Things to Do in Arequipa

Santa Catalina and the centre

The Santa Catalina monastery is a walled town in miniature: coloured lanes, small cells, kitchens, courtyards and a cloister, built in the sixteenth century and closed to the outside for centuries. Give it at least two hours, and go early, or late in the day when guided groups have left. Some visits include a candlelit evening opening, which changes the mood completely, though arrangements vary.

Around the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral takes up one full side. Climb to a rooftop terrace in the early evening for the view of Misti, the volcano that watches over the city.

The arcades around the square are a pleasant place to sit with a coffee and watch the light change on the pale stone, and the plaza fills with locals in the evening.

Viewpoints and neighbourhoods

Walk or take a short taxi to Yanahuara, where a stone arcade frames Misti and its neighbours. The small church and plaza are pleasant, and the area has traditional restaurants. The bridge over the Chili river leads to quiet residential streets and, if you carry on, to farmland terraces still in use around the edge of the city.

Further out, a visit to a textile workshop or alpaca centre gives a look at the wool industry that shaped the region. Prices vary, and quality does too, so compare before buying.

For somewhere to sleep that puts these neighbourhoods within easy reach, see where to stay in Arequipa. The area north of the plaza, San Lázaro, is worth a short wander for its narrow lanes and small bars.

Food in Arequipa

Arequipa has its own cooking, centred on the picantería, a traditional restaurant serving lunch only. Dishes to look for include rocoto relleno, a stuffed hot pepper, adobo arequipeño, a pork stew traditionally eaten for breakfast, and ocopa, a potato dish with a green sauce. Ask how spicy a dish is before ordering, because the local chilli can surprise a first-time visitor.

Evenings are better for drinks and light bites. Several courtyards in the centre have been converted into relaxed cafés, a good place for a pause between sights.

See what to eat in Arequipa for the regional dishes and how to order them. Go for lunch rather than dinner if you want a picantería at its best, since many close in the late afternoon.

Beyond the city

The Colca Canyon is the most popular trip, usually done as a two- or three-day tour or an overnight with an early start. Closer in, you can see the Sabandía mill and the countryside villages, or take a long day hike or volcano climb with a guide if you are experienced and acclimatised. Climbing the nearby peaks requires proper preparation, and conditions change quickly, so rely on a qualified guide.

See tours from Arequipa for the main options and what to ask before paying. The road to the canyon climbs high, so travellers who have arrived straight from the coast should allow a day or two in town first.

How to plan two days

A sensible first day starts with Santa Catalina in the morning, followed by a long lunch and a slow walk around the plaza and the cathedral. Finish with sunset from a rooftop terrace. The second day can combine Yanahuara and the countryside terraces in the morning with a workshop or a cooking class in the afternoon.

If you have a third day, use it for a trip outside the city, or simply slow down. Arequipa suits unhurried exploring more than a checklist, and its pale-stone streets look best in the low light of morning and late afternoon. The question of whether to give the city time at all is discussed in is Arequipa worth visiting.

Weather, sun and altitude

Arequipa is dry and sunny for most of the year, with strong sun at about 2,300 m. Wear a hat and sun protection even when the air is cool, and carry water on walks. Evenings are cooler, particularly in the dry-season winter, so bring a warm layer.

Most people feel the altitude only mildly, if at all, but those arriving by air from the coast may notice a little breathlessness on slopes. Take the first afternoon slowly, as you would anywhere at height. For the wider region, see Arequipa.