The Official Free Walking Tour of Lima begins at Tourist Information Centers in Miraflores 7 days a week. Free Walking Tours to different parts of Lima are available at selected times throughout the day.
This is a MUST-DO activity for anyone visiting Lima. You will be able to discover historical places, photoworthy attractions, explore and taste the best flavors in Peru, and meet fellow travelers like you!
Official Free Walking Tours are available to the following parts of Lima at the following times. All Free Walking Tours start at the Tourist Information Centers in Miraflores (Parque Kennedy or Av. Jose Larco 799)
Read more below about the Official Free Waking Tours of Lima and prepare to discover the best sightseens in Lima!
There is plenty to discover in the streets of Lima, and sadly if you don’t know what you’re looking for then you are simply faced with almost meaningless buildings. Take any of these tours to learn a little about the history, facts and tips to any of the 3 destinations they have to offer in the historical center of Downtown Lima, the touristic district of Miraflores or the bohemian art district of Barranco.
The Lima Free Walking Tour leaves for the Historical Center at 10:30am , to Miraflores at 3:30 P.M and to Barranco at 5:00pm and Foodie tour at 9:30 am from the Tourist Information Centers in Miraflores (Avenida Jose Larco 799 or Avenida Diagonal 494, Miraflores)
The Lima Free Walking Tour leaves for the Historical Center at 10:30am , from here, you’ll take the Metropolitano bus to the historical center, experiencing the use of the public transportation as a local.
The first stop it is the San Martin Square, the second most important square in downtown lima, this square was built early in the 20th century and was named after the giant monument of the liberator Jose de San Martin that was erected in its center. In this spot, your guide will inform you of the history of the square and the gatherings that take place here.
After spending some time in San Martin Square, the tour will then move on to the Main Square. Once the Main Square has been reached, the group will all be given free time to roam around, take pictures and soak in the history of the square. The group will then meet again in front of the Government Palace to observe the impressive changing of the guard.
It is a street of the Pizarro checkpoint, for many years the most important road in the city, characterized by being the most aristocratic and where the most famous inhabitants were meeting. Subsequently, with the damage of the historic center of Lima, the Jiron of the Union lost its aristocratic character to assume a fully commercial one.
Located in what was previously a train station, The House of Peruvian Literature is part museum, part library. During this part of the guide, you’ll gain knowledge about Peru’s most famous writers and about the history of Peru’s literature in general.
It is one of the most extensive religious complexes in Lima. It was built in the second half of the 16th century (1535), of Baroque and Mudejar styles (12th century style characterized by having Arab influence and the brick’s main material).
Last but not least, the final stop of the tour is the Wall Park. In the park are remains of the old city wall, that once protected Lima from invading pirates and the rising waters of the Rio Rimac. Today you can see around 300 meters of the nicely restored city wall which was based on brick, boulder and calicanto, which is the mixture of sand, lime and egg white of the Guaneras birds. It was built during the colonial era in the 17th century.
The Lima Walking Tour will then return to Miraflores at approximately 2 pm, unless you decide to do some further exploration of Downtown Lima, which is also advised! If you think these sites listed above sound interesting, then don’t waste any time and join the tour for yourself!
The Lima Walking Tour of Miraflores begins at 3:30 PM, every day from any of the Tourist Information Centers in Miraflores, where you will walk through its streets and your guide will point out all of the best bars, restaurants, and shops in this popular district and explore the local history of the area.
One of the most significant parts of Miraflores’ history is the role it played in the War of the Pacific. It was during the battle of Chorillos and Miraflores that Chilean soldiers took the city of Lima. You will learn more about the battle and the historical importance of the war and the other areas of importance in the area throughout the tour.
Kennedy Park is one of the principal touristic places in Miraflores. It received its name on the 50th anniversary of the death famous president of the United States, John F. Kennedy. People come here to relax and to walk around the area that boasts a variety of restaurants, bars, and cafes. In the park, you have the chance to taste some Peruvian food like Butifarra, Chicha Morada, Arroz con Leche, Picarones and more. A curious fact is that the park is also known as “The cat Park” since it is the home of approximately 100 cats, which you can see sleeping around the park.
Also known as the Miraflores parent church, this structure was built in 1919 by the Polish architect Ricardo de Java Malachowski after his arrival in the early 20th century. Inside the church, we can find stained glass decorations based on different episodes of the life of Jesus Christ and the image of the Virgin Mary.
The market is made up of a series of small shops that cover three blocks. Each arcade has a series of small shops that sell ‘traditional’ Peruvian handicrafts and souvenirs, including alpaca scarves, sweaters, and hats, colorful woven textiles, embroidered cushions, ceramics, jewelry, and musical instruments.
With low prices, it is a great place to visit if you want to buy some souvenirs of your trip. You can bargain and haggle the prices so spend a little time shopping around for the best deal and then ask for a discount.
Paseo San Ramón, traditionally called Calle de las Pizzas, is a pedestrian street located in the Lima district of Miraflores. The characteristic 2-block street is full of restaurants whose main offer is pizza, hence its particular name. At night, this passage becomes a nightlife center where there are several pubs and bars. The corner of Avenida Diagonal with Calle Berlín marks the end point of this pedestrian path and the busiest area of the avenue.
Hear about the Peruvian cocoa, and see the process of making chocolate, from the beginning as a cacao tree and the production of the delicious treat. Tourists can take the opportunity to taste chocolates, chocolate jams, Peruvian pisco, and cocoa tea.
The whole group enjoys the cacao tour for about 10 minutes, as the process of making different types of chocolates and derived products is explained, you can try all of the different options, and buy the products at the Choco Museo shop, which has body lotions, lipsticks, candles, cocoa beans, and notebooks.
This beautiful park is located in the Malecon Cisneros. It was inaugurated on February 14th, 1993. In the central part, you can see a beautiful sculpture dedicated to love, “The Kiss” which was created by the Peruvian artist, Victor Delfin. The park is bordered by a colorful mosaic wall, where you can read romantic phrases from the best known Peruvian poets, phrases such as:
“You are above the infinite sea” written by Augusto Tamayo Vargas.
This shopping center was inaugurated in 1998 by Fernando Andrade, the ex-mayor of Miraflores. Actually, it has 115 stores,17 restaurants of both traditional Peruvian food and international, and if you’re looking for fun it has bowling, bars, clubs, and plenty others. It’s the most famous commercial center in Miraflores.
The Lima Walking Tour of Barranco begins at 5:00pm, every day from any of the Tourist Information Centers in Miraflores, where you will walk through of the Barranco district. At the beginning you’ll board a local bus call “La Chama” with your guide to head to the Barranco district.
Barranco is considered as the bohemian and cultural district of Lima. It has been the favorite residence of artists and writers. Barranco was founded on October 26, 1874. An extremely attractive beach resort for upper-middle-class and foreign tourists from Lima, who for the most part built large ranches and European-style houses.
Here, you can find murals of many different artists. A place where artists of all disciplines and backgrounds have gone to nurture their creative inspiration. Lately, Barranco’s streets have become something of a canvas, as the local government continues to allow more murals to be painted on the streets’ walls, Barranco is morphing into a colorful and lively street art gallery.
The Bajada de los Baños is considered a Colonial and Republican Real Estate Cultural Heritage. Formerly it was a small ravine that crossed the Bridge of Sighs, currently it is a road but it continues to cross the famous Bridge of Sighs. Its name, Bajada de Baños, is due to the path that leads to the sea and in ancient times to the Baños de Barranco.
A good place full of good taste and avant-garde that brings together an interesting variety of crafts and art of all kinds.
In the heart of Barranco is the Puente de los Suspiros, a traditional wooden bridge wrapped in an air of romanticism, for having been the site that began countless love relationships in Lima.
Equilibrio is balance, and in this part of Barranco the cultural reality of Peru is shown, under the bridge we find a mural called “the mural of the races”, since Peru is a multicultural country.
The Barranco Independent Fair is an initiative of independent creatives and merchants from Lima located in the district of Barranco. The Fair supports and promotes local artists, entrepreneurs and SMEs.
A street with a long tradition that housed different families, today converted into a boulevard, it joins Bolognesi Avenue with Grau and the Municipal Park. Ideal for night owls who like fun as it is a meeting place for all people from Barranco on weekends. Pubs and clubs are waiting for you.
Barranco is a district that has a strong entertainment offer. This district of Lima with old mansions, cheerful people and lively nights is known as “the artists’ neighborhood”. It was founded in 1874 and borders the Miraflores neighborhood. In the Plaza de Armas is the National Library and there you can get maps of the area with tourist information on bars, restaurants, shops and hotels.
The Lima Free Walking Tour will return to Miraflores at about 8:00 pm, unless you decide to stay in Barranco to continue exploring.
You cannot leave Peru without discovering and trying some of the best flavors in the world. The country is well-known for its tasty food and beverages, and the most recommended way to discover them is by visiting a market that has the truly Peruvian taste. The Foodie Tour begins at 9:30 AM, every day from any of the Tourist Information Centers. Bring the necessary cash (around 3 soles, one way) to take the Metropolitan Bus with the group and experience the most commonly used method of transportation locally.
The initial destination is the Central Market, situated in the heart of Central Lima. This bustling market serves as the primary hub for locals from various districts and offers an extensive bunchs of goods: fruits, vegetables, meats, household essentials, breakfast/lunch spots, and much more.
On the route, you’ll gain insights into the significant landmarks of Lima found in these blocks, including the Torre Tagle Manor and San Pedro church, among others.
Upon reaching the Central Market, you’ll enter and navigate through its numerous streets. During this time, you’ll have the chance to sample seasonal fruits, discover various products, and learn about the vibrant market life. Optionally, you can engage in some shopping.
Following this immersive experience, the journey continues to Calle Capon in Lima’s “Chinatown,” a locale featuring numerous stores and restaurants. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to savor classic Chinese snacks, particularly Dim Sum. Additionally, you’ll gain insights into the rich history of the Chinese community in Peru and their contributions to local culture.
The Free Lima Walking Tour typically concludes its return to Miraflores around 1:30 PM, unless you opt to remain in Central Lima for further exploration. Be sure to incorporate this tour into your Lima itinerary!
Chances are pretty high that if you’re staying in Lima, you will be staying in Miraflores or Barranco. The Lima Walking Tour of Miraflores and of Barranco is a great way for you to get to know the area that you are staying in, and the tour of the Historical Center of Lima is a must for those interested in the history of the city.
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