The Historic Center Lima Peru is one of South America’s most architecturally-rich and beautiful colonial districts.
Here we can explore many famous sites such as the chilling San Francisco Catacombs, visit the iconic Plaza Mayor where the city was founded, and even eat fusion Chinese and Peruvian food in Chinatown for a novel lunch or dinner. Travellers can easily explore and see the majority of these must-visit sites in the centre of Lima – as long as they prepare a solid itinerary before and know where to go and how to best get around.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the very best places to visit in the Historic Center Lima Peru, and why each one deserves to be on your sightseeing plans. We’ll also answer some of your most asked questions too in our FAQ section.
Table of Contents
10 Of The Best Places To Visit In The Centre Of Lima
Plaza de Armas
Considered part of the Cultural Human Heritage by UNESCO since 2000,
Lima’s Plaza de Armas or Main Square is a great place to take a stroll and appreciate colonial architecture in the centre of Lima. Here you can also find Lima’s Cathedral, one of the most beautiful and famous attractions in this area. For a local insight, you can also sit on a bench in the middle of the Plaza, grab a snack, relax and watch locals in their daily routines.
<< Visit this Plaza with us in our Flavors & Tradition Tour, Lights, Pisco and Fun, Classic City Tour or Past and Present Peru Tour>>
MALI (Lima’s Art Museum)
The Museo de Arte de Lima – MALI holds the most representative art collection in Peru, tracing 3,000 years of history from the earliest Andean civilizations until modern times. MALI also has an active program of temporary exhibitions throughout the year which covers the highlights of local and international art. The museum is located inside “Parque de la Exposición”, a huge park where you can go and take a stroll, relax and appreciate architecture. Visit the Museum’s website for more information.
Mercado Central
The Central Market is Lima’s most important market in the Historic Center Lima Peru. Here you can find fresh fruits and vegetables but also handicrafts, toys, clothes, fabric and even movies! Take your time to explore this huge market and don’t forget to try the delicious food that is offered in the many stalls you will find here. Outside the market you will also find many shops that sell shoes, clothes, toys and cooking tools for a lower price than in most parts of the city.
<< If you want to visit this place with us click here >>
Chinatown
Lima is highly influenced by chinese culture because of a huge migratory movement that happened between the 19th and 20th century. In Chinatown you will be able to see the result of this mixture of cultures. The place is located a few blocks away from the Central Market and here you will find delicious snacks, many restaurants and “Chifas”, which is the name Peruvians give to the restaurants that sell chinese food with Peruvian influence. Here you will also find souvenirs and chinese ingredients at a cheaper price so if you like to cook, be ready to do some grocery shopping!
<< If you want to visit Chinatown with us click here >>
San Francisco Church and Catacombs
This is one of the most important examples of colonial architecture in the centre of Lima – and all of Peru. Visits are by guided tour only and here you can learn about the religious life and culture during the Spanish colonial rule. Highlights include a library with more than 25 000 volumes and the catacombs which are located underneath the Church. Over 30,000 people were buried here until 1808 and they were discovered in 1943. If you like mystery and are intrigued by history take a moment to explore its silent surroundings and crypts filled with human skulls and remains. Definitely one of the very best things to do in Lima during your visit!
<<If you want to visit the mysterious San Francisco Church try our Classic City Tour or Past and Present Peru Tour>
Cordano Tavern
This is one of oldest bars in the Historic Center Lima Peru and it was built more than 100 years ago. It is a great spot to end a day full of activities. We recommend ordering the “Butifarra” sandwich and, of course, you can’t leave without trying the Traditional Pisco Sour, a drink made of Peruvian Pisco. However, if you are not in the mood for alcohol, you can also order a glass of “chicha morada” a traditional sweet drink made of purple corn.
<<If you want to visit this tavern with us click here>>
Magic Water Circuit
The Magic Water Circuit in “Parque de la Reserva” is a magical place and it has been included in the Guiness Book of World Records as the world’s largest water fountain complex in a public park. This park has 13 fountains and some of them are interactive. The most popular one is the one named “The Tunnel of Surprises”, a series of water arcs that create a 35 m. long tunnel of water through which you can walk. The highlight of this attraction is the Water Fountain shows held every day. This show combines dancing waters, light and laser beams that dance with the rhythm of the music. See the park’s website to find out the schedule.
<<If you want to visit the Magic Water Circuit with us click here>>
Casa De Aliaga
Built in 1535, the Casa de Aliaga holds a significant historical record – it’s the oldest colonial mansion in all of Latin America that is still inhabited by descendants of the original family who owned it. A living museum, here we can explore its ornate chapel, baroque furniture and colonial art, as well as its famous grand staircase. This makes it by far one of the very best places to visit in the Historic Center Lima Peru.
Convent Of Santo Domingo
While the Main Cathedral is usually the stellar highlight for large buildings in Lima’s Historic Center, the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo is also very much worth the visit. Built in the 16th century, it features beautiful cloisters, Spanish mosaic tiles and a pink bell tower – and houses the remains of many of Lima’s most important saints (such as the Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Martin de Porres).
San Martín Square
Inaugurated more recently in 1921 compared to the rest of the older Historic Center, the San Martín Square is large and surrounded by classic buildings featuring architectural styles of Belle Époque and Beaux-Arts. Here we can see the statue of General José de San Martín (one of Peru’s main liberators), walk along the green-lined spaces of the plaza and enjoy a Pisco in the nearby Gran Hotel.
The Best Way To Explore The Historic Center Lima Peru
Visiting the Historic Center of Lima can be a very fun and unforgettable experience when doing it right. Given many of the streets are pedestrian only (and also as it’s easy to miss subtle details when driving), we highly recommend walking around this district. This way you can soak up the local Peruvian culture and take your time enjoying buildings like the Torre Tagle Palace, Casa de Aliaga and even banks like BCP (which are housed in colonial structures) as you move between different sites.
It’s also important to remember your safety when exploring Lima’s Historic Centre. There are sometimes issues with petty theft in this area, so it’s important to leave valuables back in your hotel or apartment, and only take what you need such as cash and your phone. Also remember to keep your phone and keys in your front pockets, and to not have anything in your hands or loose when in highly crowded areas.
Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we operate our Private Lima Day Trip, where you’ll not only be in safe hands and have private transport included – you’ll also get to enjoy learning about this historically significant district with one of our very own expert tour guides.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Places To Visit In The Historic Center Lima Peru
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about the center of Lima and what to see here, as well as anything else you need to know.
What To Do In Lima City Center With Just One Day?
If you only have a day to see the Historic Center of Lima, then you can easily see the best highlights with an organised plan. We suggest heading early in the morning to the Plaza Mayor to see it as it’s most tranquil, where you can then visit the San Francisco Catacombs. After lunch in a typical Peruvian restaurant or in Chinatown, you can then visit famous buildings along the streets such as the Torre Tagle Palace and Main Cathedral before coming back to your hotel or apartment to rest.
Is The Historic Centre Of Lima Worth Visiting?
Yes, the Historic Centre of Lima is absolutely worth visiting, and for numerous reasons too. Firstly it showcases one of the country’s most important historical periods – with the Plaza Mayor being the stage for where Peru announced its independence from Spain in 1821. There’s also unique highlights too such as the 75,000 skeletal remains found within the San Francisco Catacombs, as well as the abundance of traditional restaurants which are perfect for trying tasty Peruvian cuisine and Chinese-Peruvian fusion foods.
What Is The Historic Center Of Lima Called Traditionally?
Lima’s Historic Center is known as “La Ciudad De Los Reyes” in the native Spanish language, which in English translates directly as The City Of Kings. This name was chosen given it was formally recognised as one of the most important Spanish colonial cities in South America for many centuries, and also as this area served (and still does to this day for modern Peru) as the policial, administrative and economic heart of the country.
Overview Of The Best Places To Visit In The Historic Center Lima Peru
And that’s all for this guide on the very best places you can visit in the Historic Center Lima Peru.
The Peruvian capital is already well-known for its brilliant cuisine, striking Costa Verde Pacific views, and even ancient ruins like those of Huaca Pucllana. However the centre of Lima is by far one of the most historically significant areas given it was a vitally important area to the Spanish Empire – and today centuries after their rule ended, we can still find remnants of beautiful Baroque and Mudejar-influenced architectural styles which are worth visiting.
Looking to explore all of the key sites of Lima’s Historic Center in the safest and most fun way possible? Join our Private Classic Lima Tour, where you’ll have an expert guide to show you around the most important sites, along with all private transport included.
