Things to Do in Arequipa

Explore Arequipa's Historic Center

Arequipa's UNESCO-listed historic center is compact, walkable, and built almost entirely from sillar: a soft, lightweight, and malleable volcanic rock. This ideal building material, found and excavated here abundantly, imbues the city with its pale luster. Most visitors spend their first day exploring Arequipa’s downtown, moving between sillar-faced colonial churches, cloisters, and plazas conveniently built within a few blocks of each other.

Plaza de Armas

The Plaza de Armas is the natural starting point for any visit. Arcaded colonial buildings line three sides of the square, the Cathedral anchors the fourth, and on a clear day, El Misti volcano rises directly behind it. Enjoy a coffee at one of the balcony cafés overlooking the plaza for one of the best free views in the city.

Santa Catalina Monastery

Santa Catalina Monastery is Arequipa's most-visited attraction, and it merits its reputation. Founded in 1579, this 20,000-square-meter complex functioned as a self-contained city for cloistered Dominican nuns for nearly 400 years before opening to the public in 1970. A religious community of women devotees still lives and practices here. Wandering its maze of colored streets, courtyards, and cells feels like stepping into a different century. Plan for 1.5 to 3 hours and check the monastery's official hours and rates before you go, since the schedule is subject to revision (some days include extended evening visits).

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Arequipa Cathedral

Facing the Plaza de Armas, the Arequipa Cathedral is notable for its sheer scale: it stretches the entire length of the square. The cathedral survived multiple earthquakes and fires over the centuries. Inside, look for the elaborately carved pulpit and the organ imported from Belgium. Climbing to the cathedral's rooftop (when permitted) provides one of the better close-up views of El Misti.

La Compañía Church and Cloisters

A couple of blocks from the plaza, the Jesuit Church of La Compañía is worth a stop for its white sillar facade alone: an intricately carved Mestizo-Baroque doorway blending Spanish religious imagery with Andean motifs like pumas and native flowers – considered one of the most elegant examples of ornamental colonial architecture in South America. The adjoining cloisters, now home to shops and cafés, are a quiet, arcaded space to linger after the crowds at Santa Catalina.

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Discover Arequipa's Andean Culture

Beyond the colonial center, Arequipa offers a window into the deeper Andean history and traditions of this region, from pre-Inca burial rituals to the alpaca fiber that has shaped the local economy for centuries.

See the Juanita Mummy at Museo Santuarios Andinos

The Museo Santuarios Andinos houses Juanita, the so-called “Ice Maiden,” a remarkably preserved Inca girl sacrificed on the summit of Ampato volcano roughly 500 years ago, discovered in 1995 by climber/photographer Johan Reinhard. A guided visit (included in your ticket) walks you through the Capacocha ritual and the high-altitude research project that led to her discovery, ending with the mummy itself, kept in a refrigerated case. Note that Juanita is occasionally replaced by another preserved mummy for conservation reasons during part of the year, so the centerpiece on display can vary.

Learn About Alpacas at Mundo Alpaca

Mundo Alpaca is a free, low-key complex where you can see live alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas up close, watch weavers work traditional looms, and learn how the weaving process works: from the gathering of raw fiber to finished textiles sold throughout the city. It's an easy, relaxed stop and a helpful primer for shopping for alpaca products elsewhere in Arequipa and in Peru.

Visit San Camilo Market

For a more everyday slice of Arequipa life, head to San Camilo Market, a sprawling covered market a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Stalls sell everything from tropical fruit and fresh juices to cheese, spices, and prepared food. It's also one of the easiest places to try local specialties like rocoto relleno or a fresh glass of chicha morada (a purple corn beverage, popular throughout Peru) without committing to a full sit-down meal.

Enjoy the Best Viewpoints in Arequipa

Arequipa’s three volcanoes provide one of the most dramatic city backdrops in Peru. A handful of viewpoints, or miradores, provide essential stops for taking photos and delighting in the dramatic scenery.

Yanahuara Viewpoint

In the quiet suburb of Yanahuara, a short taxi or walk from Arequipa city center, a row of white sillar stone arches frames a postcard view of El Misti volcano. The adjacent Yanahuara Church and its small plaza are also worth a quick look. This is a popular spot to take in the sunset.

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Mirador de Carmen Alto

A bit farther out, the Carmen Alto viewpoint looks out over the pre-Inca agricultural terraces of the Chilina Valley, still cultivated today, with all three volcanoes (El Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu) as a backdrop. It's less crowded than Yanahuara and pairs naturally with a countryside excursion.

Views of El Misti and Chachani Volcanoes

The three towering presences of El Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu, the volcanoes that define Arequipa's skyline, are a big part of what makes the city so photogenic. El Misti is an active, near-perfect cone visible from almost anywhere in the city, while snow-capped Chachani is the highest of the three and a popular (non-technical, but high-altitude) climb for experienced trekkers with proper acclimatization. Intermediate-level trekkers also climb the inactive volcano Pichu Pichu, with chances to spot flamingoes and vicuñas near the salt lakes at its base.

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Relax in Arequipa's Countryside

Just outside the city center, Arequipa's rural outskirts offer a slower pace, green countryside, and a look at colonial-era rural life.

Sabandía Colonial Mill

The Sabandía Colonial Mill, a restored 18th-century sillar stone mill still operating today, sits amid verdant farmland with El Misti visible in the distance. It's a pleasant half-day escape from the city, with walking paths through the surrounding fields.

La Mansión del Fundador

This restored colonial mansion, once owned by the city's Spanish founder, Don Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, offers a look at period furnishings, religious art, and gardens along the Sabandía road. It's often combined with a visit to the mill for a relaxed countryside half-day excursion.

Best Day Trips from Arequipa

The real draw for many adventure travelers lies just beyond Arequipa itself. The surrounding region is home to some of southern Peru's most dramatic landscapes.

Colca Canyon and Cruz del Cóndor

Colca Canyon is the headline day trip (or overnight trip) from Arequipa, and for good reason. One of the deepest canyons in the world, it's known above all for the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where Andean condors ride the morning thermals rising from the canyon floor and can often be admired at close range. These endangered birds have a wingspan of over ten feet and can glide these thermals for hours without flapping their wings even once!

Along the way, you’ll pass terraced pre-Inca agriculture, traditional villages like Chivay and Yanque, and sweeping views of Andean wildlife including vicuñas. These small, wild camelids are prized as providers of some of the finest fiber in the world. They are rounded up only once every few years for shearing, then released back into the wild.

Because Colca is roughly a three-hour drive from Arequipa, most travelers plan a two-day trip with an overnight in the Colca Valley, though full-day options exist for those short on time. Explorandes' Colca Canyon tours combine the canyon's nature highlights with Arequipa's cultural sites in a single well-paced itinerary.

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Cotahuasi Canyon

Less visited but even deeper than Colca, Cotahuasi Canyon is the choice for travelers who want a more remote, off-the-beaten-path experience. Reaching it takes longer — it's a full day's drive from Arequipa — so it suits travelers with more time who are drawn to trekking, waterfalls, and hot springs while avoiding the crowds sometimes found at Colca.

Chivay Hot Springs

If you're overnighting in the Colca Valley, the hot springs at La Calera, just outside Chivay, are a welcome way to unwind after a day of travel or hiking. The naturally heated pools sit against a mountain backdrop and are a favorite stop for trekkers coming up from the canyon floor.

Try Arequipa's Traditional Food

Arequipeño cuisine is considered among the best regional cooking in Peru, built on hearty, flavorful, and sometimes spicy dishes designed for its high-altitude climate.

Rocoto Relleno and Chupe de Camarones

Rocoto relleno (see recipe here) — a spicy rocoto pepper stuffed with seasoned beef, egg, peanuts, raisins, and cheese, then baked or fried — is Arequipa's signature dish and not for the faint-hearted when it comes to heat. Now popular all over Peru, it can be enjoyed as a “walking snack’ while touring the White City.

Chupe de camarones, a rich shrimp chowder made with potatoes, corn, milk, and herbs, is another regional classic worth seeking out, especially since Arequipa's proximity to shrimp-farming rivers makes it a specialty here more than almost anywhere else in Peru.

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Visit a Traditional Picantería

For the most authentic version of Arequipeño food, skip the tourist-oriented restaurants near the Plaza de Armas and look for a picantería — a traditional, often family-run restaurant historically linked to Arequipa's chicha-brewing houses. These spots serve generous, home-style portions of local classics and are typically busiest (and best) at lunchtime.

Best Time to Visit Arequipa

Arequipa's dry season, from roughly May to November, offers the clearest skies, the best mountain and volcano visibility, and the most reliable conditions for the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. June through August is peak tourist season and also the coolest, with chilly nights but sunny, mild days. The wet season, December to March, brings more rain and occasional cloud cover that can obscure volcano views, though the city itself sees far less rainfall than Cusco or the Amazon. April and the shoulder months around November are a reasonable compromise: fewer crowds, generally decent weather, and lower prices.

How Many Days Do You Need in Arequipa?

Two full days are enough to cover Arequipa's historic center, viewpoints, and food scene at a relaxed pace. If you want to add Colca Canyon, plan for at least one more day for a full-day tour, or two additional days for the more comfortable overnight version that includes Cruz del Cóndor at sunrise and time in the Colca Valley's villages and hot springs. Travelers with a full week can comfortably combine the city, Colca Canyon, and a countryside day trip to Sabandía without feeling rushed.

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Practical Tips for Visiting Arequipa

Altitude and Acclimatization

Arequipa sits at about 2,335 meters (7,660 feet) above sea level — noticeably lower than Cusco or Lake Titicaca, which makes it a genuinely useful place to begin acclimatizing before heading further into the Andes. Most travelers feel few or no effects at this altitude, though it's still worth taking it easy on your first day, staying hydrated, and avoiding excess alcohol. If you're continuing on to Colca Canyon (up to around 4,900 meters/16,000 feet at its highest passes) or higher-altitude destinations like Cusco or Puno afterward, it's worth reading up on altitude sickness in Peru and its prevention beforehand.

How to Get to Arequipa

Arequipa is well connected by air, with frequent flights from Lima (about 1.5 hours) and Cusco (around 1 hour), making it an easy add-on to a broader Peru itinerary. Overland travelers can also reach Arequipa by bus from Cusco, Puno, or Lima, though these routes take considerably longer. Rodríguez Ballón International Airport is roughly 20–30 minutes from the historic center by taxi.

Start Planning Your Arequipa Adventure with Explorandes

From the sillar streets of the historic center to the condors soaring over Colca Canyon, Arequipa packs an outsized amount of culture, food, and adventure into one corner of southern Peru. Whether you're planning a short city stay or building it into a longer Andes itinerary alongside Cusco and Machu Picchu, Explorandes can help you put together the right mix of cultural sightseeing and outdoor adventure. Contact us here.

Explore our Colca Canyon tours to combine Arequipa's best cultural sites with a two-day trip to see the Andean condor in flight or check our Peru travel guide and altitude sickness guide to help plan the rest of your trip through the Andes.

Ready to see the White City for yourself? Book your Arequipa tour and let our local experts handle the details, from the historic center to Santa Catalina Cathedral to the amazing Colca Canyon!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Arequipa, Peru

What is Arequipa best known for?

Arequipa is best known as Peru's “White City,” named for its colonial architecture built from white sillar volcanic stone, along with its volcano-framed skyline, the Santa Catalina Monastery, its distinctive regional cuisine, and its proximity to Colca Canyon.

How many days do you need to see Arequipa?

Two full days cover the city's main sights comfortably. Add one to two more days if you're planning a trip to Colca Canyon.

Is Colca Canyon worth visiting from Arequipa?

Yes. Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world and offers a strong chance of seeing Andean condors up close at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, along with traditional villages, pre-Inca terraces, and dramatic Andean scenery.

What is the best time of year to visit Arequipa?

The dry season, from May to November, offers the clearest skies and best visibility for volcanoes and canyon viewpoints. June to August is peak season with cooler temperatures; the shoulder months of April and November offer a good balance of decent weather and smaller crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do Arequipa as a day trip from Cusco?

Not comfortably. Even with a roughly one-hour flight each way, a same-day round trip leaves little real time in Arequipa once you factor in transport and check-in. It's better treated as its own stop of at least two days on a Peru itinerary that also includes Cusco.

Is Arequipa safe for tourists?

Arequipa is generally considered one of Peru's safer major cities for travelers. As with any city, standard precautions apply: stick to well-lit, populated areas at night, use registered taxis, and keep an eye on belongings in crowded spots like San Camilo Market.

What food should you try in Arequipa?

Don't miss rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy pepper), chupe de camarones (shrimp chowder), and adobo arequipeño, a slow-cooked pork stew traditionally eaten for breakfast on Sundays. A picantería is the best place to try them in their most traditional form.

Do you need to acclimatize to the altitude in Arequipa?

At 2,335 meters, most travelers experience minimal altitude effects in Arequipa itself. That said, it's a genuinely good place to spend a day or two acclimatizing before heading to higher-altitude destinations like Colca Canyon, Cusco, or Lake Titicaca.