Lima City Walking Tour: Catacombs, Plaza Mayor & San Martin

Summary

Walk Lima’s lively plazas, hidden catacombs and colonial streets

You’ll walk Lima’s plazas with locals bustling by, explore colonial streets lined with music and food smells, descend into the Monastery of San Francisco’s catacombs with your guide sharing stories, and pause in lively markets for souvenirs—leaving you with more than just photos.

What’s the experience like?

We started moving right away, feet on the old stones of Plaza San Martin, where our guide Julia waved us over. There was this faint smell of coffee from a kiosk and the sound of taxis honking somewhere behind the jacaranda trees. Julia talked about how locals love this square for its gardens — I could see why, even though I kept getting distracted by the way people greeted each other here, like everyone knows everyone. She handed out a few facts about Peru’s history (I forgot half already), but it felt more like chatting than a lecture.

We wandered down Jiron de la Union next — that street is something else. The wooden balconies lean out overhead and you can hear cumbia music drifting from a shop selling roast chicken. Julia pointed at carvings on one church and told us about the families who built them; she even laughed when I tried to pronounce “Huaca” correctly (I didn’t). We ducked into the Happy Inka market for souvenirs — bright colors everywhere, so much textile work my hands kind of wanted to touch everything. I bought a little woven llama that’s probably meant for kids but whatever.

The main keyword here is Lima city walking tour, but honestly it just felt like following a friend through her neighborhood. At Plaza Mayor we paused for photos (the light was sharp, almost too bright) and Julia told us about Spanish influence on these mansions — you could see it in every detail. The Presidential Palace looked both grand and oddly approachable with guards outside looking bored. I liked that we weren’t rushed; someone in our group needed to sit for a minute and nobody minded.

But the Monastery of San Francisco — those catacombs are what stuck with me most. It’s cool underground, smells faintly of dust and candle wax, bones stacked in patterns that made me shiver a little. Julia explained how people saw death differently back then; it was weirdly comforting hearing her talk so gently about it all. When we came back up into daylight, Lima felt different somehow — louder maybe, or just more alive? Hard to explain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Lima's historic city center

• Visit Plaza San Martin and gardens
• Walk along Jiron de la Union street
• See the facade and learn history
• Walk Ancash Street to Happy Inka market
• Visit Plaza de Armas and main garden
• View Presidential Palace and guard change
• Admire Lima Cathedral architecture
• Tour Monastery of San Francisco and catacombs
• See oldest convent facade and altar

Top questions

How long does the Lima city walking tour last?

The tour is a half-day experience starting from central Lima locations.

Are entrance tickets to the catacombs included?

Yes, entry fees for the Monastery of San Francisco catacombs are included.

Is hotel pickup available for this tour?

No hotel pickup is listed; public transportation options are nearby.

What sites will I visit during this day trip in Lima?

You’ll visit Plaza San Martin, Jiron de la Union, Plaza Mayor, Presidential Palace (outside), Cathedral facade, Happy Inka market, and San Francisco Monastery catacombs.

How big are the groups on this walking tour?

The tour runs in small groups for a more personal experience.

Is lunch included during the walking tour?

No lunch is included; you may have time to buy snacks along the way.

Can infants join this city walking tour?

Yes, infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during any transfers.

What’s included

Your day includes all entry tickets to attractions like the San Francisco catacombs plus taxes and fees; you’ll be guided throughout by a professional local guide in a small group setting before returning to your starting point by car if needed.