Arequipa Travel Guide

Hidden behind high walls in central Arequipa, the Monastery of Santa Catalina is a city within a city. Founded in 1579 by a Dominican nun from Cusco, this vast complex of cloisters, courtyards, chapels, and cell-like rooms once housed more than 200 nuns, most from wealthy colonial families. Its narrow lanes are painted in vivid blues, whites, and reds, creating a photographer's dream. The complex covers more than 20,000 square meters and stayed closed to the public until 1970, when an earthquake left it badly damaged and it was opened as a museum. Today it is the crown jewel of Arequipa, the White City.

The Yanahuara Viewpoint sits in the Yanahuara district of Arequipa, Peru, offering the city's finest panorama. Its white sillar stone arcades date from the 17th century; frame Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes through the arches for that postcard shot. The surrounding barrio keeps its colonial cobbled lanes, with stalls selling fresh cheese and traditional sweets. Come at golden hour, when the volcanoes glow pink against the sky.

Rising to 5,822 meters, El Misti is the perfectly symmetrical, snow-capped volcano that towers over the city of Arequipa in southern Peru. Its graceful cone dominates every view of the White City, which owes its nickname to the pale sillar stone quarried from volcanic ash and used to build its colonial buildings. Climbing El Misti is a demanding two-day trek, but those who reach the summit are rewarded with panoramic views of Arequipa and its neighbors Chachani and Pucara. For most travelers, though, simply watching the volcano catch the dawn light from the city's rooftops is unforgettable.

The Colca Canyon in Arequipa is one of the deepest canyons on Earth, plunging over 3,400 m. It is a prime spot to watch the Andean condor soar, with terraced fields, hot springs and colonial villages along the route.

Santuarios, located in AREQUIPA, 秘鲁, is among the city's most visited attractions.

Located in Arequipa, the Monasterio de la Recoleta is built from white volcanic sillar stone; its serene cloisters house religious art and colonial artefacts.