Historic Centre of Lima

Welcome to the mesmerizing capital of Peru, a sprawling metropolis that almost a third of all Peruvians call home. You are standing in the Historic Centre of Lima, a place that serves as a profound testament to the intricate,…

You have now arrived at the beating heart of the Historic Centre, the magnificent Plaza Mayor, which is also commonly referred to as the Plaza de Armas. As you step into the vast open expanse of this central square, allow your…

Directly facing the eastern side of the Plaza Mayor is the awe inspiring Lima Cathedral. Approach its towering stone facade and take note of the intricate Baroque carvings that frame the massive wooden entrance doors. …

Occupying the entire northern block of the Plaza Mayor is the magnificent Palacio de Gobierno, or Government Palace. Approach the heavy wrought iron gates that separate the sweeping courtyard from the public square. …

Leaving the Plaza Mayor, we now walk a short distance north, moving towards the path of the River Rimac. As you stroll down this historic street, you will immediately notice a dramatic shift in the architectural aesthetic. …

Continuing our walk through the historic grid, we arrive at the expansive Plaza de San Francisco. The atmosphere here feels distinctly different from the rigid, imposing authority of the Plaza Mayor. …

We now transition from the bright, noisy plaza into the hushed, shadowy depths beneath the Church of San Francisco. After paying the modest entry fee of fifteen soles, you will descend a narrow stone staircase, leaving the modern…

Emerging from the depths of the historic streets, a short walk south brings us into a dramatically different architectural era. Welcome to Plaza San Martin, the second most important public square in the Historic Centre of Lima. …

Walking eastward from the grand neoclassical plazas, the cityscape abruptly transforms into a sensory explosion of color, sound, and scent. You have just entered Barrio Chino, Lima's historic Chinatown. …

Continuing our journey south along the edge of the historic center, we arrive at the expansive, green sanctuary known as the Parque de la Exposición. After the dense, stone corridors of the colonial streets and the manic,…

Our final destination brings us to the Reserve Park, located just adjacent to the historic center, to witness the spectacular Circuito Mágico del Agua, or the Magic Water Circuit. As daylight begins to fade beneath the permanent…

As the vibrant laser lights of the water fountains fade into the cool desert night, our walking tour of the Historic Centre of Lima comes to a close. We have journeyed through centuries of complex, often contradictory history,…