Arequipa Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit and Is the City Worth It?
Often overshadowed by Peru’s more famous destinations like Cusco and Machu Picchu, Arequipa might be one of the most underrated cities in Peru.
Known as La Ciudad Blanca (The White City), Arequipa is famous for its colonial architecture, surrounding volcanoes, incredible food scene, and as the gateway to one of South America's most spectacular natural wonders: Colca Canyon.
But many travelers ask the same question:
In this guide, we’ll show you the best places to visit in Arequipa, how to plan your trip, and why this city is the perfect starting point for exploring Colca Canyon.
Watch Our Arequipa & Colca Canyon Adventure
Where Is Arequipa?
Skyline of Arequipa
Arequipa is located in southern Peru, about 1,000 km south of Lima.
The city sits at an altitude of 2,335 meters (7,660 ft) and is surrounded by three dramatic volcanoes:
El Misti (5,822 m)
Chachani (6,075 m)
Pichu Pichu (5,664 m)
These towering peaks create one of the most dramatic city backdrops in South America.
More official tourism information can be found here:
https://www.peru.travel/en/attractions/arequipa
Is Arequipa Worth Visiting?
Yes! Absolutely. It’s completely different vibe than all the other cities in Peru with some interesting local specialties. For many travellers Arequipa becomes an unexpected highlight of Peru.
The city offers:
stunning colonial architecture
a relaxed atmosphere compared to Cusco
some of the best food in Peru
access to incredible nature like Colca Canyon
If you are traveling through southern Peru, Arequipa is not just a stopover — it’s one of the best places to visit in Peru.
Why Is Arequipa Called the White City?
Most of Arequipa’s historic buildings are constructed from sillar, a white volcanic stone formed from ancient eruptions.
This gives the entire historic center a distinctive white glow, especially during sunset.
Because of its architectural beauty and preservation, the historic center of Arequipa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best Places to Visit in Arequipa
Colourful Santa Catalina Monastery
Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is the heart of Arequipa.
Surrounded by colonial buildings and palm trees, the square offers beautiful views of El Misti volcano in the distance.
It’s the perfect place to start exploring the city.
Santa Catalina Monastery
One of the most famous attractions in the city is the Santa Catalina Monastery.
This massive monastery feels like a city within a city, with colorful streets, quiet courtyards, and centuries of history.
Many visitors consider it one of the most beautiful religious complexes in South America.
For us, the Monastery alone worth the visit to Arequipa.
Yanahuara Viewpoint
The Yanahuara Mirador offers one of the best views of El Misti volcano.
From here you can see:
the entire city
colonial arches
the volcano rising dramatically behind Arequipa
It’s one of the most photogenic places in the city.
Arequipa Food Guide: One of the Best Culinary Cities in Peru
Queso helado - Specialty of Arequipa
While Lima is internationally famous for gastronomy, Arequipa is known for its traditional picanterías.
These local restaurants serve authentic regional dishes.
Some specialties to try include:
Rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy pepper)
Adobo arequipeño (pork stew)
Queso helado (a local frozen dessert)
Food lovers often consider Arequipa one of the best culinary destinations in Peru. We enjoyed to try something new and we also had the chance to finally try the specialty of guinea pig which is also available in Cusco, but the version in Arequipa is slightly different.
Arequipa as the Gateway to Colca Canyon
One of the biggest reasons travelers visit Arequipa is to explore Colca Canyon.
Located about 3–4 hours from the city, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world and one of the best hiking destinations in Peru.
Many travelers spend a few days in Arequipa before heading to the canyon to acclimatize to the altitude.
👉 Read our complete Colca Canyon Hike Guide
https://www.leavingin5travel.com/blog/colca-canyon-hike-guide
Best Colca Canyon Tours From Arequipa
Many travelers choose to visit the canyon on a guided tour.
Most tours include:
transportation from Arequipa
meals
accommodation in the canyon
a local guide
👉 Best Colca Canyon Tours from Arequipa
🎟️ 2 Day Colca Canyon Hike We Did (Highly Recommended) https://gyg.me/MXexsPVa
🏨 Day Trip to Colca Canyon from Arequipa
How Many Days Do You Need in Arequipa?
Most travelers spend 2–3 days in Arequipa.
Suggested itinerary:
Day 1
Explore the historic center and Plaza de Armas.
Day 2
Visit Santa Catalina Monastery and Yanahuara viewpoint.
Day 3
Travel to Colca Canyon for hiking or condor watching.
Best Time to Visit Arequipa
The best months to visit Arequipa are during the dry season:
May – October
During this period you can expect:
sunny weather
clear volcano views
ideal hiking conditions for Colca Canyon
How to Get to Arequipa
Most travelers arrive by:
✈️ Flight from Lima / Cusco / Puerto Maldonado (1.5 hours)
🚌 Bus from Cusco (10 hours)
The city has a modern airport located just outside the center.
How Arequipa Fits Into a Peru Travel Itinerary
Arequipa is usually visited as part of a southern Peru route that includes:
Cusco
Colca Canyon
Lake Titicaca
We arrived from Puerto Maldonado, Amazonia and continued to Puno.
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How to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco
[Internal link – Machu Picchu article]
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Rainbow Mountain Travel Guide
[Internal link – Rainbow Mountain article]
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Exploring the Peruvian Amazon
[Internal link – Amazon article]
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Final Thoughts: Is Arequipa Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
With its beautiful colonial architecture, incredible food, volcano views, and access to Colca Canyon, Arequipa is one of the most rewarding cities to visit in Peru.
For many travelers, it becomes an unexpected highlight of their trip.
