Having family in Lima has its advantages. For starters, I’ve been on road trips to other cities near Lima. I have also explored and gotten to see some amazing landscapes in Cusco, but it wasn’t until I got married that I ended up in Arequipa to visit my in laws.
Arequipa is south of Lima, and it takes about an hour and fifty minutes to get there from Lima. As someone who had never been, I found that there are plenty of things to see and do in Arequipa.
If you’re taking a trip to Arequipa, you’ll find the top 10 things to do in Arequipa and some tips below.
Top 10 Things To Do in Arequipa
There are many wonderful things to do in Arequipa, but if you’re in a time crunch and can only fit so much in your trip, then check out the top 10 things to do in this beautiful city.
1) Molino de Sabandia (Sabandia Mill)
Cost:
Adult – 2.82 USD / 10 Sol
Students/Senior Citizens – 1.41 USD / 5 Sol
This beautiful place has a wonderful history within its architectural white walls, which is surrounded by ancient trees, a nice collection of cacti and succulents, flowers, llamas, alpacas, guinea pigs, roosters and other birds.
While there are just a few rooms with history of the mill, you still get to learn about this three century old water mill, which is in the Arequipa countryside. I loved my experience at the mill and took quite a few hours taking photos of everything.
2) Colca Canyon
Known for being the deepest canyon in the world, Colca Canyon is a landmark you don’t want to miss. While you could trek Colca Canyon on your own, I always recommend going with a tour the first time. The trek is hard, but overall it’s worth it once you see the view!
Similar to when visiting Machu Picchu, there is a village – Cabanaconde village, which is the gateway to Colca Canyon. This small village is surrounded by stunning landscape and you also get to learn more about the culture.
3)Plaza de Armas
Cost: Free! Unless you shop or eat at one of the restaurants
You will almost always find a Plaza de Armas in Peruvian cities. I’ve been to the one in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa. This is a really good way to explore what the cities have to offer. From shopping to dining, here you will find cathedral and colonial buildings that house most of these restaurants.
Here you’ll also find the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, which you can tour. This is a great place for photographers, shoppers, foodies and anyone interested in getting to know more of Arequipa from a historical perspective.
4) Hike El Misti
Cost: Depends if you take a tour
If you’re interested in Volcano Misti and want to get up close, then take a hike up El Misti. Volcano Misti can be seen from many locations in Arequipa, so there is no need to do the trek, but if you want to get up close there are a few tour operators that will organize the experience.
A tour operator that has been recommended time and time again is Terra Quechua Peru. They have several tours around Peru, and even some that go to Salinas Aguada and Colca Canyon, which are both on this list. The best thing about going with a tour guide is that you’ll learn a lot about the area and you’re in safer hands than going on the trek on your own, especially if you don’t know the area.
Tip: Altitude in Arequipa is higher than Lima and some people have said to get altitude sickness arriving in Arequipa. This isn’t always the case, but if you’re hiking to Volcano Misti, the altitude does change and you may feel a drastic difference. Make sure to acclimate and listen to your guide.
5) Mundo Alpaca
Cost: Free
If you haven’t seen enough Alpacas and Llamas, then check out Mundo Alpaca. Not only will you have the opportunity to see the Alpacas and Llamas, but you’ll also get to check out the two museums that showcase the unique textiles in Peruvian culture.
You will also get to learn about the Alpaca fiber, the pre-Inca weaving techniques, walk through the Textile Machinery Museum and more!
6) Monasterio de Santa Catalina (Santa Catalina Monastery)
Cost:
Adult – 12.69 USD/ 45 Sol
Under 21 – 7.05 USD / 25 Sol
If you love colors, history and looking at beautiful architecture, then this is definitely a place to visit. This beautiful monastery gives the public a glimpse of what life was like for those who lived in the monastery. Although, it is a gorgeous place, the controversial history makes this place even more interesting.
It is said that back in the days, the monastery admitted daughters of wealthy families, who had to pay a hefty fee to get in. Rather than having a life of servitude, it is said that the nuns would throw lavish parties and were waited on by maids. It is rumored that an illicit affair had occurred and as a result, the skeleton of a baby had been hidden in one of the inner walls. If you’re like me and love controversial history and beautiful, colorful architecture, then this is a good place to visit.
7) Mercado San Camilo
There are a few markets around Arequipa, but if you’re going to visit one, might as well be the oldest and largest market in Arequipa. This vibrant market is located a few blocks away from Plaza de Armas and it is free to walk through. Here you’ll find all sorts of local goods. From medicinal plants to delicious Peruvian fruit, this is a great place to learn more about the culture.
8) Take in the views from Yanahuara District
If you’re looking to see more of the city and take in the scenery, head over to Yanahuara District. This picturesque suburb has a scenery overlook, where you can see the beauty of the city. Aside from that, Yanahuara has gorgeous architecture and beautiful historical churches.
Fact: Yanahuara District has beautiful white sillar architecture. Sillar is formed from volcanic ash and small fragments of lava ejected during eruptions. In Arequipa they use it for construction, but when you go to markets you’ll see plenty of souvenirs made with sillar.
9) Try the food
One of my big peeves is when someone goes to another country to eat McDonald’s. I get that they serve different food depending on the country you’re in, but if you’re not trying the local restaurants how are you going to learn anything about the food in Arequipa?
While many of the dishes are the same in Lima, there are a few that are traditional Arequipa dishes. Some to try are the Rocoto relleno (stuffed pepper), Ocopa (potatoes with huacatay sauce), Adobo Arequipeño (seasoned pork) and my favorite Queso helado (cheese ice cream)
Fact: while Queso helado translates to cheese ice cream, it contains no cheese whatsoever.
10) Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
Cost: $30-$50 Tours, depends what tour operator you use.
Located in the regions of Arequipa and Moquegua, Salinas is one spot my husband frequently talked about. The reserve has a high altitude lake, so if you get altitude sickness easily and haven’t acclimated to Arequipa, I’d save this one for last.
Here you’ll find alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, flamingos, hot springs and more. The best way to explore Salinas is taking a tour. There are some tours, where you can stop at the three surrounding volcanoes before making your way to the lake. The drive there may be a little scary due to the twists and turns at the edge, but the views you get is worth the drive.
Tip: Wear waterproof shoes as it can get a little muddy. Also, closed toed shoes are highly recommended.
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