Lima: Historic Center & San Francisco Catacombs Walking Tour

Underground Lima: What the Catacombs Beneath San Francisco Reveal

You walk through three major plazas in Lima's Historic Center (San Martín Square, the Plaza de Armas, and their surrounding colonial landmarks), then descend into the San Francisco Convent's catacombs to see the burial chambers and learn about Peru's colonial era. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, and a knowledgeable guide are included. The whole experience takes four to five hours in a small group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. San Martin Square30m
2. Main Square30m
3. Church and Convent of Saint Francis1h · entry included

Explore Lima's historic center

• Visit San Martín Square
• See Hotel Bolívar
• Walk through Main Square
• Admire Presidential Palace and Cathedral
• Tour San Francisco Convent and Museum
• Explore underground catacombs

The experience

The catacombs under the San Francisco Convent hold thousands of remains stacked in geometric patterns: a detail most visitors don't expect when they book a Lima walking tour. You start at San Martín Square, where a monument to Peru's liberator rises from a plaza built in the 1920s to mark a century of independence. The neoclassical buildings around it are elegant but not overwhelming. Your guide points out the Hotel Bolívar, one of Lima's most recognizable landmarks, and explains how it anchored the city's golden age. Then you move to the Plaza de Armas, Lima's main square, where the Cathedral, City Hall, and Presidential Palace stand in colonial grandeur. The kind of architecture that makes sense only when someone tells you the story behind it.

The real draw is the San Francisco Museum and its underground network. You descend into tunnels that run beneath the convent, and the catacombs appear: burial chambers arranged with a precision that feels both orderly and unsettling. Your guide walks you through the colonial period's religious and artistic influence, and the physical space itself does most of the talking. It's not a rushed museum visit. You have time to absorb what you're seeing. The whole day runs four to five hours, which means you're not sprinting between stops or standing in a crowd of fifty people trying to hear a microphone.

Pickup happens from Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, or Lima Center (wherever you're staying), and you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, so the walk through the Historic Center doesn't start with a hot, confusing taxi ride. The guide is knowledgeable and speaks English, and the group stays small, which changes how the day feels. You're not herded. You're shown. The UNESCO World Heritage designation of Lima's Historic Center is real, and walking it with someone who knows the layers of history makes the difference between seeing old buildings and understanding why they matter.

What’s included

• Knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide.
• entrance ticket to the San Francisco Museum and underground catacombs.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, or Lima Center.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 14:00 and 18:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Lima Highlights Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Lima's UNESCO-listed Historic Center without arranging your own transport or buying separate museum tickets: the guide and small-group format mean you'll understand what you're looking at instead of just walking past it.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What exactly are the catacombs under San Francisco?

They're underground burial chambers and tunnels beneath the San Francisco Convent, filled with remains arranged in geometric patterns. They date to the colonial period and reveal how the church managed burials and religious practice over centuries.

How long is the walking tour?

The tour runs four to five hours total, including stops at San Martín Square, the Plaza de Armas, and the San Francisco Museum with catacombs.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, or Lima Center, depending on where you're staying.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes a knowledgeable guide, entrance ticket to the San Francisco Museum and catacombs, air-conditioned vehicle transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is this tour suitable for someone who's not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, but it's designed to be accessible to most people.

Do I need to book the catacombs separately?

No. Entry to the San Francisco Museum and catacombs is included in the tour price.