Lima: Larco Museum & Colonial Downtown with Hotel Pickup

Four Hours in Lima's Colonial Heart, From a 7th-Century Pyramid

You visit the Larco Museum's pre-Hispanic gold and silver collection, walk through Casa Aliaga (a colonial mansion unchanged since 1535), and tour Lima's historic downtown including the Cathedral and Main Square. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with a professional guide and all entry fees, so you move through the city without arranging transport or tickets yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Historic Centre of Lima10m
2. Cathedral of Lima30m · entry included
3. Larco Museum45m · entry included

Lima city tour and Larco Museum visit

• Visit Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre
• Tour Casa Aliaga colonial mansion
• Explore Lima's colonial downtown
• See Main Square architecture
• Visit Cathedral of Lima
• Return to hotel

The experience

"So the museum is built right on top of a pre-Columbian pyramid?" That's the question that stops most people when they first hear about the Larco Museum in Lima. Yes, the beautifully restored viceregal mansion where you'll spend part of your morning was constructed directly over a seventh-century pyramid, and the collection inside is one of the most complete pre-Hispanic assemblies of gold and silver artifacts in Peru. The tour starts in Pueblo Libre, where your guide meets you after hotel pickup, and from there the day unfolds through Lima's old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels less like a museum and more like a city that simply never stopped living in the 1600s.

After the Larco Museum, you move into the colonial downtown: the Main Square first, where the Archbishop of Lima rises with those elegant balconies everyone photographs, and the Government Palace anchors the plaza with its bronze fountain from 1650. The Cathedral sits on the east side, its Renaissance facade facing the square, and inside it holds the remains of Francisco Pizarro himself, the conquistador who granted Casa Aliaga to one of his captains in 1535. That house is still owned by the same family, which means you're walking through rooms that have belonged to one bloodline for nearly five centuries. It's the kind of detail that doesn't sound real until you're standing in it.

The whole tour runs about four hours, which is long enough to see the main landmarks without the day feeling rushed, but short enough that you're back at your hotel before lunch. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, or Portuguese depending on your preference, and all entry fees (to the Larco, Casa Aliaga, and the Cathedral) are included, so there's no stopping at ticket windows or fumbling with separate payments. Wear comfortable shoes. The downtown involves walking, and Lima's streets aren't always even.

What’s included

• Professional tour guide fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• admission to the Larco Museum, Casa Aliaga, and Lima Cathedral.
• scenic tour through Lima's historic downtown including the Main Square and Cathedral.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to15h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by LimaTours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Lima's main colonial landmarks and pre-Hispanic art in one morning without arranging separate transport or tickets: the fixed itinerary and included pickups mean you move through the UNESCO sites on a set schedule instead of coordinating it yourself.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

How long is the tour?

Around four hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is entry to the museums included?

Yes. Admission to the Larco Museum, Casa Aliaga, and Lima Cathedral are all included in the price.

Do I need to arrange my own transport?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You'll need to provide your hotel name when booking so the driver can find you.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing and walking shoes. The tour involves walking through the historic downtown and museum galleries.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it does involve walking through historic streets and buildings.

What is the Larco Museum known for?

It houses the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artifacts in Peru, as well as pieces of erotic art from ancient cultures.