Lima Street Food & Market Tour: Historic Center with Local Guide

Taste your way through Lima's markets and old streets with a guide who knows every vendor

A four-hour guided walking tour through Lima's Historic Center where you sample street food, visit Peru's largest market, and explore landmarks including Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral. A local foodie leads the route, explaining the cultural story behind each dish. All food, snacks and beverages are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lima's historic center and food

• Start at Gran Hotel Bolivar
• Sightseeing at Plaza San Martin
• Enjoy tamal with emoliente and pisco
• Walk through Jiron de la Union street
• Visit Lima's largest market and taste fruits
• See Basilica San Francisco exterior
• Take photos at Plaza de Armas

The Experience

The tour starts at Gran Hotel Bolivar facing Plaza San Martín, where you meet your guide and begin with tamal, emoliente and a shot of pisco at a local bar. From there you walk through Jirón de la Unión, one of Lima's most emblematic commercial streets, then move into Peru's largest market to see the biodiversity of local produce and taste fresh fruits directly from vendors. The guide introduces you to the people behind the stalls and explains what each ingredient means in Peruvian cooking.

Along the way you pass the San Francisco Basilica and reach Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor), the heart of the Historic Center, where you can photograph the Cathedral of Lima and the Government Palace. The walking pace is moderate and the route stays in the historic district, so you're never far from the landmarks that frame the city's colonial past.

All food tastings, snacks and beverages—from sizzling anticuchos to freshly made churros—are included in the price. The guide speaks English and leads the group through the four hours without splitting attention across multiple languages. Bring your appetite and wear comfortable walking shoes; the tour moves through crowded streets and market floors. If you have dietary restrictions beyond pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan preferences, notify the operator at booking so they can adapt the menu.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide.
• all food tastings including anticuchos, tamales and churros.
• snacks and dinner.
• all beverages including pisco.
• all activities and market access.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Exquisito Perú

Is this one for you?Most Lima food tours move fast through a long list of stops. This one stays in the Historic Center for four hours with a guide who knows the vendors personally, so you taste fewer things but understand the story behind each one, and you're not rushing between neighborhoods.

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Top questions

What exactly do I eat on this Lima street food tour?

You sample anticuchos (grilled skewers), tamales, creole churros, fresh fruits from the market, and other local specialties at old eateries and street vendors. The guide chooses the stops and all tastings are included in the price.

How long is the walk and how much walking is involved?

The tour runs four hours and covers Lima's Historic Center on foot, moving through markets, commercial streets and plazas. A moderate level of fitness is needed, as you'll be walking on crowded streets and market floors.

Will I see the main landmarks of Lima's Historic Center?

Yes. You pass the San Francisco Basilica, visit Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor), and see the Cathedral of Lima and Government Palace from outside. The route is designed to weave food stops with the iconic sites of the center.

Is transportation to and from the meeting point included?

Pick-up and drop-off are not included for group tours. You meet at Gran Hotel Bolivar facing Plaza San Martín. Private tours with transportation are available separately on the Exquisito Perú website.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan and severe gluten or nut allergy diets cannot be accommodated on this tour, as the menu is built around Peru's traditional street food and some dishes contain traces of these allergens. For other specific restrictions, notify the operator at least one day before the tour.

Do I need to bring my passport?

You don't need to bring your passport to the tour, but you must provide your passport number and date of entry to Peru before the tour through an online form. Submitting this information at least one day ahead exempts you from the 18% local tax as a foreign visitor.