Also known as the White City due to being almost entirely built out of white volcanic stone, you’ll find Arequipa surrounded by volcanoes at 2350m in the Andes. It is Peru’s second largest city (after Lima) with 1 million inhabitants; although looks small when compared to the 11 million people living in Lima.
Arequipa’s main plaza – one of the prettiest I’ve been to
How to get there
Once in Peru, getting the bus is the cheapest and easiest way to get to Arequipa. Peruvian buses are fab and easy to book. You can book at the local bus station or online. We downloaded the Cruz del Sur bus app and booked many bus journeys using it. Distances between places are long and night buses are the best option. It’s a win; you don’t waste a day travelling and you can sleep the journey away.
We went to Arequipa from Nazca. Buses started leaving from around 10pm and ours left around 11.30pm.
First day in Arequipa
We arrived mid-morning and I don’t think the old saying bright-eyed bushy tailed applied in our case. Desperate to be rid of the sand, sweat and general travel dirt accumulated after no access to showers for the previous two days, we headed straight to the hostel and jumped in the shower. It felt so good to be clean after all the dirt and sweat!
With two days planned in Arequipa either side of our two day Colca Canyon trek, we spent our first day exploring and getting a feel for the city. The local markets and shops are great to wander around and have lots to offer. A needle and thread, for example, for those whose trousers need sewing up following a small mishap on a sandboard. For the best lunch deals, exit the main plaza and head down the side streets for local Menus del Día. It’s a great chance to eat like the locals and they are great value for money. You can find menus for s/10 (£2.50).
When in Arequipa, the Santa Catalina Monastery, a 20,000-square metre religious complex in the city centre, will likely crop up as a recommended place to visit. Whilst entrance tickets aren’t cheap – s/40 with an added cost if you’d like a guide – it’s an enjoyable and interesting visit. To this day, it remains well looked after with ticket revenue helping to maintain it.
Santa Catalina convent, striking blue walls and red flowers
We had a lovely time wandering the convent and its picturesque cobbled streets (yes it’s that big!). I still find it odd how a convent that size ended up in the city centre.
Volcanic vistas from Santa Catalina
The day came to an end with a game of beer pong at the hostel’s rooftop bar which, due to the ineptitude and lack of skill on both sides, must surely go down in their record books as the hostel’s longest game ever (we didn’t win).
Chilling in our hostel’s hammocks
Second day back in Arequipa city, recovering from our Colca Canyon trek
Having tired and aching legs from our 2 day Colca Canyon trek, we spent our second and last day in Arequipa making full use of the fab hammocks on our hostel’s rooftop. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, I’d recommend MB Backpackers Hostel – great central location just off the main plaza, yummy food (banana pancakes for breakfast were not to be missed!), good showers and rooms and a fun rooftop bar.
We joined an amusing walking tour at 3pm. The meeting point was down a side street in the courtyard of Chaqchao chocolate cafe. We normally try and do a walking tour at the start of a city visit so we can explore any hidden gems suggested by the guides another day. This time round we had a night bus to catch after the tour so I was hoping for no surprise suggestions.
Coming across pretty streets on our walking tour
Luckily, the tour was predominantly made up of interesting (and I’m not sure how truthful) stories: how the volcano, El Misti, spent 400 years with no name as a means of punishment from the locals and; how every year locals run from the main plaza to the summit of El Misti. The record time is an unbelievable 4 hours and 35minutes! It even included Pisco and chocolate tastings! Note: the tour is free but it’s nice to leave a tip.
Recap – ideas and suggestions for Arequipa
Here’s a recap of things to do in Arequipa, plus some more ideas (which we didn’t get have time to do!)
- Arequipa is a beautiful city. Wander the streets and sit a while in Arequipa’s stunning main plaza. It’s definitely up there as one of the prettiest plazas I’ve seen!
- Visit the local markets – San Camilo is an explosion of colour, life and products.
- Do a walking tour. There’s normally a morning one at 10am and an afternoon one at 3pm. It’s a great way to see the main sites and learn a bit about Arequipa’s history.
- Go to a rooftop terrace for views overlooking the plaza and cathedral. Sunset’s a popular time!
- Visit Santa Catalina monastery.
- Sign up for a chocolate making workshop. Learn how the process works and of course taste lots of chocolate!
- Go inside Arequipa’s beautiful cathedral. It’s open 10am-5pm from Monday to Saturday. We tried to pop in for a quick look but weren’t allowed as we were wearing shorts and strappy tops. If you’d like to go in, cover up!
- Eat amazing Peruvian cuisine. The Menus del Día are great ways to try the local dishes and are great value for money.
- Go to Colca Canyon (I know it’s not technically in Arequipa, but the region counts!)
- Get up close to an active volcano. There are daily excursions to El Misti from the city.
Have you been to Arequipa? Do you have any top tips or highlights?
