{"id":926,"date":"2020-06-28T12:14:24","date_gmt":"2020-06-28T17:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freewalkingtoursperu.com\/centro-historico-lima-que-hacer-copy\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T23:44:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T04:44:15","slug":"historic-center-of-lima-peru","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freewalkingtoursperu.com\/en\/blog\/historic-center-of-lima-peru\/","title":{"rendered":"Lima: A Complete Guide to the Historic Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you had to choose just one urban space to visit in the Peruvian capital, it would have to be the Historic Centre<\/strong>. Declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, the old town of the \u201cthrice-crowned city\u201d is a refuge of the past where every step takes you back to foundational Lima<\/strong>, to the Lima of the viceroyalty<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mansions, churches, and colonial convents shape the old town of a destination steeped in tradition<\/strong> and history, evoking memories, art, and culture. Here, every square, every street or “jir\u00f3n”, every Baroque, Neoclassical or even Gothic fa\u00e7ade has something to show you, something to tell you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Historic Centre is the beginning, the origin, the genesis<\/strong> of the metropolis that is now home to more than 10 million people. It all started on 18 January 1535, when Francisco Pizarro founded and mapped out the original layout of the City of Kings<\/strong>, in what is now the Plaza de Armas<\/a>, also known as the Main Square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the regulations of the time, the conquistador planned the fledgling city in a grid or military square pattern<\/strong>. This included what was known as the \u201cCercado de Lima\u201d (until the 17th century the city had a wall<\/strong>) and the district of R\u00edmac. These two areas were divided by the course of the R\u00edmac River, meaning \u201cthe talking river\u201d in Spanish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urban development remained within \u201cPizarro\u2019s Grid\u201d until the 18th century, when the defensive walls surrounding the city were demolished<\/strong>. Lima then began to expand \u2013 and it hasn\u2019t stopped since. The Peruvian capital keeps growing and \u201cdistancing\u201d itself from its Historic Centre<\/strong>, the place you absolutely must visit today, tomorrow… and always!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peruvian Heritage, World Heritage<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Historic Centre of Lima bears witness to the architectural and urban development of a Spanish colonial city<\/strong> of major political, economic, and cultural significance in Latin America,\u201d reads one of the reasons why UNESCO declared Lima\u2019s Historic Centre a World Cultural Heritage<\/a> Site in 1988.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to UNESCO, the centre \u201crepresents an outstanding expression of a regional cultural process<\/strong>, conserving its architectural<\/strong>, technological, typological, aesthetic, historical and urban values adapted to the availability of materials, climate, earthquakes and the needs of society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the essence of Lima\u2019s Historic Centre \u201cremains intact, as it still preserves much of the original characteristics<\/strong> of its foundation layout, in grid form, and of the expansion areas from the 16th to 19th centuries, including ancient pre-Hispanic routes<\/strong> heading north (Chinchaysuyo) and east (Antisuyo).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of its immense monumental value, the 277.99 hectares of the Historic Centre<\/strong>, shared between the Cercado and the district of R\u00edmac, are protected by various legal regulations. Their management and preservation fall under the responsibility of the Metropolitan Municipality and the R\u00edmac district council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are just some of the reasons why the founding core of the city feels like an open-air museum<\/strong>, where every street<\/a>, every square, and every balcony (a defining feature of the city) holds historical significance for the people of Lima<\/strong>, for Peruvians, and ultimately, for all humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Do in Downtown Lima?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Join the FREE<\/em> Walking Tour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stroll through the centre, pausing at its main landmarks while listening to the stories told by a local, certified guide who knows the city\u2019s history inside out. This is an experience you can enjoy in Lima free of charge with our free<\/em> walking tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are pioneers in offering FREE walking tours in Lima<\/a>. Book with us and get ready to discover the City of Kings step by step \u2013 just like the many happy travellers who leave amazing reviews<\/a> of our tours on social media. Read their feedback and browse thousands of photos on Instagram<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re waiting for you in Lima to show you the very best of the old town. At the end of the tour, don\u2019t forget to acknowledge your guide\u2019s knowledge by leaving a tip. It helps them continue sharing the story of their city with visitors who come to the heart of the Peruvian capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note for Peruvians<\/strong>: Free tours are exclusively for inbound tourism. If you are Peruvian, book our Lima city tour<\/a>. You\u2019ll love it!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Wander Around the Plaza de Armas<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Visit, explore, and enjoy the urban space where the colonial and republican history of Lima first began. Surrounded by imposing buildings<\/strong> such as the Cathedral, the Government Palace<\/a> (Casa de Pizarro), the Municipal Palace, and the House of the Oidor, among others, the Plaza de Armas \u2013 or Main Square \u2013 was, is, and will always be the centre of that Spanish<\/strong> town which became a melting-pot metropolis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a Walk Down Jir\u00f3n de la Uni\u00f3n<\/h3>\n\n\n
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“Peru is Lima, Lima is Jir\u00f3n de la Uni\u00f3n,”<\/em> wrote Abraham Valdeloma<\/a>r in the 20th century. Much has changed since then, but the importance of this pedestrian street<\/strong> still endures. It symbolically links the colonial city<\/strong> (Plaza de Armas) with the republican city<\/strong> (Plaza San Mart\u00edn).
Before independence, this thoroughfare was known as Calle de los Mercaderes<\/strong> (Street of the Merchants). In the 19th century, it received its current name, without losing its commercial character<\/strong>, as you\u2019ll notice while strolling through it.
During your visit, be sure to check out the Church of Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Merced<\/a> and the historic Palais Concert<\/a> building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n