A tall church tower with a cross stands among palm trees, with a large snow-capped volcano rising in the background under a clear sky.

Roam. Rest. Repeat.

Peru

Best Things to Do in Arequipa

A quick guide to one of the best destinations in Peru

They call it the white city. Full of cobblestone streets and backed by towering volcanoes, it’s incredibly picturesque. Colonial architecture, old town charm, delicious coffee and a bustling food scene make it a walker’s delight. This is Arequipa!

Overview

Arequipa is one of the most popular destinations to visit before or after Cusco. It’s called the white city because most of it was built from white stone straight from the nearby volcanoes. While some say there’s not much to it or that it can be skipped, I found it to be one of my favorite stops in Peru. It’s a beautiful city that feels much more intimate and less overwhelming than places like Cusco or Lima. But there’s still plenty to see or do, especially for those who like to take things slow and soak up the place they’re in. An old monastery and large market. A bustling coffee and food scene. Everything is quite walkable making it easy to explore. Let’s check out the best things to do in Arequipa!

A classic dark green Ford Mustang with the number 25 on its door is parked on a cobblestone street in front of a grand, sunlit historic cathedral with tall towers and ornate architecture.

Stone archway frames a cobblestone street lined with buildings and potted plants, leading towards a small lake and a tall mountain with a clear blue sky in the background.

Ornate stone and wood entrance of Universidad Nacional de San Agustín, flanked by two trees in planters on a cobblestone street; a person wearing a hat walks past.

Cozy restaurant with rustic brick walls and arched ceiling, hanging industrial lamps, wooden stools at the bar, stacked firewood, and people sitting at tables reading menus. Warm, inviting atmosphere.

A glass of iced coffee sits on a wooden tray in a cozy café with metal chairs, a small table, and warm lighting in the background.

A historic stone church with illuminated towers and domes stands at dusk, with a mountain range visible in the background under a clear, twilight sky.

A narrow cobblestone alleyway is lined with beige stone buildings featuring iron-barred windows and potted red flowers, illuminated by soft sunlight.

How to Get There

By Air: There are quick and relatively cheap flights direct to Arequipa from within Peru. If you’re coming straight from outside the country, it’s an easy connection to make in Lima.

By Bus: Alternatively, you can get there via road. A night bus from Cusco or Lima is actually very comfortable and will get you to Arequipa by morning.

Read more:

Peru by Bus

Things to Do in Arequipa

Historic stone buildings with domes and a bell tower under a blue sky, with snow-capped volcanoes and mountains in the background; so many things to do in Arequipa.

Similar to Cusco, Arequipa is made for walking. The streets themselves and architecture alone are just beautiful. But unlike Cusco, Arequipa is far less touristy giving it a much more peaceful atmosphere. Aside from wandering and relaxing, here are a few things worth checking out…

Visit the Monasterio de Santa Catalina: As I said, exploring the streets of this city provides plenty to admire. But for a truly special treat, head to the old monastery. It’s conveniently located in the center of town and provides a striking visual contrast to its surroundings. Unlike the rest of the buildings in Arequipa, this one is painted a bright red making it a photographer’s dream. I spent hours here and it still wasn’t enough.

A sunlit stone pathway with steps, lined by red walls and archways, leads to a wooden door; potted green plants are placed along the path, and a bell tower is visible in the background under a blue sky.

A courtyard with blue walls, white arches, and stone pillars, set against a clear sky. A dome rises above the building, and a leafy tree stands beside the arched walkway.

A narrow stone alleyway lined with red adobe walls and potted flowers, under a clear blue sky, with sunlight casting shadows along the path.

A sunlit stone alley lined with red flowers and potted plants, bordered by white and red walls. Two people are walking in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Stone steps lined with potted plants lead up between red adobe walls under a bright blue sky. Above the stairs is a window with a balcony and an inscription in Spanish.

A round stone fountain filled with green water stands in a sunny courtyard with red walls and a dome-shaped stone building in the background.

A sunlit courtyard with red adobe buildings, wooden doors, clay tile roofs, potted plants, and a black lantern on the wall under a clear blue sky.

A corridor with arched, white ceilings decorated with murals, blue walls, terracotta tile floor, and potted plants lined along the right side.

A stone hallway with arched brick ceilings, historic columns, murals on the wall, and a blue door at the end. A potted plant sits near the wall in the sunlit corridor.

A sunlit arched walkway with white vaulted ceilings, red-pillar columns, hanging lanterns, decorative wall art, and potted plants lining the terracotta-tiled floor.

Coffee with a view at Puku Puku: For an incredible view of the cathedral, the mountains and the street below PLUS a refreshing coffee, check out Puku Puku. They have a rooftop patio where you can sit, sip and enjoy yourself. The vibe and decor are fantastic. I came here often for coffee, food and even a post-work beer!

A cozy coffee shop with colorful pennant banners, a brick arched ceiling, pastry display cases, chalkboard menus, and PUKU PUKU PERUVIAN SMALL BATCH COFFEE sign on the wall.

A glass jar of iced coffee with a paper straw next to a cinnamon roll on a plate with a fork, set on a wooden table outdoors in sunlight, with blurred chairs and tables in the background.

Rooftop patio with empty chairs and tables overlooks a cityscape at sunset, with a colorful sky and warm lights reflecting on the street below.

A narrow street in a historic city with old stone buildings, outdoor cafe tables, and people walking. In the background, sunlit mountains rise against a pastel evening sky.

People are sitting at wooden tables and benches on a rooftop terrace at dusk, with outdoor heaters and warm lighting. Mountains are visible in the background under a clear evening sky.

Wander up to Mirador de Yanahuara: The plaza and church at Yanahuara are a bit further out of town, but it makes for a great walk as you get to see a bit more of the city. If you don’t feel like walking, it’s a very short taxi ride away. It’s a simple little place, but has an amazing view of Volcan Misti. The old church has a beautiful facade and the palm lined square is very pretty. There’s also more food and cafes to try in this little area.

A stone arch frames a view of a city with tables and umbrellas on a terrace below, and a large, snow-capped volcano rising in the background under a clear blue sky.

An ornate stone church with detailed carvings and a bell tower stands beside a large, leafy tree under a clear blue sky. A person walks near the church entrance.

A steep, empty street with colorful buildings and graffiti on the walls, under a clear blue sky. A white car is parked at the top of the hill, and utility wires stretch overhead.

Tall palm trees line a sunny, paved walkway in a landscaped park with people walking and relaxing; buildings and a bright blue sky appear in the background.

A scenic view of a city with a large volcano in the background under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, there is a terrace with columns, market stalls, and two people standing together.

Sample some street food: Vendors abound in Arequipa selling everything from savory to sweet. I ate tamales nearly every day from the same lady selling them out of a little bucket near the main square. But there were other vendors selling things that I didn’t even know the name for. What’s in this platter? I don’t know. I don’t care. It was cheap and delicious!

A person in a striped shirt and hat serves a slice of golden, layered food from a large metal tray into a plastic container for a customer at an outdoor market.

Two slices of casserole topped with roasted tomato and pineapple sit on clear plastic trays, placed on a white cloth.

A plastic container holds two pieces of baked casserole, grilled meat chunks, stuffed red peppers, and pasta, with a white plastic fork on the side, all set on a rustic wooden table.

Two tamales on a blue plate covered with plastic, topped with sauce, and a plastic fork resting on them.

A hand holds a plastic plate with a tamale, topped with sauce, and a side of chopped tomatoes and onions.

Hit up the market: The town market is definitely worth a visit. It’s fairly large and has everything from fresh produce to souvenirs and clothing. It had a great blend of both locals and tourists. Plus the food court offers even more delicious things to try if you haven’t already filled up on street vendors.

A bustling indoor market with high ceilings, filled with colorful fruit and vegetable stalls on both sides. Shoppers walk down the central aisle, browsing the fresh produce displayed.

A vibrant fruit market stall with a wide variety of colorful fruits neatly displayed. Two vendors in green aprons assist customers. The market has a busy atmosphere, with people browsing and signs advertising payment options.

Where to Stay

Arequipa has some really nice places to stay, but also accommodation for every kind of budget. If you want something a bit more comfortable, but still walking distance to everything, then I recommend the Palla Boutique Hotel. It’s a beautiful place and very reasonably priced relative to hotels of this standard back home. Rooms have a beautifully rustic, yet modern feel. The staff was super friendly and helpful. And it’s conveniently located near the main square.

A well-lit stone building at night with wooden doors and balcony, featuring a sign that reads Palla Boutique Hotel above the entrance on a cobblestone street.

View through a stone archway into a modern, multi-story indoor atrium with railings, hanging plants, wall lanterns, seating areas, and natural light from above.

A stylish indoor corridor with stone walls, a small bar at the end, hanging lanterns, and two wooden stools with high tables along the wall. Black railings and potted plants add to the modern, inviting atmosphere.

A modern indoor seating area with wooden stools, small fold-out wall tables, and decorative lantern-style wall lights on a textured stone wall; a vase with flowers sits on one table.

Modern hotel room with a double bed and red blanket, open wooden shelves, a freestanding bathtub near the bed, and a small round table with two chairs. Warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere.

A rooftop restaurant with wooden tables and chairs, surrounded by potted plants and string lights, overlooks a cityscape at sunset with a colorful sky and distant buildings.

Book Palla Boutique Hotel

How to Get Around

By Foot: Like Cusco, Arequipa is best explored by walking. You can easily visit the city’s most famous sights without needing a taxi.

By Taxi: There are a couple of spots that might be easier to reach via taxi.

Final Thoughts – Things to do in Arequipa

Arequipa is not for everyone. It doesn’t have the same mind-blowing attractions as Cusco. It’s not as big a city as Lima. But that’s the beauty of it. Arequipa runs at a slower pace. It’s not overwhelming. It’s a great place to slow down a bit and simply enjoy your surroundings. And they are most certainly beautiful surroundings. This is the type of destination that feels more like travel than tourism. And that’s what we’re all about here at Roam Rest Repeat. This city reminded me of why I travel the way I do. If you want to read more about my philosophy of travel over vacation, check out my story here.

September 15, 2025