Private Full-Day Best of Lima Tour: Without the Museums!

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Begin your experience at a lively fisherman’s market in Chorrillos, where you’ll watch local fishermen bring in the catch of the day. Stroll through the market as boats unload, take in the colorful fishing vessels lining the bay, and enjoy the vibrant, authentic atmosphere of Lima’s traditional coastal life.

   30 min

2. At roughly 251 meters above sea level, enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific coastline, Chorrillos Bay, and the hillside shantytowns below. Often overlooked on other tours, this scenic overlook becomes a surprising highlight for many of our guests.

   15 min

3. Continue your day with a relaxed walk through Barranco, Lima’s bohemian district known for its creative energy, thriving art scene, and festive street life. As you wander past local vendors, musicians, and performers, you’ll immediately feel the contrast with the other neighborhoods to be visited later. Bright, colorful graffiti murals and open‑air art spaces line the streets, showcasing some of the most vibrant urban creativity in the city. If you’re up for it, we’ll also stop to try some of the best artisan ice creams around—classic gelato and seasonal Peruvian fruit sorbets, with samples available to help you choose.

   1 h

4. An artistic park perched along the sea‑side cliffs of Miraflores, where you can watch paragliders gliding overhead and couples strolling the pathways dedicated to lovers. It’s a beautiful spot to pause and capture a quick photo with someone special.

   15 min

5. Make a brief stop at Huaca Pucllana, Lima’s iconic adobe pyramid used as a ceremonial and administrative center by the Lima Culture between 200 and 700 AD. This visit is observational only, with views of the site from the outside.

   15 min

6. As we make our way toward Lima’s Historic City Center, we’ll pass through the Parque El Olivar, a serene historic olive grove with trees dating back more than 400 years. Set in the heart of contemporary San Isidro, this peaceful green sanctuary offers a striking contrast to the modern city surrounding it.

   15 min

7. Enjoy a relaxed lunch at Casa Tambo, a beautifully restored historic space in the heart of Lima’s Centro Histórico. Their kitchen highlights traditional Peruvian flavors with fresh, regional ingredients, served in a warm and elegant colonial setting. Menu consumption is not included.

   1 h

8. As we begin the Historic Center portion of our tour, we’ll stop at Plaza San Martín, home to the monument honoring one of Peru’s most celebrated liberators, José de San Martín. This elegant square sets the tone for the rich history and architecture we’ll explore throughout the area.

   15 min

9. Experience the vibrant heart of local life at Mercado Central, Lima’s bustling traditional market. Walk through colorful aisles filled with fresh produce, regional ingredients, spices, and everyday staples that reflect the city’s culinary heritage. Your guide will help you navigate the lively atmosphere, highlight unique Peruvian products, and share insights into how locals shop, cook, and connect in this essential part of the city.

   1 h

10. Also known in English as the St. Francis Monastery, this historic church and convent were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. We will briefly observe the convent from the outside and have the opportunity to step inside the church to take in its surroundings. A full tour of the Convent and Catacombs is not included on this overview itinerary.

    15 min

11. Here we’ll spend a few minutes in the very heart of Lima. The Plaza de Armas is home to the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, and the Municipal buildings, and it often comes alive with people, music, and spontaneous street entertainment. It’s an ideal moment to take in the historic atmosphere that defines the city’s center.

    30 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 12 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Lima

• Its from-price is 88% above the median of the 1469 experiences we list in Lima.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 354 of 1469.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Lima

Lima, Peru's capital on clifftops above the Pacific, is a city of colonial plazas, pre-Inca ruins and an exciting, celebrated food scene.

The historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, revolves around the Plaza Mayor, with the cathedral, the Government Palace and the Archbishop's Palace with its carved wooden balconies. The Monastery of San Francisco hides catacombs beneath its yellow church, and the colonial mansions around it recall the riches of the viceroyalty.

Top-ranked sights in Lima: Miraflores, Lima Plaza Mayor, Church and Convent of Saint Francis (Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco).

See all 1469 experiences in Lima