Lima City Tour: Historic Center, Barranco & Miraflores in 8 Hours

The Monastery of San Francisco holds underground catacombs from the 16th century beneath colonial streets.

An 8-hour guided tour of Lima covering the historic center, Barranco, Miraflores, Surquillos and Chorrillos with a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide. The tour includes entrance to the Church and Convent of Saint Francis catacombs, lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water, air-conditioned transport and hotel, airport or port pickup. Best suited for a single day in Lima when you want the major districts and landmarks without arranging transport or entry tickets yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. San Martin Square20m
2. Jiron de la Union30m
3. Marcahuasi5m
4. Main Square20m
5. Presidential Palace5m
6. Church and Convent of Saint Francis30m · entry included
7. Miraflores30m
8. Barranco40m

Explore Lima's historic and modern highlights

• Visit San Martin Square
• Walk along Jiron de la Union
• See Lima Cathedral facade
• Explore Plaza de Armas and Happy Inka Market
• View Government Palace and Changing of the Guard
• Walk Ucayali and Lampa streets
• Visit Monastery of San Francisco and catacombs
• Lunch in Miraflores
• Visit Parque del Amor and Parque Kennedy
• Visit Morro Solar viewpoint in Chorrillos
• Explore Barranco district and Bridge of Sighs
• Visit Surquillo local market

The experience

In around 8 hours, you move through old and modern Lima in sequence. The day starts in the historic center at San Martín Square, where your guide introduces the city's history and local life, then walks Jirón de la Unión: a street lined with ornate wooden balconies, stone carvings and monumental churches. You'll pass the Happy Inka Market on Ancash Street to see indigenous textiles and carvings before reaching the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by colonial mansions and grand estates. A panoramic stop at the Presidential Palace shows where Peru's president works, and if timing aligns, you catch the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony.

The Church and Convent of Saint Francis is the centerpiece: you descend into the underground catacombs to walk through burial chambers and learn how Lima's inhabitants lived in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. After lunch in Miraflores, you visit Parque del Amor for a view of the Pacific coast and Parque Kennedy, where resident cats roam the grounds. The tour then climbs to Morro Solar in Chorrillos, standing 300 meters above sea level for a panoramic view of the bay, before heading to Barranco: the city's smallest district but densest with character. There you cross the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), walk narrow streets lined with murals and street art, and finish at a traditional market in Surquillos where vendors sell produce from Peru's coast, Andes and Amazon, with a chance to taste exotic fruits.

Your guide is a professional speaker of English or Spanish. Transport is air-conditioned and pickup is included. You choose hotel, airport or Callao port pickup at checkout. Entrance to the catacombs and lunch are covered. Bring comfortable clothes, shoes and extra water. The operator directs profits from tours toward social projects supporting families and children in extreme poverty, and prioritizes keeping Peruvian culture alive and creating local job opportunities.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish.
• entrance tickets to the Church and Convent of Saint Francis catacombs.
• lunch at a local restaurant in Miraflores.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel, airport or port pickup.

Options for this experience

3 options

With Hotel PickupGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Hotel pickup: All our prices include pickup and drop-off at your hotel, but only when you are staying in Miraflores, San Isidro or Barranco. Pickup is included.

Pickup or drop-off at the airportGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Airport pickup or drop-off: Select this option if you want to be collected from Lima airport. Pickup is included.

Includes pickup at the Callao portGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Callao Port pickup: Select this option if you want to be collected from Callao port. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 88 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HAKU TOURS

Is this one for you?Choose hotel pickup if you're staying in Lima, airport pickup if you're arriving that day, or port pickup if you're on a cruise. The tour is built to fit a single day in the city, so the starting point is the main variable. All three options cover the same route and stops. You're just selecting where the driver meets you.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

398 verified traveler reviews

5 ★380

4 ★16

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is inside the catacombs at the Church and Convent of Saint Francis?

The Church and Convent of Saint Francis holds underground catacombs where you walk through burial chambers and learn about Lima's inhabitants during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries: a window into colonial-era life beneath the city streets.

Can I see the Changing of the Guard at the Presidential Palace on this tour?

The tour includes a panoramic view of the Presidential Palace, and if timing aligns with the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony, you'll witness it, but the ceremony is not guaranteed on every departure.

What are the pickup options for this tour?

You choose one of three pickups at checkout: hotel pickup in Lima, airport pickup, or Callao port pickup. The tour price includes transport from your chosen starting point.

Is this tour suitable for someone who is not very fit or mobile?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The operator recommends wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, and the itinerary includes both walking through neighborhoods and stops with panoramic views from the vehicle.

What is the Happy Inka Market, and can I buy souvenirs there?

The Happy Inka Market is on Ancash Street in the historic center, where you can see indigenous carvings and textiles made by local artisans and purchase souvenirs to remember your visit to Lima.