Enjoy wonderful days in the White City of Arequipa, one of the most important cities in Peru, founded on August 15, 1540, located in the south of Peru, at an altitude of 2,335 meters above sea level. Its name comes from the Quechua "Ari Que Pay," which means "stay here."
Surrounded by the imposing Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu volcanoes, this picturesque city invites you to marvel at its charming countryside and majestic colonial mansions built from sillar (volcanic rock), which reflect its magnificent architecture.
Arequipa is a place where beautiful viewpoints offer spectacular views, while its customs and traditions intertwine with a peculiar gastronomy that delights everyone with its delicious typical dishes, making it truly unique. Moreover, in this important region, there are two of the deepest canyons in the world: the Colca Canyon and the Cotahuasi Canyon.
Arequipa is, without a doubt, a fascinating destination that you can't miss. Immerse yourself in this beautiful region that combines nature, history, culture, and gastronomy. That's why, in this blog, we recommend the 19 things you must do in Arequipa:
19 WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN AREQUIPA PERU
Visit The Plaza De Armas – Historic Center
Due to the beauty of its colonial architecture and the perfect combination of indigenous and European styles, on December 2, 2000, the historic center of the city of Arequipa was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Strolling through the historic center of Arequipa is a true delight. It begins at the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by the cathedral and its four characteristic portals built of sillar. Each of these portals not only offers a beautiful architectural style but also houses shops, cafes, and restaurants, from where you can enjoy the view of the Plaza de Armas and the vibrant atmosphere of the Historic Center. Walking through its pleasant streets with white walls, you will find various colonial houses that tell the story of the past and reflect the rich cultural heritage.
Discover the Cathedral Basilica of Arequipa
With the founding of the city of Arequipa in 1540, the construction of the Arequipa Cathedral began and was completed in 1656. Restored and remodeled several times, it is primarily built of sillar (volcanic rock). Inside, there is a beautiful museum that exhibits valuable art and cultural objects, showcasing a history of over 400 years.
The tour of the museum ends at the Cathedral's bell tower, from where you can admire the beautiful white city of Arequipa in all its splendor. The visiting hours are from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Visit the Monastery of Santa Catalina
Founded in the year 1579, the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena was home to nuns. Aspiring candidates would enter the Santa Catalina convent to undergo a 4-year training period to become cloistered nuns. "A city within a city." Immerse yourself in this fascinating place, a treasure of history, culture, and architecture.
Discover its picturesque houses, squares, chapels, and its cemetery, as well as the cloisters adorned with vibrant colors like blue and red, which create a unique atmosphere. Its hallways, adorned with colonial art, and its courtyards, filled with flowers, invite a journey full of beauty and tradition. Hours of operation from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Visit the Casa del Moral and the Casa Goyeneche
These two colonial houses, located in the historic center of the White City of Arequipa, stand out for their architectural, historical, and cultural value. Built with sillar (white volcanic stone), their facades feature a series of beautiful architectural decorations and details. Inside, one can observe patios adorned with large fountains, furniture, paintings, carvings, and decorative objects of great historical value.
The House Museum of Mario Vargas Llosa
In homage to the Arequipeño writer Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010, this museum was inaugurated on April 14, 20214, in a ceremony that included the participation of Mario Vargas Llosa himself, located in the birthplace of the writer in the historic center of the city of Arequipa.
The museum is composed of 17 rooms that chronologically cover the life and work of the Arequipeño writer, from his childhood to his rise as a writer and his foray into politics. Throughout this journey, visitors will be able to observe personal belongings, photos, manuscripts, and documents that offer a deep insight into his life and influences.
This museum not only allows you to learn about the journey of one of the greatest writers in world literature, but it also offers an enriching experience by immersing you in the history of his time and Peruvian culture. It is a must-visit for literature lovers and for those who wish to learn more about the history of Peru.
The route of sillar
Sillar is a volcanic stone that holds great importance in the architectural identity of the white city of Arequipa. Since the colonial era, this material has been used for the construction of churches, houses, monasteries, and various emblematic buildings. During the tour along the sillar route, you will be able to observe the process of extraction, carving, and sculpting by the stone workers, who use ancestral techniques.
Hike to Misti volcano
Climbing the Misti volcano is an essential experience for lovers of trekking, adventure, and mountains. At an altitude of 5,800 meters above sea level, Misti is located about 19 km northwest of the city of Arequipa.
The ascent represents both a physical and mental challenge, but the reward is impressive. Along the route, visitors will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the region, with its varied flora and fauna, and be surrounded by landscapes of moors and volcanic terrain. From the summit, one can behold one of the best views of the white city of Arequipa and its surrounding valleys. Moreover, reaching the volcano's crater is one of the most outstanding experiences of the ascent. To ensure a safe and enriching experience, it is recommended to do it accompanied by a professional guide.
Church of the Cloisters of the Society of Jesus
It is located at one of the corners of the Plaza de Armas in the white city of Arequipa, specifically at 114 Moran Street. Built at the end of the 16th century entirely from ashlar (white volcanic stone), this beautiful construction stands out for its impressive main facade, in Baroque style. Inside, one can appreciate the main altar, carved from fine high-quality wood and covered with gold leaf, featuring a painting of the Virgin with the Child in the center. It also houses colonial paintings and sculptures and images of great historical and religious value. Next to the church, there are two cloisters also built with ashlar, which constitute another attraction of the city given the beauty of their architecture and design. In this place, you can also find craft shops.
Andes Sanctuary Museums
This museum is famous for housing the mummy Juanita, known as the "Lady of Ampato," discovered in 1995 during an expedition to the Ampato snow-capped mountain, conducted by archaeologist Johan Reinhard and mountaineer Miguel Zárate.
The body of the mummy, in a surprisingly well-preserved state, was found surrounded by various ceramic objects and wearing a ceremonial tunic. In this museum, which consists of five rooms, objects of ceramics, organic textiles, and metals from the Inca culture are exhibited, allowing visitors to learn about Inca culture and Peruvian archaeology, as well as the conservation process of the Juanita mummy and the story behind the expedition that discovered her.
Enjoy the gastronomy of Arequipa
Arequipa is recognized for having one of the best cuisines in Peru, a tradition that has been preserved over time. The city stands out for the great variety and originality of its delicious typical dishes. Therefore, we recommend that during your visit, you approach the famous local picanterías and enjoy emblematic dishes such as rocoto relleno, pastel de papa, chupe de camarones, soltero arequipeño, cuy chactado, chairo, adobo arequipeño, among others. And for dessert, you can't miss the delicious frozen cheese. It is worth noting that Arequipa has been recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy, a title that highlights the richness and diversity of its culinary offerings.
Rafting on the Chili River
For adventure and adrenaline lovers, rafting on the Chili River is one of the best activities to enjoy in the beautiful white city of Arequipa. This river offers rapids of different levels, from gentle currents, ideal for beginners, to more challenging rapids for the more experienced. During the tour, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the Chili Valley, a spectacular landscape that makes this experience truly unique.
National Reserve Salinas Aguada Blanca
Created on August 9, 1979, with the aim of preserving natural and scenic resources, this protected area extends through the departments of Arequipa and Moquegua, encompassing the provinces of Arequipa, Caylloma, and General Sánchez. With an area of 336,936.00 hectares, this beautiful place is surrounded by the imposing volcanoes: El Misti, Chachani, Pichupichu, and Ubinas, as well as the snow-capped peaks of Chuccura and Huarancante.
The area is home to a great diversity of species, both birds and mammals, among which the flamingo, the vicuña, the guanaco, the taruka, the vizcacha, the Andean cat, and the Andean fox stand out. Its landscape is equally spectacular, with vast plains, salt flats, and high-altitude lagoons. In particular, the Salinas lagoon is ideal for birdwatching. This natural area is a must-visit destination for nature and biodiversity lovers.
Explore the Colca Canyon
Discover one of the deepest canyons in the world, the colca cayon, located just three hours from the city of Arequipa, in the province of Caylloma. This impressive place stands out not only for the depth of the canyon but also for the picturesque villages. After a day exploring the Colca, you can relax in its hot springs.
A must-visit place is the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where, depending on the season, you can see the majestic flight of the Andean condor, the largest bird in South America. Moreover, Colca is an ideal destination for trekking enthusiasts, with routes that offer spectacular views and close contact with nature.
Explore the Cotahuasi Canyon
The Cotahuasi Canyon is another one of the deepest canyons in the world and is located in the Arequipa region. This impressive place is distinguished by its unique geomorphology, making it an ideal destination for extreme sports enthusiasts, such as trekking, mountaineering, kayaking, and mountain biking. Cotahuasi offers a uniqueexperience for nature and adventure lovers with its stunning landscapes, ravines, snow-capped mountains, and valleys, making it another perfect place to observe the majestic flight of the condor.
Visit World Alpaca
If you want to have a unique experience and the opportunity to get up close and interact with these wonderful animals, the alpaca and the llama, this is a must-stop. Additionally, you will learn all about its origin, habitat, and domestication process. You will discover the qualities and properties of its fiber, and through an exhibition, you will be able to observe Peruvian weavers who keep the historical legacy of Peruvian textile art alive.
In Mundo Alpaca, you can also explore two fascinating museums: the Textile Machinery Museum, which will allow you to learn about the origins of alpaca fiber industrialization, and the Amano-Michell Pre-Columbian Museum, which showcases impressive pieces from the main pre-Hispanic cultures of Peru, such as Paracas, Nazca, Huari, Chancay, and Siguas, and most importantly, admission is free.
Yanahuara Viewpoint
The Yanahura viewpoint is a famous observation point that offers stunning views of the city of Arequipa and its three surrounding volcanoes: Misti Chachani and Pichupichu. This famous viewpoint consists of 10 arches entirely built of sillar (volcanic stone) and adorned with inscriptions that pay tribute to illustrious Arequipeña figures, highlighting the rich cultural history of the region. It is located in the district of Yanahuara.
Wititi dance
Enjoy and delight in one of the most representative dances of the region: "The wititi" declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on July 14, 2009. Also known as the dance of love, the wititi represents courtship. The dancers wear beautiful embroidered costumes and beautiful traditional hats characteristic of the Colca Valley.
This wonderful dance is part of the local culture, and you will be able to enjoy it during your trip to the Colca Canyon, especially in its picturesque towns like Yanque, Chivay, Achoma, and Cabanaconde, where it is celebrated and danced with great fervor.
If you want to learn more about the rich culture and traditions of the Colca Valley, we invite you to participate in an experiential tourism tour, which will allow you to immerse yourself in the customs of these picturesque towns full of beautiful traditions.
Visit the San Camilo Market
Located in the Historic Center of the city of Arequipa, the San Camilo market is one of the largest and most traditional in southern Peru, where you can find various local products ranging from colorful crafts that reflect the art and creativity of the region to a wide selection of fresh edible products, such as vegetables, fruits, cheeses, aromatic herbs, and typical dishes of Arequipa's gastronomy. From the main square, you can get there on foot.
Visit the Carmen Alto Viewpoint
This viewpoint is a very popular tourist spot for both tourists and locals. It offers a beautiful view of the Arequipa countryside and its surroundings, with a spectacular panorama of the city and its imposing volcanic mountain range. It is the ideal place for those who seek to enjoy nature, relax, and capture the best photos of the city, with the Misti Volcano and the Andean landscapes as a backdrop.
The Carmen Alto Viewpoint is not only an excellent spot for photography but also for those who wish to escape the urban hustle and connect with the tranquility of nature. Its location is very accessible, as it is only a few minutes by car from the historic center of Arequipa, making it a perfect option for a quick and rewarding visit.
Arequipa is undoubtedly one of the best cities you must visit on your trip to Peru, given its unique blend of history, culture, traditions, and natural beauty. Known as the "White City" for its beautiful colonial architecture and historical legacy, the city stands out for its impressive geography, with landscapes ranging from imposing volcanoes to the majestic Colca Canyon. Moreover, its cuisine, considered one of the best in Peru, offers a wide variety of flavors that reflect the richness of its region.
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