Welcome to Our Arequipa Travel Guide: Explore the Best Things to Do in Peru's White City
AREQUIPA: THE "WHITE CITY"
About Arequipa: Peru’s White City
Arequipa is a must-visit destination in Peru, located in the stunning Andes Mountains at an altitude of 2,335 meters. The city’s historic center, made of white volcanic stone, has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The Santa Catalina Monastery offers a possibility to dive into Arequipa’s history, while the surrounding mountains provide beautiful panoramic views. You can explore the city’s streets, join on incredible day trips like the famous Colca Canyon tour, and try traditional Peruvian cuisine at local picanterías. With its unique mix of history, culture, and natural beauty, Arequipa is a top destination for anyone traveling to Peru.
What to Do in Arequipa: Top Attractions and Must-See Sights
In Arequipa, both the city and its surrounding areas offer a wealth of experiences. We recommend planning at least two full days in Arequipa, with one day dedicated to the must-do Colca Canyon tour. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Arequipa and the exciting day trips worth taking. While Lima may be known as the food capital of Latin America (check out our Lima Food Guide), Arequipa also has incredible dining options, including one of the most fantastic restaurants we found during our visit. Enjoy our Arequipa travel guide!
1. Free Walking Tour: Discover the Best of Arequipa’s Historic Center
We love taking ‘free’ walking tours, and this is a must-do in our Arequipa Travel Guide. We always make it a point to join a walking tour on the first day of our arrival, as it offers a great first impression of the city. It helps us get familiar with the layout of Arequipa, making it easier to navigate on the following days. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to meet fellow travelers and share tips on what to do in Arequipa. Whether you’re exploring Arequipa’s historic center or learning about the city’s rich history, the free walking tour is, for us, one of the best things to do in Arequipa at the start of your visit.
For example, after the free walking tour, we went together to a Picantería to enjoy some local food. The walking tours in Arequipa usually start every 1-2 hours, so it’s easy to fit one into your itinerary. We gained a beautiful impression of the city and definitely visited places we wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. It’s advisable to take the tour in the morning, leaving the afternoon free to explore other highlights, such as the Santa Catalina Monastery or the Ruta del Sillar. Check out Guru Walk for available tours in Arequipa. We paid just 5 USD per person for this amazing experience.
2. The Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena: A Must-Visit in Arequipa
Another highlight in Arequipa is the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena. The monastery is conveniently located on the way from the Lonko Hostel to the Plaza de Armas and is indescribably beautiful. You can find the current opening hours on the official website.
The entrance fee is $12.00 USD per person. We went inside just before the entrance stop at 5 p.m. and still had time until 6 p.m. to explore the monastery. Additionally, it was even more stunning during the sunset. You can do both the walking tour and the monastery on the same day.
3. Ruta del Sillar: A Tour of Arequipa's Famous Stone Quarries
This attraction might remind you of Petra in Jordan, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. While it’s not as huge, the Ruta del Sillar is still an impressive sight in Arequipa, where you can see incredible stonework created by local artists over the past decades. We recommend not booking an organized tour but instead taking an Uber to the quarries, just like we did. It’s an affordable and flexible option for those exploring what to do in Arequipa. Just keep in mind that there’s no internet access while you’re there. Our Uber driver waited for us for about 15-20 minutes, which gave us plenty of time to get some great pictures of Arequipa’s volcanic stone quarries.
Overall, the Uber ride to Ruta del Sillar cost us approximately $15.00 USD. If you’re looking to save a little money, ask fellow travelers from the free walking tour to join you. While we found the Ruta del Sillar nice to visit, it’s not a must-do for everyone. In addition to the Uber cost, there’s an entrance fee of $1.30 USD per person, with an optional smaller exhibition for $0.80 USD. There are toilets available, and you can also purchase water on-site.
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday: 08:00 am – 04:30 pm
Day Trips from Arequipa: Explore the Best Nearby Destinations
Let’s be upfront with you from the start. If you’re someone who loves to sleep in, these day trips from Arequipa might not be the right choice for you. We woke up for our two day trips at 5:00 am and 2:00 am. However, the 15-hour Colca Canyon tour was absolutely worth it. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Arequipa for nature and adventure lovers. The pictures and our reports will give you a great impression of the tours!
1. Laguna de Salinas: A Day Trip to See Flamingos and Andean Landscapes
The Laguna de Salinas tour starts quite early, but compared to the Colca Canyon tour, waking up by 5 am feels like sleeping in. We booked the tour through our hostel, unaware that it would be a jeep tour. This turned out to be a blessing, as we were much faster than the other tours in mini-vans or buses. The destination of the tour was Laguna de Salinas, a stunning 20-kilometer-long and 12-kilometer-wide lake. After navigating a winding, poorly maintained serpentine road for nearly 2 hours, we enjoyed breakfast in a breathtaking location. Along the way, we spotted beautiful flamingos, adding a special touch to this day trip from Arequipa.
Afterwards, we continued to the other side of Laguna de Salinas, where we saw flamingos and had the opportunity to jump in hot springs. Local children also showed us their fishing spot for a small fee. On the way back, we even spotted alpacas in the wild.
Would we recommend this 7-hour Laguna de Salinas tour? Absolutely! The unique aspect of this tour is that you can get very close to the Misti Volcano and even see the Baby Misti, making it a memorable experience. This tour stands out, especially when compared to our 3-day, 2-night tour in Uyuni, Bolivia. Prices vary depending on the group size, so it can be quite affordable.
Price of the tour: 24.00 USD
Entrance fee: 2.50 USD
Breakfast (optional): 4.00 USD
2. Colca Canyon: A Must-Do Tour in Arequipa
Visiting Arequipa and skipping the Colca Canyon tour is like visiting Peru and missing out on Machu Picchu—it’s an absolute must-do in our opinion! We were picked up from our hostel around 3:00 am, and after collecting more tourists, we started on a three-hour journey to our first stop. Unlike the Laguna de Salinas tour, the road to Colca Canyon was well-built, allowing us to catch up on some sleep. We arrived punctually at dawn at our first stop, situated at an altitude of 4500 meters, offering a perfect viewpoint of the active Hualca Hualca Volcano.
Impressed by this first stop, we continued to have breakfast. After a fast refueling, we made our way to the village of Chivay, where we saw a traditional dance. We then stopped in 2-3 more villages, each offering some insights into local life. In one of these villages, we had the opportunity to try a traditional cocktail called “Colca Sour”, made with Pisco and cactus—a taste of the region. Finally, we reached the Colca Valley. Prepare for amazing views as you take in the stunning landscapes, making this one of the best things to do in Arequipa.
The highlight of the Colca Canyon tour was a 30-40 minute hike to the highest point of the canyon, standing at 3800 meters above sea level! From here, we had an incredible view and were fortunate enough to spot condors in flight. Seeing these giant birds in their natural habitat was truly impressive. With a wingspan of up to 310 centimeters and weighing up to 15 kilograms, the condors flew surprisingly close, offering a rare and cool experience in Arequipa.
After this, we headed to the hot springs. Unfortunately, they were overcrowded, so we were about to skip the visit but, the guide showed us alternative hot springs for the same price! The lunch provided on this tour was very good, considering the standard on those tours. We’ve had some terrible experiences before. It was an all-you-can-eat buffet with a wide selection: salads, trout, alpaca, fried chicken wings, grilled chicken wings, pasta, rocoto rellena, ceviche, and more. If you book the tour without meals, you have the option to pay 40 Soles (10,00 USD) directly in the restaurant
As our final activity on the Colca Canyon tour, we made a stop on the way back to observe llamas in their natural habitat. It was a perfect day; however, despite the great experience, there were also a few things we didn’t like. Firstly, the tour was very long, partly due to stops in numerous small towns that all seemed quite similar. Secondly, while it’s nice to see traditional dances, if they’re only performed for tourists, it feels less authentic. Lastly, the treatment of alpacas must be mentioned. Seeing them wearing sunglasses or funny clothes isn’t pleasant. Unfortunately, many tourists support this behavior by taking photos with the alpacas, which is something to consider when booking a Colca Canyon tour.
Ultimately, it was the longest tour we’ve ever done, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re planning to continue your journey, there’s also the option to book onward transportation to Puno (Lake Titicaca) during the tour, saving you the hassle of a return trip from Arequipa.
Price: 38,50 USD incl. Breakfast & Lunch
Entrance to Colca Valley: 18,50 USD
Hot springs (optional): 4,00 USD
We booked our tour on GetYourGuide and the company who offered this tour is BABY LAMA.
Food And Drinks in Arequipa: A Taste Of Peru
As mentioned earlier, Arequipa’s culinary scene can’t be compared to Lima’s. However, we found some authentic culinary highlights which we will describe now in our Arequipa travel guide.
1. Picantería La Nueva Palomino: A Must-Visit for Traditional Arequipeña Cuisine
A visit to a picanteria is a must when exploring Arequipa! These traditional Peruvian restaurants specialize in regional dishes, particularly those unique to Arequipa. After our walking tour, we stopped at one that offered affordable food options with incredibly huge portions. Known for their spicy and flavorful dishes called “picante,” picanterias are an authentic place to see and feel Arequipa’s culture. This spot convinced us with its atmosphere and traditional cooking methods, which you can even see in action!
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Leoncio Prado 122, Yanahuara 04000
Opening hours:
Monday – Satuday
12:00 – 05:00 pm
Sunday
07:30 am – 10:30
12:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Price: $$
2. Kao Thai – Peruvian and Thai Fusion in Arequipa
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Cl. San Francisco 217, Arequipa 04001
Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday
12:30 – 10:00 pm
Sunday
12:30 – 04:00 pm
Price: $$$
Website:
https://kaorestaurant.com/?lang=en
3. A Taste of Italy in Arequipa: Where to Find the Best Pizza
In Arequipa are many pizzerias, making the choice not always easy. We decided on this one because we could see through the window that the staff were using a traditional pizza oven. The pizzas cost around $8.00 USD, which we found to be fair. Unfortunately, this pizzeria doesn’t have a Google Maps listing, so we can only provide an approximate location.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Santa Catalina 402-404, Arequipa 04001
Price: $$
4. Museo del Pisco: Try Peru’s National Drink in Arequipa
Museo del Pisco is not only in Arequipa but also in Lima and Cusco, so you have several opportunities to visit. There, you can order various types of coktails made with pisco. We decided us for the Fina Estampa for 9.00 USD. You can definitely taste the difference compared to the all-day happy hour Pisco Sours for $3.50 USD. Whether it’s worth the extra cost, though, is up to you.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Sta. Catalina Ancha 398, Cusco 08002
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday
12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Price: $$ – $$$
Locations:
https://english.museodelpisco.org/locations/
Menu:
https://museodelpisco.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cartas-us.pdf
Website:
https://english.museodelpisco.org/
5. Puku Puku
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Santa Catalina 124, Arequipa 04001
Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday
08:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday
11: 00 am – 06:00 pm
Price: $$
Website:
https://pukupuku.pe/
6. Arequipa’s Street Food Scene: What to Eat and Where
The street food options are limited but delicious. We recommend two specialties. “Queso helado” is a Peruvian dessert from Arequipa made with milk, cinnamon, cloves, coconut, sugar, and egg yolks, despite its name, it contains no cheese (“queso”). Similarly, like hot dogs, which don’t contain any dog. It costs 1.00 USD, and you can even try a small portion before buying.
The other street food isn’t exclusive to Arequipa—meat skewers. You can usually choose from chicken (pollo), beef (carne), alpaca, cow hearts (anticuchos), or chicken hearts (corazón). Each skewer costs 0.50 USD and comes with a potato on top and optional spicy sauce. We used to visit the same place every time.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Skewer stand
How To Get To Arequipa
To reach Arequipa, you have two primary options:
By plane: Arequipa’s Manuel Ballon International Airport (airport code: AQP) offers regular connecting flights to and from major cities. For example, there are nonstop 1 hour 30-minute flights from Lima to Arequipa and nonstop 1-hour flights from Arequipa to Cusco.
By bus: Arequipa boasts two major bus terminals, Terminal Terrestre and Terminal Terrapuerto, conveniently located next to each other and just 2.5 miles (4 km) from the Plaza de Armas. For long-distance journeys between Arequipa and cities like Cusco, Puno, or Lima, opt for reputable companies such as Cruz del Sur, which offers nonstop overnight routes for comfort and safety.
We personally went by plane from Lima to Arequipa and then continued our trip with a night bus from Cruz del Sur to Cusco. If we hadn’t visited Ica and Paracas before, we would definitely have gone there by bus and then continued by bus to Arequipa.
Where To Stay In Arequipa
Arequipa has plenty of accommodation options. We decided to stay in a private room at the “Lonko Hostel Arequipa“. If you are looking for something more luxurious, we can recommend “Casa Andina Premium“, where some friends of ours stayed.
The Lonko hostel includes breakfast (pancakes, two rolls with jam and butter, scrambled or fried eggs, coffee, and tea). The view from the rooftop terrace of the over 6000 m high Cachani is beautiful every morning. If you are looking for a central, affordable hostel, we can recommend this one!
If you’re planning a trip to Arequipa, this guide has everything you need to know. From the best things to do in Arequipa, like visiting the Colca Canyon or trying the street food scene, to recommendations on where to stay in Arequipa – we’ve got you covered. Arequipa is full of nice experiences, whether you’re sipping pisco at the Museo del Pisco or exploring the city. With plenty of accommodation options to fit every budget, we recommend places like the good Lonko Hostel for an affordable stay or Casa Andina Premium for a more luxurious experience. Enjoy Arequipa’s culture, delicious food, and breathtaking views!
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