Historic Centre of Lima (Centro Historico de Lima) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Historic Centre of Lima (Centro Historico de Lima). Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Lima by Night Including Catacombs and Water Show Tour

• 8-Day Peru Empire of the Senses: Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu

• Lima Street Food Tour and Local Markets

• Historic Downtown, Miraflores, and Catacombs Private Tour

• City Tour of Lima from the Airport

There’s no fee to visit the Historic Center of Lima, as it’s a downtown neighborhood open to all and free to explore. What you spend depends entirely on what you decide to do here, from guided tours of the center to shopping, dining, drinking, or visits to top attractions, many of which are actually free (such as the Museo Central).

Yes, a visit to the Historic Center of Lima is well worth it—it's the heart of the Peruvian capital. From here, you can take numerous walking tours around the city, including to other districts, and you'll find lots of historic monuments here, such as the catacombs, cathedral, and ornate government buildings. Though exploring alone is totally doable, a guided tour can be the best way to get oriented and learn more about what you're seeing.

Per one customer who booked the Lima by Night Including Catacombs and Water Show Tour, "It was fantastic! Our guide, Alex, was very knowledgeable and interesting. We had a great walk around the city center, a tour of the convent and catacombs and lastly, to a beautiful water show. Our bus driver was very experienced and did a great job driving on the very congested roads."

The Historic Centre of Lima (Centro Historico de Lima) is home to many of Lima’s important historical and cultural attractions. Surrounding the city’s central square of Plaza de Armas, you’ll find the Cathedral of Lima (Catedral de Lima) and the Municipal Palace (City Hall of Lima). Elsewhere in the historical center lies religious landmarks, such as the Church and Convent of Saint Francis (Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco).

Yes, visitors can take guided tours that explore the Historic Centre of Lima. Most of these combine a walking tour of the area with visits to other neighborhoods, such as Miraflores. You can also join night tours, showcasing the Peruvian capital after dark, or tours that focus on specific aspects of the city, such as its food or history.

The best time to visit the Historic Centre of Lima is generally in the morning. By visiting around the mid-morning, you should find that most of the attractions in the area are open and not yet too busy. Expect it to be more crowded if visiting at the weekend. Note that many attractions are closed on Mondays, so check opening times in advance if visiting then.

Yes, many of the city’s festivals and events are held in and around the Historic Centre of Lima. Celebrations for Peru Independence Day on July 28 include music and dancing at the Parque de la Muralla and events in Plaza de Armas, while processions fill the streets on August 30 for Saint Rose of Lima Day.

No, you will not find free parking in the Historic Centre of Lima. There are paid parking lots and garages, many of which are located on the district’s eastern and western edges, so you can avoid navigating through the center.

It depends. Many of the streets through the Historic Centre of Lima are easily accessible, as they’re open, level and pedestrianized, while roads with vehicle traffic often have wide sidewalks. Some attractions, such as the Archbishop's Palace, have ramps leading to the entrance, but the accessibility of each attraction differs.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Historic Centre of Lima. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Lima:

• Miraflores

• Lima Plaza Mayor

• Cathedral of Lima (Catedral de Lima)

• Huaca Pucllana

• Church and Convent of Saint Francis (Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco)

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Lima.