Lima Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: 4 hours, three eras

Walk through three centuries of Lima in one morning or afternoon

A small-group half-day tour of Lima's Historic Center takes you through pre-Hispanic ruins, colonial plazas and the underground catacombs of the San Francisco Convent in 4 hours. The guide narrates the city's shift from ancient Lima culture through Spanish viceroyalty to modern Peru, with stops at Love Park in Miraflores, the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site, Plaza de Armas and the cathedral district. Hotel pickup from Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco or Downtown is available in the Premium option. The Essential option uses a designated meeting point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Love Park20m · entry included
2. Huaca Pucllana20m
3. Main Square20m · entry included
4. Church and Convent of Saint Francis30m · entry included

Explore Lima's historic and cultural sites

• Pick up from selected location
• Visit Parque del Amor in Miraflores
• Panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana site
• Walk through Lima's historic center and main square
• See old station and artisan shops, learn pisco sour making
• Tour San Francisco Convent, museum, and catacombs
• Return to hotel or stay for lunch/dinner

The experience

The tour opens at Love Park in Miraflores, a small colorful refuge overlooking the Pacific with a sculpture called "El Beso" by Peruvian sculptor Víctor Delfín. From there you move to Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Hispanic sacred site of the Lima culture, seen in panoramic view as the tour traces the city's oldest layer. The guide then leads you into Lima's historic center on foot, walking the main squares and streets where the Spanish built their viceroyalty. You'll stand in Plaza de Armas surrounded by the cathedral, the archiepiscopal palace and the government palace while the guide explains the colonial period and the architecture that still frames the city's heart.

After the plaza walk, you pass the old abandoned train station, now the House of Peruvian Literature, and have time to browse artisan shops for Peruvian crafts. The tour includes a stop at a traditional colonial bar where the guide teaches you how to prepare pisco sour, Peru's national drink. Then you enter the San Francisco Convent and Museum for a 30-minute guided tour of the catacombs, some of the oldest cemeteries in the city, located beneath the convent. The return to your hotel or meeting point ends the tour. If you want to stay for lunch or dinner in the center, that's on your own.

The Essential option meets at a designated point and does not include museum or catacomb entry. The Premium option adds hotel pickup from Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco or Downtown, plus entrance to the San Francisco Museum and Catacombs. A Private option is also available for exclusive groups. Pickup from Jorge Chávez International Airport or Callao Port can be arranged depending on which option you select at checkout.

What’s included

• Guided tour of Lima's Historic Center with an official tour guide speaking English or Spanish.
• air-conditioned vehicle for transport between stops.
• entrance to the San Francisco Museum and Catacombs (Premium and Private options only).
• hotel pickup from Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco or Downtown (Premium option only).
• pisco sour preparation lesson at a traditional colonial bar.

Options for this experience

5 options

Essential: Starting from the meeting pointGuide in English or Spanish · 10:00, 11:00, 15:00 and 16:20Walking tour starting at Plaza San Martín, led by a professional guide. The Catacombs and Parque del Amor are not part of this option.

Premium: Catacombs visit with pickup includedGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00 and 14:00Hotel pickup is available in Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro. The tour includes a professional guide and entry to the San Francisco Catacombs, and pickup is included.

Exclusive city tour, privateGuide in English or Spanish · 10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00Private city tour with pickup from your hotel or the airport. The tour includes a professional guide and access to the San Francisco Catacombs, and pickup is included.

See 2 more options

From Lima Airport.Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00For this city tour, we offer pickup directly from Lima International Airport, and pickup is included.

From Callao Port.Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00If you arrive on a cruise, we will collect you directly from Callao Port, and 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 day11 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:20

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (19 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 90 years) · Youth (11 to 18 years) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

GroupUp to 15

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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Inca Trilogy Tours S.A.C

Is this one for you?Book the Premium option if you're staying in one of the central neighborhoods and want the museum and catacombs included without arranging your own transport. Choose the Essential option with a meeting point if you prefer a lower price and don't need the catacomb visit or hotel pickup. The Private option works best for groups traveling together who want the full experience on their own schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 18 years); Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

What exactly is Huaca Pucllana and why is it on this tour?

Huaca Pucllana is a pre-Hispanic sacred site built by the Lima culture, one of the oldest civilizations in the region. The tour includes a panoramic visit to show you the archaeological layer of the city before Spanish conquest, making it the first of the three historical periods the guide covers.

Does the San Francisco Convent tour include the catacombs, or is that separate?

The catacombs are part of the San Francisco Museum visit and are included only in the Premium and Private options. The 30-minute guided tour takes you below the convent to see some of the oldest cemeteries in Lima. The Essential option does not include entry to either the museum or the catacombs.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying at an airport hotel or arriving by plane?

Yes. Pickup from Jorge Chávez International Airport is available as a separate option at checkout, and the Premium option includes hotel pickup from Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco or Downtown. If you choose the Essential option, you'll meet the group at a designated meeting point instead.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour includes a walking section through Lima's historic center where you visit the main squares, streets and churches. The pace is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. The tour does include a stop at a traditional colonial bar where you learn to make pisco sour, but meals are separate. If you want to stay for lunch or dinner in the historic center after the tour ends, that's arranged on your own.

What's the difference between the morning and afternoon departures?

Both departures follow the same route and visit the same sites. The choice is only about timing. Morning and afternoon options let you fit the tour around the rest of your itinerary, and your pickup time is assigned based on whichever you select at booking.