Barranco is a place for dreamers with its romantic streets, live music performances and artistic legacy. While couples stroll through alleys lined with old-world restaurants, surfers flock to catch the waves along the beaches here on Peru’s western coast. Admire the bright colors of the colonial and Republican houses dotted around this neighborhood.

Escape the hectic lifestyle of the city center for beaches and flowery parks in Barranco. Follow the Bajada de Baños walkway through this bohemian quarter and cross the red wooden Bridge of Sighs. Sit at a bench with a view of the bridge, which is lit up at night.

For a glimpse into the neighborhood’s culture, visit the red La Ermita Church, which is a place of pilgrimage. Try some of the local cuisine at the food markets or dine at one of the many restaurants. Eat anticuchos, grilled meat similar to kebabs, which are served with garlic, pepper and other condiments. Upscale restaurants and street vendors sell this popular Lima dish. Ice creams are also acclaimed in this area. Drink a pisco sour, a typical Peruvian cocktail made from liquor, syrup, lemon juice and egg whites.

Make the most of the weather with a day at the beach. The district’s many sandy havens include Las Cascadas Beach, Los Yuyos Beach and Agua Dulce Beach.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this neighborhood was a classy getaway for affluent city dwellers. As the metropolis expanded into this zone, aristocrats moved their summer homes elsewhere, only to return in recent times for the bohemian role Barranco has adopted.

Arrive in the district, which sits on the coast between Miraflores and Chorrillos, via a 5-minute bus ride south from central Lima. Fly to Jorge Chavez International Airport and travel south along the shoreline for around 40 minutes by car or taxi.

The cliffs of Barranco and its colorful homes greet you in the city’s artistic hub.