Dédalo Arte y Artesanía

The Basics

After shopping for everything from handmade ceramic bowls and wood and stone carvings to kids’ coats spun from baby alpaca wool, relax at the coffee shop in the market’s inside patio, and then cross the street for a view of the coast and the scent of cool salty breezes. If you have time, visit the upscale Miraflores shopping district or nearby Pachacamac archaeological complex.

There are many options for exploring the enchanting Barranco neighborhood, including private, group, half-day, or full-day walking and cycling tours. Themed tours cover architecture and the food scene, and at night may include a folkloric dinner show. Some tours include round-trip transport from Lima hotels.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Dedalo is ideal for first-time visitors to Lima and shoppers of all kinds, especially those looking for more modern items as opposed to traditional handicrafts that are more readily available throughout the city.

• Prices are fixed at most of the market’s stores, so this is not the place to haggle or feel pressure to buy.

• Cash is preferred, though Visa and MasterCard are accepted (sometimes for a small fee).

• Stop for a relaxing beer or coffee in the lovely little courtyard in the back of the market.

How to Get There

Dedalo is located on Paseo Saenz Peña in Lima’s Barranco neighborhood. Take a taxi or the Metropolitano bus, which bypasses traffic on a designated lane through the city. From Miraflores, jump on the line going south (sud) to the Estación Balta stop and walk about 10 minutes to the market.

When to Get There

The market is open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday. In general, the best time to visit Lima is in winter (May to September), when there is the least amount of rain—especially important if planning a trip to Cusco or Machu Picchu. The summer months (December to March) are warmer, wetter, and, in Lima especially, quite foggy.

Mario Testino Museum

While in Barranco, stop by the Mario Testino Museum (Museo Mario Testino, or MATE) to see a powerful collection of contemporary art by its namesake and Lima’s famous native son, fashion photographer Mario Testino. Showcased in a 19th-century mansion are his portraits of big names such as Kate Moss and Gisele Bündchen alongside lesser-known works of indigenous Peruvian photographers.