Free night tour: Lima’s Magical Water Circuit

We’ll be waiting for you every day at 17:30 h. outside the Casa de Osambela in Lima’s Historic Centre (Jirón Conde de Superunda 298).

The Puente Piedra, also known as Puente Trujillo, was built between 1608 and 1610 by order of Viceroy Juan Mendoza y Luna. Designed by the architect Juan del Corral, this stone-and-lime structure links the centre of Lima with the Rímac district.

Renaissance in style, the Old Bridge was once a symbol of progress and modernity. Why? Because it was the first solid engineering work built across the Rímac River. The previous bridge was made of wood and was constantly in need of repair.

So get ready to cross a centuries-old bridge that still stands just behind the Government Palace. This important viceregal legacy is used daily by thousands of people who, in a way, “relive” the footsteps of Lima’s former inhabitants.

It was in 1862 that the 11 blocks of one of Lima’s busiest and most important streets were renamed Jirón de la Unión, thanks to the initiative of writer Manuel Atanasio Fuentes and military officer Mariano Bolognesi.

Laid out by Francisco Pizarro, who founded Lima on 18 January 1535, the street was the stage for religious processions, popular festivities and gatherings of the city’s elite during colonial times. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became an elegant urban promenade.

Theatres, jewellers, exclusive shops and iconic cafés such as the Palais Concert attracted intellectuals, artists and politicians. In 1982, the stretch between Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martín was pedestrianised, giving a special charm to this historic street.

You’ll notice all of this as you walk along and take in its monumental buildings, galleries and the street performers who bring life to the Jirón. Don’t miss the chance to try some local favourites too – anticuchos, picarones and other delicious Lima treats.

If Plaza de Armas is the symbol of colonial Lima, Plaza San Martín, inaugurated in 1921, is the emblem of republican Lima. Both spaces, steeped in history and tradition, are linked by Jirón de la Unión.

On the centenary of Peru’s independence, a monumental European-style square was built in the Historic Centre, featuring the striking equestrian statue of the liberator José de San Martín, sculpted by the Spaniard Mariano Benlliure.

Surrounded by gardens, the square is framed by impressive buildings in neocolonial and art déco style, such as the iconic Gran Hotel Bolívar. Today, Plaza San Martín is the stage for political demonstrations and civic gatherings.

At the end of your visit, you’ll take a taxi —together with your guide— to the Magic Water Circuit in the Parque de la Reserva. Along the way, you’ll catch a glimpse of Lima’s National Stadium. Estimated travel time: 7 to 10 minutes.

Lima isn’t only about its colonial and republican past. The Magic Water Circuit is a modern, fun attraction inaugurated in 2007 within the grounds of the Parque de la Reserva, declared Cultural Heritage of the Andean Region in 2024.

The circuit features 13 ornamental fountains with synchronised water jets, multicoloured lights, music and 3D projections. Together, they create a fabulous night-time show, unique in Peru and Latin America.

Perfect for a family outing, here you can walk through water tunnels, enjoy the spectacle of interactive fountains and take a leisurely stroll around the park. A perfect ending to a free tour through the historic and cultural heart of Lima.

The free tour ends at the Magic Water Circuit in the Parque de la Reserva. That means you’ll have the chance to fully enjoy the dancing fountains of Peru’s capital.