AREQUIPA TRAVEL GUIDE
About Arequipa: Peru’s White City
Arequipa is for us 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 have many things to do. 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.
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 good 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. Day Trips from Arequipa
In addition to the many attractions in Arequipa, the region around the city offers some amazing experiences. From natural to cultural highlights, there are three unforgettable day trips from Arequipa that we recommend.
Each of them can be done in one day and will give you a different perspective of the White City and its surroundings.
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!
Conclusion
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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