Location: Arequipa
Top Things to do in Arequipa
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Arequipa, Peru
In Peru's second-most populous city, aka "The White City," stunning colonial buildings made of pearly sillar stone vie for attention with the surrounding volcanoes and snow-capped peaks of the western Andes. Founded in 1540, it's a smorgasbord of mansions and museums. The top attraction, 215,000-square-foot Santa Catalina Monastery, is like its own city within a city, complete with fountains and cobblestone streets. Arequipa is the favorite base for visiting Colca Canyon and its massive condors.
Restaurants in Arequipa
1. Monasterio de Santa Catalina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Considered a masterpiece of colonial architecture, this monastery is a large complex of rooms, picturesque plazas, ornate Fountains and a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets.
Reviewed By EmilyMartha - New York City, New York
Take yourself back 500 years to see how the Carmelite nuns lived in Arequipa. Included in your visit are a garden oasis, a museum exhibition and excellent labels throughout to explain the purpose of each room. Expect to spend two hours here. A wonderful treasure unlike any convent I've seen anywhere in the world; it's a veritable city.
2. Historic Centre of Arequipa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Chris L
There are many hidden places hidden in Arequipa, just walk around the downtown area and visit the Tambos (old traditional houses where many families live to present days) walk through San Lazaro neighbohood. I hope you find the church which highest point is at the same level as the floor of the main square. Don't forget to visit San Francisco and Santa Teresa monasteries.
3. El Misti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 784 reviews
Reviewed By Flouse2000 - Villers-la-ville, Belgium
The misti ascension can be done easily solo if you have a bit experience of trekking and have camping equipment. Here is how we did with my friend :
Prepare camping equipment and take at least 5 liters of water per person. We had just enough so maybe take a liter more ?
We went to av. Sepulveda to take a taxi to Chuiguata (6 soles). We asked the taxi to drop us 3/4 of the way where the trek to Misti begins. For navigation we used the smartphone app maps.me wich is really useful. There is a door that you need to get through, of its closed just knock and calm for someone to open. Maybe you can ask the taxi driver to get you closer to Misti ? The road is quite good and you can spare 6 km and 500+ m D+, that can be useful to be less wasted for the next day !
From the road it's a 1600 m D+ so be prepared to suffer a bit, we walked for 6-7 hours to reach the campsite at 4500 m. We were not alone, 2 others groups : 2 tourists and 7-8 locals, both with guide. Again : no water on site, bring your own for cooking. We went to sleep early, it's cold during the night !
Next day, wake up at 1 am. Walking from 2 am and reached the top at 6-6.30, a bit late for sunrise... maybe leave earlier ? The way up is not easy, during the night the trail is sometimes hard to find and keep. You get sometimes to just climb through rocks and finally find the path again. The sand is only a problem if you walk outside the designated paths.
Really beautiful on top, crater still in activity.
Way down EASY : just run as an astronaut in the sand. We went down 1100 m D- in 30 min. Long walk back to the road (were there at 11 am, but we went super fast). Hitchhiked a car on the road to Arequipa.
Rested during after noon, enjoyed a great restaurant for diner ;)
Great experience, be prepared to carry an heavy bag, face the cold during the night walk and be proud of yourself. Bye !
4. Plaza de Armas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Serving as the focus of urban life and evening activities, this elegant grand square features graceful colonnades, swaying palms and lush Gardens.
Reviewed By Brittany_11_10 - Los Angeles, California
I lucked out and happened to be in Arequipa (and South America, in general) during carnaval, and one of the days they had a parade that wound through the plaza. There were heaps of people (spectators and participants alike, locals and foreigners both) dancing, celebrating life, spraying each other with...whatever it is they use (it's like shaving cream, sort of).
I also visited the plaza when no special event was taking place, and it obviously wasn't as great, but it was still a nice place to hang out, people-watch, and write a few postcards.
5. Museo de Arte Virreinal Santa Teresa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 279 reviews
Reviewed By Frédérique D - Montreal, Canada
Great staff and charming place to discover! We were not planning on visiting Santa Teresa covent as we had not heard of it before passing in front. Dennis and the lady at the ticket counter were lovely. Dennis schedule us a guided tour via email. He was very helpful and sociable. We enjoyed a lot our visit. The covent is charming and not too touristy. Exactly what we were looking for. One of the highlights was definitely to hear the monjas singing at noon. We listened to their beautiful voices right by the door that gave access to the room they were in and that we had visited 15 min earlier. It gave us chills. Also, try the cookies they bake. They were incredibly delicious!
6. Complejo de la Compania de Jesus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 251 reviews
Reviewed By Jarko2015 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This set of cloistered courtyards is part of the church precinct, but has been converted to restaurants and shops, so is no longer part of the religious site. It's well worth seeing as it's in a great state of preservation and the views from the upper balconies are very good;. Even if you choose not to eat or shop it's worth seeing.
7. Chachani
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
This large extinct volcano, 6,057 meters in height, rises above Arequipa in southern Peru and is a popular site for climbers.
Reviewed By YayaArnie - London, United Kingdom
Three of us (between 30 and 40 fit enough) decided to attempt climbing Chachani on our own in 1day. We got as much information as we could from locals and agencies the day before (regarding weather forecast, level of snow at the top, necessity of ice pick, routes...), and as the weather was good, there was no snow at the top, we just done Ausengate so we though we are acclimatised to altitude we decided to try to do it alone.
We got up at 12.30am, took our taxi 4x4 at 1am, it takes 2h30 to go to the starting point of the climb at 5100meters. We brought with us warm clothes, leggings, gloves, hats, jacket, windstopper...2,5liters of water each, breakfast and lunch!
We started walking at 5.30am, we could see a little bit as the first light of the sun was appearing.
It took us 1h10minutes to the campsite; that part is easy enough, but there is a landslide after 20minutes walk so it can be tricky at times to find your way, try to look for the painted white arrows or dots, and if you can try to spot the trail on the other side to know where to get out.
At this stage, one of us started to experience altitude sickness even though we spent 5days over 4600m the last week. (Bring coca leaves or tablets in case)
Then you arrive at the campsite and can see the mountain to climb...the path is pretty clear to follow going up... We stayed on the part you can see for a couple of hours, and then the path leads you on the other side of the rocks that are on your right.
Two of us really struggled with altitude and found it really hard to breath, we had to stop every minute nearly after 5600m, and we were not sure if we will make it to the summit. The third one had no major problem going up...so it really depends how you deal with altitude!
Anyway it took us 5h15 to get from the campsite to the summit, it felt amazing reaching it 'our first 6000m', and we were super lucky as it was not too cold so we enjoyed the views up there.
After 20minutes on the top, we went down, it took us 3hours in total (2h walking, and 1h resting for lunch and relaxing). Going down scree skiing was fun and easy, but its hard on your knees and it's quiet dusty. This day was really tiring, probably our hardest 1day hike...the altitude slowed us and two of us had bad bad headaches from it for hours.
Our taxi collected us at 4pm, and we were back at our hostel at 6.30pm (totally wrecked!)
There is lots of agencies in Arequipa that organise trips to Chachani, so no need to book ahead. You can also rent warm clothes if you decide to diy.
It's definitely not an easy walk (and it can be dangerous depending of the weather), so if you have no experience of Mountains or altitude, take a guide, it's safer!
Remember to take lots of warm clothes, it's pretty cold early morning and at the top! And be cautious, there is no reception on Chachani and nobody there at all, so if you have a problem you are alone.
If you decide to do it alone and need a taxi, contact Esteban directly on +51963408641
8. Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 501 reviews
Reviewed By Jarko2015 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In some respects, this is a more fascinating church than the Cathedral, only because it's older and far more ornate. The altars are stunning and the architecture is well worth checking out. There is also a museum, which requires a PS5 entrance fee, whereas the church is free.
9. Monasterio de la Recoleta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
This 17th century convent has been rebuilt several times due to earthquake damage. Now a museum, its rooms contain mummies, masks and souvenirs collected on missionary travels.
Reviewed By Bruno V - Arequipa, Peru
A Recoleta Convent (franciscan convent where the missionaries used to rest, contrary to the city convent), with some small collections: interesting are the Amazon jungle rooms, where they present the Missions in this region by the franciscans since the colonial period. Some stuffed animals, fishes, etc. There is a room with toys (still don t udnerstand the reason for that), some paintings, some monk's cells, the church. The whole museum is very old fashioned and dusty. Could use a brush up. The Library is impressive though. If you are in Arequipa for several days and don t' have much to visit anymore, this place is ok, but it is not a priority.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 912 reviews
In the heart of Arequipa in the Museum of the Cathedral, valuable pieces of art and culture, which reflect the beauty of its Catholic faith, shine for Peru and the world. Monday to Saturday of 10 – 17 hours, all year.En el Corazón de Arequipa en el Museo de la Catedral, brillan para el Perú y el mundo piezas valiosas de arte y cultura, que reflejan la belleza de su fe católica. Horario: Lunes a sábado de 10 am – 5 pm.
Reviewed By Stephen T - Dorchester, United Kingdom
This Cathedral on the main square is built in the Frnech style apparently. It looks and feels clearly different from the prevailing Spanish style, less ornate, more elegant and spacious. A very nice building to spend half an hour in, calm and stately. The carved cedar pulpit is magnificent
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