The Larco Museum is one of the best museums in Peru and a must for anyone interested in ancient cultures. It was founded in 1926 by Rafael Larco Hoyle, a pioneer of Peruvian archaeology, and is located in Pueblo Libre, in an 18th-century mansion surrounded by gardens full of flowers.
The collection
The museum tells the story of more than 5,000 years of Peruvian history through an outstanding collection of pre-Columbian art. Its galleries are organized by culture and theme, making it easy to understand how the different civilizations of ancient Peru developed.
What you will see
- Moche ceramics: portrait vessels and pottery showing daily life, rituals and beliefs with remarkable realism.
- The gold and silver gallery: crowns, earrings, nose ornaments and ceremonial objects made by the master metalworkers of ancient Peru.
- Textiles: fine fabrics from cultures such as Paracas, Nasca and Wari.
- The visible storage: a unique space where you can walk among thousands of ceramic pieces arranged on shelves.
- The erotic gallery: a famous collection of pottery that shows the role of sexuality in ancient Andean beliefs.
The gardens and café
The museum’s gardens are covered with bougainvillea and are a perfect place to rest. Its restaurant is known for its Peruvian cuisine and its views of the gardens.
Visit the Larco Museum
The visit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The Larco Museum is included in our City Tour and Larco Museum shore excursion and our Huaca Pucllana and Larco Museum private tour.