Also known as la Ciudad Blanca (the White City), Arequipa is unique and charmingly beautiful. Located in the south of Peru, it’s the second largest city after Lima and is part of the “Southern Peru Tourist Corridor” (along with Nazca, Cusco, and Puno). With lots of nearby attractions, dramatic volcanic backdrops, and heaps of local culture, Arequipa makes the perfect place to base yourself for a few days. Here is a guide to all of the best things to do in Arequipa!
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How to get to Arequipa
By plane
Flying is the easiest and fastest way to get to Arequipa from elsewhere in Peru. Flights land at Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP), which is 8 km (5 mi) away from the city centre. The views of Misti, Ubinas, and Pichu Pichu volcanoes that you get while flying in are incredible!
To get to Arequipa from the airport, you can either hail a taxi from the stand or order an Uber. The drive takes about 30 minutes and should cost around S/ 25 ($6.50 USD).
By bus
It’s also possible to get to Arequipa by bus. Most of the buses that make these journeys are pretty comfortable, with fully reclining seats and spacious leg room. Bus tickets are also generally more affordable than domestic flights within Peru, but they obviously take way longer.
Cruz del Sur and Civa are the two most popular companies that offer direct daily departures to Arequipa.
Travel time via bus from:
- Lima: 17-20 hours
- Cusco: 11 hours
- Puno and Lake Titicaca: 5 hours 15 minutes
Things to do in Arequipa
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is Arequipa’s main attraction and one of the most stunning squares in South America. The main square and its surrounding areas make up the Historic Center of Arequipa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
It’s surrounded by colonial buildings, palm trees, and well-manicured green spaces for people to relax. All around the perimeter, you’ll find beautiful architecture and a cathedral made of white volcanic stone.
Arequipa’s historical center is always buzzing with activity and is a great place to spend an evening when you first arrive. Head to one of the restaurants on the second floor of the colonnade for fun people watching and good views of El Misti volcano.
The Plaza de Armas is also where most free walking tours start. These tours are led by a local tour guide and take you all around the city, explaining the historical and cultural significance of the things you see. A free walking tour is a great way to find your bearings in a new city while supporting the local community (the guides depend on voluntary tips at the end — you pay what you think the tour was worth!).
Purchase alpaca goods
Arequipa is one of the best places in Peru to buy alpaca wool clothing. The colorful sweaters, ponchos, and scarves that you’ll find at the markets are quintessentially Peruvian and also make awesome souvenirs.
There are several places in the city to buy alpaca goods, but Mundo Alpaca might be the most popular. Part petting zoo, part textile exhibit and boutique, Mundo Alpaca lets you interact with the llamas and alpacas that they use to make their clothing. Best of all, entrance is free!
Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
The Basilica Cathedral in Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas dates back to the 16th century. Over the years, the Catholic cathedral has been destroyed by earthquakes, fires, and volcanic eruptions — it’s been rebuilt and renovated countless times.
Nowadays, there is also a small museum within the cathedral with paintings and religious artifacts. There is a cash-only entrance fee of S/ 10 ($2.60 USD).
Santa Catalina Monastery
Monasterio de Santa Catalina is a historic 16th-century Dominican monastery and one of the most popular things to do in Arequipa.
This fully operational nunnery is set on over 5 acres of land in the northern end of Arequipa’s historical centre. With red and orange walls, intricate archways, and a blooming courtyard garden, the monastery is a beautiful place to visit, especially for photographers.
Tickets cost a whopping S/ 45 ($11.76 USD) — a relatively expensive price in a city as affordable as Arequipa. If you choose to add on the guided tour, it will cost an additional 10 soles (plus tip). Personally, we decided to skip the monastery because we didn’t feel like it would be worth it after reading reviews.
If you’re interested in visiting, though, you can buy tickets in advance from the monastery’s official website or from Viator Tours.
Visit other churches in the city center
Arequipa has 22 churches within its city limits. Most of them are just a short walk away from the main plaza and are worth visiting, even if just to see the ornate exteriors.
Some notable churches to check out:
- San Agustin Church: Intricate white stone façade
- Church of the Company: Baroque chapel with jungle motifs
- Church of La Merced: Decorated with gold leaf
- Iglesia de San Francisco: In the quaint San Lazaro neighborhood
Yanahuara District
Crossing the Chili River and heading north will lead you to the quiet residential neighborhood of Yanahuara. Here, you’ll find the Plaza de Yanahuara, a lovely park with flower-lined trails, and the Mirador de Yanahuara, a scenic overlook with the best views of Arequipa and the El Misti volcano.
After your walk, try some tasty local food at El Tío Darío or La Nueva Palomino. (The owners of El Tio Dario also own Zig Zag, one of the best restaurants in Arequipa!)
Go cafe hopping
There is no shortage of good places to get coffee, artisanal chocolates, and craft beer in Arequipa.
It feels like most of my time in Arequipa was spent eating, and I’m perfectly okay with that. There’s truly nothing better than spending a lazy afternoon at a cafe, lounging in the sun, nibbling on some treats. Ahhhh.
- Mi Kcao chocolates y cafe: On the rooftop of the Mango hostel — they make a mean hot chocolate
- Kafi Wasi Coffee House: For the coffee snobs
- República Café: Great food and drinks with a cool loft space
- Chaqchao Chocolates: Organic, handmade chocolates and daily chocolate making workshops
- Banawa Juice Bar: Incredible and unique smoothies
- Oso Café: Get the crème brûlée (trust me)
- Puku Puku: Great coffee and a terrace with sunset views
Claustros de La Compañía
The Cloisters of The Company are part of a convent courtyard-turned-shopping complex. You’ll find several stores selling baby alpaca clothing, gemstones, and trinkets, along with a few coffee shops and restaurants with outdoor seating.
The most wonderful part of the Cloisters, though, is the ornate architecture. This is a good spot to wander around and admire the fountains, tiled floors, and potted succulents. Such a vibe.
Have a meal at a picantería
Picanterias are the best place to get a taste of the local cuisine on the cheap. And when I say cheap, I mean cheap!
These predominantly family-run businesses are open only during lunch and serve set menus that change daily. The menú del día generally comes with several courses, including a starter, main, dessert, and a drink. The food is fresh, authentic, and a great value for money.
Some traditional meals that might be served at a picanteria include rocoto relleno (stuffed chili), cuy chactado (guinea pig), chupe de camarones (shrimp soup), and solterito arequipeño (corn and cheese salad).
Have a cocktail
Just like with cafes, Arequipa is chock full of bars. Many of these bars have incredible views over the city and over Volcan Misti, especially at sunset. Post up in a comfy chair with a pisco sour and you have yourself a wonderful night.
It’s easy to see how you can spend all your time in Arequipa eating and drinking — spend your morning at a cafe, spend your evening at a rooftop bar. Easy peasy.
- Waya Lookout: Overlooking Plaza de Armas
- Sunset Rooftop Bar: Aptly-named bar with fancy cocktails
- Museo del Pisco: Specializing in pisco drinks
- Estación 43: Restaurant and bar with live music
See Juanita the mummy at Museo Santuarios Andinos
Juanita is the name given to the mummified remains of a teenage girl from the 15th century. Found in the early ’90s, Juanita is believed to have been sacrificed to appease the gods in an Incan ritual. Her body, and the various objects found with her when she was discovered, are now on display at the Museo Santuarios Andinos.
The museum is dedicated to the child sacrifice rituals of the Incan people. There are a few different exhibits that you’ll walk through with your mandatory guide before making it to Juanita’s tomb.
Tickets cost S/ 20 ($5.22 USD) and can be bought online in advance from Viator. You’re also expected to tip your guide at the end of the tour (a few soles per person is fine).
Mercado San Camilo
Mercado San Camilo is a bustling local market where you can find practically everything. Fresh fruit, bread, meat, fish, souvenirs, clothing — the San Camilo Market has it all. There are also stalls with ready-to-eat snacks and meals, making this a great tourist attraction for the foodie.
Here are some must-try food and drinks at San Camilo Market:
- Tamales arequipeños
- Queso helado: A type of ice cream made with sweetened condensed milk (literally, “frozen cheese“)
- Lucuma juice, or one of the many juices from the market’s back row of stalls
- Chicha blanca: Fermented corn beer made by local women
Where to stay in Arequipa
- Acolpacha Tambo Boutique Hotel: This was one of my favorite hotels that we stayed at in Peru. The room was spacious, the bed was massive, the staff were super friendly, and the free breakfast was served on an incredible outdoor terrace with views of El Misti.
- Casona Solar: The second half of our stay in Arequipa was spent at Casona Solar. I loved the location, which was close to the main square. The courtyard outside of our room was amazing as well.
- World Backpackers: A highly-rated hostel near Plaza de Armas
- Le Foyer: Large rooms, free breakfast, and a nice rooftop
Best day trips from Arequipa
Colca Canyon
The Colca Canyon, sometimes referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Peru,” is the second deepest canyon in the world. It’s famous for its soaring Andean condors, sweeping views, and tiny villages that house trekkers for the night. Any trip to the Colca will start and end in Arequipa.
The easiest way to visit the Colca Canyon is on a guided tour. You’ll find one-, two-, and three-day hikes of varying difficulties and price points. For the best experience, I’d recommend spending at least two days — the driving required to get to and from the canyon aren’t worth it if you’re just doing a day trip.
It’s also possible to do a Colca Canyon trek independently without a guide. You’ll need to arrange transportation and accommodation within the canyon yourself. Always make sure to let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back because there have been tourists that disappear.
Take a Colca Canyon tour
Salinas Salt Lagoon
The Laguna de Salinas within Aguada Blanca National Reserve is a mirrored lake that’s kind of like Uyuni Salt Flat in Bolivia. You’ll see pink flamingos, mini volcanoes, hot springs, and untouched nature as far as the eye can see.
The best way to get to Salinas Salt Lagoon is by taking a day trip with GetYourGuide. They take care of the transportation and itinerary planning, leaving you to show up and enjoy the views!
Rafting the Chili River
The Chili River runs through the city of Arequipa and is a great place to try whitewater rafting. With class II, III, and IV rapids, the Chili River is the perfect mix of thrilling and safe.
You can book a guided rafting tour through GetYourGuide. The day tour starts at $31 USD, making this a super affordable way to spend a day around Arequipa.
Things to know before visiting Arequipa
Is Arequipa safe to visit?
I personally felt very safe visiting Arequipa. The locals are friendly and make you feel welcome as soon as you walk through the door. No one made me feel weird or sketched out, which I actually was pleasantly surprised by.
Like all big cities around the world, though, you need to be aware of your surroundings and have a bit of common sense. Avoid walking around at night, especially alone, and make sure you have your belongings close by. It’s also a good idea to be aware of common scams in Peru, just in case.
How many days do you need in Arequipa?
One or two days is enough time to see all of the city’s main tourist attractions, but you can easily spend up to a week eating at all of the best restaurants and visiting museums. Add on one to three days if you’ll be visiting the Colca Canyon, depending on the length of your tour.
When is the best time to visit Arequipa?
Because Arequipa gets over 300 days of sunshine per year, there really is no bad time to visit! The weather is the most pleasant from April to November, but temperatures are often mild year-round.
What is Arequipa known for?
Arequipa is famous for its Spanish-style white volcanic architecture, its delicious fusion of various cuisines, and its proximity to the Colca Canyon. It has also been called Peru’s most beautiful city, and for good reason! The white volcanic rock architecture is unique and very cool to see in person.
Is Arequipa worth visiting?
In my opinion, yes! There are tons of beautiful buildings, stellar views, and world-class restaurants. Its proximity to the Colca Canyon and other natural wonders in the south of Peru make it the best option for backpackers and travelers looking for adventure.
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I hope you enjoyed this guide on things to do in Arequipa!
xoxo Niki
