Best Things To Do in Arequipa

Arequipa is Peru's most underrated city. Built almost entirely from sillar — a cream-white volcanic stone quarried from the flanks of El Misti volcano — its colonial centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary elegance. But Arequipa's real power lies beyond its architecture: it sits at the gateway to Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon on Earth, and within reach of three volcanoes, some of Peru's most distinctive regional cuisine, and one of the world's most dramatic condor-watching sites.

This guide covers everything you need to plan 2–4 days in Arequipa, including the top 15 activities, neighborhood guides, a 3-day itinerary, budget breakdowns, and direct Viator booking links for the best tours.

🌋 Why Arequipa?

UNESCO World Heritage Historic Centre — the finest colonial architecture in Peru outside Lima.

Gateway to Colca Canyon — twice the depth of the Grand Canyon.

Peru's most distinctive regional cuisine: rocoto relleno, adobo arequipeño, chupe de camarones.

Mild altitude (2,335 m) — far easier to acclimatize to than Cusco (3,400 m).

Less crowded than Cusco; more authentic pace of Peruvian city life.

Top 15 Things to Do in Arequipa

Here are the best activities in Arequipa ranked by popularity and visitor impact:

👉 Browse all Arequipa tours on Viator →

The Must-Do: Colca Canyon

No visit to Arequipa is complete without a trip to Colca Canyon. At 3,270 meters deep, the Colca is the world's deepest canyon — nearly twice the depth of the Grand Canyon — and home to the Andean condor, one of the world's largest flying birds with a wingspan up to 3.2 meters.

Most visitors do a 1-day tour (departs 3 AM from Arequipa, returns by 8 PM), which includes the legendary Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint where condors soar at eye level above the canyon rim between 9–11 AM. More adventurous travelers opt for the 2-day trek, overnighting in Chivay and descending into the canyon floor.

🌋 Cruz del Cóndor Viewing Tips

Condors are most active 9:00–11:00 AM. Arrive by 8:45 AM for the best position.

They soar on thermal updrafts — activity peaks on sunny mornings after a cold night.

Bring a telephoto lens or the zoom function of your phone. They come remarkably close.

Wrap up warm — the viewpoint at 3,287 m is freezing at dawn even in summer.

→ Full Colca Canyon Day Tour guide: /arequipa/colca-canyon-tour/

→ Full Colca Canyon 2-Day Trek guide: /arequipa/colca-canyon-2-day-trek/

Santa Catalina Monastery: A City Within a City

The Monasterio de Santa Catalina de Siena is one of the most extraordinary buildings in South America. Founded in 1580, this sprawling 20,000 m² complex — built from the same white volcanic sillar as all of Arequipa — housed a completely self-contained community of nuns who lived here in total isolation from the outside world for nearly 400 years. It opened to the public only in 1970.

Walking through Santa Catalina is like entering a miniature colonial city: cobblestone lanes painted in deep terracotta and ultramarine, private courtyards, a laundry square, a communal kitchen with blackened walls, and an art gallery with priceless Cusqueña school paintings. Allow 2–3 hours minimum; evening visits (available until 8 PM some nights) are magical.

→ Full Santa Catalina Monastery guide: /arequipa/santa-catalina-monastery/

Arequipa Food Scene: Peru's Culinary Capital

Arequipa has one of the most distinctive regional cuisines in Peru — arguably more rooted in local tradition than even Lima. The picanterías, traditional family restaurants serving chupe de camarones (river prawn bisque), rocoto relleno (stuffed hot pepper), adobo arequipeño (overnight-marinated pork stew), and the thick potato stew ocopa, have been operating for centuries and still follow centuries-old recipes.

A dedicated Arequipa food tour takes you through the Central Market, local picanterías in the San Camilo district, and artisan pisco and anise spirit (anisado) producers. Evening restaurant options range from the upscale Zig Zag (Peruvian-European fusion in a 1920s railway house) to beloved local spots like La Nueva Palomino and Chicha by Gastón Acurio.

→ Full Arequipa Food Tour guide: /arequipa/arequipa-food-tour/

Arequipa City Tour: Walking the White City

Arequipa's Historic Centre deserves at least half a day. The Plaza de Armas is one of Peru's most beautiful squares — flanked by two-story white sillar arcades, the ornate Baroque Cathedral (two towers, founded 1612), and La Compañía de Jesús (the most elaborately carved Jesuit church in the Americas, 1698). The narrow streets behind the plaza hide colonial mansions, artisan workshops, and some of Peru's finest café culture.

City tours cover the Cathedral, La Compañía, the Mercado San Camilo, the Yanahuara viewpoint (best panoramic of El Misti), and often the Juanita Museum, which houses the 500-year-old mummified remains of a young Inca girl sacrificed on Ampato Volcano.

→ Full Arequipa City Tour guide: /arequipa/arequipa-city-tour/

Arequipa vs. Cusco: Should You Visit Both?

Yes — if you have 10+ days in Peru. Here's how the cities compare:

Practical tip: Fly Lima→Arequipa (1.5 hrs), spend 2–4 days, then take the 9-hour scenic bus or 1.5-hr flight to Cusco. Puno and Lake Titicaca are also accessible as a 5-hour drive from Arequipa, making a loop possible.

Arequipa Neighborhoods: Where to Stay and Explore

Arequipa is a compact city — most attractions are within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas. Here's a neighborhood breakdown:

3-Day Arequipa Itinerary

This itinerary is optimized for first-time visitors with 3 days — including the Colca Canyon day trip:

🌋 Altitude Acclimatization Tip

Arequipa sits at 2,335 meters — most visitors from sea level feel fine after 4–6 hours.

Drink 3+ liters of water on arrival day and avoid heavy meals and alcohol.

Don't rush to Colca Canyon on Day 1 — let your body adjust first.

If you're flying from Lima, you may feel nothing at all. Coming directly from sea level abroad is tougher.

Budget Guide: What Does Arequipa Cost?

Getting to Arequipa

By Air: Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP) receives daily flights from Lima (1 hr 30 min, from $50–100 on LATAM, Sky, and JetSmart). Direct flights from Cusco are also available (1 hr).

By Bus: Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, and Civa operate overnight buses from Lima (14–16 hrs, from $20–45). The Cama (flat-bed) class is genuinely comfortable. From Cusco, the journey is 9–10 hrs through stunning highland scenery.

By Train: No direct train service from Lima or Cusco to Arequipa currently operates. The Titicaca Train from Puno to Cusco passes near Juliaca, 45 min from Arequipa by road.

Best Time to Visit Arequipa

Arequipa enjoys over 300 sunny days per year — one of the sunniest cities in Peru. The dry season (April–December) is ideal, with clear skies, perfect Colca Canyon visibility, and stable temperatures of 15–22°C during the day.

The rainy season (January–March) brings afternoon showers but mornings remain clear. Colca Canyon tours run year-round but heavy rains can occasionally close the road. Book with free cancellation during Jan–Mar.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need in Arequipa?

Minimum 2 days: Day 1 for the city (Santa Catalina, food tour), Day 2 for Colca Canyon. 3–4 days is ideal and allows you to add the city tour, Juanita Museum, Yanahuara viewpoint, and a second Colca day or El Misti hike.

Is Arequipa safe for tourists?

Yes — Arequipa is one of Peru's safer cities for tourism. The Historic Centre and Miraflores-equivalent districts are well-patrolled. Standard travel precautions apply: don't display expensive equipment, use registered taxis or Uber, and book Colca Canyon tours through reputable operators.

What language do people speak in Arequipa?

Spanish, with a distinctive Arequipeño accent. English is spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and tour operators. Learning a few Spanish phrases is appreciated by locals — "picantera" culture is deeply traditional and monolingual.

What is sillar?

Sillar is a light volcanic stone (ignimbrite) from the nearby Chachani volcano, used to build virtually all of Arequipa's historic buildings. It gives the city its distinctive white-cream color and the nickname "La Ciudad Blanca" (The White City). It's soft enough to carve ornately, which is why Arequipa's Baroque facades are so elaborately detailed.

Can you do Colca Canyon as a day trip from Arequipa?

Yes — the standard Colca Canyon day tour departs Arequipa at 3 AM and returns by 8–9 PM. It's a long day (17–18 hrs total) but very manageable. The early start is worth it for the Cruz del Cóndor condor-viewing window (9–11 AM). The 2-day version is far more relaxing and recommended if you can spare the time.

Do I need a visa to visit Arequipa / Peru?

Citizens of the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and most Latin American countries do not need a visa for Peru for stays up to 90–183 days. Check the Peruvian embassy website for your specific nationality. On arrival, immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel.

What should I buy in Arequipa?

Baby alpaca textiles (softer and finer than standard alpaca), handwoven Andean rugs, anisado (local anise spirit), rocoto pepper hot sauce, and artisan sillar carvings. The Mercado San Camilo and surrounding artisan shops near Santa Catalina are the best shopping areas.

Tours mentioned in this guide

• Colca Full Day Tour View on Viator
• 2 day 1 night trek / Colca Canyon View on Viator
• Arequipa Walking Tour city center and drinks experience View on Viator
• A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa View on Viator
• 2 Day Misti Volcano Trek from Arequipa View on Viator
• Countryside Tour Arequipa View on Viator
• Arequipa - Cotahuasi Canyon 4D / 3N View on Viator
• Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa View on Viator
• Full day Climbing tour to Chachani Volcano 6075 m (min. 2 people) View on Viator

Related guides

• Colca Canyon Tour from Arequipa
• Colca Canyon 2 Day Trek
• Cruz del Condor
• Santa Catalina Monastery
• Arequipa Food Tour
• Arequipa City Tour