Lima Walking Tour: Historic Center, San Francisco Catacombs

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/14

Duration3h 30m

GroupUp to 7

LanguagesEN · JA +1

PickupAt your hotel

The San Francisco catacombs hold the remains of thousands from Lima's colonial centuries.

A 3.5-hour guided walking tour of Lima's historic center covers San Martin Square, Jiron de la Union, the Cathedral, Presidential Palace and the Church and Convent of Saint Francis with its underground catacombs. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Japanese; hotel pickup from Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro or downtown is included, along with entry to the historic center and the San Francisco museum and catacombs.

3h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lima's historic center

Visit San Martin Square
Walk along Jiron de la Union
See Minor Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Merced
Explore Main Square (Plaza Mayor)
View Presidential Palace from outside
Visit Cathedral of Lima
Tour Church and Convent of Saint Francis and Catacombs

The Experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel, then moves through Lima's oldest neighborhoods on foot. Your guide introduces the city's colonial history and local life as you walk San Martin Square, where gardens and the surrounding architecture set the tone for what comes next. From there, Jiron de la Union opens up—a street lined with wooden balconies, carved stone facades and churches that show the Spanish influence from Peru's colonial period, mixed with shops, restaurants and the everyday rhythm of downtown Lima.

The route takes you to the Cathedral of Lima, built over more than a century starting in 1535, and the Presidential Palace, where you'll see it from outside and learn about the country's seat of power. An air-conditioned vehicle moves the group between some stops, so the pace stays manageable across the 3.5 hours. The tour also includes the Minor Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, a Baroque church built in 1535 by the Mercedarians who shaped much of Lima's religious architecture.

The final stop is the Church and Convent of Saint Francis, where entry is included. Inside, the catacombs—underground burial chambers from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries—reveal how colonial Lima's population lived and died. The bones and layout tell the story of the city during that era. Snacks are provided during the tour, and the group stays small enough that the guide can answer questions and adjust the pace.

What’s included

Professional guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Japanese.
entry to Lima's historic center.
admission to the San Francisco Church Museum and catacombs.
snacks during the tour.
air-conditioned vehicle for transport between stops.
hotel pickup and drop-off from Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro or downtown.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by CHASKY XPEDITION

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport to the starting point—the guide collects you and handles the logistics, which matters if you're staying in Barranco, Miraflores or San Isidro without a car. The small group size keeps the pace steady and lets the guide answer questions as you move through the colonial center.