Stroll romantic streets, explore lovely parks and gardens and savour the local food and drink culture in this affluent waterfront district of Lima.

Visitors are drawn to Miraflores by its lovely gardens, its scenic plazas, and its boutique shopping. By night the district springs to life, with a multitude of bars and clubs playing anything from salsa to Western Top 40 and beyond.

Miraflores was officially established in 1857. It is also known as Ciudad Heroica (Heroic City), on account of its role as a key defensive fort during a war with neighbouring Chile. Now the district is eminently peaceful and its 9 square kilometres (3.7 square miles) are remarkably rich in nature and beauty.

Take a stroll through the charming pedestrianised side streets of the Miraflores town centre, stopping in at cafés and shops along the way. Here you will also find the much-loved Parque Central (Central Park), one of the district’s many notable public green spaces. The lovely Parque Kennedy is also worth a visit, with a truly serene landscape and an historic church, the Church of Virgen Milagrosa, at its heart. If you prefer the ocean setting, head to the beach for a relaxing sun-soaked afternoon there.

Delve into the area’s ancient history at the Huaca Pucllana, a fascinating temple complex constructed by the pre-colonial Lima Culture. Take an English-language guided tour to explore the mysterious pathways, buildings, and temples that make up the complex.

Miraflores is also home to the Larcomar shopping centre, a truly modern retail complex that has won awards for its innovative design. Larcomar has been built into cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, so panoramic ocean views are available from inside the mall itself.

Located to the southwest of Lima, Miraflores neighbours San Isidro to the north and Santiago de Surco to the east. The Miraflores district, to the southwest of central of Lima, is affluent but also hospitable. This area is lively and clean and has a police station with the sole purpose of looking after travellers. You can reach Miraflores from the centre of the city by taking a 9.7-kilometre (6-mile) taxi ride down the Via Expresa Highway.