Lima is a city that’s best discovered on foot, and as such heading on a Lima walking tour is one of the best ways to truly connect with the city’s lively culture and rich history. These tours offer an up-close experience of the city’s most popular attractions like the San Francisco Catacombs as well as the Plaza de Armas.
Most of the attractions in Lima are within walking distance of each other, so a walking tour makes perfect sense, and you may even find some hidden gems along the way that you’d likely miss otherwise. Plus, they’re both budget and eco-friendly, perfect for soaking in Lima’s sights, sounds, and flavors, where you’re more likely to see the city through the eyes of a Limeño (local).
In this guide we’ll explore why you should head on a Lima walking tour, as well as everything you need to know about choosing the right walking tour for you.
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Lima has always been a hub for trade and culture, which laid the foundation for its tourism appeal and incredible city highlights that we can see today. For many years, Lima was overshadowed by Cusco and Machu Picchu but as time goes on, we’re noticing a major increase in tourism within the capital which is excellent news!
Walking tours are excellent for many reasons, and if you’re a budget traveler, they’re the best way to tour the city. A Lima walking tour will allow you to learn more about the city and see some of its top sites without the hefty price tag of an all-inclusive tour.
Walking tours are also much more immersive and because most sites are within walking distance, you’ll have more time to take everything in while having plenty of opportunities to learn and share your experiences.
Lima is a huge city comprising several districts. We’d even go as far as to say it’s a city of “contrasts”, where each district has its own unique highlights and your own interests will help determine which is best for you.
A Lima walking tour in the Historic Center of Lima is perfect for all the history buffs out there! The district is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was founded in 1535 by Spanish Francisco Pizarro, and over time the district became one of the major focal points of Spanish rule in South America.
Here you’ll be completely immersed in the brightly colored colonial architecture and laid-back vibe, which will make you feel like you’ve just stepped foot in Spain. The colonial landmarks such as the Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, and the Cathedral of Lima are major highlights, but there are many other attractions in the district that are just as exciting.
If you are staying in Miraflores, then you can join our Historic City Walking Tour which begins here, where we will then explore the very best sites of Lima’s most important historical district.
Key Sites To Visit:
Miraflores is the coastal district of Lima with immaculate views of the Malecón, one of the most popular attractions in the city. Miraflores has quite the history behind it but it’s most popular for its delicious eats and lush parks such as Parque Kennedy – which was named after John F. Kennedy and the aid he provided to Peru during his presidency.
The district is also home to its fair share of museums and archeological sites such as Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Incan pyramid that is believed to have been built in 500 A.D. and used as a ceremonial center for the elite.
Key Sites To Visit:
Barranco is Lima’s artsy and bohemian district, and as you can imagine it’s a vibrant place full of modern restaurants, beautiful works of art and tons of culture. Barranco is considered to be a “haven” for creative minds and travelers who seek out creative, relaxed atmospheres away from the busy city center.
The busiest attractions in Barranco are spots like the Bridge of Sighs, Barranco Park, and the Museum Of Contemporary Art. A popular tradition when visiting Barranco is to make a wish on the Bridge of Sighs given the multiple superstitions associated with the bridge – with the most popular one being if a couple walks across the bridge holding their breath, their wish for love will come true.
Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we run our very own custom Barranco Walking Tour, where you will see the very best hidden sites and colorful streets. You’ll also get to visit Monumental Callao too as an extra during the tour!
Key Sites To Visit:
San Isidro is considered to be the wealthy district of Lima, and is an upscale neighborhood home to several points of interest such as high-risers, luxury shops and Olive Grove Park – a place full of centuries-old olive trees and many peaceful areas to relax. Here we can also find the ruins of Huaca Huallamarca, a restored adobe pyramid that dates back to 200 B.C.
Among the popular attractions are an array of Lima’s best restaurants with all kinds of cuisines available. The most popular meals enjoyed in San Isidro include freshly made Ceviche, mouth-watering seafoods like crab and lobster as well as traditional Andean cuisine such as Cuy.
Key Sites To Visit:
Now that we’ve identified some of the key districts to enjoy a Lima walking tour, it’s essential to choose one that’s right for you. Choosing the right tour can be overwhelming, but below we’ll cover some of the most important things to consider.
A Lima walking tour is truly one of the best ways to experience Lima’s many activities and its unique culture, whilst also getting to see the city through the eyes of a local Limeño.
This will help you better understand the city and connect with the locals, whilst also being more budget-friendly and a good way to get those extra steps in while abroad. So whilst a large bus or van tour may seem convenient, you should ideally consider a walking tour for your adventures in Lima if you want the most complete experience in the Peruvian capital.
Are you looking to head on your own private tour around Lima? Here at TravelBuddiesPeru you can customize your walking tour exactly as you want it, whether that be focusing more on the food and culture or exploring more of Lima’s hidden gems.
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