Lima: Historic Center & Catacombs Tour with Pickup

Walk Lima's Colonial Heart, Then Drop Underground to the Catacombs

You walk through four of Lima's most important colonial squares and churches with a local guide who knows the history and the stories behind the architecture. The tour includes entry to the San Francisco Catacombs, an underground cemetery that's unlike anything else in the city. If you choose the pickup option, hotel transport and snacks are covered, so you show up and walk. The rest is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. San Martin Square30m
2. Jiron de la Union20m
3. Main Square1h
4. Church and Convent of Saint Francis1h

Explore Lima's historic center

• Start at Plaza San Martín
• Walk along Jirón de la Unión
• Visit Church of La Merced
• Discover Plaza Mayor
• Tour San Francisco Catacombs

The experience

Our guide Marco met us at Plaza San Martín and within five minutes had already corrected my pronunciation of "Jirón" three times, but in a way that made you want to get it right. He pointed out the European-style arcades around the square and explained how Peru's independence was declared here, then he just... started walking, and you followed because he clearly knew every corner. The pedestrian street Jirón de la Unión is where Lima's colonial elegance still lives, even if it's crowded now with locals and vendors. You walk it slowly because there's too much to see at once: the old storefronts, the way the light hits the balconies, the rhythm of the city that hasn't actually changed much since the 1800s.

The Church of La Merced stopped us cold. The baroque altarpiece is fire-gilded, and in the center sits an image of the Virgin of Mercy, declared in 1615 the heavenly protector of Lima, and you can feel why people still come here. After that, Plaza Mayor is unavoidable: the Government Palace, the Cathedral, all the colonial power concentrated in one square. It's the heart of the Historic Center, and the tour doesn't rush you through it. Then comes the part that stays with you: the San Francisco Catacombs, an underground cemetery from colonial times. You descend into tunnels beneath the convent, and suddenly you're standing in front of bones arranged in geometric patterns, thousands of them, a reminder that this city is built on layers.

The whole thing runs 4 to 5 hours, and if you book with pickup included, the driver collects you from your hotel and handles the logistics so you don't have to navigate the Historic Center on your own or figure out how to get to the catacombs. Small groups only (never more than a handful of people), which means Marco can actually tell you things instead of shouting over a crowd. Local snacks are included if you go with the full package, so you're not hunting for lunch between stops.

What’s included

• Your tour includes all fees and taxes.
• If you book the pickup option, hotel transport is covered, plus local snacks during the experience.
• The guide leads you through Plaza San Martín, Jirón de la Unión, the Church of La Merced, Plaza Mayor, and the San Francisco Catacombs.
• Public transportation is available nearby if you prefer to arrange your own arrival.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English or Spanish10:30

Guide in English or Spanish09:30

Guide in English or Spanish09:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 10:30

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.Operator's directions: “Passengers must be in front of the Gran Hotel Bolivar, 10 minutes before the meeting time.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Lima Walking Tour

Is this one for you?Best for first-time visitors to Lima who want to understand the city's colonial history without arranging transport or worrying about timing: the small-group format and local guide mean you move at a pace that lets the architecture and stories actually land.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Do I need to book the pickup option or can I meet the guide somewhere?

You can choose a flexible meeting point at Plaza San Martín, or upgrade to include hotel pickup and transport. The meeting point option is cheaper. The pickup version is more convenient if you don't want to navigate to the start on your own.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs 4 to 5 hours total, including all four plazas, the Church of La Merced, and the San Francisco Catacombs.

Is entry to the catacombs included?

Yes, if you book the full experience with pickup. The catacombs entry is part of that package. The meeting-point-only option does not include catacombs entry.

What's included in the tour?

All fees and taxes are covered. If you book with pickup, you also get hotel transport and local snacks. The guide is included either way.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The catacombs involve descending stairs and walking through narrow underground passages, so check the specific accessibility details before booking if you have concerns.

How many people are in a typical group?

Groups are kept small, which allows the guide to share more detail and move at a comfortable pace.

Can I just do the catacombs without the rest of the tour?

The catacombs are included as the final stop of the full tour experience. The meeting-point-only option does not include catacombs entry.