The beautiful White City is one of the largest cities in Peru after Lima. And with so many things to do in Arequipa, it is common to get lost. Check it out.

2. Some of you may not have heard of Arequipa, but it is one of the most beautiful cities in Peru. Arequipa is
the second most populated city in Peru and is located in the south of the country in the middle of the
Peruvian desert. The city is a fabulous mix of old and new and has a beautiful history to learn. And with so
much to know and experience, it is normal to wonder where to start. That is why with the travel experts at
Machu Travel Peru we have prepared an article about the many things to do in Arequipa. Learn about all the
many forms of tours and day trips around this fantastic city.
Get to know the many things to do in Arequipa
• Tour the Monastery of Santa Catalina
• Visit the Plaza de Armas of Arequipa
• Take your time in the museums of Arequipa
• Explore the nearby
• Colca Canyon Colca Canyon trek
• Celebrate the festivities of Arequipa
• Taste the traditional cuisine of Arequipa

3. TOUR THE MONASTERY OF SANTA CATALINA
Arequipa is one of the most pleasant cities in Peru, it is the
perfect place to spend a few days and experience everything there
is to do. It has an excellent climate all year round and almost no
rain. The city has a different feel than most other cities, it is
modern and the people are a bit different too. Arequipa has a
slightly more modern vibe while some other places in Peru live a
bit in the past. That said, the city has its colonial past where you
can visit attractions such as the Santa Catalina Monastery, one of
the best Arequipa tourist attractions. Being able to take a tour
with the Nuns who still live and work in the convent today is one
of the best things to do in Arequipa. The convent is a labyrinth of
alleys with an interesting history.

4. VISIT THE PLAZA DE ARMAS OF AREQUIPA
Arequipa’s main square is considered one of the
most beautiful in Peru. And visiting the square is
one of the mandatory things to do in Arequipa. It
has well-kept gardens and many flowers that make
the square a special place to spend time.
Arequipa’s Cathedral is located in the plaza and is
made, like most of the city, of white volcanic
stone. Around the square, there are many Spanish
colonial houses, which today have been converted
into restaurants where you can enjoy a tasty
lunch. Besides, in the surroundings, you will find
the best hotels in Arequipa as well as other
historical buildings that are worth a visit.

5. TAKE YOUR TIME IN THE MUSEUMS OF AREQUIPA
You should take the time to visit some of the
museums in Arequipa, especially where Juanita is
located. Juanita is the mummy found in the
Andean peaks with a fascinating history, so take
the time to visit and get to know her. To meet
Juanita, you have to go to the Andean Sanctuaries
Museum. This is located a few minutes’ walk from
the main square of Arequipa. Being able to meet
the famous mummy is, without a doubt, one of
the best things to do in Arequipa. In the different
walking tours in Arequipa, you will have the
opportunity to visit its incredible museums like
other places.

6. EXPLORE THE NEARBY COLCA CANYON
On any visit to Arequipa, you must do a Colca
Canyon tour, located about six hours by car from
Arequipa. The canyon is considered one of the
deepest in the world, doubling the depth of the
Grand Canyon. This amazing feat of Mother
Nature was created by the Colca River over
thousands of years. You’ll see the river below
when you visit one of the many lookouts at the
top of the canyon. One of the most spectacular
sights to see in the Colca Canyon is the
majestic Condor. Birds love to fly around the
canyon, and if you’re lucky, you might see one up
close. The canyon is worth visiting to book a
tour.

7. COLCA CANYON TREK
The Colca Canyon tour is not the only thing to take
advantage of on your visit to Arequipa. There is also the
possibility of enjoying the Colca Canyon Trek, one of the
best things to do in Arequipa. The Colca Canyon hike may
not have the archaeological sites of the Inca Trail, but the
natural landscape is just as, if not more, beautiful. The
canyon is said to be around 11,000 feet deep, but this is
measured from the high peaks to the canyon floor. The
environment is spectacular, and the walk is challenging,
most of the walks are two or three days long, and you will
have the opportunity to spot condors. You can also soak in
the wonderful Colca hot springs in the surroundings. If you
have time to hike slowly, you will greatly benefit from the
experience. Many people do the hike in one day and do not
fully enjoy the experience. It is much better to take a
couple of days and enjoy the magnificence of the
mountains.

8. CELEBRATE THE FESTIVITIES OF AREQUIPA
In February of each year, the local people of Arequipa celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is said
that on February 11, 1858, a girl named Bernadette went to the forest with two of her friends to look for
firewood and came across a river. Since Bernadette suffered from asthma, she decided to stay by the river
while her friends went to fetch firewood. While she was resting, the Virgin Mary appeared, who is also
known as the Lady of Lourdes. The girl and the Virgin prayed together, during the next eight months the
Virgin appeared to Bernadette more than 18 times and she assures that the Virgin cured her asthma. The
girl was mistreated by the local authorities for her claims. However, people gathered around her waiting for
the Virgin to appear, which she never did, Bernadette remained firm in the faith of her until she died. If you
are lucky enough to enjoy the different tours in Peru in February, be sure to visit Arequipa.

9. TASTE THE TRADITIONAL CUISENE OF AREQUPIA

10. Arequipa is also becoming a gastronomic destination. In the white city, the typical restaurants of Arequipa
are known as Picanterias. Here you will find all the local specialties to try. But keep in mind that the plate
sizes are large, so go with a big appetite. Consider trying the star dish in Arequipa, the Rocoto Relleno. This
is made with red peppers that are cleaned and seeds removed, then the pepper is stuffed with minced
meat, peanuts, boiled eggs, olives, cream cheese, and milk, and baked in the oven when ready served with
potatoes. Trying traditional cuisine is one of the best things to do in Arequipa. The Rocoto Relleno is one of
the best typical dishes in Arequipa. But there is much more to try than Rocoto Relleno. The Ocopa is one of
the traditional sauces of Arequipa that is served as an aperitif. Boiled potatoes are usually covered with a
cream-based on yellow chili, onion, garlic, cream cheese, and a spice called Huacatay, blended with dry
bread. The dish is also served with boiled eggs, olives, and lettuce. But no trip to Arequipa would be
complete without trying the traditional soup, Adobo. This soup is served throughout Peru but is best in
Arequipa. With chunks of pork marinated in chicha (Inca Beer) and cooked with vinegar, hot peppers, and
spices, usually cooked in a flavor-enhancing clay pot and served with bread. This wonderful soup is
traditionally served in the morning for breakfast.

11. “WE DON’T NEED OBJECTS; WE NEED
ADVENTURES.”

12. These are just some of the many things to do in Arequipa. The truth is that within this majestic city
you can find much more to enjoy. These are just some of the most important examples that you
cannot miss. But Arequipa is full of incredible places to go and visit. Make sure to visit its historical
buildings such as the Cathedral and other no less surprising places. We hope together with the
Machu Travel Peru travel experts to have been helpful. If you want to know more about our tours, you
can consult with our advisors.
Peru has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in
the tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu
Picchu and any tours around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one!
Visit: www.machutravelperu.com