With its incredible mix of Spanish colonial architecture, vibrant culinary and arts scenes, and a spectacular scenic coastline, Lima is a can’t-miss destination in South America. And to truly discover the history and culture of the city, you’ll have join the Free Lima Walking Tour!
Updated Date:
Author: HowToPeru Editorial Team
All FREE tours last around 3 hours of walking led by a local and friendly guide, teaching you about the spots that make up the amazing districts of Lima.
Free tours available (EVERY DAY):
Historic Center of Lima Tour, Miraflores Tour, Barranco Tour, and Central Market & China Market Tour.
Select tours available:
Lima Magic Water Circuit Tour, Lima Catacombs Tour
Starting point:
All tours start from both Tourist Information Centers in Miraflores, an easy stop for free, practical help—maps and Wi-Fi, Free Walking Tour details, SIM/eSIM setup, and tips on where to get the best exchange rates.
Starting times (meet 5 minutes before start):
Instagram page:
@limawalkingtour
Got questions before you go?
Send us a message on WhatsApp and we’ll gladly help with anything you need for free!
“Tour gratis por Barranco con Rubi y fue genial… muy recomendable para conocer Barranco desde una local.”
Lima Walking Tour, Mexico, August 2025.
“I did the food tour and Lima Downtown tour with Rubi… the food tour is a must.”
Martin H, Country not stated, 2025.
Is the free Lima walking tour really free?
Yes—guides operate on a tips-only basis. Bring soles and tip according to the quality of your experience and your budget. Many travelers leave S/35–S/50 for a three-hour route; private add-ons (catacombs, tastings) cost extra and are always optional.
Which tour should I pick if I only have half a day?
Do the morning Historic Center walk: it concentrates iconic plazas, churches and public buildings in a compact area recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. You’ll get a strong historical overview and can add the catacombs or a quick lunch in Chinatown afterward.
How do I get from Miraflores to the Historic Center safely and cheaply?
Use the Metropolitano/corridor system: it’s fast, cashless, and well-patrolled in stations. The ATU’s integrated fare on the Purple Corridor is S/2.80 for two rides within 120 minutes when using an official card—handy if you need a transfer downtown.
Full details: Autoridad de Transporte Urbano (ATU).
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, sun protection, a light layer (winter garúa can feel damp), water, and small bills. Lima’s center is walkable, but traffic is lively—cross with the group and keep phones/wallets zipped in front pockets.
Can I combine the tour with other activities on the same day?
Yes. A common pairing is the morning Historic Center walk plus the evening Magic Water Circuit. Food-minded travelers blend the Foodie/Market tour with an afternoon class at Luchito’s Cooking Class.
Limitations: Departure times and interiors (e.g., catacombs) can change due to holidays or maintenance, and free tour routes may adjust around demonstrations or road works. Check the operator page the evening prior and confirm at the Miraflores Tourist Information Centers; carry extra soles in case you opt into paid entries.
Source: This article is a part of our series “2025 Travelers in Peru — Advice, Tips, and Honest Experience”. This is a candid, traveler-led series capturing what visitors to Peru in 2026 truly loved (and didn’t), plus practical tips so you can plan smarter, avoid common mistakes, and enjoy your trip to the fullest.
For more details on each tour, keep reading below!
Peru is considered by many as one of the best food hubs in the world due to its variety of dishes and flavors. And although Lima is home to top-ranking restaurants, it also offers hidden gems where locals say is where you find the true flavor of the country. Join the tour with our local guides and discover the taste of Peru!
What you need to know
The first stop is the Central Market, located in the heart of Central Lima. It’s the main market for hundreds of locals from different districts and has everything you can imagine: fruits, veggies, different types of meat, home necessities, breakfast/lunch spots and much more.
On the way there, you’ll learn about the important elements of Lima that we can find in these blocks, such as the Torre Tagle Manor and San Pedro church, among others.
Once in Central Market, you’ll enter and walk through some of its many aisles. Here, you will taste some seasonal fruits and learn about different products and the life of selling in the market.
You have the option to do some shopping inside.
After this experience, you head to Calle Capon in Lima’s “Chinatown”, home to many stores and restaurants, where we will have the opportunity to taste classic Chinese snacks – Dim Sum. Here we will learn a little more about the great history of the Chinese community in Peru and their contribution to our culture.
The Free Lima Walking Tour will return to Miraflores at around 2:00 PM, unless you decide to stay in Central Lima to continue exploring.
Reserve your spot on your free Foodie Tour here!
The most historically rich district of them all! The Center of Lima is home to many important landmarks and buildings that have made the city what it is now. Here’s a quick peak of some of the spots you’ll discover on this tour:
What you need to know
Built in the early 20th century, the square gets it name from the South American liberator Jose de San Martin who’s statue sits at the middle. You will learn a little about Jose de San Martin and the history of popular gatherings in the square.
You’ll also notice a great amount of bars and restaurants around the square which is good to take note for another night!
For many years Jirón de la Unión was the most important road in the city. Characterized by being the most aristocratic and where the most famous inhabitants were meeting, it’s now a popular street to walk through. Now it serves more as a commercial street but the history still remains.
The Palais Concert was a famous cafe-cinema-bar located at the intersection of Jirón de la Unión and Avenida Emancipación in the district of Lima, Peru. The engineering firm that was in charge of the project was that of the famous French engineer and architect Gustave Eiffel.
The convent and the church of Nuestra Señora de la Merced are as old as the city of Lima. According to historic documents, the lands where the convent and the church were built belonged to the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.
The church contains a variety of reredos. The altarpiece is fire-gilded. The center of the altarpiece contains an image of the Virgin of Mercy, declared in 1615 the “heavenly protector of [Lima].”
In this 19th century mansion, they dedicated themselves to photography and it was founded by the Frenchman Eugenio Courret, who lived in the city of Lima. It is a property with profusely decorated balconies, with movement and rounded shapes on its façade, imitating nature in its ornamentation.
Lima’s most important square. You’ll get to enjoy the beautiful plaza and get views of the Government Palace. The main cathedral is also located in the square which adds to its charm.
Casa de la Literatura is a cultural gem in Lima’s historic center, located inside the old Desamparados Train Station. This beautiful building celebrates Peru’s literary heritage through exhibitions, reading spaces, and cultural displays. It’s a great place to admire the architecture, learn more about Peruvian culture, and enjoy a quieter side of downtown Lima.
The tour group returns to Miraflores at around 1:30 PM, unless you decide to stay to continue exploring.
Reserve your spot on your free Historic Center of Lima Tour here!
The tourist hotspot of Lima known for its beautiful coast. For many travelers, Miraflores is the district where they’ll likely be staying in. But not many get to discover all of its charm and history when here. Join the tour and see why it’s such a great district!
What you need to know
It is named in honor of the men who defended the country in the Battle of Arica, on June 7, 1880, during the war with Chile.
Kennedy Park is one of the principal touristic spots in Miraflores. Many locals go to relax and walk around the area that boasts a variety of restaurants, bars, and cafes. Curiously enough, it’s also known as “The Cat Park” since it’s home of approximately 100 well-kept cats, which you can see sleeping around the park.
The structure built by the Polish architect Ricardo de Java Malachowski after his arrival in Peru in 1919 is a beautiful design. Inside the church, we find stained glass decorations based on the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.
Pasaje San Ramón, traditionally called Calle de las Pizzas, is a pedestrian street located in near Kennedy Park. At night, this passage becomes a nightlife center with its many 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.
Miraflores’ most beautiful park. In the middle, 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 containing romantic phrases from the best known Peruvian poets.
This shopping center has 115 stores, 17 restaurants of all flavors, and if you’re looking for fun it has a cinema, bars, clubs, and plenty others. It’s the most famous commercial center in Miraflores.
The tour ends in SAHA Rooftop, where we’ll have a well-earned Pisco Sour after a the long walk.
Chances are pretty high that if you’re staying in Lima, you will be staying in Miraflores. The Free Lima Walking Tour of Miraflores is a great way for you to get to know the area that you are staying in!
Reserve your spot on your free Miraflores Tour here!
Barranco is famously known as the Bohemian District and it’s easy to see why! Art flows through its streets, as can be seen in murals and events that take place constantly. Join the tour and enjoy the creative scenes that Barranco offers.
What you need to know
The Alameda Sáenz Peña began to be inhabited towards the beginning of the 20th century, according to the plans, it was the route of an irrigation canal, and its areas always looked full of vegetation , wealthy families resided there, who had decided to set up their homes in the Barranco district, because it had become the fashionable neighborhood.
A bohemian corner showcasing Peruvian art, design, and crafts. Inside, you can also enjoy Peru’s world-renowned coffee—among the finest organic coffee in the world, grown high in the Andes.
The witty Argentine comic character created by Quino arrived in Barranco in 2023 as a symbol of friendship between Peru and Argentina. A perfect spot for a fun photo and a quick talk about Lima’s unique weather.
The entire Barranco boardwalk has an approximate length of two kilometers, with green areas in almost all its neighborhoods.The Sousa boardwalk is one of the first areas enabled next to the cliff, because the areas near Domeyer Street and Bajada de los Baños are not boardwalks, but rather a water hauling area and a path to the sea, respectively
She was a Peruvian singer-songwriter, record producer, film scriptwriter and playwright. She composed and wrote a large number of Creole and Afro-Peruvian music songs, as well as poetry and theater and film scripts.
Jose Antonio , was a lover and preserver of the Peruvian paso horse, he was a personal friend of Eduardo Granda and his daughter, Chabuca Granda, who, after Lavalle died in 1957, wrote him the famous José Antonio criollo waltz.
The Ermita de Barranco is a church in the Barranco district, in Lima (Peru).It was built in the middle of the 18th century. Formerly this church was a small chapel where humble fishermen and travelers came. In 1874, it was chosen as the center and capital of the town of San José de Surco. After its destruction in the Pacific War, the hermitage was rebuilt in 1882. The hermitage underwent several changes since its beginnings.
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.
The Jade Rivera Museum is a hidden gem in Barranco that offers a closer look at the work of one of Peru’s most recognized contemporary muralists. Inside, you’ll find striking pieces that reflect Peruvian culture, daily life, and social identity. It’s a great stop for art lovers and anyone wanting to see a more creative side of 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.
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 Free Lima Walking Tour will return to Miraflores at around 7:30 PM, unless you decide to stay in Barranco to continue exploring.
Reserve your spot on your free Barranco Tour here!
Probably one of the best attractions to visit in Lima! The Magic Water Park comes alive with mesmerizing water displays, illuminated performances and magical fountains during the nighttime. It’s perfect for those Instagram-worthy pictures and videos, and those looking to relax from the chaos that comes with being in a capital city.
What you need to know
The Lima Magic Water Circuit Tour departs daily at 5:00 PM, lasts approximately 3 hours. The journey begins at either the Tourist Information Center (Kennedy) or Tourist Information Center (Larco) in Miraflores and after exploring the entire Water Fountain Park, it ends at the SAHA Rooftop, a rooftop bar in Miraflores, where travelers will taste a complimentary Pisco Sour. The inclusive package covers private transportation, entrance tickets, a knowledgeable local guide, and exclusive discount coupons.
Book your Lima Magic Water Tour here!
