Once known as the ‘City of Kings’ Lima’s historic centre was founded by Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and was until the mid-18th century an important political, economic and cultural hub for the Spanish colonization of South America. The historic centre of Lima is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and despite being damaged by a series of earthquakes this century, is a great place to get a feel for Peru’s intricate, complex history.

This is one of Lima’s main tourist attractions and besides Lima’s Cathedral is one of the most important examples of colonial architecture in Peru. Visits are by guided tour only and are well worth it to gain an insight into religious life and culture during the Spanish colonial rule. Highlights include the library with over 25,000 volumes, intricate wooden carvings and the austere colonial paintings found throughout. The main draw for most tourists however is the catacombs where over 30,000 people were buried until 1808. The catacombs were only discovered in 1943 and it’s eerie to wander through the silent, claustrophobic crypts filled with human skulls and remains.