find items coming from everywhere in the country. From carpets coming from Cusco, to Shipibo tapestries from the jungle, to retablos from Ayacucho.
The owner herself will be able to tell you about the different items of the shop, what area of Peru they come from, what they simbolize, etc.
This is not always the case at the stalls in the tourists markets, where sellers don’t usually have an in-depth knowledge about the history and tradition of all of the items they sell.
Also, you can trust that what you buy is the real deal. For example, you don’t risk buying a shawl made mainly of acrylic and only a little bit of alpaca being told that it’s 100% alpaca.
Location
Cajamarca 212, Barranco.
Shopping at Art & Design Boutiques in Lima
If you want to take back home something special, handmade and of high quality, these are the shops that should be on your list.
Dedalo
This is one of the best places to go shopping in Lima if you are looking for unique souvenirs or art pieces.
Whenever I travel abroad and want to bring special gifts from Peru, this is where I get them. It’s actually my favorite shop and the one I always recommend to friends that are coming to Lima.
At Dedalo you will not find the kind of mass-made handicrafts or clothing that you will find at the tourists artisanal markets nor at shopping malls. Instead, you will find artisanal pieces created by Peruvian artists. Everything at the shop is of very high quality and good taste.
Not everything at the shop has a Peruvian theme, but a lot of it does.
The shop is big and is divided into different areas.
The Shop at Dedalo
For example, on one side, you will find different kind of items with a Peruvian theme. The kind of Peruvian souvenirs that you will find at the tourist artisanal markets. But, as I mentioned, artisanal, more elaborated and of very high quality.
There you will find alpaca shawls, pillow covers with Andean designs, retablos from Ayacucho, Pucara bulls, etc. Plus some designer items inspired in Peruvian themes, like bags or wallets.
There’s also a section filled with ceramics of all kinds. You will find decorative pieces, dishes, jars, etc.
Dedalo also has a section dedicated to jewelry, where you will find pieces by several different jewelers. Peru is a big silver producer, so many of the items you will find will be made of silver.
They also have a children section, where you can find cute toys and decoration for children. Everything hand-made.
Other areas of the shop include clothing inspired in Peruvian motives, books, alpaca yarns, etc.
The Cafe at Dedalo
Even if you are not planning to buy anything, you can just visit the shop and then chill at the outdoor cafe they have in their patio.
You can just go for a coffee or enjoy an artisanal pizza, pasta or wrap. They also have veggie options.
Location
Their main shop is located in Barranco, very near Hotel B, so make sure to include a visit to the shop if you will be around the neighborhood. They also have a small shop in Larcomar, in case you prefer to go shopping in Miraflores instead.
Address: Saenz Peña 295, Barranco
Puna
Just a few blocks away from Dedalo, you will find Puna, a small boutique on a second floor of an old Barranco house.
At the shop, you can find some nice decorative pieces for the house, like tapestries, pillows, ceramics and prints. A few of them have Peruvian motifs.
I have gotten beautiful prints here for some apartments I’ve had to decorate.
Most of the pieces will easily fit in your suitcase.
Location
Jirón Colina 128, Barranco (second floor).
Jade Art Gallery
If you are in Barranco and are looking to shop for art by a Peruvian artist, you can visit either the Jade Rivera Museum shop or his other small art gallery.
You will find paintings, serigraphies, small sculptures, and merchandise like T-shirts or cups.
If you walk around Barranco you will see a lot of his art on the walls around the Bridge of Sighs. These include what is probably the most iconic art mural in Barranco, which you can see from the Bridge itself. You can see it in the picture below.
Location
Jade Rivera Museum and Shop: Av. Saenz Peña 205, Barranco
Jade Rivera Shop: Bajada de Baños. Walk down the Bridge of Sighs towards the yellow bridge. It will be a small shop on your right side.
Shopping for Alpaca Clothing in Lima
Alpaca clothing is one of the most popular items tourists take with them back home from Peru.
Even though you will also find alpaca clothing at the tourist markets, like the Indian Market, they won’t be the same quality as you will find in a good alpaca shop.
Alpaca is known for being one of the highest quality yarns in the world, so clothing made of alpaca is not cheap. Unless, of course, it’s mixed with other materials. Many times even synthetic materials, like acrylic.
Alpaca clothing you will find at reputable stores in Lima will likely be a couple of hundred of dollars, but you will be sure they have the percentage of alpaca thay they say they do. In contrast, in the tourist markets, you can be told something is 100% alpaca when it’s probably 30%.
Kuna
Kuna is one of the most famous places for shopping for alpaca clothing in Peru. In Lima, you can find one of their shops in Larcomar, a very well-known shopping mall in the Miraflores neighborhood.
At the shops, you will be able to find all kinds of clothing items, including sweaters, scarves and shawls, both for men and women. Most of the designs you will find at their shop are classic and elegant.
Location
- Larcomar Shopping Mall: Malecon de la Reserva 610, Miraflores
- Av. José Larco 671, Miraflores
- Miguel Dasso 166, San Isidro
Sol Alpaca
Sol Alpaca is another popular shop of alpaca clothing in Lima that you can find in Larcomar.
They have items for both men and women, including sweaters, coats, ponchos, bags, scarves, etc.
- Larcomar Shopping Mall:Malecon de la Reserva 610, Miraflores
- Hotel Casa Andina Premium: Av. la Paz 463, Miraflores
- Lima airport
Shopping Malls
Larcomar
If you are a tourist looking for a shopping mall in Lima, this should be your to-go option in the city. It’s not only a big mall, but also it’s in a beautiful location in Miraflores, on top of a cliff, overlooking the sea.
Larcomar it the perfect place to go shopping to if you are looking for big brands in Lima.
If you are looking for clothing, for example, you have H&M and GAP among many local brands as well. Just the average clothing that you can wear in Lima. Looking for outdoor clothing and equipment for your hiking trip in Huaraz or for the Inca trail? Then you can go to The North Face or Columbia.
There are also two alpaca shops that sell good quality garments, like sweaters or shawls. They are Kuna and Sol Alpaca, which you can find in Cusco as well.
The good thing about these alpaca shops is that even though they are pricey, you pay for what you get. Most times at the tourist markets they will tell you something is pure alpaca when it isn’t.
Besides shops, you will also find several restaurants, cafes, and a theatre.
There’s also a cinema, where all movies are screened in their original language, but not at all showtimes. In other words, some movies may be dubbed, but there will always be showtimes when they are screened in their original languages (mostly English).
Location
Malecon de la Reserva 610, Miraflores. Larcomar is just across the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Miraflores.
Jockey Plaza
This is the other top mall to go shopping in Lima. If you are a tourist, though, you will likely be staying in either Miraflores or Barranco, and Jockey Plaza is far from those neighborhoods. Depending on the time of the day, it can take you between 25 minutes and 1 hour by car from Miraflores to get there.
If you are an expat living in Lima, around the areas of Surco or La Molina, you will probably be shopping at Jockey Plaza regularly.
It’s a good place to find not just the same big brands that you can find at Larcomar. Jockey Plaza is much bigger and has all kinds of shops, including two department stores (Saga Falabella and Ripley).
Besides regular brands, this is the only place in Lima where you can go shopping at some high-end boutiques you won’t find anywhere else. For example, you can visit Emporio Armani, Versace Collection, Chanel and Givenchy.
Jockey Plaza also has lots of restaurants, cafes, and a cinema.
Location
Av. Javier Prado Este 4200
Department Stores in Lima
The two most popular department stores in Lima are Ripley and Saga Falabella.
They are very similar two each other, and you will find there what you can find at any regular department store: clothing, shoes, sports clothes, home appliances and decor, etc.
You can find these two shops everywhere in Lima, and if you are staying in Miraflores you will find both of them at opposite sides of Parque Kennedy.
Also, in the area around Parque Kennedy you can find all sorts of shops, like bookshops, drugstores, gift shops, shoe shops, etc.
Shopping Lima: Electronics
Compu Palace
Did you lose your phone charger or do you need to buy an outlet adaptor? Compu Palace is a big electronics market in Lima where you can go shopping for everything you need computer or phone-related. They also sell some photography accessories, though not so many.
There are also shops where you can have your laptop fixed. The great majority will do a good job.
Unfortunately not all of them are trustworthy. so it’s better if you are present while they fix your computer. Otherwise, it could happen, for example that they “find” issues with your computer that didn’t exist in the first place.
Location
Av. Petit Thouars 5356, Miraflores
Before You Go…
As you can see, many of the shops mentioned above are located in Barranco and Miraflores.
Barranco is one of the two most touristic neighborhoods in Lima and a great place to explore. Take a look at this post about what to do in Barranco for more ideas of what to do there once you are around.
You can also take a look at this post about what to do in Miraflores to see what they neighborhood offers besides shopping.
And if you are looking to learn more about the souvenirs you can get in Peru, take a look at this comprehensive post about Peruvian souvenirs.
