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A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Lima, Peru
High interest
Booked 4 times today.
  • 4 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· nicole_t ·
Jun 2026
Good guide and well organized. They were making sure I'm not late and good communication too. Interesting visits to the church and catacombs
· David_G ·
Apr 2026
Arrangements, communications, driver and guide were all first class. No worries about anything. Very knowledgable and personable guide Arianne. Highly recommend!

Overview

See the best that Peru’s capital, Lima, has to offer as you embark on a city sightseeing tour. Join a small group and visit important landmarks like the Park of Love, the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site, Plaza Mayor, and the Convent Museum of San Francisco. As you explore, your guide sheds light on the three historical periods of Lima—pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern—as well as the cultural and gastronomic heritage.
  • Get a comprehensive overview of Lima’s city center
  • Learn to make Peru’s national drink the pisco sour
  • Enjoy round-trip transfers from your Lima hotel
  • A small group means more attention from your guide

What's Included

  • Oficial Tour Guide
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Pick-up from your hotel or airport (✔️Included only in Premium)
  • Guided tour of Lima’s Historic Center.
  • Entrance to San Francisco Museum & Catacombs (✔️Included only in Premium)
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We will arrive at your hotel approximately 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. Please be ready on time, as the waiting time is limited to 5 minutes. After this, we will continue with the scheduled pick-ups. If you are not present, you will need to make your way to the meeting point at Parque del Amor in Miraflores (Premium option only).

or

Meeting point

  • Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima
    Jr. de la Unión 958, Lima 15001, Peru

    Meeting point for the Essential option is at Gran Hotel Bolívar, Plaza San Martín. One day before the tour, we will contact you to provide your guide’s details and the exact meeting instructions.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

1

El Parque del Amor

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

2

Huaca Pucllana

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

3

Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor)

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

4

Casa de la Literatura Peruana

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

5

Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9
based on 353 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sort by: Most insightful

Lima city tour with Catacombs

Mominq7, Jun 2026
This is a great to learn about history and culture of Peru. The guide spoke English well is was very knowledgeable. I would recommend the tour.

Great gateway to Lima!

Danielle_T, Jun 2026
Arianne was a fantastic guide!! She was so knowledgeable about the city and answered all our questions enthusiastically. She was also super professional and kept us on track when multiple roads were blockaded during a protest. This tour is perfect to understand more about Lima's history and experience the historic centre.

Bringing history to life in Lima

jenjongeling, Jun 2026
Arianne was an excellent tour guide. Very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about her country and culture, which really brought the experience to life. The catacombs were fascinating, and walking through the historic district with her provided context and insights we would not have gained exploring on our own.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Arianne and that her knowledge and passion helped bring the history and culture to life. It’s great to know the visit to the catacombs and the walk through the historic district were such meaningful and enriching experiences for you. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you again with Inca Trilogy.

Lima City Tour

George_R, Jun 2026
This city tour was great! Patrick was the perfect tour guide, very knowledgeable and funny! The catacombs are a must see!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you very much for recommending Inca Trilogy. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the visit and that Patrick made your experience an enjoyable, fun, and enriching tour.

She's very knowledgeable and fun! The tour is good but the traffic is a problem. The driver is good and very careful. We

Thasanai_M, Jun 2026
The tour is good, pick up/drop off our hotel. We enjoy our guide, Adrian very much. Recomment for everyone.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

We’re glad you enjoyed the tour with Adrian and appreciated the service from our driver and the hotel pick-up and drop-off. We also understand that traffic can sometimes be challenging. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again with Inca Trilogy.

Good guide and well...

nicole_t, Jun 2026
Good guide and well organized. They were making sure I'm not late and good communication too. Interesting visits to the church and catacombs

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Inca Trilogy is glad to hear you had a well-organized experience and that our team maintained clear communication throughout the tour to ensure everything ran smoothly. We’re also pleased to know you enjoyed the visits to the church and catacombs.

Enjoyed the Lima...

Alison_S, May 2026
Enjoyed the Lima historical city tour, convent and catacombs. A little rushed at some points. Good pisco tasting in a shop to purchase souvenirs if interested. There may be traffic depending on the time of day so be prepared to be in the van for a bit. Tour guide was knowledgeable and did give a lot of information but would have liked more information while driving around.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the Lima historical city tour, the convent and catacombs, as well as the pisco tasting experience. We appreciate your comment about the pacing and the additional information while driving, as it helps us improve our service. We also understand that traffic in Lima can sometimes affect the timing of the tour. Your observations are very valuable, and we hope to welcome you again with Inca Trilogy for an even better experience.

Difficult time locating your guide!

Miriam_G, May 2026
The guide does not have smithing to identify themselves with the tour company they’re with. It was extremely difficult to locate the tour guide! .

Melanie was just...

Katelyn_N, May 2026
Melanie was just incredible. I cannot tell you how patient she was! She was brilliant and extremely knowledgeable about the city. I loved that she loved her city and had so much Peruvian pride. I got to see the city through the eyes of a local and I cannot tell you how special that was for me. I have told so many of my friends, family, and other people I’ve met on this trip the things that she has taught me. So very grateful for this experience!! Thank you, Melanie!!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

It’s wonderful to hear how meaningful your experience was and how much you enjoyed discovering the city from a local perspective. We’re especially glad to know that Melanie’s patience, knowledge, and passion for her city made such a strong impression on you and helped make the tour truly special. Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience with others. We hope you continue to enjoy your journey with Inca Trilogy.

Pleasant stroll

Robert_P, May 2026
Our guide was very knowledgeable. The tour was very enjoyable. I would recommend this tour as a first thing to do in Lima. You really find your way around.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you very much for your kind feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and found our guide knowledgeable. It’s great to know you would recommend it as a first experience in Lima to help visitors get oriented. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again with Inca Trilogy for another great experience.

Elma's knowledge and...

Chris_L, May 2026
Elma's knowledge and enthusiasm made our historic walking tour very interesting and entertaining. It was well worth it and we thank Elma for her efforts.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

It's wonderful to hear that Elma's knowledge and enthusiasm made your historic walking tour both engaging and entertaining. We'll be sure to share your kind words with her. Thank you for choosing Inca Trilogy Tours and for taking the time to share your experience!

This was a great...

Kristopher_A, May 2026
This was a great experience, I chose the premium option to be picked up and dropped off. I learned a lot about the history of Lima. My tour guide was Melanie who completed the tour in english for me and she was very knowledgeable and helped insure a great tour. The pisco tasting was a great addition to seeing the catacombs, Miraflores, and historic Lima. If you have time and are interested in history I would recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed discovering Lima’s history with Melanie. We're glad the combination of the Catacombs, Historic Center, Miraflores, and the pisco tasting made for a memorable experience. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing Inca Trilogy Tours. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure in Peru!

5 stars!

Megan_G, May 2026
We loved this tour of Lima! Our guide, Melanie, was very knowledgeable about the history and kept it very interesting!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We're happy to know that you enjoyed the tour and that Melanie's knowledge and enthusiasm helped make your experience memorable. Thank you for traveling with Inca Trilogy Tours.

Efficiency & fun

Angela_W, May 2026
On schedule pick up and drop off, and the tour guide covered many spots efficiently! Although we walked a lot, but it’s a fully- pack half day!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for your review! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the punctual service and the effort our guide put into showing you so many highlights. Thank you for choosing Inca Trilogy Tours.

Lima city tour

David_G, Apr 2026
Arrangements, communications, driver and guide were all first class. No worries about anything. Very knowledgable and personable guide Arianne. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to know that every aspect of your experience, from the arrangements to the guide’s expertise, met your high standards. Arianne’s professionalism and personable approach make a real difference. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again soon!

Good overview of Lima history

Michele_D, Apr 2026
Overall, the tour was excellent. Our guide was knowledgeable and her English was great! We saw the highlights of Lima, learned about Pisco, and the founding and colonial period of Peru. The tour lasted longer than estimated because of the Lima traffic, extending until afternoon and did not include lunch.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re really happy you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the professionalism and English fluency of our guide. We take pride in having a well-prepared team to ensure a great experience. We also truly appreciate your understanding regarding the traffic situation in Lima, which can sometimes affect timing.

Lima’s History

Zonia_C, Apr 2026
We enjoyed the tour around the city, knowing many history and visiting the Catacombs was impressive our guide Patrick was very knowledgeable and oriented he was enjoyable, I will definitely recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Hi, Zonia. It was a pleasure to hear that you enjoyed such a unique experience in Lima. We’re especially happy that Patrick helped make your tour even more memorable. Thank you for your recommendation!

Short and sweet tour - loved it

Premkumar_E, Apr 2026
Very nice tour that lasted 3-4 hours that covered pretty much all the major sites in Peru. The guide Patrick was awesome.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for your feedback! We’re really happy you enjoyed this efficient and enjoyable tour, and that Patrick contributed to a great experience. We appreciate your visit and hope to welcome you again!

Antonio the driver did a...

Ben_V, Apr 2026
Antonio the driver did a great job navigating Lima and dropped us off after the tour was finished were we wanted to go. Jose the tour guide did a wonderful job explaining everything and tending to everyone’s needs. Jose is a wealth of knowledge!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

It’s wonderful to know you had such a smooth and well-supported experience throughout your tour. We’re very happy that both the logistics and the guidance made your visit more comfortable and enjoyable. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again soon!

The tour is a wonderful...

RAYMOND_S, Apr 2026
The tour is a wonderful experience into the cultur of Lima! Our guide, Roxanne, was fantastic! She was very professional, kind, helpful and knowledgeable!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

We’re very happy to hear you had such an enriching experience in Lima! It’s great to know you felt well supported throughout the tour. Hope to welcome you again soon!

Private Tour in Lima

Ron_L, Apr 2026
Very detailed. Runs longer than 4 hours. Beautiful city. Tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

What a pleasure to know you enjoyed exploring the city in such depth! We’re happy the experience felt engaging and that the guidance added value to your visit. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon!

Great Experience on the tour

Ted_R, Mar 2026
José was a great tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable, with lots of additional information to add. Also, very easy-going which made the trip of pleasure. The driver was very safe. Do it!

Culture

LIL_E, Mar 2026
The tour guide, Vilma did a good job providing an educational experience on all sites visited. I would recommend this tour for everyone.

Great opportunity to learn so much in a fun way.

John_W, Mar 2026
Patrick was an experienced and knowledgeable tour. Really enjoyed it, and recommend it. Thank you!!!

We had a great group and...

Brian_M, Mar 2026
We had a great group.Our guide, Roxana was very informative and was great at fielding questions about Lima

Great Day in Downtown Lima!

Donielle_F, Mar 2026
Wonderful day with our guide, Bryan exploring key historical points throughout Lima. We opted for a private tour and Bryan was incredibly accomodating when we asked for extra time at Lima's Literary House (Casa de la Literatura) and a visit to a local tabern to soak up some of the culture and sit down and have a cold beverage. Bryan was informative, socially charming and very pleasant. We learned a lot from him and enjoyed his company. Our driver (Jean Carlo "John") was a good driver, was very professional and friendly and kept the vehicle with A/C during a hot day (Many "limeños" don't always use A/C")! We loved our experience, seeing downtown Lima, and highly recommend Bryan and the entire tour!

Excellent tour

Stephen_S, Mar 2026
This was an excellent tour with Roxana and our driver (Mr Carlos I think, but apologies if I have got that wrong!). Roxana is very knowledgeable and friendly, and a good sense of humor. Thankyou for making our Lima tour memorable, would definitely recommend

10/10 Experience and Very Educational

Kimberly_R, Feb 2026
Melanie was absolutely amazing! She was very informative and I was able to learn a lot about Limas culture and history with her guidance. The drive was smooth, and we saw a lot of places within the time frame we had which was very doable, had a surprise Pisco tasting and had time to shop a little for souvenirs also. I highly recommend doing this tour if you want to learn more about Lima, Peru. It is always nice to learn about the country you’re visiting from someone who cares a lot about it and from someone who knows best :)

An enjoyable guide through the old town and history

Julie_P, Feb 2026
Fun and knowledgeable guide who took time to answer our questions. It is advertised for 4 hours but with the traffic was more like 4.5

What a great introduction...

Molly_B, Feb 2026
What a great introduction to Lima. We got a brief history of the city and saw some archeological sites we didnt know about. Benji was a great driver and navigated the traffic like a champ. Jose was a fantastic tour guide and answered any question we had an took wonderful photos

From $20.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 26 days in advance.

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