I finally made it to Arequipa! Everyone told me to go for the condors, but I stayed for the food, the people and the views. From the first moment in town, I felt like I was walking into a living museum surrounded by volcanoes. Here, the weather was just perfect. After a few days in the cold air of Cusco, specially at nightime, arriving in Arequipa was a welcomed change.
Before coming to this town, I asked for suggestions to fellow travelers, a couple of friends who traveled here last year, locals and of course I did my own research. But honestly, I wasn’t ready for all of what I found here. Picture this, walking up with to the sound of the bells from the cathedral and the sunshine in the Misti Valley. In the background a landscape is decorated with the Misti and Chachani volcanoes.
In this blog I will share with you my personal recommendations for activities, day tours and must visit places in town.
A day exploring Arequipa by yourself
Start your day with a freshly made juice in San Camilo Market. Here, you will also find a huge variety of fresh fruit, potatoes, corn and sorts of local produce. Also, you can find various handcrafts and other souvenirs. And for a 100% local experience try the rocoto relleno or the adobo.
Then, continue to the Plaza de Armas. In this spot you can admire the distinctive colonial architecture. Made from White Sillar rock, it has a characteristic white tone to it. The whole plaza is surrounded by picturesque arches and balconies. But there is one building that stand out from the rest, the Cathedral. This catholic temple has neogothic and neoclassical influence, it has a religious art museum and with a guided visit you can access the bell towers.
Continuing in the Plaza area, you can visit the Jesus’ Company temple. This temple has a different architecture style, barroco latino and barroco mestizo. It has an adjacent patio where you can enjoy a coffe break, some traditional queso helado and take the best pictures of the stunning white domes.
Lunch time
In the plaza area you can find various options for lunch, but my suggestion is to pick a local picanteria. These restaurants offer the best local gastronomy and is they have the best views to the plaza. If you want a lighter meal, maybe try the famous “La Lucha – Sangucheria Criolla”, for a bite of the best sandwiches in Peru.
Convents, colonial neighborhoods and iconic viewpoints
Moving away from the Plaza de Armas, next stop should be Santa Catalina Monastery. This massive religious complex is like a citadel inside, it was built with streets, chapels, cloisters, plazas, kitchens, laundry areas, gardens, and living quarters. Wondering around this convent is a journey into the life of the religious. Enjoy the religious art collections and learn about the way nuns and non-seculars lived there. Historic fact: it is supposed that about 200 – 250 nuns lived there, but each one had between 2 – 4 servants.
Yanahuara, our next stop will provide the chance to admire the city from above, capture some amazing pictures of the city and its volcanoes and take a walk in the surrounding colonial alleys.
Pro Traveler tip: you can take a cab to Yanahuara and then make your way back to Plaza de armas walking, its only abour 30 minutes away. Walking back will take you along the vibrant modern areas of the city and a river walk next to the Chili River.
Once back in the downtown, you can enjoy the sunset from one of the rooftop bars in Plaza de armas.
More to explore in Arequipa
There are more sites to explore and capture in your visit to Arequipa, if you can take an extra day to adventure in the city, I suggest these spots and neighborhoods for photography and tasting local gastronomy.
- San Lazaro
- El Solar
- Sachaca
- Museo de Arte Virreinal Santa Teresa
- Plaza Espana
- Plaza San Fancisco
- Carmen Alto viewpoint
Colca Canyon
Visiting the Colca Canyon should be a more famous trip in Peru for its views, wildlife, ecosystems and the culture. But it is often missed by travelers, that’s why it is included in this blog. You can visit this natural wonder by yourself or in a tour, which will be briefly explained later. Now, the blog will focus on why this is a relevant visit.
Mirador Cruz del Condor
This viewpoint is probably the first thing that people picture when talking about Colca. From here you can admire the impressive depth of the canyon and the majestic Condor. If your timing is good and you arrive around 8 – 10 pm, your chances to be rewarded by the sighting of the massive Andean bird are higher. Disclaimer, this is usually a crowded stop, but it is large enough to fit all the visitors.
Oasis Sangalle
Due to the vast altitude drop, the humidity concentration and the sun radiation at the Oasis, a unique ecosystem finds life. To visit this place, you have to descend from the rim, starting at Cabanaconde. A zig zagging trail traverses the slope down to the Oasis, where you can relax in natural pools or lay down under the Palm Trees.
Cabanaconde
This tiny town is the core of any visit to the Colca Canyon. From here you can join the Colca Trekking experience or descend to Sangalle. It is a cozy town, rustic and beautiful in its own style. Cabanaconde feels timeless, with stone-built houses and the calm rhythm of the Peruvian rurality.
Colca Canyon Day tour with 69 Explorer
Discover one of Peru’s most breathtaking natural wonders on a full-day tour to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. Departing early from Arequipa, this journey takes you through high Andean landscapes, traditional villages, and scenic viewpoints.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy panoramic views from Patapampa Pass at over 4,900 meters. The highlight of the trip is the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where you can often spot the majestic Andean condors gliding above the canyon walls.
This tour offers a perfect combination of natural beauty, Andean wildlife, and cultural encounters, all within a single unforgettable day.
Check our day tour here.
