Lima was the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, and today it's the capital of the Republic of Peru.
That history is still visible in the historic center, the old city layered under the new one.
One of the best ways to see it is on foot, on a free walking tour with a local guide.
Lima Total's free tour spends roughly two hours tracing the historic center on foot, moving through colonial squares and government buildings that have stood downtown for generations.
The walk starts near San Martín Plaza and works through the old city at an easy pace, with your guide stopping long enough at each site to take it in.
Stops include:
- San Martín Plaza
- La Merced Church
- Monument to Ramón Castilla
- Government Palace
- Lima Cathedral
- Casa O'Higgins
- Old Train Station
- Casa de la Literatura
- Changing of the Guard
- San Francisco Church (Catacombs)
- Parque de la Muralla
The route covers the well-known government buildings and churches, plus a few stops most visitors would walk right past without a guide, like the old train station and the literature house.
