Things to do in  Arequipa

Peru's Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world, with a depth of around 13,650 feet (4,160 meters)—for context, it's twice as deep as the United States' Grand Canyon. Outdoor adventurers flock to Canon del Colca for its otherworldly trekking trails, large population of Andean condors (Cruz del Condor is the best place to spot them), and its pre-Incan historical sites.

Arequipa is known as La Ciudad Blanca (The White City) for the white buildings in its historic center made from a porous, volcanic stone known as sillar. Easily explored on foot, must-see landmarks include the neoclassical Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa and Monastery of St. Catherine (Monasterio de Santa Catalina).

Among the oldest structures in Arequipa, the historically significant Monastery of St. Catherine (Monasterio de Santa Catalina) covers an area of 15,615 square feet (20,000 square meters). The convent harbors a complete city with parks, houses, plazas, chapels, and a cemetery, offering visitors a meditative break from the busy historic center of Arequipa.

Plaza de Armas—with its palm trees, fountains, and symmetrical landscaped gardens—forms the cultural and social heart of the historic center of Arequipa. On the edge of the square is the twin-towered Basilica Catedral de Arequipa, one of the volcanic-stone structures that give Arequipa its nickname: La Ciudad Blanca (The White City).

Yanahuara is a middle-class residential neighborhood known for El Mirador e Iglesia de Yanahuara, a lookout point that offers panoramic views of Arequipa and El Misti volcano. As in the Historic Center of Arequipa, Yanahuara’s architecture is dominated by white volcanic rock, and the streets are dotted with pretty Spanish colonial churches.

Due to its position near the imposing Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, it’s easy to overlook the small yet perfectly formed Church of the Society of Jesus (Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús). The church’s facade pays homage to the churrigueresque style typical of 16th-century Spanish churches, while its interior is dominated by an intricate altar smothered in gold leaf.

El Misti is a soaring stratovolcano near Arequipa, popular with experienced trekkers and climbers. From the 19,101-foot (5,822-meter) above sea level summit, peer over the peaks of neighboring volcanoes. The volcano features a symmetric conical shape, characteristic of rotating layers of lava and debris from eruptions. El Misti’s last eruption was in 1985.

The Museum of Andean Sanctuaries offers an intimate glimpse into the ancient history of the Andes Mountains. After watching a short video that puts the museum’s cultural relics into context, visitors can wander the atmospheric rooms, which are filled with artifacts discovered during a significant Andean excavation.

A fine example of Arequipa’s sillar stone architecture, Sabandía Mill (Molino de Sabandía) was built in 1785 as the first mill of its kind. The mill still operates today, attracting visitors with its historic status. Peppered with weeping willows and cacti, the tranquil grounds surrounding the mill are a favorite among picnickers.

Founder's Mansion (La Mansión del Fundador) dates back to the 17th century, when the Spanish first colonized Peru. Characterized by white volcanic rock painted warm pastel colors, the grand building once belonged to the founder of Arequipa and now attracts visitors with its antique furniture, colonial-style decor, and artwork imbued with Inca symbolism.

The Sachaca District is most famous for the Mirador de Sachaca, a 5-story tower that offers panoramic views of the city and the snow-capped El Misti volcano. The neighborhood’s food is another highlight: Sachaca has earned a reputation for its picanterías, traditional restaurants serving local dishes to the strains of live Creole music.

The active Chachani Volcano, near Arequipa in southern Peru, is known amongst the climbing set as one of the world’s easiest 20,000-foot (6,075-meter) climbs. Still, reaching the summit is considered an intermediate to challenging two-day climb. At the top, marvel at the sight of the Pacific Ocean and the spectacular Andes mountainscape.

Towering over the Historic Center of Arequipa and backed by the imposing Mt. Misti volcano, the Basilica Cathedral is a photographer’s dream. The colonial structure, which dates back to the 14th century, has survived natural disasters including fires, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions and is the most important Catholic church in the city.

Characterized by a Romanesque steeple, Recoleta Convent provides a pocket of tranquility in the midst of the Historic Center of Arequipa. As well as boasting traditional sillar (white volcanic rock) cloisters, the convent has a museum of Amazonian artifacts—which include preserved jungle animals—and a library with more than 20,000 books.

The reason why Arequipa is known as is the "White City" is because many of the area's buildings have been constructed using the volcanic rhyolite stone sillar. Take a guided tour along the Sillar Route (Ruta del Sillar) to learn about this distinct material and the skilled workmanship used to carve it, as well as seeing some impressive sillar sculptures.