Lima Historic Center, Catacombs & Magic Water Circuit Tour

Walk Lima's colonial heart, descend into centuries-old catacombs, and watch water dance with light

A guided walking tour of Lima's Historic Center, the Catacombs beneath San Francisco Church, and the Magic Water Circuit fountain show, all in one afternoon. You'll move through UNESCO-listed colonial plazas and streets with an expert guide, explore the underground cemetery that shaped Lima's spiritual history, and finish at Parque de la Reserva for an evening of illuminated fountains and water projections. Air-conditioned transport, all tickets, and a guide in English or Spanish are included. Minimum age is 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Historic Centre of Lima2h
2. Church and Convent of Saint Francis45m · entry included
3. Magic Water Circuit1h · entry included

Explore Lima's historic sites and show

• Visit Main Square and San Martín Square
• Walk along Union Street
• Explore Catacombs under San Francisco Church
• Enjoy Magic Water Circuit show at Parque de la Reserva

The experience

The Historic Center of Lima, founded by the Spanish in 1535, is where the tour begins. You'll walk through the Main Square, San Martín Square, and Union Street, moving past the colonial architecture and plazas that form the UNESCO World Heritage Site at the city's core. The guide explains the people, traditions, and events that built Lima and Peru as you move through the streets. This is not a rushed loop but a grounded look at how the city actually developed.

From there you descend into the Catacombs beneath the Church and Convent of San Francisco, one of Lima's most intriguing historical attractions. This underground cemetery holds centuries of stories, and the guide walks you through its significance and the history that surrounds it. The space itself (the scale, the arrangement, what it reveals about how Lima's past was literally layered) is the kind of detail that stays with you.

The day ends at Parque de la Reserva for the Magic Water Circuit, a spectacle of illuminated fountains, music, lights, and water projections that runs in the evening. You've already seen Lima's colonial bones. Now you watch the city's modern energy take shape in water and light. Transport between all three stops is air-conditioned, and the guide stays with the group throughout.

What’s included

• Tickets to the Catacombs and the Magic Water Circuit.
• air-conditioned transport between all three stops.
• expert guide in English or Spanish throughout the afternoon and evening.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 16:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Peruvian Worldview Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided walk through Lima's colonial center and catacombs in one afternoon. Choose it over self-guided exploration if you'd rather have a historian explain the sites as you move through them.

Traveler reviews

4.85★★★★★★★★★★

61 verified traveler reviews

5 ★58

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What exactly are the Catacombs beneath San Francisco Church?

The Catacombs are an underground cemetery beneath the Church and Convent of San Francisco in Lima's Historic Center. They hold centuries of history and reveal how the city's spiritual and social life was organized underground, with the guide explaining their significance and the stories they contain.

Does this tour include entry to the Magic Water Circuit show?

Yes, tickets to the Magic Water Circuit are included. The show happens in the evening at Parque de la Reserva and features illuminated fountains, music, lights, and water projections. It's the final stop after you've explored the Historic Center and the Catacombs.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs for four hours total, covering the Historic Center's plazas and streets, the Catacombs, and the Magic Water Circuit show in the evening.

Is transport between the stops included?

Yes, an air-conditioned vehicle is included to move between the Historic Center, San Francisco Church, and Parque de la Reserva, so you don't arrange your own way between sites.

Is there a minimum age for this tour?

Yes, the minimum age is 12. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.