Arequipa is, after Lima, the second-largest city in Peru. It also boasts a delightful climate, with temperatures consistently around 25 degrees Celsius (77°F) and very little rainfall. A perfect city to spend a few days acclimating to the altitude. Let us take you to the 'White City,' a reference to the volcanic rock used in many buildings in the old town. From Arequipa, you also have a stunning view of the impressive Misti volcano. In this article, we share our top tips for Arequipa!

As Peru's second-largest city, Arequipa offers plenty to keep you entertained for several days. We've compiled the best tips for you!

The most popular attraction in Arequipa by far is the Monasterio de Santa Catalina. This monastery is one of the largest in the world and is located right in the city center. The monastery is essentially a city within a city. You'll find beautiful colored buildings, narrow streets, and charming squares. In the past, over 400 nuns lived here, and as you walk around, you can easily imagine what life must have been like. There are still many ‘little houses’ of the nuns on display, where you can truly experience how they lived. Since 1970, no nuns have lived here, and the monastery has been open to the public as a tourist attraction. It was immediately very popular, as before the doors were opened, no one from the outside had any idea what the monastery looked like from the inside.

The monastery consists of different sections, and all the buildings and walls are painted in red, white, or blue. You can choose to take a guided tour, but the monastery also offers an audio tour via an app. Don't miss the café in the monastery. You can sit here in a lovely little courtyard and enjoy a drink in peace.

Tip: The audio tour via the app is highly recommended for a relaxed visit to the monastery while learning a lot about its history. Be sure to bring your headphones!

Right next to the Plaza de Armas, you will find the Museo Santuarios Andinos. This museum focuses on the sacred rituals of the Incas, mainly related to human sacrifices. The most beautiful children were taken from all over the Inca Empire to be sacrificed to the gods. For the children's families, it was a great honor if their child was chosen. The children were carefully prepared for their fate. They were given increasingly luxurious food to keep their bodies in perfect condition and were drugged with coca plants and alcohol before the sacrifice.

The museum is particularly famous for the Inca mummy Juanita. Juanita was found near Arequipa and has been incredibly well-preserved due to being completely frozen. Her organs and muscles are still fully intact, which is very rare. She was likely sacrificed between 1440 and 1480 when she was between 12 and 15 years old. The eruption of a nearby volcano caused the ice around her body to melt, and she rolled into a crater. She was accidentally discovered in 1995 by American Johan Reinhardt. Her face was damaged by exposure to sunlight, but because she was wrapped in cloth, her body remained intact.

You can view Juanita at the museum, where she is kept in a large freezer. A guided tour is mandatory, as the museum is not open for self-guided visits. You are expected to give a tip for the tour, in addition to the entrance fee to the museum.

On clear days, Arequipa offers a stunning view of the Misti volcano. Misti stands at 5,822 meters (19,101 feet) and is still active. Its summit is covered in snow year-round, creating an impressive sight.

The best spot in Arequipa to view Misti is Mirador de Yanahuara. This viewpoint is located just outside the city center, and it's enjoyable to walk there. It's about a 30-minute walk, mostly through Malecón Bolognesi Park, situated next to the Rio Chili. At the viewpoint, you not only get a great view of the volcano but also a beautiful panorama of Arequipa. Right next to the viewpoint is a charming little park, Plaza de Yanahuara.

A great place to have lunch in Arequipa is La Nueva Palomino. This restaurant is a "Picantería," a traditional lunch spot, mainly found in and around Arequipa and Cusco. As the name suggests, spicy (picante) food is served here. If you're not fond of spicy food, there are plenty of non-spicy options, or you can ask for your dish to be prepared less spicy. They mainly serve various stews, which you can combine and share. It’s a lunch spot, so keep in mind that it’s closed in the evening. It’s a very popular restaurant among both tourists and locals, so reservations are recommended.

Tip: La Nueva Palomino is near the Mirador de Yanahuara, making it easy to combine the two. It’s just a 4-minute walk from the viewpoint to the restaurant.

In the heart of the center, at the Plaza de Armas de Arequipa, you’ll find the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa. This cathedral may be the most beautiful in Peru. The cathedral is open daily from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and is free to visit. Inside, there is a museum, and it’s also possible to go up the tower. From there, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the Plaza de Armas.

The San Camilo market is located in the southern part of the center and is the perfect place to try the best smoothies in Arequipa. Like most markets in South America, it’s divided into different sections, so all the smoothie stalls are grouped together. They all offer the same selection at the same price, so it’s mostly about choosing the one you find most friendly. In addition to enjoying a smoothie, it's fun to walk around the market and experience real Peruvian life.

To the north of Arequipa’s center, you'll find the San Lazaro neighborhood. This is the oldest district in the city, and it certainly shows. The area is full of narrow streets, cute houses, and trendy coffee shops and restaurants. We enjoyed walking around here and had a lovely lunch at Mr. Cholo, located on a charming little square. You’ll also find many hotels and hostels in this neighborhood.

Are you looking for more action during your visit to Arequipa? The Chili River, which runs through Arequipa, is known as a great spot for rafting. You'll race through the river at high speeds while enjoying the stunning landscapes. Many tours are organized from Arequipa, including transportation. No experience is needed to go rafting, but keep in mind that the river can be quite rough!

Just north of the center of Arequipa, you’ll find Mundo Alpaca. It’s a small museum where you can learn more about how handicrafts are made from the wool of alpacas and other camelids native to South America. On a field, you’ll find several different types of alpacas and llamas that you can feed. There’s also a shop where you can buy clothing and accessories made mostly from (baby) alpaca and vicuña wool.

Mundo Alpaca is free to visit, as they naturally hope you’ll buy something from the store. However, there’s no obligation, and the staff are not pushy. We enjoyed taking a look around, especially since we hadn’t seen alpacas and llamas in Peru before visiting Arequipa. If you've already been to Cusco and the surrounding area before coming to Arequipa, it may be less worthwhile.

Popular in Arequipa is Queso Helado, which literally means 'frozen cheese.' It is sold everywhere on the streets of Arequipa. Luckily, the name is a bit misleading, as the ice cream doesn't contain cheese but is made with condensed milk and cinnamon. You have to be fond of it, but it's definitely worth trying when you're in Arequipa.

About 4.5 hours from Arequipa lies the breathtaking Colca Canyon. Stretching over 100 kilometers (62 miles) and plunging more than 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) deep, it is one of the deepest canyons in the world—over twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States.

From Arequipa, you can take a day trip to the Colca Canyon. However, due to the distance, tours leave very early in the morning, sometimes as early as 3:00 AM. These tours visit popular viewpoints, but there isn’t enough time to go on a trek within the canyon. If you have the time, we highly recommend traveling independently to the town of Cabanaconde and spending 1, 2, or even 3 days hiking through the canyon.

The historic center of Arequipa is by far the most beautiful and charming area to stay in. The center is easily walkable and safe, so the exact location of your accommodation isn't too critical.

If you're looking for a quieter environment, consider staying in the San Lazaro neighborhood. Located in the northern part of the center, this is the oldest district in the city. It offers a peaceful atmosphere with narrow streets and picturesque houses. You'll also find plenty of hotels and hostels in this area.

Arequipa enjoys a wonderful climate, with stable temperatures year-round. This is due to its location at an altitude of 2,325 meters (7,628 feet), which keeps the temperatures more moderate compared to places like Ica or Nazca. Additionally, Arequipa experiences very little rainfall and often boasts clear blue skies.

However, there is a rainy season in this region, occurring between January and March, when there is a higher chance of rain, and the weather tends to be more overcast and misty. The best time to visit Arequipa is between May and September, during the dry season, when the temperatures are pleasant, and the days are sunny.