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Arequipa
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Arequipa, Peru’s white-stone city, pairs colonial architecture and volcano views with Andean history, regional cuisine and journeys to Colca Canyon.

Volcanic Landscape and Colonial Stone

Arequipa stands in southern Peru beneath the broad, often snow-tipped cone of El Misti, with the Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes completing a dramatic highland horizon. The city’s historic centre is built largely from pale sillar, a volcanic ashlar stone that gives its churches, mansions and arcades a distinctive luminous appearance. Around the Plaza de Armas, finely carved facades reveal the fusion of Spanish colonial planning with local craftsmanship, while streets leading towards the Yanahuara district open to viewpoints across rooftops and the surrounding peaks.
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Courtyards, Convents and Living Traditions

Arequipa’s character is best understood by moving between grand civic spaces and quieter courtyards. The Monastery of Santa Catalina contains an extraordinary maze of painted lanes, cloisters and former cells, while the Iglesia de la Compañía displays some of the finest baroque carving in the city. Museums such as the Museo Santuarios Andinos connect the region to pre-Hispanic pilgrimage and the Inca world through artefacts recovered from high-altitude shrines. Beyond its architecture, Arequipa remains a centre of southern Peruvian identity, known for its assertive cuisine, traditional picanterías and strong literary and intellectual life.

Gateway to the Colca Highlands

The city is also a natural base for exploring the wider landscapes of the Arequipa region. The Colca Valley lies beyond the urban centre, where terraced agriculture, highland villages and deep canyon scenery reflect centuries of adaptation to the Andes. Within Arequipa itself, markets, museums and neighbourhood walks provide a slower introduction to local life, from the produce stalls of San Camilo Market to the stone bridges and riverbanks of the Chili valley.

When is the best time to visit Arequipa?

Best: December–February · 20–21°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)201
February (best)211
March201
April191
May181
June171
July171
August181
September191
October201
November201
December (best)211

Getting to and around Arequipa

How to get there

Arequipa is served by Rodríguez Ballón International Airport, north-west of the city, with domestic connections that commonly link it to Lima and other major Peruvian destinations, subject to seasonal changes. Long-distance buses connect Arequipa with Lima, Cusco, Puno, Tacna and towns along the southern coast; services arrive at the city’s intercity bus terminal area. Road travel is possible via the Pan-American Highway and routes across the southern Andes, although mountain journeys can be long and affected by weather or occasional road disruption. There is no practical regular passenger railway service for most visitors travelling between Peru’s principal tourist cities, so buses and flights are the usual options.

Transportation

The historic centre is compact enough to explore mainly on foot, with the Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Compañía complex and Santa Catalina within walkable distance of one another. Local buses and shared urban services reach outer districts, but routes can be difficult for first-time visitors to interpret and traffic is often busy. Taxis are widely used; choose marked or authorised vehicles where possible, or arrange one through accommodation. Arequipa’s altitude and bright sun make short journeys feel more demanding than the map suggests. For Colca Valley trips and other regional excursions, organised transport or a reputable local operator is generally more practical than relying on local city services.

Best attractions in Arequipa

Arequipa’s historic centre offers a concentrated sequence of places to explore, beginning with the spacious Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral’s long sillar facade. The Monastery of Santa Catalina is more than a religious building: its painted streets, cloisters and domestic rooms reveal the scale of convent life over several centuries. Nearby, the Iglesia de la Compañía and its richly carved baroque portal demonstrate the city’s distinctive colonial craftsmanship. The Museo Santuarios Andinos introduces the archaeology of the surrounding highlands and the story of the Inca mountain sanctuary associated with Juanita. Across the river, the Yanahuara district provides arcaded viewpoints towards El Misti, while the Molino de Sabandía shows how water power supported agriculture outside the centre. San Camilo Market adds a lively everyday dimension, with produce, flowers and regional ingredients arranged beneath its historic iron roof.

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Best landmarks in Arequipa

The Cathedral of Arequipa anchors the Plaza de Armas with its long neoclassical facade and twin towers, rebuilt and altered after repeated earthquake damage. On the square’s eastern side, the Portales de la Municipalidad form a continuous sillar arcade characteristic of the city’s civic architecture. The Iglesia de la Compañía is notable for its elaborate baroque portal and the carved cloisters of its adjoining complex, where local and European decorative traditions meet. Santa Catalina’s enclosure is one of Arequipa’s defining historic structures, with vivid facades and lanes that preserve the scale of a major colonial convent. The Yanahuara arches, built from sillar in the twentieth century, frame views of El Misti and carry inscriptions associated with Arequipa’s literary culture. Together these landmarks show how religion, civic life, craftsmanship and volcanic geology shaped the city.

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Explore Arequipa on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Arequipa

Best restaurants in Arequipa

Arequipa has one of Peru’s most clearly defined regional cuisines, developed in traditional picanterías that historically served hearty food from large kitchens and wood-fired stoves. Local specialities include rocoto relleno, a spicy pepper filled with meat and covered with cheese; chupe de camarones, a rich river-prawn and potato soup; adobo arequipeño, commonly associated with leisurely weekend meals; and solterito, a fresh salad of beans, cheese, onion and vegetables. Queso helado, a lightly spiced frozen milk dessert, is a characteristic sweet. The San Camilo area is useful for seeing the ingredients that underpin the cuisine, while traditional dining rooms across the centre and older neighbourhoods preserve picantería customs. Contemporary restaurants also reinterpret southern Peruvian produce, but the city’s culinary identity remains closely tied to soups, sauces, corn, potatoes, rocoto and social midday meals.

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Best bars in Arequipa

Arequipa’s evening scene is more measured than that of Lima or Cusco, but the centre has a steady selection of bars, cafés and restaurants around the Plaza de Armas and adjoining streets. Travellers can find relaxed venues serving Peruvian spirits, local beer and cocktails, alongside places with live music and occasional cultural performances. The historic centre is the main area for an evening out, while younger crowds also gather in modern commercial districts such as Cayma and around Avenida Ejército. Nightclubs exist, though the city is not primarily a late-night club destination, and opening patterns can vary. Traditional social life is often centred on conversation, food and music rather than a single entertainment quarter, so evenings may begin with a picantería meal before moving to a bar or performance space.

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Best nightclubs in Arequipa

Arequipa’s evening scene is more measured than that of Lima or Cusco, but the centre has a steady selection of bars, cafés and restaurants around the Plaza de Armas and adjoining streets. Travellers can find relaxed venues serving Peruvian spirits, local beer and cocktails, alongside places with live music and occasional cultural performances. The historic centre is the main area for an evening out, while younger crowds also gather in modern commercial districts such as Cayma and around Avenida Ejército. Nightclubs exist, though the city is not primarily a late-night club destination, and opening patterns can vary. Traditional social life is often centred on conversation, food and music rather than a single entertainment quarter, so evenings may begin with a picantería meal before moving to a bar or performance space.

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Best shops in Arequipa

Shopping in Arequipa ranges from everyday food commerce to crafts associated with the southern Andes. San Camilo Market is the most useful place to observe local provisions, with stalls selling fruit, vegetables, grains, cheeses, spices and prepared foods rather than curated souvenirs. Around the historic centre, especially near Calle Mercaderes and the streets leading towards Santa Catalina, visitors find handicrafts, textiles, jewellery and small specialist shops. Fundo El Fierro is associated with artisanal stalls and locally made goods, while shops in tourist areas sell alpaca garments, woven products, ceramics and sillar objects. Quality and fibre content vary, so ask what a textile is made from and compare workmanship before buying. Regional food products, including sweets and chilli-based ingredients, offer lighter souvenirs that reflect Arequipa’s culinary culture.

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Arequipa essentials

Currency and Payment
Peru’s currency is the sol, written as PEN. Cards and contactless payments are accepted in many established hotels, restaurants, museums and larger shops, particularly in central tourist areas, but smaller cafés, market stalls, local buses and some traditional eateries may require cash. ATMs are available in the city, though visitors should use machines in secure, well-used locations and keep withdrawals discreet. Carrying small-denomination notes is useful for taxis, snacks and modest purchases, as businesses may not have change for large notes. International cards can occasionally be declined, so a backup payment method is sensible.
Safety
Use the same sensible precautions as in any busy Latin American city: keep phones, cameras and wallets secure in crowded markets, bus terminals and transport hubs, and avoid displaying valuables unnecessarily. Take particular care around busy central streets and when arriving with luggage. At night, use an authorised taxi rather than walking through unfamiliar outer districts, and seek local advice before visiting isolated viewpoints or poorly lit areas. Altitude, intense sun and dehydration can affect visitors who feel otherwise fit, especially on excursions. Check current local conditions before travelling to mountain areas, where weather and road disruption can change plans.
Emergency Situations
In Peru, dial 105 for the national police and 116 for the fire service; 106 is used for SAMU medical emergencies where that service operates, including the Arequipa area. State clearly that the incident is in Arequipa and provide a street address or nearby landmark, since some central streets can be easier to identify by plaza, church or hotel than by number. International visitors should keep passport and insurance details accessible and ask accommodation staff to assist with Spanish communication if necessary. For serious illness at altitude or on a regional excursion, contact the tour provider, accommodation and emergency services promptly rather than attempting a difficult journey alone.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress comfortably and respectfully when entering churches, convents and other religious spaces, and follow instructions about photography, restricted areas and conservation. Ask before photographing people, particularly market traders, children or participants in religious ceremonies. In traditional restaurants and markets, observe local practice and avoid assuming that every dish or ingredient will suit dietary requirements without asking. Bargaining may be appropriate in some informal markets but is not expected in established shops. Keep voices and behaviour considerate in historic buildings, do not touch carved surfaces, and remember that ordinary street etiquette and safety matter more than theatrical displays of local custom.
Local Tips
Use the Plaza de Armas as your starting point, then move gradually through the surrounding streets rather than treating the historic centre as a collection of isolated monuments. San Camilo Market offers a useful glimpse of everyday food commerce, while Yanahuara is best approached as a neighbourhood of stone arcades, churches and viewpoints rather than only a photo stop. Traditional picanterías often serve regional food at midday, and some dishes can be substantial or spicy. The dry climate can conceal dehydration, so keep water with you. For Colca, ask about altitude, transport and walking demands before booking, as the valley requires more preparation than a city excursion.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHola[oh-lah]
GoodbyeAdiós[ah-dee-ohs]
YesSí[see]
NoNo[noh]
Please/You're welcomePor favor/De nada[por fah-vor/deh nah-dah]
Thank youGracias[grah-see-ahs]
Excuse me/SorryPerdón/Lo siento[pair-dohn/loh see-en-toh]
How are you?¿Cómo estás?[koh-moh ehs-tahs]
Fine. And you?Bien. ¿Y tú?[byen. ee too]
Do you speak English?¿Hablas inglés?[ah-blahs een-glehs]
I don't understandNo entiendo[noh ehn-tyen-doh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMe gustaría ver el menú, por favor[meh goos-tah-ree-ah vehr ehl meh-noo, por fah-vor]
I don't eat meatNo como carne[noh koh-moh kahr-neh]
Cheers!¡Salud![sah-lood]
I would like to pay, pleaseMe gustaría pagar, por favor[meh goos-tah-ree-ah pah-gahr, por fah-vor]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!¡Ayuda![ah-yoo-dah]
Go away!¡Vete![veh-teh]
Call the Police!¡Llama a la policía![yah-mah ah lah poh-lee-see-ah]
Call a doctor!¡Llama a un médico![yah-mah ah oon meh-dee-koh]
I'm lostEstoy perdido/a[ehs-toy pair-dee-doh/ah]
I'm illEstoy enfermo/a[ehs-toy ehn-fehr-moh/ah]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Me gustaría comprar...[meh goos-tah-ree-ah kohm-prahr...]
I'm just lookingSolo estoy mirando[soh-loh ehs-toy meer-ahn-doh]
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?[kwan-toh kwehs-tah]
That's too expensiveEso es muy caro[eh-soh ehs moo-ee kah-roh]
Can you lower the price?¿Puedes bajar el precio?[pweh-dehs bah-har ehl pree-syoh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?¿Qué hora es?[keh oh-rah ehs]
It's one o'clockEs la una en punto[ehs lah oo-nah ehn poon-toh]
Half past (10)Y media[ee meh-dee-ah]
MorningMañana[mah-nyah-nah]
AfternoonTarde[tahr-deh]
EveningNoche[noh-cheh]
YesterdayAyer[ah-yehr]
TodayHoy[oy]
TomorrowMañana[mah-nyah-nah]
1Uno[oo-noh]
2Dos[dohs]
3Tres[trehs]
4Cuatro[kwah-troh]
5Cinco[seen-koh]
6Seis[seys]
7Siete[syeh-teh]
8Ocho[oh-choh]
9Nueve[nweh-veh]
10Diez[dyehs]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?¿Dónde está...?[dohn-deh ehs-tah]
What's the address?¿Cuál es la dirección?[kwal ehs lah dee-rehk-syon]
Can you show me (on the map)?¿Puedes mostrarme (en el mapa)?[pweh-dehs mohs-trar-meh (ehn ehl mah-pah)]
When's the next (bus)?¿Cuándo es el próximo (autobús)?[kwan-doh ehs ehl proh-ksee-moh (ow-toh-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Un boleto (a ...)[oon boh-leh-toh (ah ...)]

History of Arequipa

Pre-Hispanic Communities and Inca Rule

The Arequipa basin was inhabited by agricultural communities long before the arrival of the Spanish, including groups associated with the Aymara-speaking Collagua and Cabana cultures in the wider region. Irrigation and terracing made productive use of the arid valleys, while nearby mountains held religious significance in Andean belief. In the fifteenth century, the expanding Inca state brought the area into its political sphere, incorporating local communities into imperial networks of labour, exchange and pilgrimage. The high-altitude sanctuary of Ampato, where the mummy known as Juanita was discovered, reflects the importance of mountain offerings during this period. These earlier landscapes and traditions remain visible in the terraces, settlements and sacred sites surrounding the modern city.

Spanish Foundation and Colonial Growth

Spanish authorities founded the city of Arequipa on 15 August 1540, under the leadership of Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, near the Chili River. Its position connected the southern Andes with the Pacific coast and supported agriculture, trade and colonial administration. The early settlement developed around a regular Spanish grid, with religious orders, civic institutions and substantial residences built in the pale volcanic stone later called sillar. Indigenous labour and craftsmanship were central to this construction, producing architectural forms that combined European plans with local techniques. Churches, convents and merchant houses gradually established the historic centre’s distinctive appearance and made Arequipa an important regional city during the colonial era.

Earthquakes and the Sillar City

Earthquakes have repeatedly shaped Arequipa’s history, reflecting its position in one of Peru’s most active seismic zones. Major earthquakes in 1582, 1687 and 1784 damaged or destroyed buildings, prompting cycles of reconstruction and architectural adaptation. The earthquake of 1868 was particularly destructive, affecting much of southern Peru and leading to extensive rebuilding. Thick walls, low profiles, vaults and the flexible use of sillar became important features of the city’s religious and civic architecture. Rather than erasing the colonial city, reconstruction preserved and modified its buildings, creating the layered streetscape seen today. The historic centre’s architecture therefore records both colonial ambition and the practical demands of life in an earthquake-prone landscape.

Independence and Republican Transformation

Arequipa took part in the political upheavals that led to Peru’s independence, although the transition from Spanish rule unfolded unevenly across the southern Andes. The city became a prominent republican centre in the nineteenth century, supported by commerce, agriculture and its connections with the coast and the highlands. Its institutions, religious foundations and educated elite contributed to a strong regional identity, while civic buildings and public spaces acquired new republican functions. Political conflicts also made Arequipa a frequent centre of opposition and military mobilisation during the early republic. The resulting identity combined loyalty to local traditions with an influential role in national political life.

Trade, Railways and Regional Influence

During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Arequipa’s economy was strengthened by agriculture, wool production and trade with the southern highlands. The railway linking Arequipa with the port of Mollendo, completed in the nineteenth century, improved access to maritime routes and helped connect the city with regional markets. Industrial and commercial development expanded beyond the colonial core, while new streets, civic buildings and neighbourhoods reflected republican modernisation. Arequipa also became associated with journalism, literature and political debate, producing figures such as the writer Mario Vargas Llosa, who was born in the city. These changes established the urban and cultural prominence Arequipa retains in southern Peru.

Heritage Protection and Modern Arequipa

Arequipa’s historic centre was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 in recognition of its colonial urban fabric, sillar architecture and synthesis of European and local building traditions. Conservation has focused on churches, mansions, arcades and convent complexes, while the city has continued to grow as a regional administrative, educational and commercial centre. Modern Arequipa remains closely connected to its volcanic setting and surrounding agricultural valleys, even as traffic and expanding development place pressure on historic areas. Traditional picanterías, religious celebrations, markets and regional crafts continue to express a local culture shaped by Andean, Spanish and republican influences.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Arequipa, Peru

Discover Arequipa with Evendo - a 100% free travel guide app covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and more. Navigate with ease and enjoy curated local tips.

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Planning a trip to Arequipa? Evendo is your comprehensive, free travel guide app that helps you explore the best attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more, effortlessly.

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Arequipa, known as the 'White City', awaits your exploration. With Evendo, your journey through Arequipa becomes effortless and enriching. Whether you're admiring the grandeur of the Santa Catalina Monastery, hiking up the majestic El Misti Volcano, or savoring local cuisine at La Nueva Palomino, Evendo has got you covered.

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