Duration: 1 Day From $ USD 50.00
Lima City Tour – Historic & Cultural Highlights
The Lima City Tour is your gateway to exploring the vibrant history, colonial charm, and lively neighborhoods of Peru’s capital. Nestled along the Pacific coast, Lima blends old-world elegance with modern energy, offering a rich cultural experience that reflects centuries of Peruvian heritage. This half-day sightseeing tour is ideal for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the city’s most iconic landmarks, architecture, and everyday life.
Starting in the historic center — recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — you’ll stroll through the elegant Plaza Mayor, where grand colonial buildings, ornate cathedrals, and majestic government palaces stand as timeless symbols of Peru’s past. Your expert local guide will share fascinating stories about Lima’s founding, its role in Spanish colonial history, and how the city evolved to become a cultural epicenter of South America.
The Lima City Tour includes visits to the city’s most memorable and meaningful spots. Explore the beautiful San Martín Square, then continue to San Francisco Church, known for its remarkable baroque architecture and intricate catacombs beneath the streets. Wander through the atmospheric streets of Lima’s historic center while learning about the city’s art, architecture, and traditions from your knowledgeable guide.
Beyond the colonial core, you’ll also discover vibrant neighborhoods like Miraflores and Barranco, where colorful murals, ocean views, and bohemian culture merge to create a unique urban tapestry. Walk along the scenic Malecón, a seaside promenade overlooking the Pacific Ocean, perfect for photos and sunset views.
Our Lima City Tour is carefully curated to balance sightseeing, culture, and local insight. With experienced English-speaking guides, small group options, and a focus on authentic experiences, we help you understand not just what you see, but the history and meaning behind it. Enjoy flexible itineraries, comfortable transportation, and opportunities to ask questions and engage deeply with Peru’s capital.
Whether you’re new to Lima or returning for another visit, this tour provides the perfect introduction to the city’s heritage, art, and vibrant lifestyle — all in a convenient half-day format that fits seamlessly into your Peru travel plans.
Explore Lima’s Historic Centre and UNESCO World Heritage sites
Visit Plaza Mayor and grand colonial landmarks
Discover San Francisco Church and its ancient catacombs
Stroll through vibrant districts like Miraflores and Barranco
Enjoy panoramic ocean views from the Malecón
Insightful commentary from expert local guides
Perfect half-day tour for first-time visitors
You will be picked up from your hotel and first taken to the remains of two pre-Inca sites, Naupallaqta, dating from the fourth century called Sacred Town by the Incas and Huaca Huallmarca a pyramid which is typical for pre-Inca constructions along the Peruvian Coast.
From here you will be taken to the Historical Downtown area of Lima which includes the Plaza San Martín with the statue of the Liberator of the same name, the Main Square and the surrounding buildings like the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Presidential Palace, Town Hall, the Desamparados train station from where “the highest train journey in the world” leaves, and the Colonial-style houses with their balconies along the old streets Lima.
In the old center we visit two buildings, the Museum of the Banco Central de Reserva where there is beautiful collection objects made from silver, gold, ceramics and textiles. This is all pre-Columbian which means from before the Spanish arrived. The second building we visit in the historical center is the San Francisco Convent. Here we find a good collection of Colonial Art. We also visit the Choir Hall and the Monks’ Library and the visit in the convent finishes with a visit to the Catacombs.
The City tour takes you now from the Historical Center to the modern suburbs of San Isidro where there is the Golf Club and Olive Park and to Miraflores where there is the brand new Larco Mar shopping /entertainment complex and from where there are very beautiful views over the Pacific Ocean.
There are different types of tourist activities that we can find and perform in the city of Lima, for example, the “City tour in Lima” is a classic that every traveler must perform, where we visit the Plaza Mayor of Lima, the Cathedral of Lima, the Church of San Francisco, the catacombs and see the beautiful old mansions, we can enjoy the tasty culinary food based on seafood dishes from the Peruvian coast.
Plaza Mayor: (Colonial Lima) in the main square of Lima you can appreciate more than fifty monuments, colonial buildings and highlighting the Paseo de la Republica, Plaza San Martin, and Plaza Mayor in this beautiful place we will observe the Cathedral, Government Palace and the Municipal Palace as well as the visit to the San Francisco Monastery and its Catacombs.
Huaca Pucllana Pyramid: (Ancestral Lima) Also called the great pyramid you can appreciate a panoramic view in the Huaca Pucllana, pre-Inca temple of the IV century A.D. This pyramid has 7 platforms, and on each platform has an L-shaped square, it is very striking how it was built.
Monastery of San Francisco and Catacombs: Under the church of San Francisco in the city of Lima, there is a catacomb in which are deposited the bones of an estimated 70,000 people, some of them arranged in a decorative way. These catacombs were rediscovered in 1943 and it is believed that they may be connected through subway passages with the cathedral and other local churches, a unique experience for all visitors.
Museo del Banco Central de Reserva: Visit the Museo del Banco Central de Reserva, admiring the display of ancient Peruvian cultures, with a select exhibition of objects from the Oro Cohen collection.
The museum has three exhibition areas, the archeology room, where you will find ceramics, textiles, gold and wood pieces from the Vicus, Moche, Chancay, Inca, Lambayeque, Nazca, Chimu and Chavin cultures.
The Manuel Moreyra Loredo Art Gallery, where different tendencies, schools and techniques of Peruvian painters of the XIX, XX and XXI centuries can be found.
The Popular Arts Room where textiles, cloaks, flasks, ceramics, and other items representing the different regions of Peru are displayed.
Modern Lima (Contemporary): Visit the most traditional residential areas of Lima, El Olivar de San Isidro, Miraflores and Larco Mar where we can enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean.
After a full day of activities and visiting the different places, you can enjoy an exquisite dinner.
Note: *Museum of the Central Reserve Bank, closed to the public Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Monday closed all day.
The Lima City Tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, comfortable transportation, a professional English-speaking guide, and visits to Lima’s main historical and cultural attractions such as the Historic Center, Plaza Mayor, and traditional neighborhoods.
This is a half-day tour, lasting approximately 3 to 5 hours, making it ideal for travelers with limited time or those arriving in Lima for the first time.
Yes. The Lima City Tour is suitable for all ages, including families with children and senior travelers. The tour involves light walking and is considered easy in difficulty.
No acclimatization is required. Lima is located at sea level, so altitude sickness is not a concern on this tour.
We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, and a camera to capture Lima’s historic landmarks and scenic views.
Some entrance fees may be included, depending on the itinerary. Your travel consultant will confirm all inclusions at the time of booking.
The Lima City Tour is a combination of guided walking and vehicle transportation, allowing you to comfortably explore different parts of the city.
Yes. Private Lima City Tour options are available upon request and can be customized according to your interests and schedule.
The Lima City Tour operates year-round. The best weather is usually from December to April, though Lima’s mild climate makes it enjoyable in any season.
We recommend booking at least 1–2 days in advance, especially during high travel seasons, to secure availability.
Thank you for your interest in traveling with us, just fill out the following form and we can learn more about your travel preferences, and a local specialist will attend your request, if you wish we can call you by phone and show you everything you can experience on your next vacation travelguide in Peru.
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