Lima Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: Hotel Pickup Included

The Catacombs beneath San Francis of Assisi hold centuries of Lima's past.

A guided walking tour of Lima's Historic Center starting with hotel pickup, covering the Central Market, the Church and Convent of Saint Francis with its catacombs, and ending at the Main Square and San Martín Plaza. The tour runs four hours with an official guide in English or Spanish, air-conditioned transport between stops, and catacomb entry included. You walk through colonial streets lined with mansions and balconies, see the Palace of Government and Cathedral, and learn how the city's architecture shifted from colonial to modern.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lima's historic center and landmarks

• Hotel pick-up
• Visit Central Market
• Tour Church and Convent of Saint Francis
• Walk through Jiron de la Union street
• See Main Square attractions
• Visit San Martin Square
• Hotel drop-off

The Experience

The day starts at your hotel with pickup and transport to the Historic Center. Your guide leads you first to the Central Market, where you learn about local food culture and the daily rhythms of Lima's neighborhoods. From there you walk to the Church and Convent of Saint Francis, one of the largest churches in the city. The catacombs beneath it—burial chambers that held thousands of remains over centuries—are included in your ticket; you descend into the stone passages and see how the colonial church used the underground space. The guide walks you through the convent's colonial architecture before you head back to street level.

The second half of the tour is a walking route through Lima's most recognizable streets. You move along Jirón de la Unión, the city's most famous street, where the architecture shifts visibly—colonial churches and mansions with carved wooden balconies stand next to modern storefronts. You reach the Main Square, where the Palace of Government, the Cathedral, and City Hall frame a central fountain. The tour ends at San Martín Plaza, built to honor the liberator of Peru in 1821. The entire Historic Center walk shows the layers of Lima's past without requiring you to arrange transport or navigate the streets yourself.

What’s included

• Official tour guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned vehicle between stops.
• entry tickets to the Catacombs at San Francisco Church.
• walking tour of the Historic Center including the Central Market, colonial churches, and the Main Square.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Peruvian Worldview Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want a guided walk through Lima's colonial center and catacombs starting from your hotel pickup, rather than navigating the historic streets on your own.

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Top questions

What exactly are the Catacombs at San Francisco Church in Lima?

The Catacombs are underground burial chambers beneath the Church and Convent of Saint Francis, used for centuries to hold remains. You descend into the stone passages as part of the tour, and entry is included in your ticket.

How much walking is involved in this Lima tour?

The tour is four hours total and includes walking through the Historic Center streets, the Central Market, and inside the church and convent. It's suitable for all fitness levels, and you travel between some stops by air-conditioned vehicle.

Does the tour include a guide, and what languages do they speak?

An official tour guide is included and leads the entire day in either English or Spanish—you choose your language when you book.

What is the Main Square of Lima, and what will I see there?

The Main Square is Lima's central plaza, surrounded by the Palace of Government, the Cathedral, and City Hall, with a fountain at its center. It's one of the stops where you walk and learn about the city's colonial history.

Is hotel pickup included, and how does it work?

Hotel pickup is included; the tour operator collects you from your accommodation and returns you there at the end of the day, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to the Historic Center.