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.
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.
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.
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!
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
The sightseeing bus in Lima is the most comfortable and flexible way to discover the charms of the Peruvian capital. You can hop on and off whenever you want!
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.
PLEASE READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION.
Barranco is considered the Bohemian, Artistic, and Cultural district. We will share history, culture, and art on this tour.
The route will begin in Barranco's Central Park where we will learn about all its surroundings, then we will visit the Jade Rivera gallery (Renowned Muralist) , along the way we will observe the republican architecture with a Spanish touch in the buildings , the artistic part we will observe by interpreting the Murals that make Barranco very picturesque, we will arrive at the Bridge of Sighs where we will have the opportunity to make a wish . Finally, after a few minutes, we will arrive at the Sousa Lookout from where we will appreciate the entire Lima coast.
Places to visit:
Murals of Peruvian activities and customs
Bathroom descent
Jade Rivera Mural
Bridge of Sighs
Barranco Hermitage
Souza Lookout
Jade Rivera Gallery (Renowned Muralist)
Mural of Creole Identity
Don't miss this unforgettable experience, we're waiting for you, we promise to learn and have fun, don't miss it.
The tour must have a minimum of 5 people.
Groups of more than 6 people are NOT accepted. If 2 different reservations are made and they are a single group, they will have to make the payment in advance (10 USD per person).
If you do not agree with this, please do not book this tour.
If you can't reach your guide, you'll find a Starbucks with internet access across the park.
#IMPORTANT
This is a free tour. Like all free walking tours around the world, the guides work independently, covering their own transportation and logistics (payment to the GuruWalk platform, among other things). We strive to provide good 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 promise you'll like 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).
🏛️ Itinerary of the Free Tour of the Historic Center of Lima
📍 Meeting point: Hotel Bolívar (Plaza San Martín)
🕙 Morning schedule: 10:00 am
🕓 Afternoon schedule: 4:20 pm
Once all participants have gathered in front of the iconic Hotel Bolívar , we will begin our walking tour of Lima's historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO .
📌 What places will you visit?
- San Martín Square
Inaugurated in 1921 to commemorate the centennial of Peru's independence, it is one of the city's most elegant squares, surrounded by majestic neocolonial buildings and presided over by the equestrian statue of the liberator Don José de San Martín. - Union Street
A former aristocratic boulevard now a pedestrian street. Along the way, you'll discover period architectural details, historic cafes, and anecdotes that shaped Lima's social life during the 20th century. - Lima's Plaza de Armas
The political and religious center since the city's founding in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro. Here you can admire the impressive monumental complex from a panoramic view:- Lima Cathedral (exterior facade): symbol of colonial religious power.
- Government Palace : official residence of the President of Peru.
- Municipal Palace of Lima : headquarters of the Metropolitan Municipality.
- Church of Santo Domingo (exterior view)
One of the oldest temples in Lima, famous for housing the remains of Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Martin de Porres , patron saints of America. - House of Peruvian Literature
A former train station transformed into a cultural center dedicated to honoring Peruvian writers and the country's literary heritage. We'll explore its elegant early 20th-century architecture. - Church and Convent of San Francisco (facade)
We conclude the tour in front of this magnificent colonial complex, renowned for its Lima-style baroque architecture, its historic library, and its famous catacombs (we do not enter on this tour).
🔎 Important: The entire tour is outdoors. Monuments are not accessible.
📲 You will receive the guide's name and contact information via WhatsApp the day before the tour.
❗ If you cannot attend, please let us know in advance.
Learn about the Pacific War between Peru and Chile and enjoy the best panoramic views of the city with this free tour of the district of Chorrillos.