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City in Peru
Photo: .ky, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Arequipa is a city in the Southern Coastal region of Peru just below the edge of the Altiplano, at above sea level and surrounded by three impressive volcanoes. It's Peru's second most important city (after Lima), and the second most popular among tourists (after Cusco).
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The main square of Arequipa, surrounded by buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic stone.
la Basílica Catedral de Arequipa
The first cathedral was built in 1544. This reconstruction dates from 1848, with a substantial repair after the 2001 earthquake caused the towers to collapse through the roof. The tour takes you into the Basilica, and to see the cathedral's collection of liturgical items in precious metals & gemstones, and sacremental garments. You are also taken up to the roof to see the bell tower and for views of the Plaza de Armas and the city.
The oldest market in the center of the city. It's three blocks away from the main square.
From May to November the main exhibit is the mummy Dama de Ampato, also known as Juanita. It is close to the main square.
Santa Catalina Convent
The most visited building from the Spanish era of the city. Described as a city within a city, this beautiful place with its colors, flowers and little streets will make you feel like you are back in time. Quite close to the Plaza de Armas. The guides speak many different languages; ask at the desk to the left after the entrance. The guide will tell you about the history of the convent and the life of the nuns in the convent. You can also do the tour by yourself at your own pace: there are helpful descriptive signs in Spanish and English in all the rooms that contain mostly the same information.
A little off the usual tourist path, in downtown Arequipa. It is not as architecturally interesting as the Convento de Santa Catalina, but some of the paintings and artifacts are stunning.
Arequipa has beautiful bridges. The closest to the main square is Puente Bolognesi. Go there and visit the Tambos (ancient houses rebuilt by the city government and used as apartments). A great experience.
An iron bridge designed by Eiffel for the railway. It has been converted to a pedestrian/bicycle bridge. (The railway now crosses the river over a different bridge a few km to the south.) A technological jewel in Vallecito (10 blocks from main square) and a must for people who love trains and bridges. From the bridge, at golden hour (16:00-17:00), you can get some of the best pictures of the volcanoes and the city.
Sabandía Mill
A three-century-old water mill, set in the old district of Sabandia.
Also to be found in the old countryside is the renovated centuries-old Spanish Colonial mansion Mansión del Fundador.
An Andean Baroque style church, finished in 1698. Like many major colonial-era buildings in Arequipa it's built out of sillar (volcanic rock) with carved façades, though the carvings on this church are some of the most impressive depicting animals, plants, and even elements of Pre-Columbian mythology. Also the side cloisters featuring stone carvings, and the decorated interior of the church are worth a view.
A grand two-story house in Baroque-Moorish style, built in 1773 and named after an old mulberry plant on its patio. The entrance features magnificent stone carvings, and the wooden doors inside the building are also decorated in the same way. Inside the building you can see furniture and paintings by artists from the Cuzco School (Escuela Cuzqueña) from the colonial era.
Built in 1738 as the residence of general Domingo Carlos Tristán del Pozo, nowadays the building houses a branch of the BBVA Perú bank. The building features beautiful stone carvings above the entrance portal, like many buildings in Old Arequipa. This grand building has a total of 5 patios.
This 16th-century mestizo style (Andean Baroque) building was opened to the public in 1978, and is notable for its sillar walls and brick vault with a single nave.
The Franciscan monastery was built in 1648, and distinguished by its high bell tower in red and white bricks. Four out of the original seven buildings of the monastery remain today. The monastery has a library with about 20,000 volumes and part of the monastery is a museum with Incan and pre-Incan artifacts from mummies and totems to paintings of emperors. The museum also displays apparel worn by Amazonian natives.
Around 2½ hr. Tour is more about presenting the background of Arequipa, how and why it developed into the city it is today, different aspects being presented from different locations (rather than a tour of the major sights). Just turn-up (no booking necessary). Very worthwhile.
Explore Arequipa's ample gastronomy through a walking food tour that takes guests from San Camilo Market to Yanahuara with several stops in between in traditional picanterias and more! A truly immersive experience to get a great overview of the region's delicacies while visiting the city of Arequipa.
Anibal has six horses in the small stable just behind Arequipa. The horses are quite calm and suitable for beginners. First you will be provided with a helmet and some basic instructions. After that you ride 7 km there and 7 km back next to Chili River with great views of volcanoes. At the end you may be asked to help with feeding the horses.
Tour operator specializing in custom groups, with wide range of tours and treks in the Colca Canyon area and beyond.
Tour operator based in Arequipa specialized in tailor-made and shared tours to the Colca Canyon, Arequipa and Cotahuasi Canyon.
Old and the truly old cooking in Arequipa, is behind Saga Falabella, this picantería observes the old traditions. Go early, or the specialty of the day, which is around S/7, will be sold out. Though other dishes are also always available.
Founded by the late Señora Lucila Salas de Ballon, is a short taxi ride outside of town. An old-style kitchen specializing in spicy food with cuy (guinea pigs) eating scraps in the yard. You get the impression the current owners believe 'Doña Lucila' is still keeping an eye on everything and everyone.
A nice atmospheric Mexican restaurant. The Mexican meals here are delicious, with an excellent guacemole.
Natural and tasty vegetarian food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. At lunch time, the menú ejecutivo, including a small salad, a soup, a main dish, a dessert and a drink costs S/9.
You can get the menu of the day for S/4 including soup and a main dish and a soft drink. Tasty vegetarian food with many different options.
Nice restaurant that serves local food.
Restaurant with a unique concept: slices of 3 or 7 different Andean potatoes covered with vegetables and meat slices of your choice. Very small place with only a few tables, so it might be a good idea to be there early.
Vegan sushi bar tucked in behind the Monasterio de Santa Catalina. Enjoyed by vegans, vegetarians, pescetarians and carnivores alike.
Serves brunch with good portions of fruit.
Typical food like "cuy" or "rocoto relleno".
Steakhouse
Excellent cuisine inspired by traditional Peruvian dishes. More expensive than other restaurants in the area, but well worth the price. Great table service by very attentive waiters.
All types of western coffees.
This place offers a nice atmosphere and the cafes and chocolates taste wonderful. There is a chocolate factory and store in the first floor where you can watch chocolates being made and also a cafe in the 2nd floor. All ingredients are grown organically and sourced locally.
A place to party, with people at the bar every day of the week. Even as a non guest staying in the hostel, you can enter and enjoy the rooftop bar. Sometimes on Fridays or Saturdays they ask for an entry fee. Good events and it's a good place to meet other travelers and locals. Just look out for the Peruvian bricheros.
Located in an old colonial building with high ceilings. Budget dorms to semi-luxurious doubles. All rooms have speakers to plug in mp3/mp4/devices. Large rooftop area with tables and chairs is a great chill-out place. Free internet, a travel agency, kitchen, laundry, breakfast and drinks. Staff is friendly and helpful, some speak English.
Buena Vista Hostal
Very basic hotel in one of the oldest and most pleasant suburbs. Breakfast may be of dubious quality. Keep your own record of expenses and incidental charges as they may get confused when it comes time for the final bill.
Casa de Avila
Casa de Avila is in a beautiful 1930s building reburbished as a hotel. Central courtyard is the main attraction of the place. Staff is friendly and helpful, and most speak English. A family run business with a warm informal atmosphere. Free wifi, private rooms with cableTV in most of them. Spanish classes and cooking activities are available. Tourist information service to help you planning your activities.
Safe area, friendly and competent owner can give good assistance with tours such as hill climbing, colca canyon and similar.
Run by a friendly elderly couple. Hot water showers.
Three blocks from the Plaza de Armas, US$25 a nice room, includes breakfast and pick up from the airport.
Sunny terrace, bar area, hammocks and helpful bilingual staff. Lots of fun things going on- Spanish lessons, bbqs, trips, tours, volunteering.
Family-run hostel, multilingual staff. Cosy bedrooms, wifi, terrace, laundry, travel agency.
Friendly, in front of the tourist police station, nice patio, pick up from airport.
Private bathrooms, nice shared kitchen, laundry, TV in every room, wifi. You can hang out on the roof or the 2nd floor terrace.
Very friendly staff, great location, and quiet. Clean rooms, sunny terrace, free laptop use and free wifi, cable TV. Good thick towels and hot water. Very nice place to stay.
Relaxed place, authentic building, rooftop terrace, free wifi, nice staff, clean and very comfortable beds. Showers are solar powered, so not always really hot.
Four blocks away from the central square, this place has rooms with shared and private bathroom. Rooms are clean and a bit worn out. Some of them even has TV. Laundry is available on site for S/3 per kilo. Staff takes good care of safety and keeps the main gate locked majority of time. Wi-Fi is available in patio, but does not reach into all the rooms. Breakfast is available for extra S/7, but may be delivered later than promised. The roof terrace is extra nice bonus.
Several restaurants below, great atmosphere, terrace for breakfast and sunset views.
Bright and clean, with an expansive and sunny terrace. Wi-Fi, kitchen, hot water, breakfast (all-you-can-eat fresh breadrolls, jam and butter, tea, coffee, juice, fruit), even towels included. Rooms are cleaned every day. The shared bathrooms are separated by gender and definitely clean.
One and a half blocks from main plaza across the post office, best location, free transfer from airport, and bus terminal, great coffee shop Bernini's at hotel.
Very comfortable, modern rooms with TV, fast wifi, hot showers and buffet breakfast. Very competent and helpful staff, also English-, Dutch- and German-speaking. Big garden with hammocks and chairs. Spanish language school in garden: Spanish Cafe Arequipa. S/4 by taxi (day), S/5 by night - but don't worry about that, as the hotel is paying the taxi fare for you.
Built into an old colonial house. Very atmospheric hotel with friendly staff.
Half a block from Plaza de Armas. 2-night minimum stay, wifi throughout, à la carte breakfast and private transfers on arrival and departure.
Rooms are small, but the hotel is refurbished, clean, and quiet. The staff is friendly and solicitous. There is internet, and breakfast is included. Travel agency on site.
3 stars with standard and deluxe rooms. Including breakfast, cafeteria and swimming pool.
In the traditional district of San Lazaro, which is characterized by small alleys of sillar (volcanic stone blocks).
By bus
There are two terminals serving the city, Terminal Terrestre and Terminal Terrapuerto. They're next to each other, about 3 km from the center. A taxi should cost around S/8.
By train
Charter trains to Juliaca and Puno are only available for groups of 40 or more.
By taxi
If you want to take a taxi, you should take a "safe one". Rules to recognize them: they have signs on the roof. The more common the sign, the bigger the company and the safer the taxi.
By car
You can rent a car with a driver included and go all around Arequipa for just $6 an hour. There are many taxi companies that can be trusted like Panataxi, Taxitel, Turismo Arequipa and Megataxi.
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Arequipa · International · AQP
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