Lima Art Museum 🇵🇪

Welcome to the Lima Art Museum (Museo de Arte de Lima, or MALI), a premier cultural destination situated in the 1872 World's Fair Exhibition Palace at the entrance to Lima's historic center. Inaugurated in 1961, this private organization invites you to explore almost 3,000 years of history spanning from pre-Columbian to contemporary periods. Inside, you will discover an incredible collection featuring pre-Columbian ceramics, delicate textiles, detailed sculptures, and captivating paintings.

Head up to the second floor of the Exhibition Palace to experience renovated galleries that showcase some of the collection's most important items. Beyond its permanent treasures, MALI hosts dynamic temporary exhibitions year-round, featuring work by influential local and international artists like Gerhard Richter, Martin Chambi, and Francis Alÿs. Art enthusiasts will appreciate that the museum supports vital research on Peruvian art history, housing one of the region's most extensive archives and Peru's main art library, the Manuel Solari Swayne Library.

As you approach the museum inside Exposition Park, take time to admire the stunning Italianate façade designed by architect Antonio Leonardi, alongside a historic cast-iron structural system designed by Gustave Eiffel's atelier. It offers you a rich, comprehensive journey through Peru's artistic legacy.

What to see at Lima Art Museum

• Explore nearly 3,000 years of Peruvian art, from pre-Columbian ceramics to contemporary works
• Admire the building's Italianate façade and cast-iron structure designed by Gustave Eiffel's atelier
• Visit the renovated second-floor galleries showcasing key items from the museum's collection
• Catch rotating temporary exhibitions featuring prominent local and international artists
• Discover Peru's main art library, the Manuel Solari Swayne Library, and extensive art archives

Visiting tips

Be sure to visit the renovated second-floor galleries in the Exhibition Palace to view the collection's most important items.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Lima Art Museum is easy to reach on Lima’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Cathedral of Lima and Government Palace. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Lima travel guide.