A stroll through Lima's historic centre, a journey through time

Founded in 1535, the Plaza Mayor is the oldest square in the city. The architecture of the buildings erected all around the square makes this obvious. It was Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conqueror, who founded the city of Lima around this square when he won the battle against the Incas. He built his palace on the site where the government palace now stands.

Plaza San Martin is one of the city's largest squares. It is recognisable by the statue that stands in its centre. It is of General José de San Martin, the man who delivered the country and proclaimed Peru's independence in 1921. In this square, don't miss the Hotel Bolivar, which has welcomed many famous people, from Charles de Gaulle to Mick Jagger in 1980.

The Cathedral of Saint John in Lima stands out in the square, bearing witness to a rich history through its architecture, which blends several styles: Baroque, Gothic, Neoclassical and Renaissance. It was destroyed several times and then rebuilt due to earthquakes, on the very spot where the Incas had erected a place of worship. The cathedral impresses as soon as you enter, with its main nave and altar made of wood and gold leaf.

The visit continues to the 14 chapels. All different, they are decorated with paintings or religious statues depicting different periods. You can learn more about the life and conquest of Pizarro in one of the first chapels. It is here that the Spanish conqueror is laid to rest, along with noble families, archbishops and the first cardinal of Lima, in a tomb located in the cathedral. To date, there may be other tombs that have not yet been discovered inside the cathedral.

The Government Palace is well worth a visit for the history it represents. Although the construction of the presidential palace dates back to 1938*, the site on which it was built has witnessed the passing of several civilisations, including the Incas. The last **Inca emperor lived here in a building with religious connotations. And when Pizarro, the Spanish conqueror, got his hands on the city, he also built his palace before organising and developing the city of Lima around the Plaza de Armas.

Unfortunately, an earthquake destroyed the palace in 1746. Today, the Government Palace has lost none of its function, having been rebuilt on the same site and now serves as the seat of government as well as the residence of the President of Peru. All that remains of Pizarro's time is a tree, planted by the conqueror himself.

It's best to book in advance so that you can see the palace from the inside, admire the rooms and artefacts from the colonial era and watch the changing of the guard at midday. Although the visit is free, we advise you to book a few days in advance.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the San Francisco monastery stands out on the Plaza Mayor. It comprises two churches, a temple, a convent, a library and catacombs. The Spanish influence is clearly present in this building, as evidenced by the Baroque architecture and the Andalusian azulejos in the cloister and catacombs. Around 70,000 people were buried in the underground cemetery. To find out more and experience a real moment in history, you should visit the convent's library, which contains thousands of texts, many dating back to the arrival of the Spanish in Peru.

The church and convent of Santo Domingo are the highlight of a stroll through the historic centre. It was one of the very first buildings constructed when Pizarro arrived in Lima in 1535. Although renovated, the church and convent are among the few buildings that have survived earthquakes. The pink tower, the colour of which comes from the bricks used at the time and from Spanish architecture, as well as the columns, alcoves and mosaics, known as azulejos, that surround a fountain in the centre of the second cloister, are particularly impressive.

This is the ideal place to enjoy a cool moment when the temperatures rise outside. During your visit, you can climb to the top of one of the towers for a panoramic view of the city! A must-see!

The historic centre of Lima is served by the north line of the Metropolitan Bus; you can stop at the Jiron de la Union stop and walk a few minutes to the Plaza Mayor.

The Quinta de Amat hotel is ideally located just a few minutes from the historic centre and convent of Santo Domingo. The hotel offers spacious and comfortable double and family rooms with good value for money. The reception, restaurant and continental breakfast are popular with tourists in general. An added bonus is the roof terrace, where you can enjoy the fresh air and a view of the city's spires. Expect to pay around £35 a night.