Things to Do in Lima
On this tour , we visit the most attractive and historic sites in Lima's historic center. Discover the city of kings with a passionate local guide who can provide a wealth of information on your visit to the city of ceviche and pisco sour.
- Points we will visit on the tour:
📍 Gran Hotel Bolívar (we will enter)
📍 San Martín Square (explanation)
📍 Jirón de la Unión (connects to the Plaza de Armas)
📍 O'Higgins House (optional)
📍 Church of La Merced (explanation and entrance)
📍We will visit the Plaza de Armas where we will observe and explain about: The cathedral, Archbishopric, Municipal Palace, Government Palace, etc.
📍 Post and Telegraph Office (explanation)
📍We will observe the changing of the guard (optional)
📍 House of Peruvian Literature (explanation)
📍 Church of Santo Domingo (We will observe the skull of Saint Rose of Lima, the skull of Saint Martin de Porres and the crypt of Saint John Macias).
📍 St. Francis of Assisi Church (explanation)
Finally, we'll have free tastings , where you can try different varieties of Peruvian Pisco and its many presentations. Pisco Sour classes are optional, so visitors will be asked if they'd like to try a tasting.
During the tour, you'll learn about Peruvian life. Your tour guide will explain typical dishes such as grilled chicken and its preparation, as well as Spanish churros. You'll also visit stalls (optional) where you can eat good, tasty, and cheap food, and you'll be encouraged to observe more—NO!—so you don't buy anything.
*** SUGGESTIONS ***
- If you're staying in Miraflores, we recommend leaving early, as traffic in Lima is very congested.
- Remember to bring water for your walk through the historic center.
- Bring water, a camera, and a desire to experience the city of Lima!
*** IMPORTANT ***
- The suggested payment at the end of the tour is between $10-20 per person depending on your satisfaction.
- We do NOT accept coins as payment, please appreciate the guide's work.
- WE DO NOT ACCEPT GROUP TIPS ; ALL TIPS ARE PER PERSON.
- Look for the RED LIMA AMERICA TOURS polo
- Please be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the tour begins. If you are not attending, please cancel in advance to avoid any misunderstandings.
Join us from Monday to Saturday to visit together the bohemian district of BARRANCO, the most artistic area of Lima.
Our tour guides are the people in charge to show you the history of this iconic neighborhood, its colorful streets and beautiful graffiti murals.
Book it right now!
- Place and dates
Our walking tour goes through the bohemian district of BARRANCO.
The tour takes place from Monday to Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and last 2 hours aprox.
- Meeting point:
MAIN MEETING POINTin Barranco.
The tour starts at Parque Municipal de Barranco (In front of the Library) at 4:00 p.m.
- Itinerary:
We will visit the next highlights:
- Parque Municipal de Barranco
- Oroya alley and murals
- Bajada de Baños street
- Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs)
- Ermita de Barranco (First church in Barranco)
- San Martín bridge and murals
- Paul Harris boardwalk
- Includes:
- Qualified and official tour guides
- How to recognize your tour guide?
You will always recognize us wearing a LIGHT BLUE VEST with the map of Peru at the back and our brand LIMA BY WALKING.
- Extra recommendations
Wear hats, sunglasses and sunscreen
Carry money with you for any eventual situation
Follow your tour guide's advice
Welcome to Lima!
Walking tour of the historic center of the city, get to know the best of Lima accompanied by a local guide. Be part of the best tour and spend a great day.
- ITINERARY
On our tour we will observe:
- San Martin Square
- Union Street
- La Merced Church
- Parade ground
- Government Palace
- Lima Cathedral
- Desamparados Station
2. MEETING POINTS
MIRAFLORES: June 7 Park
- Historic Center: Plaza San Martin
3. SCHEDULES
10:30 am MIRAFLORES
- 11:15 am Plaza San Martin
- 1:30 pm Plaza San Martin
- 3:00pm Martin Square
On this tour of historic Lima, you'll travel to the capital's past before visiting the spectacular Magic Water Tour, a light, music, and fountains show.
Get to know Peruvian food and eat where Peruvians eat most, delicious and affordable, and enjoy the typical dishes of Lima. Next, we'll enjoy this gastronomic tour of the diverse dishes that Peru's capital has to offer.
During the tour, we'll make several stops where you can sample a variety of typical Peruvian dishes. The cost of the dishes is at your own expense, and you're free to try whatever you'd like.
Some dishes are ceviche, picarones, anticuchos, fruit juices, chicha morada, mazamorra morada, causa limeña, papa rellena, lomo saltado, min pao, siu mai and others.
Peruvian cuisine is recognized worldwide, and in recent years has gained top positions, one of them is the Central restaurant located in Barranco, it is the best restaurant in the world 2023 and the Maido restaurant located in Miraflores in Lima is the best restaurant in the world 2025
We will conclude the tour with pisco sour tastings.
Places to visit.
- La Merced Church.
- O'Higgins House.
- Union Street.
- The Plaza Mayor.
- Hotel Maury.
- Tagle Tower House.
- Central Market
- Chinatown.
- National Library
- Congress of the Republic.
- The Holy Inquisition.
- Historic Center of Lima.
- San Francisco Church and
Catacombs.
IMPORTANT
This is a free tour. Like all walking tours around the world, the guides work independently, covering their own transportation and logistics (including payment to the GuruWalk platform). We strive to provide excellent company, so we expect to be well rewarded at the end of the tour. Guides typically expect to receive between $10 USD (40 soles) and $30 USD (100 soles) per person, considering that these tours typically cost up to $40 USD per person.
Experience Peruvian food and eat where Peruvians eat more, delicious and affordable, and appreciate the typical dishes of Lima. Next, we will enjoy this gastronomic tour of the diversity of dishes that the Peruvian capital has to offer.
During the ride, we will make various stops where you can experience a variety of typical Peruvian dishes. The two dishes are up to each person, and you can experience whatever you want.
Alguns pratos incluem ceviche, picarones, anticuchos, sucos de frutas, chicha morada, mazamorra morada, causa limeña, papa rellena, lomo saltado, min pao, siu mai e outros.
Peruvian cuisine is world-renowned and, in recent years, has received important awards. One of them is the Central restaurant, located in Barranco, considered the best restaurant in the world in 2023. The Maido restaurant, located in Miraflores, Lima, considered the best restaurant in the world in 2025.
We will conclude the walk with pisco sour tastings.
Discover Peruvian cuisine and enjoy the Peruvian cuisine plus, enjoy and approachable, and savor the typical dishes of Lima. Ensuite, we benefit from this gastronomic visit to discover the culinary diversity of the Peruvian capital.
Au cours de la visita, nous ferons plusieurs arrêts pour déguster une variété de plats péruviens typiques. The price of the plats is at the charge of chacun, and you are free of goûter ce that you voulez.
Parmi les plats proposed, on trouve des churros, de la glace au fromage, de la glace à la lucuma, du maïs au fromage, du ceviche, du poulet et du riz, des picarones, des anticuchos, du jus d'orange, de la chicha morada, de la mazamorra morada, de la causa Lima, des pommes de terre farcies, du min pao, du siu mai, etc.
La cuisine péruvienne est reconnue dans le monde entier et ateint des sommets ces dernières années. Today, the restaurant Central, located in Barranco, is the best restaurant in the world in 2023, and the restaurant Maido, is in Miraflores, in Lima, is the best restaurant in the world in 2025.
We have just finished visiting for a pisco sour tasting
This pleasant city tour begins at one of Lima's oldest churches. We'll visit La Merced Church , which stands out for its 17th-century Baroque façade.
Afterwards, we will walk along the traditional Jr. de la Unión.
We will visit the Plaza de Armas of Lima , an environment of tradition and history, the government palace, the cathedral, the ornamental fountain among others, then, we will be by the Santo Domingo church, later, we will be by the Chabuca Granda avenue , it is a place of artistic and cultural events, we will also be able to see some places on the side of the Rímac River,
Then we will be on our way to the train station ( today the House of Literature ), then we will visit the park of the wall to have a nice view of the San Cristobal hill and other places.
Finally, we will visit the San Francisco Museum and catacombs, inaugurated in the 17th century.
What places will we see?
-La Merced Church.
-The Tagle Tower Mansion.
-The Plaza de Armas of Lima.
-The Santo Domingo church.
-The Chabuca Granda avenue.
-The park "The wall"
-San Francisco Convent Museum and Catacombs.
Museum entrance fee: S/30 soles (optional)
Suggestions:
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for walking.
Bring a hat or cap.
A bottle of water (optional)
Important:
Sometimes it takes an hour by taxi from Miraflores to the meeting point.
In case of not attending, please CANCEL the tour reservation.
Free Tour of Lima's Historic Center: History and Culture
At the agreed time, we will meet at the meeting point of your choice:
- Miraflores (Meeting Point – No Tour): 9:00 AM | 10:15 AM | 3:30 PM
- Downtown Lima (Tour Start): 10:00 AM | 11:20 AM | 4:20 PM
If you're in Miraflores , our team will help you get around like a local using the Metropolitano, a fast and affordable bus (S/3.20 or $1) . However, this transportation is often very crowded and may take longer than expected to board. If you prefer more convenience, you can go directly to the second meeting point in downtown Lima, where the tour will begin.
If you decide to take a taxi or private transportation, the approximate cost from Miraflores to the center is S/40 – S/50 ($12 – $15).
What will you discover on this tour?
We start at Plaza San Martín , one of Lima's most emblematic spaces, and walk along the historic Jirón de la Unión towards Plaza de Armas .
From there, we will have a panoramic view of the imposing Lima Cathedral , the Government Palace , the Municipal Palace and other colonial icons that surround the heart of the historic center.
We'll continue to Santo Domingo Church , famous for housing the remains of Saint Rose and Saint Martin de Porres, and then on to the House of Peruvian Literature , located in a former train station. We'll end with an exterior view of the Church and Convent of San Francisco , famous for its architecture and catacombs (not included in this tour).
📲 The day before the tour, we'll send you the guide's name and contact information via WhatsApp.
❗ If you cannot attend, please let us know in advance so as not to affect the group.
Join us for a journey through Lima's colonial past on a tour filled with history, culture, and unforgettable views. We look forward to seeing you!
PLEASE READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION.
The best way to get to know Lima is on foot. You'll love delving into its stories, legends, hidden passages , influential figures, secrets, and great mysteries . That's exactly what you'll learn.
In downtown Lima, you'll find us in Plaza San Martin.
The tour begins with an explanation of Plaza San Martin, then heads down Jirón de la Unión , where we'll admire important buildings such as La Merced Church, before finally arriving at Plaza de Armas and exploring its main buildings. We'll continue to the House of Peruvian Literature, visit San Francisco Church (home to the catacombs ), walk through one of Lima's most architecturally beautiful streets, and finally conclude our tour at Parque de la Muralla.
The tour must have a minimum of 5 people.
Groups of more than 6 are NOT accepted. If you make 2 reservations and they are a single group, you must make the commitment payment (10 USD per person).
If you do not agree with this, please do not book this tour.
#IMPORTANT
This is a free tour. Like all walking tours around the world, the guides work independently, covering their own transportation and logistics (including payment to the GuruWalk platform). We strive to provide excellent company, so we expect to be well rewarded at the end of the tour. Guides typically expect to receive between $15 USD (60 soles) and $30 USD (100 soles) per person, considering that these tours typically cost up to $70 USD per person.
We look forward to seeing you, we're sure you'll enjoy it.
🏛️ City Tour of Historic Lima + Visit to the Catacombs
On this tour, we visit the most attractive and historic sites in Lima's historic center. Discover the City of Kings with a passionate local guide , who will share interesting facts and anecdotes about the city of ceviche and pisco sour .
📍 Places we will visit on the tour:
- Gran Hotel Bolívar (we will enter!)
We'll visit this historic hotel that housed important figures of the 20th century and was one of the first in Lima to have an elevator. - San Martín Square (explanation)
One of Lima's most emblematic spaces, a symbol of Peruvian independence. - Union Street
We'll stroll along this traditional pedestrian street that connects Plaza San Martín with Plaza de Armas, full of architecture and history. - O'Higgins House (optional)
Colonial house where the liberator Bernardo O'Higgins lived, today a cultural center. - La Merced Church (explanation + entrance)
A baroque architectural gem with fascinating stories from the colonial era. - Lima's Plaza de Armas
We will observe and learn about:- The Cathedral of Lima
- The Archbishopric
- The Municipal Palace
- The Government Palace
- Post and Telegraph Office (explanation)
An iconic location with European-style architecture. - House of Peruvian Literature (explanation)
Former train station converted into a cultural center dedicated to Peruvian literature. - Church of Santo Domingo
We will see unique religious relics:- The skull of Saint Rose of Lima
- The skull of Saint Martin de Porres
- The crypt of San Juan Macías
- St. Francis of Assisi Church (explanation + entrance to the Catacombs)
We end the tour at this magnificent temple, where we will visit the famous Catacombs of Lima : underground passages that served as a cemetery during the colonial period and that hold thousands of human remains... a unique experience full of history! - We will have a Pisco Sour tasting at the end of the tour.
*** SUGGESTIONS ***
- If you're staying in Miraflores, we recommend leaving early, as traffic in Lima is very congested.
- Remember to bring water for your walk through Casa Aliaga.
- Bring water, a camera, and a desire to experience the Aliaga mansion.
*** IMPORTANT ***
- The suggested payment at the end of the tour is between $10-15 per person depending on your satisfaction.
- We don't accept group tips; each tip is per person.
- Look for the RED LIMA AMERICA TOURS polo
- Please be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the tour begins. If you are not attending, please cancel in advance to avoid any misunderstandings.
Very important:
If you are unable to attend the tour, please cancel in advance to avoid any inconvenience.
Catacombs Price: 20 soles (payment is made by the visitor).
Our visit starts outside of Casa Osambela, one of the nicest colonial Mansions of Lima City.
Then, we walk in the old Lima for watching colonial balconies for comparing the architecture of them. On the route we visit Santo Domingo church, place where you'll see something about 2 peruvian saints.
After we go in direction of the river to have a panoramic view of the another side of the city.
Coming back we see a Mansion of one of the oldest families of the whole country.
In the Main Square, the place where Francisco Pizarro founded the capital of Perú, The Cathedral, Presidential Palace, City Hall and other buildings you will see there.
Then we will visit the old Train Station. In our visit you'll see one of the nicest streets of the country.
After, we go to San Francisco, the most visited church in the city. In surroundings you can buy the Lima churros.
Our tour continues taking a look around the old financial area of the country and the longest and nicest colonial balcony of the whole continent.
Finally, we can choose to visit the Chinatown or a Small Museum.
P. D.:
We can visit Casa Aliaga, Catacombs of San Francisco, Saint Dominic Monastery or another big museum but that is an extra service.
