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Saint Francis Monastery Catacombs

Saint Francis Monastery Catacombs: Our most recommended tours and activities

Lima: Colonial City Tour with Catacombs Visit

1. Lima: Colonial City Tour with Catacombs Visit

Immerse yourself in Lima's colonial history with this tour. After getting picked up from your hotel, start your experience at San Martin Square, where you can admire colonial architecture buildings. Later, visit the breathtaking Plaza de Armas and admire impressive buildings such as the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral, and more. Finish your tour exploring the fascinating Catacombs and Museum of San Francisco. Learn more about Peru's colonial period through the museum's vast collection of artwork, see rare editions in the library and wander through the blood-curdling passages of the catacombs, where the bones of 25,000 people lie. At the end of the day, get dropped off back at your hotel.

Private Tour Casa Aliaga,San Francisco Convent, Larco Museum

2. Private Tour Casa Aliaga,San Francisco Convent, Larco Museum

Your tour will start in downtown Lima, where you will visit the Aliaga House, a viceregal construction delivered by Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains (Jerónimo de Aliaga) when he founded the city. Then you will go to Saint Francis' Church, which has an enviable collection of old books and an authentic network of catacombs open to the public. Next, you will go to Pueblo Libre district to visit the Larco Museum, founded by Rafael Larco Hoyle en 1926. The museum, located inside a viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid of the 7th century, houses the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artifacts as well pieces of erotic art.

Lima: Historical, Colonial, and Modern City Tour

3. Lima: Historical, Colonial, and Modern City Tour

Discover Lima’s top attractions across three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern, on this guided tour. You’ll visit fascinating sights like the San Francisco Convent and the famous catacombs, see areas like Larcomar and more, as you learn all about them. After being picked up from your accommodation in Miraflores or San Isidro at about 09:00 AM, the tour will begin with a beautiful panoramic view of the Pucllana Pyramid. This magnificent ceremonial and archeological center, built in the 4th century AD, was considered a sacred village by the Incas.  Following this, you’ll travel to the monumental San Francisco Convent, which displays the largest collection of religious art in America. A highlight of the visit is the underground vaults – the catacombs. As you travel, you'll learn all about the history of these sights from your bilingual guide. Next, it’s on to the traditional residential areas of Lima, such as El Olivar of San Isidro, Miraflores, and Larcomar. At about 02:00 PM, the tour completed, you’ll be driven back to your accommodation, your mind filled with the many wonderful sights and history of Lima.

From Port of Callao: Lima Sightseeing Tour

4. From Port of Callao: Lima Sightseeing Tour

Begin the tour with pickup from the Port of Callao, before traveling into the city of Lima. Enjoy Lima on this cultural and historical you. With a local guide, travel from the Port into the city of Lima, while learning about the historical background of the ancient viceroyalty of Peru. Visit the most emblematic places of the City of Kings, such as the museum and convent of San Francisco, the Plaza de Armas in Lima and the Huaca Pucllana archaeological center. See the Plaza Mayor of Lima, located in the heart of the City Center, and see the historical buildings located around the square, such as the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, and the Municipal House. Observe the changing of the guard that begins at 11:20 in the morning with a small ceremony by the military band, which then proceeds with the official ceremony of the change of troops and ends at 12:20 pm. Walk in the Historic Center of Lima, in San Francisco Square, and learn about the long system of catacombs under the square, used since the 17th century as a cemetery until Don José de San Martín closed it in 1821, and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions, where some show their faith in the dead by throwing coins, notes asking for miracles, and even voodoo dolls with pins against some adversary or antagonist. Explore the Miraflores district, the place where the most important archaeological center of Lima is located, known as Huaca Pucllana, which in the time of the Incas functioned as a sacred place of veneration of the temple of the sun, then we will visit the park of Love and its beautiful sea view. Be returned to the Port of Callao after the tour is finished.

Lima, City of Kings Small Group Tour

5. Lima, City of Kings Small Group Tour

Lima, the city with a fascinating history, charming gastronomy, and ancient tradition. This city of Lima has been inhabited for thousands of years, the first humans lived in this area from the year 3000 B.C., then different pre-inca civilizations built their temples, roads and agricultural fields, later on Incas conquered these early cultures and finally Spanish made Lima the capital and named it "The City of the Kings”. Lima became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the largest and most important city in South America during the regime of the Spanish empire. Visit to 2 modern districts: Miraflores, known as the tourist center of Lima, panoramic view from the outside to the “Huaca Pucllana” archaeological center, a ceremonial building of the “Lima” civilization. Residential district of San Isidro, famous for its “Parque del Olivar”, a forest with more than 1500 olive trees. Then you will be taken to the Historic Center of Lima, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1991, interesting places like Palacio de Justicia, Edificio Rímac, Plaza San Martín, Hotel Bolívar, Colonial Houses, and the Convent of San Francisco considered a jewel of colonial art and whose main attraction are the famous “catacombs”. Finally our friendly and expert Guide will take you to the Main Square «Plaza Mayor», on each corner is a reflection of Peruvian history including the Cathedral of Lima (visit not included, only exterior) and other palaces. One of them is the Government Palace -Palacio de Gobierno- houses the executive branch and the president’s residence. Dragoon Guards protect this French Baroque building inside and outside the wrought iron fence. You will enjor the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, accompanied by a band, occurs daily before noon. Back to the hotels.

Lima: Historical Center, Catacombs, and Pachacamac Site Tour

6. Lima: Historical Center, Catacombs, and Pachacamac Site Tour

Travel from your hotel in Lima, Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro, to the charming Historical Center of Lima to see all the highlights with this group tour. Visit a local restaurant for an optional lunch. Marvel at Plaza San Martin, a plaza that was made to commemorate 100 years of Peruvian independence. View the statue that represents Peru’s liberator and soak up the history of the stunning neoclassical buildings. Head to the Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor) to see the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima. Listen as your expert guide will explain the rich history of Peru’s capital. Travel to downtown Lima to explore the catacombs. Head to the Pachacamac archeological site and museum to experience one of the largest religious centers in pre-Inca times on the Peruvian coast with buildings from different kingdoms predating the Inca (200 AD). Admire pyramids dedicated to the sun and the moon.

Lima: City Highlights Full-Day Guided Tour

7. Lima: City Highlights Full-Day Guided Tour

Get to know Peru's capital in the course of a single day with your expert, professional guide. Encounter sights like the Huaca Pucllana, Olive Park, and the underground catacombs as you immerse yourself in this evocative city. Start your experience with convenient pickup from your accommodation and get ready to discover the Miraflores district. Cruise through this upscale area while learning about its history. See sights like the Huaca Pucclana pyramid, built between 200 and 700 AD. Next, head for the famous San Isidro district. Luxuriate in the beautiful groves of the Olive Park and admire Victor Delfin's famous "The Kiss" sculpture in the Love Park. Take in awesome views of Lima and its Pacific Ocean from the cliffs of Miraflores, Continue your tour with a visit to the artsy and bohemian district of Barranco. Marvel at the beautiful murals typical of this colorful and vibrant neighborhood. Take the opportunity to make a wish at its Bridge of Sighs, and visit its atmospheric Plaza. Conclude your tour in the city's bustling downtown. The city's historic center is full of places of interest included the Plaza San Martin, Plaza de Armas, and Magic Fountains Park. Your guide will also take you to essentials like the San Francisco de Asis Museum, and the famous underground catacombs.

Lima: Half-day Private: Discovering the Street Food in Lima

8. Lima: Half-day Private: Discovering the Street Food in Lima

Drive to Barranco and stroll around this quaint and traditional district,considered to be the city´s most romantic and bohemian, being the home and working place of many of Perus leading artists, musicians, designers and photographers. Stop at the Park of Barranco to degustate the exquisite traditional Peruvian anticuchos, made with beef heart and seasoned with garlic, vinegar, cumin, and aji panca, a mild red chile pepper with a smoky flavor. Have a taste also of the typical picarones, a fabulous dessert of sweet flavor, crispy and warm, dripping with syrup. Return to your Hotel.

Lima Full-Day Main Attractions Tour

9. Lima Full-Day Main Attractions Tour

Discover everything Lima has to offer on this full-day tour. Visit Pachacamac, a pre-Inca archaeological complex, and contemplate what it was like to have lived during those times. On Mondays and Wednesdays we replace this visit exploring Huaca Pucllana, an archaoelogical site in Miraflores. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a family house turned into a restaurant. Visit the bohemian district of Barranco, walk its streets and enjoy the ocean views and visit the Bridge of Sighs. In the afternoon, visit The Convent of San Francisco, a UNESCO World Heritage site and its chilling catacombs. Walk the streets of Lima and take in the Parque de la Reserva, included in the Guiness Book of Records as the largest fountain complex in the world and observe a unique show of lights and music.

Lima: City Highlights Walking Tour & Catacombs

10. Lima: City Highlights Walking Tour & Catacombs

We will start by picking you up from where you are staying and then we will head to the historic center of Lima. We will visit our extraordinary Plaza San Martin! which is surrounded by beautiful buildings such as the Gran Hotel Bolivar, the incredible twin buildings, the Colon Theater, etc. Then we will travel back in time walking through our famous Jiron de la Union! considered the most important street in Lima, as it was characterized as a more aristocratic street, where the most famous people of the city met, we will continue visiting our imposing Plaza Mayor, which is surrounded by important buildings such as: The Government Palace, The Cathedral, The Archbishop's Palace, The City Hall, The Union Club, etc. On the way to the Monastery of San Francisco de Asis we will be able to observe the Library that formerly was the railroad station as well as the Cordano Bar and finally as the cherry on the cake the fascinating underground Catacombs.

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What people are saying about Saint Francis Monastery Catacombs

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 107 reviews

We booked a small group tour, but my wife & I were the only ones so we had a private tour! Susan, our guide, was brilliant and spoke very good English. She fully explained the history of Lima and the buildings we visited and made the tour very interesting. The tour finished with a visit to the Catacombs which was also interesting. We were picked up at our hotel in Miraflores on time and returned 4 hrs later.

We had an excellent time and learned a lot in the short tour. It gave us a great overview of Lima and now know some places to spend more time. Our guide Saul was great and answered all our questions. Would recommend to anyone wanting a quick tour to overview Lima and learn some history

Our guide, Lady was very knowledgeable and friendly. She made the tour fun and interesting. Highly recommended.

Our driver and tour guide kept tour interesting, informative and engaging.

I found it very exciting and the guide was great too!!!