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4.0(1 reviews)

Lima Walking Tour with San Francisco Catacombs

From$41.67
3 hours
Lima, Peru

About this activity

Join a guided walking tour through Lima's historic center, including a visit to the San Francisco Monastery and its ancient catacombs, offering insights into the city's rich colonial history and architecture.

Highlights

  • Explore Lima's historic center
  • Visit the San Francisco Monastery
  • Discover ancient catacombs
  • Learn about colonial architecture
  • Experience local culture firsthand

Full description

Discover the rich history and vibrant culture of Lima on this engaging walking tour. Stroll through the city's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and marvel at its colonial architecture. Visit the San Francisco Monastery, renowned for its impressive architecture and ancient catacombs, which house thousands of skeletal remains. This tour offers a unique glimpse into Lima's past, providing historical context and cultural insights that bring the city to life. Perfect for history enthusiasts and curious travelers alike, this experience combines education with exploration, ensuring a memorable adventure in Peru's capital.

Included / Excluded

  • Guided walking tour of Lima's historic center
  • Visit to the San Francisco Monastery and Catacombs
  • Transportation between sites
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

After picking you up from the hotel located in the city of Lima (optional) or meeting you up at the starting point located at the Hotel Gran Bolivar. This fantastic walking tour will take you to admire the historic center of Lima with a professional tour guide. The walking tour of Lima starts at Plaza San Martin, a beautiful square declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The central monument is a tribute to Don Jose de San Martin, the liberator of the Peru’s independence. This square opened on July 27th 1921 and it is surrounded by incredible historic buildings such as the National Club, the Gran Bolivar Hotel, Theatre Colon and Giacoletti, the latter destroyed by fired in 2018.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

The tour continues walking along the Street Jirón de la Union founded in 1535 by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro. It was a busy street for years, with coffee shops and restaurants attended by distinguished characters and high society such as writers and politics. Along this street, you will admire commercial buildings, as well as traditional wooden balconies, and churches.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

You will arrive at the Plaza de Armas, the main point of the old town of Lima. The Government Palace is located here, where the Peruvian president lives. The construction of the Cathedral of Lima began in 1535 and ended in 1649 and it has a beautiful Renaissance and neoclassical style front. Also, you will admire important buildings such as the City Hall, the De la Unión Club, the Sagrario Church, the Archbishop’s Palace and wooden balconies around the amazing Plaza de Armas. Take the best picture of this historical place and have amazing panoramic pictures. During our Lima city walking tour, you will taste a delicious and traditional Peruvian sweet known as Churros, fried flour sticks filled with dulce de leche or manjarblanco.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

You are going to visit the Church of San Francisco to explore the Convent of San Francisco and the catacombs. These underground creeps are the largest and best preserved in South America. This mysterious place was the main cemetery of the city until 1810 and during the tour you will see large pools with the bone remains of more than 25 thousand people. Many historical buildings went through different renovations, as they suffered damage from strong earthquakes in the capital of Peru. The tour ends at this point, however, the order of the visits could change, depending on the start time of the tour. Then, the transportation will drop you off at your hotel (optional).

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour is conducted in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language.
  • Photography may be restricted in certain areas; follow the guide's instructions.
  • The tour involves walking on uneven surfaces; be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes and attire suitable for the weather.
  • Bring a camera to capture the stunning architecture and historical sites.
  • Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Easy Public Transport
  • Infants Required On Laps

Good to know

  • You should bring cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and shoes, camera and money for personal expenses
  • Rates have an increase of 50% for holidays such as January 1st, May 1st and July 28th and 29th
  • The tour does not depart on December 25th

Traveler reviews

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UNPREPARED GUIDE

The Lima Cathedral has a guided tour and is well worth doing. In the Monastery of San Francisco, there is a Guide BUT there are groups of 40 people, disorganized, the Guide did not expect people, only those who were "gruded" in it heard the explanations, very bad, because the place has a lot of history.

simonedF7309LQJul 22, 2024TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

You should bring cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and shoes, camera and money for personal expenses Rates have an increase of 50% for holidays such as January 1st, May 1st and July 28th and 29th The tour does not depart on December 25th
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