Is Arequipa Worth Visiting?
Arequipa is well worth visiting during your time in Peru. Here’s why:
| Worth It For... | Skip It If... |
|---|---|
|
✅ Trekking in Colca Canyon |
❌ Short on time in Peru |
|
✅ Views of Misti Volcano |
❌ You don’t like hiking |
|
✅ To try Arequipeñan Cuisine |
– |
My Thoughts On Arequipa
Arequipa is well worth visiting during your time in Peru. Here’s why:
- Firstly, it’s a beautiful city that’s a joy to explore and full of activities.
- Secondly, it’s surrounded by volcanoes and mountains and you will experience some of the best sunsets in South America here.
- Finally, the biggest reason to visit Arequipa is that it’s the starting point for treks into Colca Canyon – the second deepest canyon in the world.
12 Great Reasons To Visit Arequipa
1. Trekking Colca Canyon
Arequipa is the starting point for hiking adventures into Colca Canyon – the second deepest canyon in the world.
The canyon reaches a depth of 3,400m at its lowest point – almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
Multi-day guided treks are the most popular option to visit the canyon but if you don’t have the best hiking legs or suffer from altitude sickness, then there are alternative options such as single day tours.
Whichever you choose the experience will be unforgettable.
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
2. Explore The City On A Free Walking Tour
Arequipa is an underrated gem of a city bursting with beauty and charm. I feel that it should be on every travellers list as they make their way through Peru.
With tranquil cobblestone streets, fantastic local cuisine, great rooftop bars, all surrounded with a backdrop of volcanoes, the city has so much to offer.
Arequipa is also known as the white city of Peru.
When you arrive it’s obvious how it got its nickname. Almost all the buildings are made from the white volcanic mineral in the area making the city seem to shine.
The best walking tour in Arequipa is Inkan Milky Way who have free tours each day at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM lasting around 2-3 hours.
For more travel guides and information on Peru, check out the popular 1-month itinerary perfect for backpackers looking to do an extended tour:
3. Watch The Sunset From A Rooftop Bar
Some places in the world just do sunsets better – one of those is Arequipa.
I’m not sure why – maybe it’s the backdrop of the beautiful mountain ranges and volcanoes, or maybe it’s the gorgeous white buildings and cobbled streets that are set alight as the sun goes sinks beyond the horizon.
Either way, it’s one of my favourite places to watch a sunset, and there are several places to choose from.
I would recommend Waya Lookout Bar as it’s not as busy as the other rooftop bars in town, you get a fantastic view of the square, and you can walk along the rooftop to take pictures from many different angles.
For more recommendations on the best rooftop bars and sunset viewpoints in Arequipa, head to the post below:
4. Try Queso Helado
Queso Helado is local speciality, similar to ice cream, that can only be found in Arequipa. While the name translates to ‘cheese ice-cream‘ or ‘frozen cheese’, there’s nothing cheesy about it.
The tasty treat is made from vanilla, coconut, milk, and cinnamon, and you will find vendors selling it everywhere on the street.
They will give you a taste for free, and once you try it, there’s no doubt you will buy more.
Arequipa is a foodie hub in Peru, and one of the best places to try some of Peru’s best dishes. For recommendations on the best places to eat in Arequipa, head to the post below:
5. Get A Great Shot Of Misti Volcano
You will be able to see the impressive Volcano Misti from almost anywhere in town, but some places are better than others.
- You can head to the Yannahuara viewpoint in the picturesque San Lazaro neighbourhood for a great view of the mountains.
- The Carmen Alto viewpoint is a little bit further from the San Lazaro district – around a 45-minute walk outside of the town.
A visit to Arequipa is one of the many great reasons to plan a trip to Peru. For more reasons to inspire you, head to the post below:
6. Try Arequipeñan Cuisine
In each of Peru’s provinces, you can find a micro-culture which has its own specific cuisine and cultural practices.
And like all of them, the people of Arequipa (referred to as Arequipeñans) believe theirs is the best.
The food I had during my week-long stay in Arequipa was incredible, and I have a host of restaurants recommendations for you guys to try.
My top pick is La Nueva Palomino which is set in the beautiful San Lazaro neighbourhood. Lunch or an early dinner at La Nueva Palomino pairs perfectly with a walk around the area and a stop at the Yannahuara viewpoint for incredible views of Volcano Misti.
Both of the above places are listed along with more great restaurants and cafes in the post below if you are looking for more food recommendations for Arequipa:
7. Go And See An Ice Mummy
Arequipa has many great museums but there’s one in particular that is unique and a little strange.
Museo Santuarios Andinos is home to the mummy of a young girl, known as Juanita, who was sacrificed to the Incan gods over 500 years ago.
After the mountain ice melted, her exposed remains were found and her well-preserved body is now on permanent display at the museum. This is one of the only ice mummies on display in South America – the other being found in the Northern Argentinian city of Salta.
Slightly macabre but if you’re into that sort of thing, then it’s a fascinating experience.
Where to next after Arequipa? If you are looking to do an extended South America tour and include more countries then be sure to check out these expertly crafted itineraries below:
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
8. See The Alpaca's At Mundo Alpaca
If you haven’t caught a glimpse of an alpaca up close and personal, then now’s the time.
Mundo Alpaca is a shop and alpaca farm where you can go to learn more about alpaca wool and see how it is knitted into clothing. This is the place to go if you want to buy yourself a souvenir from Peru and to ensure you are buying authentic items.
Then out the back, you can go and meet some Alpacas yourself. Just be careful, they have a habit of spitting!
9. Visit the Salt Flats
The Salinas Lagoon day trip from Arequipa takes you into a stunning high-altitude landscape filled with salt flats, thermal springs, and sweeping views of surrounding volcanoes.
Located about 2 hours from the city, this off-the-beaten-path destination is perfect for spotting flamingos, wild vicuñas, and soaking in peaceful Andean scenery.
Most tours include a stop at local hot springs and small villages like Chiguata, making it a scenic and varied escape from the city for nature lovers and photographers alike.
10. Visit the Sillar Quarry
A day trip to the Sillar Quarries from Arequipa offers an experience into the origins of the city’s iconic white architecture.
Located approximately 30 minutes from the city center, the Añashuayco Quarry is where skilled artisans extract and carve sillar, the white volcanic stone that has earned Arequipa its nickname, “The White City.”
Visitors can observe the traditional stone-cutting process and appreciate intricate carvings, including replicas of colonial facades.
11. Climb Volcan Misti
Colca Canyon is an accessible trek that most backpackers with a normal level of fitness can attempt. However, Arequipa is surrounded by several mountains and volcanoes that are also perfect for some more advanced hiking.
Misti Volcano is the most popular and well know. Sitting just outside the city, the symmetrical cone provides the epic backdrop and can be seen from almost everywhere in the city.
At 5825m it is perfect for intermediate or experienced hikers.
If you are looking to book, then some companies to check out include Peru Adventure Tours ($150 per person) or Colca Trek Adventure Tours.
If you already love hiking or you’re a beginner that simply wants to experience more of it, Peru is one of the best places. Each town or city has several great hikes that are accessible to beginners or experienced hikers.
For more great hikes in Peru that you should definitely check out, head to the posts below:
12. Enjoy Peruvian Coffee At One Of The Many Great Cafes
The 19th-century buildings and courtyards of Arequipa have been repurposed over the years with artisan cafes and coffee shops.
I spent two weeks in the city on a two-week Spanish course and made many of these cafes my homes in the afternoon whilst working.
The laid-back atmosphere of the city and the beautiful architecture are best enjoyed from one of these spots whilst enjoying a freshly brewed coffee made from locally grown beans.
My favourite place is La Despensa. They have freshly made bread every morning, quality coffee and a great menu with lots of breakfast and brunch options or bigger meals for lunch. This was my go-to work café for my two weeks in Arequipa.
For more on Peru, check out my expertly planned itineraries and travel routes:
13. Go Rafting On The Chili River
If you’re up for some adrenaline during your time in Arequipa, rafting the Chili River is a fun and easy half-day adventure.
Just 20 minutes from the city centre, the river winds through the scenic Chilina Valley with views of volcanoes like Misti and Chachani along the way.
The route covers around 6–7km and takes about an hour on the water, with Class II–IV rapids that are great for beginners and thrill-seekers alike.
Most tours include all gear, hotel pickup, a safety briefing, and even a quick snack afterwards. You’ll also pass by old farming terraces and rugged canyon walls that give the trip a real sense of place.
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
How Many Days Do You Need In Arequipa?
Arequipa is the starting point for visiting Colca Canyon.
If you aren’t planning on visiting Colca Canyon, then you could happily spend 2 days in Arequipa and see most of what the city has to offer before moving on.
However, if Colca is in your plans (either visiting via day tour or doing a multi-day trek) then you 3 days minimum.
| Days In Arequipa | Activities | Perfect For... |
|---|---|---|
|
2 Days |
City Day, Day trip to Colca Canyon |
Travellers short on time, non-hikers |
|
3-4 Days |
City Day, 2-Day Guided Colca Canyon Trek |
Hike lovers |
|
5 Days or more |
City Days, Self Guided Trek To Colca Canyon |
Travellers with lots of time, adventure lovers |
Here is a simple Arequipa itinerary with a visit Colca Canyon included:
- Day 1 – Day exploring the city
- Day 2-3 – Guided Colca Canyon trek
- Day 4 – Final city day
To work out how many days you might need, check out the three perfectly curated Arequipa itineraries in the post below:
How To Get To Arequipa
You have two options for getting around Peru: fly or bus
Buses are safe and a lot cheaper. I recommend going with Cruz Del Sur as they have the best reputation.
A lot of journeys are long so I recommend taking a night bus where you can. Cruz el Sur seats are comfy and recline so it’s easy to sleep on.
Internal lights are more expensive but are a great way to save time. Most single flights in Peru cost around $75-100.
How To Get To Arequipa From Huacachina
- Flights – a flight from Ica to Arequipa starts from around $70 and takes 1h30m
- Bus – You’ll have to get to the main town of Ica from Huacachina first. From there, you can take an overnight bus. Buses start from $24
Check out my Huacachina city guide here if you’re planning to go.
How To Get To Arequipa From Cusco
- Flights – a flight from Cusco to Arequipa starts from around $50 and takes 1 hour.
- Bus – You can take an overnight bus which takes 10 hours. Buses start from $19.
How To Get To Arequipa From Puno
Bus – You can take an overnight bus which takes 10-12 hours. Buses start from $15.
Head the this post for the full guide to visiting Lake Titicaca in Puno.
Most people recommend visiting Lake Titicaca in Bolivia as the town of Copacabana is much nicer compared to Puno. But if you aren’t heading to Bolivia then definitely visit it as its an incredible natural wonder.
Most Colca Canyon tours offer a drop off service in Puno too:
Travelling other countries in South America apart from Peru? See how you can cross the border into Bolivia from Cusco to turn your journey into an extended multi-country South America trip:
Where To Stay In Arequipa
Whilst Arequipa may not be the most well-known city amongst backpackers around the world, it is slowly starting to establish itself on the backpacker trail in Peru.
All the great backpacker chains have started setting up hostels there and you now have two great places to stay to suit every backpacker: Wild Rover and Selina
Wild Rover
The Wild Rover hostels are a chain that runs through Peru and Bolivia. Set up by an Irish backpacker years ago, they are known as the places to stay if you are looking for a party.
With a swimming pool, indoor bar, and daily social events (usually involving drinking games), stay at wild rover if you want to meet other backpackers looking for a good time.
August 2022 Update: Wild Rover Arequipa is temporarily closed, possible due to the downturn in travellers due to the covid pandemic. But knowing the popularity of these hostels, it will be open again soon once world travel picks up again.
Selina
Selina caters more towards digital nomads but any backpacker can stay here and they are usually the cleanest and most comfortable hostels.
The Arequipa hostel has fantastic co-working spaces for digital nomads, daily yoga classes and a tour company on site. My favourite part of this hostel is the huge outside area with beanbags, swings and a swimming pool to enjoy.
As always, the dorms are clean, comfortable, and the bunks are designed with travellers in mind as they have curtains, lockboxes, and plugs. This is the perfect choice for those of you who want great chill-out spaces and reliable internet.
Wild Rover and Selina hostels always make it into my top hostel lists for South America. If you want to see more of the best hostels South America has to offer, head to the post below:
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
