Sightseeing in Arequipa - what to see. Complete travel guide

Welcome to the beautiful country of Peru and one of its cities – Arequipa. Here, tourists will find marvelous old cathedrals and wonderful parks. Guests mention that this is a truly paradise-like place with stunning nature. The city is rich in architectural landmarks of the colonial period. Most of them are in a pristine condition and have retained their original look. It is hard to resist the temptation to step inside and explore these attractions created by architects of the past.

Excursion over cultural sights of Arequipa - 'must visit' points of interest

Arequipa can offer a variety of unique historic attractions, the majority of which belongs to the colonial period. There are many beautiful buildings in the city, most of which have been …

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First settlers appeared in the territory of modern Arequipa in the 6th-7th centuries BC. The Incas found the region attractive in the 15th century, and so Arequipa became a part of their territory. August 15, 1540, is the birthdate of the modern city of Arequipa. This region got the name “white city” because almost all buildings were made from white stones. Despite the fact that the old city was almost completely destroyed, it was rebuilt from a scratch. That is why Arequipa is a charming place with multiple buildings in the same style.

As the city is framed by three volcanoes, earthquakes have been frequent here. The most devastating earthquake happened in 1868. It almost completely destroyed the city. Thanks to efforts of local people and architects, the government succeeded in rebuilding the city. New Arequipa is not much different from the original one. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Your active city break in Arequipa. Attractions, recreation and entertainment - best places to spend your day and night here

Having enjoyed the colonial landmarks of Arequipa, spend some time exploring the beauty of local nature. There are several unique natural attractions on the outskirts of the city. Needless …

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Start your acquaintance with the city from the main square, Plaza de Armas. Many charming streets start at this square. A stroll in this part of the city is a great way to get oneself familiar with Arequipa and see how the colonial style is different from other architectural styles. Tourists will also find many souvenir shops and workshops with items by local artisans. Don’t forget to check out inner yards of gorgeous buildings located not far from the square. These are also important attractions and a part of the historical heritage of the city.

Museo Santuarios Andinos is situated in the central part of the city, not far from Plaza de Armas. In this museum, visitors can see items that archeologists discovered in the Arequipa region. These are mostly household items that the Incas and American Indian tribes used in the past. Visitors can see gold and ceramic figurines, blankets, wooden items, and textiles.

Shopping in Arequipa - main shopping streets, outlets and boutiques

Shopping in Arequipa will give you an opportunity to purchase many unique goods. For many years, local people have been making high-quality clothing and accessories from llama and alpaca …

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Mummy Juanita is, perhaps, the most interesting exhibit in the museum. The mummy is displayed in a special glass container with cold temperature inside. The clothing is in great condition, and even inner organs are untouched. This is truly fantastic, taking into consideration that the mummy spent more than 500 years in the ice. Mummy Juanita belongs to a 12-13-year-old Inca girl who was killed as an offering to gods. Inca people took the girl to the mountains, hit her with some blunt instrument, and left her die in the cold.

Arequipa Cathedral is another must-visit attraction in the city. The cathedral was built in 1540. Initially, this was nothing but a small church. However, endless earthquakes, which are typical in the area, frequent fires, and volcano activity made people rebuild the church again and again. Because of this, the church was growing in size, turning into the gorgeous Arequipa Cathedral that tourists can see nowadays.

Family holidays with kids in Arequipa. How to entertain your child, things to show to children.

Do you plan to visit Arequipa with children? In this case, do not miss an opportunity to attend the most interesting attractions and entertainment centers suitable for young travelers. There …

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The cathedral is a grandiose building that never ceases to amaze guests with its architectural style and luxurious inner décor. Inside, there is a Belgian organ, an old musical instrument. This organ is famous in Latin America. During an excursion in the cathedral, visitors can see interesting historical artifacts exhibited in halls of the building. Visitors can get to the top of the building as there is a viewing platform on the roof. From here, tourists can see a breathtaking panorama of the city and Plaza de Armas.

Having explored the cathedral, move your feet to the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena. This is a true “city inside a city”. The monastery occupies a large area of several tenths of thousand square meters. There are even streets inside the monastery that have names inspired by ancient Spanish cities. Buildings have different colors and are beautifully adorned by flowerbeds. In the past, the monastery had everything needed for comfortable life – a well, baths, laundry, swimming pools, and a garden. Rooms of nuns are charming despite their modest look and basic furniture.

Excursion over cultural sights of Arequipa - 'must visit' points of interest

Arequipa can offer a variety of unique historic attractions, the majority of which belongs to the colonial period. There are many beautiful buildings in the city, most of which have been …

Open

The most comfortable way to reach Arequipa is to fly from Lima. These cities have a regular air connection. Besides Lima, travelers can reach this city from Cusco. It is possible to reach the central part of the city from the airport by taxi. If you prefer buses, there are regular buses from Lima, Cusco, Puno, and Pisco. However, the transfer time will range from five to eighteen hours depending on the city of departure.

This guide to iconic landmarks and sights of Arequipa is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.

Arequipa - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5

City tours, excursions and tickets in Arequipa and surroundings

Sights around Arequipa from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

Huaynaputina Volcano

From the series “Volcanoes and Traps That Changed the Face of the Planet”

Check on the map: Huaynaputina Volcano on map

Distance from Arequipa center - 76.6 km.

Despite the fact that huge human losses were avoided at the time of the eruption, the effects of the disaster were incredible for the whole world. Mudslides have destroyed only a few small villages and a couple of cities. However, the volcanic winter that began after the eruption took the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Many researchers have linked the terrible famine in Russia in 1601 to the climate change. That year, due to the crop failure and famine, more than 120 000 people died in Russia. … Read further

Cotahuasi Canyon

From the series “The Deepest Canyons on the Planet”

Check on the map: Cotahuasi Canyon on map

Distance from Arequipa center - 196.9 km.

One of the most picturesque villages, Calyata, is known for its most important architectural sights, including ancient cemeteries of Barrancas de Tenajaja. No less attractive is village of Lucio that has healing hot springs on its territory. The picturesque Cotahuasi Canyon is a unique storehouse of natural and historical attractions and it is sure to impress fans of hiking and sightseeing. The gentle slopes of the gorge are uninhabitable, so its cliffs are ideal for honing climbing skills. There are training areas suitable for both beginners and experienced athletes. … Read further

Sightseeing in Peru: things to see

Every region in Peru is characterized by its unique nature landscape. In this country one will find lifeless desert, snowcapped mountains and dense forests. There are also several interesting historic landmarks here. Visiting them will help travelers know more about rich culture and heritage of Peru and its people. … Open

Sightseeing in Arequipa - what to see. Complete travel guide

City tours, excursions and tickets in Arequipa and surroundings

Sights around Arequipa from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

Huaynaputina Volcano

Cotahuasi Canyon

Sightseeing in Peru: things to see

Search touristic sites on the map of Arequipa

Sightseeing in regions nearby Arequipa