National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History. Informative, chronologically ordered exhibits describe each of the cultures that flourished in Peru – notably the Chavin, Nazca, Paracas, Mochica, Chimu, Wari, and the Inca. The adjoining edifice (and former residence of the viceroys Pezuela and La Serna as well as of the liberators Bolivar and San Martin ) contains paintings, documents and other memorabilia from the colonial period, the wars of Independence and more recent republican times.

Gold Museum. The collection (which belongs to the Peruvian statesman and philanthropist Miguel Mujica Gallo's family) comprises thousands of gold items – collars, funeral masks, ceremonial cups, sceptres, ritual knives or tumis, nose ornaments, idols, etc. – illustrating the progress of the precious metal crafts in ancient Peru. A sizeable collection of ancient weapons from various parts of the world may also be viewed.

Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum. This interesting collection of ceramics, textiles and jewellery mostly from northern Peru includes a section on erotic pottery and a vault containing gold ornaments.

San Francisco el Grande. Liturgical objects from the colonial period, woodwork, paintings by Zurbaran.
National Congress Museum / The Inquisition. The audience chamber has a magnificent coffered ceiling. Cells with prisoners' inscriptions and rooms containing punishment devices used by the Inquisition may also be visited.

Convento de los Descalzos. Fine colonial paintings and religious objects.

Art and History Museum ( University of San Marcos ). The Alicia Bustamante and Pablo Macera collections: colonial art, books, documents, furniture, antique craft objects.