Things to do in Arequipa Peru

Arequipa is known for being the legal capital of Peru, as well as for being the city with the second-largest number of inhabitants in the country. Moreover, Arequipa lies in the shadow of three volcanoes among which the Misti, an active volcano of 5.820 metres high, stands out and gives a unique image of this city. Discover its charming historic centre and all the interesting things to do in Arequipa Peru.

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Things to do in Arequipa Peru

Plaza de Armas

The main square of Arequipa is an example of ashlar architecture, exquisitely executed. But, undoubtedly, the best thing about this square is not its buildings, nor the palm trees that grow here and there, nor the fountain in its centre. The best thing is that it is the place where many of the locals of this area sit to chat and enjoy the day,  and for that reason it is also worth sitting down for a while just to watch life go by.

Arequipa Cathedral

The cathedral is one of those responsible for Arequipa being known as “the white city” as it is built with ignimbrite, the stone of volcanic origin that gives colour to the city. First, in 1541 local people built a church. Then, on the foundations of the colonial temple there was built a cathedral, which was completed in 1656. It was the victim of earthquakes, collapses and fires. The one in 1844 was so devastating that it had to be rebuilt and reborn in neoclassical style, which is what we see today. Its interior is remarkable for its Belgian organ, its Carrara marble, its Seville lamp and its French pulpit.

The Convent of Santa Catalina

To be honest, the Convent of Santa Catalina deserves a whole report exclusively for it. For its beauty, its size and its interest. But to give you an idea, the convent is more like a city within a city, a citadel that for four centuries lived isolated from the rest of the world by its high walls. It was founded in 1579 by Doña María de Guzmán, occupies 20,000 square metres. The Convent was mainly inhabited by Creole nuns from wealthy families and their maids. Its narrow streets, which are painted in different colours and adorned with flowers, take us back to Spain, to Andalusia to be precise. Today the few remaining nuns live in a small area and tourists can visit the rest, so we can see their old houses, squares, cloisters, kitchens, laundries, vegetable gardens and bakeries.

The viewpoint of Yanahuara

Arequipa is worth seeing from above, and if it’s with Misti in the background, all the better. A good place to do this is the Yanahuara viewpoint, a 25-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. But of course, you have to be aware that you have to go up, up and up. In a neighbourhood of small, charming houses, a square and arches provide a viewpoint over the city, with views of the Andean mountain range.

The market of San Camilo

Whether you’re going to buy something or not, a visit to the San Camilo market is a must. Some cities are known for their markets, and this is one of them. It’s risky to say it’s the most beautiful in all of Peru, but it’s certainly spectacular. The aisles of fruit and vegetables are a veritable feast of colours, smells and flavours, with high stalls. It’s the perfect place to sip a freshly squeezed juice and enjoy it while chatting with the shopkeepers and stallholders who bring the market to life every day.

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What things to do around Arequipa Peru?

Ashlar quarries

Sillar, a white volcanic stone, is the origin and main characteristic of Arequipa’s architecture. The visitors can access the quarries of sillar through a tourist route that starts from Cerro Colorado and shows, among limpid natural landscapes, the process of extraction, carving and  mega carving of this stone.

There are 2 000 metres covering the quarries in exploitation, Cortadores and Virgen Culebrillas; a route that tells us the reason for the beauty of the White City.

Petroglyphs of Toro Muerto

Located in the Arequipa province of Castilla, very close to the Majes River and in an arid environment, Toro Muerto is considered one of the greatest examples of rock art in the world. It is a true jewel of pre-Hispanic lithic art in the middle of the desert.

There are an estimated 5,000 rocks, known as volcanic tuffs, with engravings of zoomorphic, anthropomorphic and geometric figures possibly carved between 500 AD and 1,300 AD using techniques of pounding, scratching, rubbing, chipping and percussion engraving. 

Colca Canyon

It is located 100 kilometres northwest of Arequipa and is famous for being the deepest on Earth. Here you can admire condors flying in their natural habitat and soak up nature in the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve. The region is one of the best places for canoeing, and if you’re an adventure lover you can climb to the peak and snow-capped crater of the Misti and Chachani volcanoes, and there are some extraordinary trekking circuits.

What to do in Arequipa Peru in one day

• Plaza de Armas
• The Cathedral of Arequipa
• The Convent of Santa Catalina
• The viewpoint of Yanahuara
• The market of San Camilo

What to see in Arequipa Peru in two days

First day:

• Plaza de Armas
• The Cathedral of Arequipa
• The Convent of Santa Catalina
• The viewpoint of Yanahuara
• The market of San Camilo

Second day:

• Sillar quarries
• Colca Canyon
• Petroglyphs of Toro Muerto

How to get to Arequipa Peru

The most frequent ways to get to Arequipa are by air or by land. By Air: Arequipa has the air terminal called Teniente FAP Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon, which although it does not have the rank of international, receives daily and regular flights from the city of Lima, Cusco and Puno (Juliaca).

There is a good connection between Arequipa and the other cities of southern Peru through the Pan-American Highway South. Thanks to it, Arequipa can also be reached from the north of Chile. There are regular daily bus services to and from Arequipa and to cities such as Cuzco, Puno, Tacna and Nazca.

Where to eat in Arequipa Peru?

Arequipa is not only the “Capital of Justice”, but also the capital of Peruvian Gastronomy. They emphasize the recipes of the area as the rocoto relleno (made with rocoto, similar to chili and sweet taste, stuffed with minced meat) or cuy chactado (coballa fried in oil with boiled potatoes). But there are many others, and all delicious, so we invite the traveller to simply try as much as possible.

• La Capitana is a traditional Peruvian cuisine restaurant located very close to the Santa Catalina Monastery. It has vegetarian options and serves mainly soups and typical local recipes. Its price range is approximately €25-40.
• La nueva Palomino. Known as one of the best restaurants for typical Arequipa food, this is a typical Peruvian cuisine restaurant with a price range of €5-22.
• El Tio Darío is a Peruvian steakhouse restaurant which serves mainly seafood and meat recipes, but also offers vegetarian and vegan options. It has a price range of €7-17.
• La Plaza Bar & Grill is a fusion and Peruvian cuisine restaurant located next to the Santa Catalina Monastery. It has a price range of €9 – 35.

Where to stay in Arequipa Peru?

• Palla Boutique Hotel is a 4-star hotel located in the historic centre of Arequipa, just 200 metres from the main square. Rooms are with full equipment and feature contemporary décor. The price per night is around €90 for two people.
• Acolpacha Tambo Boutique is a hotel located 1.2 km from Yanahuara Church. It offers a bar, free Wi-Fi throughout and a terrace. The price per night is around €60.
• La Hostería Boutique Hotel is a four-star boutique hotel located just 5 minutes’ walk from Arequipa’s main square. It is a restored colonial house with a beautiful patio with tile decoration and a small fountain. The price per night is around €65.
• Los Andes Bed & Breakfast is located in the historic centre of the city, just 30 metres from the main square. It has very bright rooms. The price per night is around €20.

Tips for your trip to Arequipa Peru

• The city of Arequipa has a semi-arid and temperate climate, with an average maximum temperature of 20 °C and a minimum of 10 °C. Generally speaking, there are two seasons: wet (December to March) and dry (April to November).
• So, the best months to visit the city are during the dry season to avoid the rains.
• In Peru, you shouldn’t drink tap water but always bottled and the same goes for salads or ice, which might not be good for your stomach.
• Be well-informed before your trip about the so-called “altitude sickness” as Peru is one of the countries where you can easily suffer from it.
• If you’re looking for cultural events, August is the best month to come to Arequipa. As locals celebrate the city’s anniversary on 15 August, there are several events during the month.
• Moreover, we recommend to set aside one day to tour the city and three days to explore the valleys and canyons.

How to organise what to see in Arequipa Peru?

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