Beneath a 17th-century church in downtown Lima lie catacombs, an old underground cemetery. A few blocks away, guards change at the Government Palace every day at 11:45. Many travelers rush from the airport to Miraflores and never see any of it. That is a mistake. This guide shows you how to spend one easy day in the Historic Centre of Lima, with facts from UNESCO and PromPerú.
Planning a longer trip? See our 13-day Lima, Machu Picchu and Titicaca itinerary or the two-week Lima to Machu Picchu route. Both include time in Lima.
Why the Historic Centre of Lima is worth a day
UNESCO added the Historic Centre of Lima to its World Heritage List in 1988. Later, the area was extended in 1991.
UNESCO calls Lima the “City of Kings.” Francisco Pizarro founded it in January 1535, in the Rímac River valley. UNESCO also notes that the San Francisco convent is the largest of its type in this part of the world.
PromPerú explains that the heritage area has two parts. One is the old grid of streets known as “Lima cuadrada,” or Pizarro’s grid. The other is the Rímac district, across the river.
PromPerú suggests at least 3 days in Lima. Then it gives one full day to the Historic Centre. That is the plan for the Historic Centre of Lima:
| Time | Stop | Hours (PromPerú) |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Cathedral | Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00, Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 13:00–17:00 |
| 11:45 | Changing of the guard | Daily |
| Midday | San Francisco | Daily 9:00–17:30 |
| Afternoon | Santo Domingo | Tue–Sun 9:30–17:00 |
Just arrived? Read our first day in Lima guide first. Then come back for the old town.
Morning: Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral
First, start at the Plaza Mayor, the heart of the old grid. Around it stand the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the city hall. In the middle there is a 17th-century bronze fountain.
The Cathedral holds religious art and the remains of Francisco Pizarro. It also has a museum of religious art. PromPerú lists these visiting hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 17:00
- Saturday: 10:00 to 17:00
- Sunday: 13:00 to 17:00
Also next door is the Archbishop’s Palace Museum. Its collection has paintings, sculptures and church objects from the 16th to the 19th century.
11:45: Changing of the guard
So plan your morning around this. PromPerú says the changing of the guard happens every day at 11:45 in the Patio de Honor of the Government Palace.
The palace is also known as the “House of Pizarro.” The conquistador settled on this site in 1535. The building you see today dates from the 1920s.
So get there a little early. The plaza fills up fast.
Midday: San Francisco and its catacombs
Walk a short way to the Church and Convent of San Francisco, at Jirón Áncash and Jirón Lampa. This is the stop most visitors remember.
Here is what PromPerú highlights:
- The church dates from the 17th century. It has a baroque front with two tall towers.
- Below it are the catacombs, an old underground cemetery.
- The cloister walls are covered with tiles from Seville.
- There is a library with about 25,000 books.
Entry to the museum and catacombs needs a ticket. PromPerú lists daily hours from 9:00 to 17:30.
Close by, on the same street, is the Casa de la Literatura Peruana. It sits inside the old Desamparados train station, built in 1912. PromPerú lists it as open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 19:00.
Afternoon: old mansions and Santo Domingo
After lunch, slow down. The Historic Centre is full of old houses.
- Casa de Aliaga (Jirón de la Unión 224). Built in 1535 on top of a pre-Hispanic structure. It still belongs to the Aliaga family. You must book ahead, and you need a ticket.
- Santo Domingo (Jirón Camaná 170). San Marcos University opened here in 1551. The museum holds the tombs of Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Martin de Porres. PromPerú lists it as open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 to 17:00, with a ticket.
- Torre Tagle Palace (Jirón Ucayali 323). An 18th-century mansion with carved wooden balconies. Today it is the seat of Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hours change. So always check before you go.
Late afternoon: Jirón de la Unión to Plaza San Martín
Now walk down Jirón de la Unión. PromPerú describes it as a historic shopping street with fine old houses. Also look for Casa Courret and its art nouveau front.
The street ends at Plaza San Martín. It opened in 1921, just before the 100th anniversary of Peru’s independence. It honors José de San Martín, the Argentine liberator. Around it you will see old cinemas, the Colón theater and the Hotel Bolívar.
Still hungry? Barrio Chino, Lima’s Chinatown, is at Jirón Ucayali and Jirón Andahuaylas. PromPerú notes it is known for chifas, where Chinese and Peruvian cooking meet.
If you visit the Historic Centre of Lima in October
October is a special month in central Lima. PromPerú calls it the month of the Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles).
The image is kept at the Las Nazarenas church, at Jirón Huancavelica and Avenida Tacna. It was painted on a wall that survived the earthquakes of 1655, 1687 and 1746. Every October, the image travels the main streets in one of the largest processions in Peru.
So expect crowds and closed streets on procession days. Plan your route with that in mind.
Extra time? Cross to the Rímac
The Rímac district is part of the heritage area too. PromPerú highlights:
- Plaza de Acho, opened in 1766. It is the first bullring in the Americas.
- Paseo de Aguas, built in 1770 with gardens, French-style arches and water features.
- Alameda de los Descalzos, from 1611, with twelve marble statues.
Also, go with a guide or a local who knows the area.
Simple tips for the Historic Centre of Lima
- Start early. You will see more before the midday heat and crowds.
- Wear comfortable shoes. This is a walking day.
- Carry some cash for tickets and small purchases.
- Check hours before you go. They can change, especially on holidays.
- Keep your valuables close, as in any busy city center.
Before you leave Lima
The Historic Centre of Lima gives you the story behind the rest of your trip. After the catacombs and the old balconies, Cusco will make more sense. When you are ready for the Andes, compare these Cusco and Machu Picchu tour packages.
Peruvian.travel is an independent travel blog. It is not the official Peru tourism site (peru.travel). Facts and hours come from UNESCO and PromPerú; please confirm hours before your visit.
