Cidade Turismo
Peru

Before you go

Your trip to Arequipa.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Arequipa – Arequipa Destination Arequipa and the Colca Canyon Capital

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto Internacional Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Arequipa · 8 km
  • Terminal Terrestre de Arequipa 4 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. From Lima it's about a 1h30 flight. Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón International Airport is about 8 km from the center, a 20–30 minute taxi ride. Buses from Lima, Puno, Cusco and the Colca arrive at the Terminal Terrestre, 4 km from the Plaza de Armas.

How many days

Two days: one for the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, La Compañía and the Monasterio de Santa Catalina; another for the Museo Santuarios Andinos, Yanahuara and a lunch of Arequipeña cuisine. Add two days for the Colca.

When to go

Year-round: the city has sun most days. From May to November it is usually dry, with mild days and cold nights. From December to March it can rain in the afternoons, and the volcanoes are sometimes covered by clouds. On August 15 Arequipa celebrates its founding anniversary with parades and festivities.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The historic center is explored on foot, and taxis handle trips to Yanahuara, the bus terminal and the airport. For the Colca there are agency tours and scheduled buses.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Arequipa
  1. Morning
    Plaza de Armas and Cathedral

    Start at the Plaza de Armas, with the arcades and the Misti in the background, and take the guided tour of the Catedral, which goes up to the roof. On the way out, see the façade of the Compañía.

  2. Afternoon
    Santa Catalina

    Have a rocoto relleno for lunch and head to the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, two blocks away, to walk through the colorful streets and courtyards.

  3. Late afternoon
    Yanahuara

    Cross the Chili River by taxi to the Yanahuara viewpoint to see the Misti in the late-afternoon light.

  4. Evening
    Illuminated center

    Return to the Plaza de Armas to see the Catedral lit up and have dinner at a picantería or a downtown restaurant.

2 days in Arequipa

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Plaza de Armas

    Plaza de Armas, Catedral and the church of the Compañía, with the cloisters beside it.

  2. Afternoon
    Santa Catalina

    Monasterio de Santa Catalina, with time for the streets Sevilla, Granada and Toledo.

  3. Late afternoon
    Calle Santa Catalina

    Walk along the street of mansions around the monastery, with cafés and alpaca shops.

  4. Evening
    Dinner

    Dinner in the center, near the square.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Museo Santuarios Andinos

    Guided visit to the Museo Santuarios Andinos and to Juanita, the Inca girl from the Ampato volcano.

  2. Afternoon
    Picantería

    Have lunch at a picantería, Arequipa's traditional restaurant: chupe de camarones, rocoto relleno, ocopa.

  3. Late afternoon
    Yanahuara

    Yanahuara's sillar-arched viewpoint and the neighborhood church, with the Misti in the background.

  4. Evening
    Preparation for the Colca

    Sleep early: the trips to the Colca depart in the early morning.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Why is Arequipa called the White City?

Because of the sillar, the light volcanic stone used in the churches and mansions of the historic center. Some also say the nickname comes from the Spanish inhabitants during the colonial era.

What is Arequipa's altitude?

About 2,330 meters, well below Cusco and Puno. It's a good stop to acclimatize before going higher.

What to eat in Arequipa?

Rocoto relleno, a spicy pepper stuffed with meat; chupe de camarones, a river shrimp soup; ocopa, a peanut sauce served with potato; and queso helado, a milk-based ice cream with cinnamon. Picanterías are the traditional restaurants.

Can you climb the Misti?

Yes, with an agency and a guide, in two days, but it's a high-altitude climb—above 5,800 meters—that requires preparation and several days of acclimatization. For most people, the volcano is seen from the Yanahuara viewpoint.

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