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South American city Lima - the capital of extraordinary country Peru - is a city with a difference. Packed with a plethora of things to see and do, it can be difficult to pack everything you want to do into the short time you'll spend there - which is why it's important to plan your trip ahead so you can hit many of the best must-see attractions.

No matter what time of year you visit Lima, you can be guaranteed admirable weather - which is another reason the city is so popular amongst travellers. However, as well as the promise of sun even on the coldest of winter days, there are plenty of other sights that will tempt visitors to return time and time again.

For example, the numerous extravagant museums of Lima garner many fans. The Rafael Larco Herrera Museum boasts over 45,000 exhibits, including textiles, jewellery and ceramics from the Moche Dynasty, as well as stacks of breathtaking pre-Columbian art. The National Museum - or the Museo de la Nacion - also has many fascinating artefacts within its walls and is well worth a visit during a trip to Lima.

However, museums aren't for everyone, and there are plenty more must-see attractions in and around this city. If checking out local culture in a more hands on way is your preferred style, why not set sail to the islands of Callao? Not only is the natural setting of a serene ocean betrayed by jagged rocks jutting out from the surface one you'll never forget, but the island itself is an incredible sight.

You can also learn a great deal about local culture by taking a trip to the Pachacamac Pilgrimage Center, which was built around 700AD as a temple of worship. The honoured god was Pachacamac, the sun god, and the temple is still in existence even today. The site is still visited by pilgrims looking for religious experiences and is now also populated by palaces and plazas, as well as an on-site museum housing many ancient relics and several other temples that have been restored to represent their original forms.

When the sun finally fades in the sky, head out to another of Lima's must-see attractions - a peña. These are rousing shows at criollo music clubs that include fantastic singing and dancing performances, showcasing local Peruvian music and gearing tourists up for a fantastic night on the town.

From the moment you step off your