Lima City: Guided tour of historic sites with local guide

Summary

Explore Lima’s plazas, ancient ruins & ocean views with a guide

You’ll wander Lima’s oceanfront parks and ancient ruins with a local guide who brings each spot alive with stories and small details you’d miss alone. From panoramic views over Miraflores to exploring Plaza Mayor and descending into San Francisco’s catacombs, you’ll get a real sense of Lima’s layers — moments you’ll remember long after leaving.

What’s the experience like?

“That’s the Pacific — you can smell the salt from here,” our guide, Marisol, said as we stepped into Parque del Amor in Miraflores. I didn’t expect the air to feel so soft this early, or for the mosaic benches to be warm already from the sun. There were couples everywhere, some laughing quietly, and that huge sculpture of two lovers just sort of floats above it all. It’s funny — I tried to read one of the Spanish quotes out loud and Marisol grinned, correcting my accent gently. The view really does pull you in; I caught myself just staring at the waves for a while.

We wound through Lima by van — not too much traffic for once — and stopped at Huaca Pucllana. The adobe bricks looked almost golden in the morning light. You could still smell earth after last night’s rain. Marisol explained how this was built long before the Spanish ever showed up; honestly, I’d never realized Lima had ruins like this right in the city. There was a group of schoolkids on a field trip who waved at us as they passed by, which made me smile.

El Olivar Park was next — it’s quieter there, more locals walking dogs or reading under those old olive trees (some are centuries old). The shade felt good after the sun at Huaca Pucllana. Then we headed downtown to Plaza Mayor. The buildings around it are bright yellow and white; there was music coming from somewhere near the cathedral steps. Marisol pointed out where Lima was founded and told us stories about presidents and poets who used to walk here — she seemed to know everyone we passed.

The San Francisco Church was cooler inside than I expected — thick stone walls and that faint scent of incense mixed with something older (maybe dust?). We went down into the catacombs beneath, where bones are arranged in patterns I can’t quite forget. It was quiet down there except for our footsteps echoing off stone. Afterward, back outside in the sunlight, everything felt brighter somehow. I still think about that shift — from underground silence to city noise again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lima City Highlights

• Visit Love Park (Parque del Amor)
• Explore Huaca Pucllana archaeological center
• Pass by El Olivar Park
• Tour Central Reserve Bank of Peru
• Visit Church and Convent of Saint Francis
• Walk around Lima Plaza Mayor

Top questions

How long does this guided Lima city tour last?

The tour covers several key sites in one day but exact duration isn’t specified; expect a half-day experience including transport between stops.

Is pickup included for this Lima city tour?

The tour includes tourist transport but doesn’t specify hotel pickup; check with your provider when booking.

Are entry tickets included for attractions like San Francisco Church?

Yes, entry tickets are included as part of your guided visit to main attractions such as San Francisco Church and catacombs.

Is this Lima city tour suitable for families or kids?

Yes, infants and children can join; prams/strollers are allowed and service animals are welcome.

Does the tour include visits to both colonial and modern parts of Lima?

Yes, you’ll visit both colonial landmarks like Plaza Mayor and San Francisco Church as well as modern areas like Miraflores’ Parque del Amor.

Will there be a bilingual guide on this Lima city tour?

A bilingual tourism guide is included throughout your experience.

What’s included

Your day includes guided visits to Lima’s top sites with all entry tickets covered, comfortable tourist transport between locations, and narration from a bilingual local guide who shares stories along every stop.