Also known as the White City, Arequipa has the most incredible architectural monuments made in Sillar, has a varied gastronomy, has active and inactive volcanoes, thermal waters, monasteries and incredible cathedrals. That is why if you are in Arequipa or plan to travel, I compile the 20 places to visit in Arequipa.
This monastery dates its creation in the fifteenth century (AD), is a religious and historical architectural complex located in Arequipa, whose location bears the same name Santa Catalina, 301.
Click here to see the Monastery of Santa Catalina on Google Map.
It is located in the historic center of the city of Arequipa, surrounded by colonial buildings, the cathedral, the company of Jesus, craft centers, restaurants, stores, bars and other tourist services.
The basin of the main square has the statue of Tuturututu, whose name comes from the onomatopoeic sound tuturutututu of the trumpet or bugle, according to historians this character announced royal orders, it was also considered as the representation of a guardian angel.
Arequipa is made up of volcanoes with special attractions each one, to know them you need to have information of the location and characteristics of the place that we present below.
Chachani is 55km away from the city of Arequipa, has an altitude of 6 075 meters, from its summit you can see the peaks of Monte trigo, Pico de los Angeles and Principal.
The visit to the volcano lasts 2 days, it is advisable to climb between the months of April to December to avoid unexpected precipitations due to snow, in addition to taking into account the good physical condition to live a pleasant experience.
It is the most amazing volcano in Peru, ranked as the best tourist attraction in Arequipa for its scenic beauty, history and culture. It reaches 5,822 meters above sea level and is located about 20 km northeast of the city of Arequipa.
In colonial times it was known as the volcano without name, then in the Quechua language they called it Misti which means "man of white race", so most of the houses were built on the basis of ashlar, which is the white stone by the deposition of ashes after the volcanic eruptions of Misti.
Known for being a volcano that organized offering ceremonies in Inca times, it is formed by seven summits, the Coronado being the highest at 5665 m.a.s.l. and the nearest one at 5515 m.a.s.l.
Pichu Pichu is about 30km from the White City, at the top of the volcano you can see the panoramic view of the place, also has the famous legend of the sleeping Indian that has different versions, but in conclusion you can see a man lying down taking an eternal nap.
It is the main sanctuary of the city, neoclassical, neo-Renaissance and Gothic style. Built of ashlar with brick vaults and during history has undergone several reconstructions due to damage caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The museum of the cathedral shows four rooms of visit, in two of her the works of goldsmithing are appreciated, in another one the dress with ornaments of the archbishoprics and in the last one they present the religious paintings of the painter Francisco Lazo with reviews of the viceroyalty and republican time of Peru.
Located within the historic center of Arequipa, it offers learning the use of fiber classification techniques, explanation of the textile process, visit the textile museum of the twentieth century, interact with alpacas in their environment and buy garments made with pure fiber with designs honoring the Peruvian culture.
The Mirador de Carmen Alto is distinguished by its terraces inherited from the Inca Empire, located in the Chilina valley 15 minutes from downtown. In the place is visible the astronomical observatory of Harvard University that studied the Bing Bang theory between 1899 and 1927, likewise, you get the panoramic view of the volcanoes Chachani, Misti and Pichu.
It is an important point to attend, it only takes a few blocks from the main city, its architecture shows the grouped arches made of ashlar in the nineteenth century, contains illustrious phrases that express the way of life of the Arequipa people.
The name Yanahuara comes from the Quechua "Yana" meaning black and "Huara" calzon, which translates to black underpants. The viewpoint gives a complex view of the white city and the three most representative volcanoes.
El Sillar es denominado como el material original para la construcción de viviendas, centros culturales y catedrales de Arequipa. Por ello, se presenta un circuito turístico que permitirá comprender todo el proceso de extracción del Sillar junto a las visitas de cada espacio que exhibe las obras de arte que embellecen el trabajo de los pobladores a partir de este mineral.
Cotahuasi Canyon is considered among the deepest in the world with about 3535 meters, located about 220 km northeast of Arequipa, which is approximately 9 hours of travel.
The trekking takes at least 3 days, it is advisable to travel between the months of April to November to avoid the rains, the Cotahuasi Canyon has the Sipia Waterfall of 150 meters, the valley surrounded by colonial villages, Inca constructions, cave paintings, forest of puyas of Raimondi and Luicho hot springs of 33 ° C to 38 ° C.
This 19-meter high lookout point was built in 1988 and remodeled in 1996 with charming five-story architecture that holds a capacity of 30 people, who can enjoy the fantastic view of the white city and the main volcanoes.
Sachaca originates from the Quechua language meaning "Rock in the shape of a tree", the viewpoint is located about 4 km from the center of the city of Arequipa.
It is located a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas de Arequipa, has a landscape that enchants all visitors by the variety of wildlife with giant trees that adorn the place, in the center has an artificial lake to appreciate, you will find recreational games for children and spaces for relaxation.
Known as the parish of San Juan Bautista de Yanahuara, located in the district of Yanahuara, approximately 2 km from the Plaza de Armas de Arequipa.
Baroque art predominates in its construction, it has been available since 1750 for the faithful catholic followers and the people. The building has a facade that amazes travelers by the designs of the structure of a single nave and incredible images to appreciate;
The route of the Grau Bridge gives a pleasant and refreshing sensation to anyone who wishes to reach the place, it passes over the divided Chili River.
The construction of the bridge was carried out after the War of the Pacific in 1884 with the work of the villagers, that is why it bears the name of Grau in honor of Admiral Miguel Grau.
It is a shelter for animals in captivity, rescued and donated for their better care. The park is located in front of the Jesús beach resort in the district of Paucarpata, 9 km from downtown Arequipa.
It has several spaces to better enjoy the environment with the animals, it has an aquarium that presents different marine species. Among other activities you can use the recreational games, food spaces, as well as horseback riding, ATVs and boats.
Another must is the Guillermo Zegarra Meneses Municipal Historical Museum created in 1995, located 3.8 km from the city.
It shows 10 exhibition rooms for the guests, each one of them houses history through pieces, photographic galleries, ceramics, paintings, caricatures, literary and mineral representation of Arequipa, as well as the combat of May 2 and the War of the Pacific.
It was founded in 1575 and in 1868 the earthquake damaged its infrastructure in the main facade. When entering the interior of the temple, the dome and neoclassical altars stand out.
The Temple of the Secular Franciscan Third Order is located in the San Francisco Square in Arequipa, its architecture contemplates the ashlar, with works in the Roman style, it is valued diverse paintings, canvases, historical books and ecclesiastical documents of the time.
Characato square is 10 km from Arequipa, founded by Spaniards in 1541, is a place full of traditions, with plenty of vegetation that adorn the view, perfect for taking souvenir photographs.
The Cristo Blanco viewpoint is located in Congata, 11 km from Arequipa, and is the perfect place to take a break and take excellent pictures with a pleasant view of the agricultural landscapes that host the mystical statue of the 15-meter high Christ.
The most pleasant place to enjoy Peruvian delicacies is "Peruvian Cooking Experience", where the traveler can learn to prepare traditional dishes in the company of the instructor, also includes a market tour if the desire is to go shopping for supplies, then to serve and please the palate.
Located in Casa Ávila Hotel, near the Historic Center.
