Arequipa

Basílica y Convento de San Francisco de Arequipa

This 16th-century mestizo style (Andean Baroque) building was opened to the public in 1978, and is notable for its sillar walls and brick vault with a single nave.

Casa Tristan del Pozo

Built in 1738 as the residence of general Domingo Carlos Tristán del Pozo, nowadays the building houses a branch of the BBVA Perú bank. The building features beautiful stone carvings above the entrance portal, like many buildings in Old Arequipa. This grand building has a total of 5 patios.

Casa del Moral

A grand two-story house in Baroque-Moorish style, built in 1773 and named after an old mulberry plant on its patio. The entrance features magnificent stone carvings, and the wooden doors inside the building are also decorated in the same way. Inside the building you can see furniture and paintings by artists from the Cuzco School (Escuela Cuzqueña) from the colonial era.

3.50 soles

Cathedral Basilica of Arequipa

la Basílica Catedral de Arequipa

The first cathedral was built in 1544. This reconstruction dates from 1848, with a substantial repair after the 2001 earthquake caused the towers to collapse through the roof. The tour takes you into the Basilica, and to see the cathedral's collection of liturgical items in precious metals & gemstones, and sacremental garments. You are also taken up to the roof to see the bell tower and for views of the Plaza de Armas and the city.

Basilica, museum and towers: Mon–Sat 10:00-17:00, closed Sun·S/10 for admission and S/5 "tip" for required guided tour

Chaqchao Cafe and Chocolate Factory

This place offers a nice atmosphere and the cafes and chocolates taste wonderful. There is a chocolate factory and store in the first floor where you can watch chocolates being made and also a cafe in the 2nd floor. All ingredients are grown organically and sourced locally.

Tue-Sun 11:00-21:00·S/10 for a big cappuccino

Chicha Por Gaston Acurio

Excellent cuisine inspired by traditional Peruvian dishes. More expensive than other restaurants in the area, but well worth the price. Great table service by very attentive waiters.

Mon-Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-20:00·S/30-50 for mains

Convento de Santa Teresa

A little off the usual tourist path, in downtown Arequipa. It is not as architecturally interesting as the Convento de Santa Catalina, but some of the paintings and artifacts are stunning.

Free Walking Tour (Downtown Arequipa)

Around 2½ hr. Tour is more about presenting the background of Arequipa, how and why it developed into the city it is today, different aspects being presented from different locations (rather than a tour of the major sights). Just turn-up (no booking necessary). Very worthwhile.

Tours leave daily 10:00 & 15:00·Free but “guides work on a tips only basis”

Hatunpa

Restaurant with a unique concept: slices of 3 or 7 different Andean potatoes covered with vegetables and meat slices of your choice. Very small place with only a few tables, so it might be a good idea to be there early.

Mon-Sat 12:30-21:30·S/15-25

Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús de Arequipa

An Andean Baroque style church, finished in 1698. Like many major colonial-era buildings in Arequipa it's built out of sillar (volcanic rock) with carved façades, though the carvings on this church are some of the most impressive depicting animals, plants, and even elements of Pre-Columbian mythology. Also the side cloisters featuring stone carvings, and the decorated interior of the church are worth a view.

Mandala

Natural and tasty vegetarian food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. At lunch time, the menú ejecutivo, including a small salad, a soup, a main dish, a dessert and a drink costs S/9.

Mansión del Fundador

Also to be found in the old countryside is the renovated centuries-old Spanish Colonial mansion Mansión del Fundador.

Admission S/10, S/5 for students

Molino de Sabandía

Sabandía Mill

A three-century-old water mill, set in the old district of Sabandia.

Monasterio de Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina Convent

The most visited building from the Spanish era of the city. Described as a city within a city, this beautiful place with its colors, flowers and little streets will make you feel like you are back in time. Quite close to the Plaza de Armas. The guides speak many different languages; ask at the desk to the left after the entrance. The guide will tell you about the history of the convent and the life of the nuns in the convent. You can also do the tour by yourself at your own pace: there are helpful descriptive signs in Spanish and English in all the rooms that contain mostly the same information.

Daily 09:00-18:00 (Tue until 19:30), closed Good Fri, Dec 25 and Jan 1·S/45, foreign students up to 21 S/25, other discounts only for Peruvians. An optional one-hour guided tour costs S/20 per person

Monasterio de la Recoleta

The Franciscan monastery was built in 1648, and distinguished by its high bell tower in red and white bricks. Four out of the original seven buildings of the monastery remain today. The monastery has a library with about 20,000 volumes and part of the monastery is a museum with Incan and pre-Incan artifacts from mummies and totems to paintings of emperors. The museum also displays apparel worn by Amazonian natives.

Museo Santuarios Andinos

From May to November the main exhibit is the mummy Dama de Ampato, also known as Juanita. It is close to the main square.

Picantería La Capitana

Old and the truly old cooking in Arequipa, is behind Saga Falabella, this picantería observes the old traditions. Go early, or the specialty of the day, which is around S/7, will be sold out. Though other dishes are also always available.

Picantería La Lucila Sachaca

Founded by the late Señora Lucila Salas de Ballon, is a short taxi ride outside of town. An old-style kitchen specializing in spicy food with cuy (guinea pigs) eating scraps in the yard. You get the impression the current owners believe 'Doña Lucila' is still keeping an eye on everything and everyone.

Plaza de Armas

The main square of Arequipa, surrounded by buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic stone.

Puente Bolognesi

Arequipa has beautiful bridges. The closest to the main square is Puente Bolognesi. Go there and visit the Tambos (ancient houses rebuilt by the city government and used as apartments). A great experience.

Puente Fierro

An iron bridge designed by Eiffel for the railway. It has been converted to a pedestrian/bicycle bridge. (The railway now crosses the river over a different bridge a few km to the south.) A technological jewel in Vallecito (10 blocks from main square) and a must for people who love trains and bridges. From the bridge, at golden hour (16:00-17:00), you can get some of the best pictures of the volcanoes and the city.

Restaurant Dhamodar

You can get the menu of the day for S/4 including soup and a main dish and a soft drink. Tasty vegetarian food with many different options.

San Camilo Market

The oldest market in the center of the city. It's three blocks away from the main square.

Tacos y Tequilas

A nice atmospheric Mexican restaurant. The Mexican meals here are delicious, with an excellent guacemole.

Mexican menu S/10

el buda profano

Vegan sushi bar tucked in behind the Monasterio de Santa Catalina. Enjoyed by vegans, vegetarians, pescetarians and carnivores alike.

Open now · closes 9 pm·S/20

Exquisito Perú

Explore Arequipa's ample gastronomy through a walking food tour that takes guests from San Camilo Market to Yanahuara with several stops in between in traditional picanterias and more! A truly immersive experience to get a great overview of the region's delicacies while visiting the city of Arequipa.

Open now · closes 3 pm·US$59

Horse Pa Enrique Tours

Anibal has six horses in the small stable just behind Arequipa. The horses are quite calm and suitable for beginners. First you will be provided with a helmet and some basic instructions. After that you ride 7 km there and 7 km back next to Chili River with great views of volcanoes. At the end you may be asked to help with feeding the horses.

S/90 per person

Perou Voyage Tour Operator

Tour operator based in Arequipa specialized in tailor-made and shared tours to the Colca Canyon, Arequipa and Cotahuasi Canyon.

Ventura Travel

Tour operator specializing in custom groups, with wide range of tours and treks in the Colca Canyon area and beyond.

Viajero Arequipa Hostel

A place to party, with people at the bar every day of the week. Even as a non guest staying in the hostel, you can enter and enjoy the rooftop bar. Sometimes on Fridays or Saturdays they ask for an entry fee. Good events and it's a good place to meet other travelers and locals. Just look out for the Peruvian bricheros.