Lima: City Tour, Magic Water Circuit & Local Dinner with Pickup

Summary

Walk Lima’s old streets, see the water show, taste local food

You’ll walk Lima’s historic heart with a local guide, wander past colonial facades and lively markets, explore ancient catacombs beneath Saint Francis Church, catch the Magic Water Circuit laser show as night falls, then share dinner at a neighborhood restaurant—ending your day feeling more connected to Lima than you expected.

★★★★★★★★★★

4.95

(114 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect Lima to feel so alive in the late afternoon. Our guide, Maribel, picked us up right on time—she had this easy laugh that made everyone relax. We started at San Martin Square and walked through the city center as the sun was still warm but not too harsh. There were kids chasing pigeons near the benches and old men playing chess under those big trees. The air smelled faintly of roasted corn from a street vendor (I wish I’d tried it). It’s funny how quickly you forget you’re a tourist when someone local starts telling stories about their city.

We wandered down Jiron de la Union—honestly, I kept stopping to look up at those wooden balconies and all that carved stonework. Maribel pointed out her favorite bakery (she said their alfajores are “dangerous” if you’re on a diet) and explained why everyone seems to linger outside certain churches around dusk. Inside the Church and Convent of Saint Francis, it got quiet in a way that felt respectful rather than spooky—even in the catacombs. I’m not usually into old bones or dark corridors but there was something grounding about it. Maybe it’s just knowing people have been coming here for centuries.

After seeing the Presidential Palace and Cathedral of Lima (the guards looked so serious), we ducked into this bar near Marcahuasi that apparently Hemingway once visited—though our guide joked he probably drank everywhere. The light was turning gold by then and honestly my feet were starting to ache a little. We stopped at the Happy Inka Market too; I bought a woven bracelet from a woman who smiled but didn’t say much. Her hands moved so fast tying knots.

The Magic Water Circuit was last. It’s hard to describe without sounding over-the-top but standing there as fountains shot up in sync with music—and lasers painting colors across the spray—felt weirdly joyful after all that history. Kids ran through the mist screaming with laughter while older couples watched quietly from benches. My shoes got soaked because I misjudged one of the interactive fountains (Maribel just shook her head). We finished with dinner at a local spot—rice, fish, something tangy with lime—and by then it was dark out and everyone seemed tired in that good way after a real day out.

7h

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lima city tour and evening show

Hotel pickup at 2:15pm
Visit San Martin Square
Walk along Jiron de la Union street
Explore Ucayali and Lampa streets
Tour Monastery of San Francisco and catacombs
View Presidential Palace and changing of guard
Visit historic bar near Presidential Palace
See Cathedral of Lima
Stop at local art street and sacred rock
View oldest convent in South America
Stroll Plaza de Armas and Happy Inka Market
Enjoy Magic Water Circuit fountain show

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (for central districts), guided walking through Lima’s historic center with stops at San Martin Square, Jiron de la Union, Saint Francis Church catacombs, panoramic views of landmarks like the Presidential Palace and Cathedral of Lima, entry fees where needed, time at Happy Inka Market for souvenirs, admission to the Magic Water Circuit evening show with its fountains and lights—and finally dinner in a local restaurant before heading back.