Plaza Mayor and Cathedral of Lima

The square where Lima began: the Cathedral, the Government Palace and carved wooden balconies around a bronze fountain.

  • Address: Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas), Lima
  • District: Historic Center, Lima
  • Category: historic square

Lima was founded here in 1535, and the Plaza Mayor (also called the Plaza de Armas) is still the center of the city's story. A bronze fountain from the seventeenth century stands in the middle, and the plaza is framed by the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace with its carved wooden balconies in Moorish style, and the Municipal Palace. The Cathedral, whose first stone was laid in 1535 and which was rebuilt in the eighteenth century, shelters carved wooden choir stalls, ornate chapels and a mausoleum traditionally linked to Francisco Pizarro. The Government Palace, residence of Peru's president, stands on the site of the old Pizarro house, and the changing of the guard in front of it draws a crowd. The whole historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, and the plaza is the natural starting point for walking to the San Francisco Convent, Santo Domingo and the colonial streets beyond.

Highlights

  • The Cathedral of Lima, with carved choir stalls and a mausoleum traditionally linked to Francisco Pizarro
  • The Government Palace, with the changing of the guard in front of it
  • The Archbishop's Palace and its carved wooden balconies
  • A seventeenth-century bronze fountain at the heart of the plaza
  • The starting point for the San Francisco Convent and the rest of the historic center

Ideal for

  • a first orientation walk through Lima's historic center
  • history and architecture lovers
  • travelers combining it with the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs

Practical information

Hours
The plaza is open to walk through at all hours, though the surrounding streets are liveliest in daytime; the Cathedral keeps its own visiting hours, and the changing of the guard takes place around midday -- confirm current schedules locally
Price
Free to enter the plaza; the Cathedral charges an entrance fee that also covers its religious art museum -- confirm current price on site
Good to know
Dress modestly for the Cathedral (shoulders and knees covered). Weekday mornings are the quietest, and the plaza is closed to traffic, so you can walk freely around it. Lima's coastal fog can soften the light in winter, so a clear morning gives the best photos.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to visit the Plaza Mayor?

Yes, the plaza is free and open to walk through. The Cathedral charges its own entrance fee.

What are the main buildings around the plaza?

The Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace with its carved wooden balconies, and the Municipal Palace.

When is the changing of the guard?

It takes place in front of the Government Palace around midday. Confirm the current schedule locally, as it can change.

Can I go inside the Cathedral?

Yes, for an entrance fee, outside of Mass times. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.

How long should I spend there?

About an hour for the plaza and the Cathedral, more if you add the San Francisco Convent and the nearby colonial streets.

What can I combine with the plaza?

The Historic Center of Lima City Tour and the City Route bike tour both stop here and continue to the San Francisco Convent.