22 Unique Things To Do in Arequipa, Peru

We absolutely love traveling in Peru and have now returned twice. On our first trip, we followed a more classic route through the country, hiking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, exploring Cusco, and venturing deep into the Amazonian rainforest of Tambopata. But this time, we were craving something different, so we set our sights on Peru’s iconic Southern route, traveling along the coast and highlands through places like Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Paracas, and Huacachina.

Arequipa had been on our radar for a while, especially after one of my patients, who grew up there, couldn’t stop encouraging us to visit her hometown. Known as the White City, Arequipa is famous for its beautiful colonial architecture built from white volcanic sillar stone, its dramatic backdrop of snow capped volcanoes, and its role as the gateway to the incredible Colca Canyon Trek (which we also did and absolutely loved).

In total, we spent two weeks exploring Arequipa and quickly fell for its mix of history, culture, food, and laid back local life. In this guide, we’re sharing our 22 favourite and most unique things to do in Arequipa, including local hotspots, cultural experiences, rooftop cafes, and unforgettable day trips to help you plan your own visit.

22 Unique Things to do in Arequipa

We’ll start with our favourite experiences right in Arequipa itself, then follow up with the best day trips and multi day adventures you can do from the city.

Local Experiences in Arequipa

1) Mercado San Camilo for local foods

One of our favourite things to do anywhere in South America is exploring local markets. This is where you really see daily life unfold, the food, the colours, the culture, and the constant hustle and bustle of daily living. We love wandering from stall to stall, trying different dishes, and then coming back to the same vendors day after day. Once you find your “juice lady” or your go to “chicharrón sandwich stand”, you quickly become their “Casera” and before you know it, you are treated like family.

Seeing the same faces every morning, chatting about life, asking for local tips, and sharing small moments became one of the highlights of our time in Arequipa. It’s a kind of connection that’s hard to replicate back home in North America, where shopping usually means rushing through giant supermarkets without ever speaking to anyone. But I digress.

When you visit Mercado San Camilo, be sure to stop for one of their super healthy moliente drinks, try the local ceviche, the delicious chicharron sandwiches, and grab fresh fruits or smoothies. And if you’re feeling adventurous, head upstairs to the local food stalls and order sopa de cabeza for a truly local experience! 

2) Monasterio de Santa Catalina

Monasterio de Santa Catalina is a photographer’s dream! Founded in 1579, the monastery was established as a cloistered convent for wealthy Spanish women. At the time, families paid substantial dowries for their daughters to join, which allowed it to function almost like a self contained city within the city.

But what makes this monastery so unique is the incredibly well preserved narrow streets, vibrant red and blue walls, peaceful courtyards, and colonial architecture built from local white volcanic sillar stone. Inside this 20,000 square meter monastery, they had their own streets, kitchens, chapels, living quarters, gardens, and even slave quarters, essentially an entire city surrounded by the walls.

Visiting Santa Catalina feels less like touring a single building and more like walking through a living piece of Arequipa’s past, making it one of the most unique historical sites in all of Peru. We easily spent over 3 hours getting lost in the narrow alleyways, exploring house quarters, and trying to capture its beauty.

3) Best Rooftops & Views in Arequipa

With Arequipa’s stunning white colonial architecture and three towering volcanoes as its backdrop, one of the best ways to take it all in is from above. During our two week stay in the city, we caught countless sunsets from rooftop terraces, but two spots quickly became our favourites.

If you’re looking for a laid back, low key, farm to table style café with great views, head to Mi Kcao Chocolate y Café Rooftop. Their breakfast is tasty, but we kept coming back for the smoothie bowls and coffee, which were perfect for a slow morning overlooking the city. If you’re interested, they also offer chocolate making workshops!

For one of the best and highest rooftop views of the central plaza, La Terraza on the Top is hard to beat. Located diagonally across from the Basilica Cathedral, it offers an incredible vantage point with the cathedral as a dramatic backdrop at sunset. Just be sure to arrive at least an hour early, as it gets busy quickly once the sun starts to set.

4) Cooking Class in Arequipa

We absolutely love traveling for food, and Peru easily ranks as one of our top culinary destinations, right alongside Vietnam and Italy, especially Sicily. With its mix of Peruvian, Chinese, and Japanese influences, the food is incredibly fresh, full of flavour, and surprisingly light, even after a big meal.

After eating our way through countless plates of ceviche, lomo saltado, and causa, we decided it was time to go beyond just ordering and actually learn how these dishes are made. That’s what led us to join a cooking class in Arequipa, and it ended up being one of our favourite experiences in the city.

We took our class with Chira Fusion, a restaurant we loved so much we went back to eat at multiple times. The experience was hands on, fun, and at the same time educational. We cooked three traditional dishes (Causa, ceviche, and lomo saltado) completely from scratch, along with a classic pisco sour, and then sat down to enjoy everything we had made.

The highlight, aside from eating the meal afterward of course, was pan frying the lomo saltado while the chef poured oil into the pan, sending up a dramatic burst of flame. I almost singed my eyebrows but for a brief moment, I truly felt like a professional chef!

There are other cooking classes in Arequipa, including this Peruvian Cooking Experience, but since that one only covers two main dishes, we would personally recommend sticking with Chira Fusion for a more complete experience.

5) Arequipa Food Tasting Tour

As you’ll quickly realize, many of the best experiences in Arequipa revolve around food. From street snacks and traditional markets to rooftop cafés and hands on cooking classes, the city is a dream for anyone who loves to eat. Another great way to dive deeper into Peru’s refined and deeply rooted cuisine is by joining an Arequipa Food Tasting Tour.

Over the course of about four hours, you’ll sample more than 14 traditional dishes from the Arequipa region, with a strong focus on ancestral recipes and local ingredients. You’ll learn how dishes like alpaca and cuy are prepared, try your hand at making ocopa using a traditional batán, and hear the cultural and historical stories behind each bite. And of course, you’ll get to taste everything along the way.

To round it all out, the tour finishes with a walking exploration of the historic centre, giving you the perfect chance to burn off some of those calories while learning more about the fascinating history of this beautiful city.

6) Volcan Misti Viewpoints

I still remember our first morning in Arequipa. We stepped out onto the street, walked to the main intersection, and suddenly caught our first glimpse of the towering Misti volcano. It was so massive it almost didn’t feel real. That moment alone made it clear that one of the best things to do in Arequipa is to seek out the viewpoints that showcase the city’s dramatic volcanic backdrop.

Mirador Yanahuara and Mirador Carmen Alto are two of the most popular viewpoints in the city. We visited Mirador Yanahuara as part of our day trip to Reserva Nacional de Salinas, and while the view itself is beautiful, it was completely packed with tourists.

Instead, we recommend heading to Puente Grau, then settling in for lunch at La Posada del Puente. Not only does it offer one of the best views over the city and volcanoes, but it’s set inside a stunning pink colonial hotel. Aside from the rooftop cafes we mentioned earlier, this was hands down our favourite “lunch with a view” in Arequipa.

Another viewpoint worth mentioning is Mirador Sachaca. We didn’t manage to visit during our time in Arequipa, but it looks like a fantastic and likely much quieter alternative.

7) Try Queso con helado

Queso con helado is a classic Arequipa dessert that’s surprisingly simple and oddly addictive. Despite the name, it doesn’t actually contain cheese. Instead, it’s made from fresh milk, coconut, cinnamon, and cloves, slowly frozen and shaved into a creamy, ice cream–like treat.

It’s lightly spiced, refreshing, and you’ll often see it sold by street vendors in the city’s plazas. We found it in Plaza de Armas as well as the plaza next to Mirador Yanahuara.

8) Eat amazing Street Food in Arequipa

More food options! Some of our most memorable meals in Arequipa actually came from street corners. After our Latin dance classes at Caribe Academia de Baile, we fell into a routine of stopping by a local anticuchos stand on the walk home. You’d spot it instantly—the smoke rising into the air and the smell of grilled meat filling the street. She served up classic anticuchos de corazón (grilled beef heart skewers) and anticuchos de pollo, usually paired with boiled potatoes and corn. It was incredible value too, with around 3–4 skewers for just 10 soles.

We also stumbled upon a small hamburger food card run by a lovely Venezuelan couple (located here), and it ended up being hands-down one of the best burgers we’ve ever had. These were two of our favourite street food stops in Arequipa, but half the fun is discovering your own hidden gems along the way.

9) Chocolate-Making Workshop

Arequipa is known for its high-quality chocolate, with roots that trace all the way back to ancient Aztec king. We enjoyed it plenty at Mi Kcao Chocolate y Café Rooftop and during several of our brunch stops, but one of the most unique ways to experience it is through a Chocolate Making Workshop.

In this hands-on experience, you’ll create your own chocolate bar completely from scratch—roasting, grinding, and processing the cacao yourself. Along the way, you’ll also get to taste Cacahuatl, an ancient chocolate drink, and sample five different types of chocolate. It’s a fun, interactive way to dive into Arequipa’s culinary scene and appreciate chocolate beyond just eating it.

10) Caribe Academia de Baile for amazing latin dancing classes

We love dancing salsa and bachata and have been lucky enough to experience Latin dance scenes all across South America. But without a doubt, one of our most memorable dance experiences was right here in Arequipa at Caribe Academia de Baile.

Run by a Venezuelan family, the school offers one of the most dynamic, expressive, and genuinely fun styles we’ve ever learned. We ended up taking classes there almost every day for two weeks and quickly felt like part of the family, both with the instructors and the local dance community. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or stepping onto the dance floor for the first time, Caribe Academia de Baile is absolutely worth checking out.

11) Claustros de la Compañia

The architecture in Arequipa is truly stunning, and if you’re still craving more after visiting the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, make sure to stop by the Claustros de la Compañía. It’s a relatively quick visit, but well worth it for the beautifully preserved courtyards lined with intricate stone carvings, ancient pillars, and elegant arches. 

You can also settle in for lunch at one of the restaurants here and enjoy the atmosphere while surrounded by historic architecture. The cloisters are also home to several small shops selling local artisanal goods, including clothing and accessories made from high-quality alpaca wool, making it a lovely place to browse or pick up a meaningful souvenir.

12) Kafi Wasi Café Tostaduría: our favourite coffee spot

We loved eating our way through the local stalls at Mercado San Camilo, but every now and then we also craved lunch in a more elegant setting. One of our favourite café and lunch spots in Arequipa was Kafi Wasi Café, tucked inside a beautiful historic courtyard. They serve excellent sourdough sandwiches, avocado toasts, healthy breakfasts, and an impressive selection of desserts. The Wi-Fi is also solid, so we ended up spending a few afternoons here getting work done.

A bonus most people miss: at the very end of the same courtyard is a small massage studio called Massage Suite Arequipa. After finishing our Colca Canyon Trek, we treated ourselves to a massage there, and the quality of service was excellent. A perfect post-hike recovery spot!

13) Plaza de Armas and Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa

Plaza de Armas is the heart of Arequipa and one of the most beautiful main squares in Peru, framed by elegant white sillar stone arcades and the impressive Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa. The cathedral dominates the plaza with its grand neo-Renaissance façade and the dramatic backdrop of surrounding volcanoes.

One of the best ways to experience the plaza is simply to grab a bench, slow down, and people-watch as local life unfolds. For a different perspective, you can also head up to one of the rooftop restaurants overlooking the square, like La Terraza on the Top, which we mentioned before as one of the best rooftop views to enjoy the sunset.

Plaza de Armas and the Basilica is not so much of a ‘thing to do’ but rather a place to soak in the culture and life of Arequipa. 

14) El Timon Comida Marina for the best seafood

After spending 2 weeks in Arequipa and trying out countless restaurants, our favourite was without a doubt El Timon Comida Marina. Tucked just outside the busy historic center, this spot serves some of the best Peruvian seafood we had, all in a calm, elegant setting that feels like a little escape from the crowds. 

From ultra fresh ceviche and perfectly balanced causas, to seafood pasta, grilled octopus, and beautifully cooked fish, every dish was thoughtfully prepared and consistently excellent. Before your meal, they also serve a bowl of canchas (roasted korn kernels) which are delicious and they were nice enough to even give us a bag to bring home since they saw how much we enjoyed it! 

15) Museo Santuarios Andinos (Juanita the Ice Maiden)

One museum that we highly recommended visiting in Arequipa is Museo Santuarios Andinos, home to Juanita the Ice Maiden. Juanita is an exceptionally well preserved Inca mummy discovered on Mount Ampato in the 1990s, and the museum focuses on explaining the Inca ritual sacrifices, the science behind her preservation, and the spiritual beliefs of the Inca civilization.

Even though we didn’t get a chance to visit ourselves, it’s widely considered one of the most important cultural stops in Arequipa, especially if you’re interested in Inca history and archaeology. We did get to visit Museum of High Altitude Archaeology in Salta Argentina which has a similar display of three Llullaillaco children who were found atop a volcano. Because of the extreme altitude and freezing temperatures, they ended up being the best preserved Inca mummies ever discovered, dating back close to 500 years! Seeing them in person was incredibly powerful and left a lasting impression on us.

Best Day Trips from Arequipa

16) Ruta de Sillar

One of the most popular day trips from Arequipa is the Ruta del Sillar. Just 25 minutes from the city, this active sillar quarry offers a fascinating look at the volcanic stone that gives Arequipa its signature white architecture. You’ll learn how sillar is extracted and shaped, and why it has been used for centuries to build many of the city’s most iconic structures.

The area is also surprisingly fun and photogenic, with large sillar stone sculptures and a famous carved wall that can be compared to Petra in Jordan. The tour then continues to Quebrada de Culebrillas, a narrow rock canyon where you can walk between smooth volcanic walls before reaching a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding volcanoes.

Overall, it’s an easy, scenic, and photo-friendly excursion that makes for a perfect half-day trip from Arequipa.

This post is part of our series about Peru. If you want to learn more about Peru, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:

10 Day Itinerary Peru: Machu Picchu hike, Cusco, and Lima (2026)

Colca Canyon Trek Without a Guide: Complete 3-Day Itinerary

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: What to Expect on the 4 Day Hike

17) colca canyon Trek

Colca Canyon was, without a doubt, one of the fondest memories of our entire return trip to Peru. Often cited as one of the deepest canyons in the world, it’s home to some of the most dramatic vertical landscapes we’ve seen anywhere in the country, along with the chance to spot the legendary Andean condor soaring overhead. Seeing these massive birds glide effortlessly through the canyon is truly unforgettable.

While it’s possible to visit Colca Canyon on a single day trip, it makes for a very long day with over eight hours of roundtrip transportation and barely scratches the surface of what makes this place special. The real magic lies in hiking down into the canyon itself.

We highly recommend opting for a 2 or 3 day Colca Canyon hiking tour to fully experience it. We planned and hiked Colca Canyon independently and were blown away by the diversity of experiences along the way, from soaking in natural hot springs at the canyon floor and stargazing under incredibly dark skies, to trekking through some of the most jaw dropping scenery in Peru. If you are heading to Arequipa, this is one experience I would not miss. 

Important Note about Colca Canyon Trek

The Colca Canyon day trip only takes you to the upper viewpoints, meaning you miss out on actually trekking into the canyon. On a 2 day trek, you’ll hike down to the Sangalle Oasis on day one and climb back out the next day. The 3 day trek is more gradual and immersive, first going to San Juan de Chuccho, continuing to Sangalle on day two, and ascending out of the canyon on day three.

We completed the 3 day Colca Canyon trek independently, and it was definitely challenging, with constant steep climbs and exposure to the sun. With 3 full days though, we had a lot more time to recover, and actually enjoy the scenery, hot springs, and village life. For this reason, if you want to truly experience Colca Canyon rather than just see it, we highly recommend the 3 day trek, whether guided or independent.

18) Reserva Nacional de Salinas

During our time in South America, we were lucky enough to visit several salt flats, from the world famous Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia to Salinas Grandes in northern Argentina near Tilcara, and finally the Reserva Nacional de Salinas in Peru. Located about two hours from Arequipa, the Salinas Lagoons offer a beautiful introduction to the Peruvian Altiplano—a high altitude, barren landscape dotted with vicuñas, alpacas, and dramatic volcanic backdrops.

On this day trip, you’ll get up close to some of the towering volcanoes surrounding Arequipa, visit colourful lagoons where you’ll often find flamingos, and end at the salt flats themselves. Depending on the season, the flats may be covered in a thin layer of water, creating that famous mirror-like reflection, or appear as a vast, blinding white expanse. Both are equally striking in their own way.

Although these salt flats aren’t as massive as those in Bolivia or Argentina, they’re absolutely worth the visit and provide a stunning introduction to Peru’s rugged high mountain landscapes.

19) Pillones Waterfall and Rock Forest Day Trip

If you’re craving a nature-filled day outside the city, the Adventure Day to Pillones Waterfall & Rock Forest is a fantastic choice. This full-day trip takes you from Arequipa through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you’ll enjoy expansive high-altitude landscapes and sightings of vicuñas, llamas, and guanacos. 

The highlight though is Pillones Waterfall, a scenic cascade framed by dramatic volcanic terrain, followed by a visit to the Puruña Stone Forest, a surreal landscape filled with eroded rock formations that feels otherworldly. Along the way you’ll have plenty of stops for photos, short walks, and wildlife spotting. The tour includes hotel pickup, transport, and a professional guide, making it an easy way to see some of Arequipa’s wildest scenery.

20) Rafting Rio Chili

If you’re craving a quick dose of adrenaline while in Arequipa, rafting the Río Chili is a fun and easy half-day escape from the city. Just 20 minutes outside of town, you’ll tackle Class II–IV rapids through a dramatic canyon landscape, all with professional guides and full safety gear provided. For those who aren’t familiar with the grading system, Level 2 rapids are fairly calm, but level 4 rapids are quite turbulent and powerful. For this tour, no prior rafting experience is needed, making it perfect even for first-timers. 

21) Multi-Day Trip to Lake Titicaca and Staying on Uros Island

We’ve included this under day trips, but in reality, Lake Titicaca works better as a multi-day trip or the continuation of your Peru travels after Arequipa. Sitting on the border of Peru and Bolivia, it’s the highest navigable lake in the world and home to the famous Uros floating islands.

One of the most unique experiences here is spending the night on the floating islands themselves. We had read plenty of reviews warning that the visit could feel overly ‘sales-y’, but our experience was the complete opposite. We stayed with a local family and got a genuine look at daily life on the islands., and to better understand that it is not staged for tourists. The entire community is fully functioning with neighbourhoods, elected leaders, shared work systems, schools, medical facilities, and sports areas, all maintained collectively by the locals.

It was truly a fascinating experience and I think we only got to see this side because we decided to spend a night there, rather than just a boat day trip where you will inevitably be brought to only the touristy shops. 

To get the Lake Titicaca from Arequipa, you will need to take a 5 hour bus to get to Puno, before heading to the port where you can either join a tour, or have your floating island host pick you up on their own little boat. 

If you’re considering an overnight stay on the Uros Islands, this Floating Island Airbnb is where we stayed and we couldn’t recommend it more.

22) Volcano Trek on Misti

Last but not least, if you’re up for one of the most iconic outdoor challenges in southern Peru, the Misti Volcano Climb is a bucket-list adventure worth considering. This guided trek takes you up one of Arequipa’s most recognizable volcanos and you will also spend a night camping out at 15,256 feet! 

The climb is serious — it’s a high-altitude hike that requires good fitness and acclimatization — and you will be ascending all the way up to 5,825m above sea level. If you want a point of reference, that is pretty much the same altitude as Everest Base Camp. All the necessary equipment is provided, including 4×4 transport, tent, insulated sleeping mat and sleeping bag, all meals, windbreaker, gloves, and more. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into local geology, volcanic history, and high-Andean ecosystems, all while ascending towards one of Peru’s most significant volcanoes.

If Misti feels a bit too intense but you still want the thrill of hiking a volcano, the Pichu Pichu Volcano Climb is a great alternative. It’s a one-day adventure with around 7 hours of hiking, making it far more approachable while still giving you that high-altitude, volcanic landscape experience and epic views over Arequipa.

Altitude in Arequipa

One important thing to keep in mind is that Arequipa sits at 2,335 m above sea level. While that’s lower than Cusco (3,399 m), the altitude can still sneak up on you. Even though we were already acclimatized from traveling through high-altitude places like Salar de Uyuni, Sucre, and Lake Titicaca, we still noticed shortness of breath. It became especially obvious during our dance classes at Caribe, where our cardio endurance was definitely not what it usually is.

All that to say: if you’re not used to altitude, give yourself at least 2–3 days to acclimatize. Avoid packing in anything too strenuous right away, and instead ease into it by enjoying Arequipa’s restaurants, rooftop cafés, and relaxed strolls around the city before diving into hikes or bigger adventures. If you are planning on hiking Colca Canyon, make sure to plan that towards the end of your stay at Arequipa.

How Many Days in Arequipa

To get a good experience of what Arequipa has to offer, including the Colca Canyon trek, we recommend spending at least one week here. The Colca Canyon trek alone takes about four days total including three days of trekking and one night staying at the canyon rim. With the remaining days you will have time to fit in a day trip to the Ruta de Sillar or the Salinas salt flats and explore the city highlights like the Monasterio de Santa Catalina at a relaxed pace.

Is Arequipa Safe to Visit

Overall, we felt safe in Arequipa, especially in the central downtown areas. We stayed about 15 minutes walk from the centre of downtown, and at times at night, the streets are very empty and quiet so we did have to be cautious.

After speaking with locals, we learned that there are a few neighbourhoods best avoided, but these are well outside the areas most travellers will ever visit.

For example, our dance school Caribe is located along Avenida Salaverry and we walked there every day without any issues. That said, if you continue walking farther east away from the downtown core, the atmosphere does start to feel noticeably less safe.

In short, as long as you stay within the central and touristic areas and use general travel caution, Arequipa is a very safe city to visit.

Where to Stay in Arequipa

As we mentioned in the safety section above, the central touristic area of Arequipa is generally safer than the outskirts. We stayed about a 15 minute walk south of downtown and still felt safe, but at night the streets became very quiet and empty, and we definitely felt more comfortable walking closer to the Plaza de Armas.

For this reason, we recommend staying near the Plaza de Armas or in the northern parts of the historic center. A helpful way to visualize the downtown area is by checking Google Maps, where the historic centre is typically highlighted in a light yellow colour.

Here are a couple places I would recommend checking out:

Budget: Le Foyer Flats Sudamerica

For a budget friendly stay, Le Foyer Flats Sudamérica offers excellent value with spacious, modern rooms and beautiful volcano views. Each room comes with a private bathroom, work desk, TV, and complimentary toiletries, and the property is conveniently located just a short walk from Mercado San Camilo.

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Mid-range: Casona Terrace Hotel

If you prefer a more historic stay, definitely check out Casona Terrace Hotel. Set inside a beautifully restored colonial home with over 20 years of experience, this hotel offers an elegant atmosphere, a charming rooftop terrace with views over the city and surrounding volcanoes, and a calm, classic feel that reflects Arequipa’s colonial past.

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Luxury: Casa Andina Select Arequipa Plaza

What really sets Casa Andina Select apart is its unbeatable location right on the Plaza de Armas, with terrace views overlooking the Basilica and the lively central square. They even have a rooftop pool, perfect for cooling off during the day while soaking up one of the best views in Arequipa. In fact, it is right next door to La Terraza on the Top, so you can easily enjoy those incredible sunset views whenever the mood strikes.

Where to Go After Arequipa

After visiting Arequipa, you have several options of places to visit. You could:

• Head south toward Lake Titicaca, which is an ideal route if you plan to keep heading into Bolivia to visit Salar de Uyuni and La Paz.
• Head North East towards Cusco. This is where we went on our first Peru Itinerary and where you’ll find the famous Salkantay Trek, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. 
• Head North West along the Peruvian coast where you’ll find the famous Nazca Lines, Paracas Nature National Park, Huacachina for desert dunes and sandboarding, and finally the capital of Lima. 

Using WISE card in Peru

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Summary: 22 Unique Things to do in Arequipa

Arequipa is far more than just a gateway for the Colca Canyon trek. It is a stunning historic city built from white volcanic sillar, filled with incredible Peruvian food, rich culture, and plenty of local experiences and day trips. We spent two weeks exploring everything the city has to offer and honestly could have stayed much longer. Compared to Cusco, Arequipa feels less touristic, more relaxed, and far more local and authentic. It is absolutely worth including in your Peru itinerary.

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