How to Spend One Day in Arequipa, Peru

When we were planning our South America trip to Peru, we had Machu Picchu on our brains. It was our third attempt at seeing the bucket list wonder, so things were starting to feel a little desperate.

Once that part on the Inca Trail was planned out, we had quite a bit of time to fill on the rest of our itinerary.

After a deeper dive into the best of Peru, we decided we’d spend some time in Arequipa, the country’s second most populous city. While we dedicated four full days there to tick off a few day trips outside of Arequipa, you don’t need as much time if you don’t have it.

One day in Arequipa isn’t ideal, but you can do quite a bit in this city if you’re short on time. Let this guide do the planning work for you as you explore one of our favorite stops on our repeat trip to Peru.

Is Arequipa worth visiting?

Arequipa is worth visiting for its delicious food scene and the fact that it’s visually stunning. The city is known for its colorful colonial architecture, particularly the white volcanic rock used in many of its buildings.

That’s how it got its nickname, “The White City.” The rock was quarried from the Misti volcano, also known as El Misti. Many of the best spots here will come with a backdrop of El Misti. It makes trips to Arequipa even more atmospheric.

One day is enough to see the highlights of Arequipa.

While Arequipa serves as a great base for day trips to the Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest canyons, you’ll want to stick to Arequipa proper if you have just one day.

This was our favorite city in Peru because it felt much less frenetic than Lima and much less touristy than Cusco. You’ll want to leave yourself time to enjoy that energy, especially if you have those other places on your Peru itinerary.

How to Spend a Day in Arequipa

You can spend the day in Arequipa like this:

• Start with the Plaza de Armas de Arequipa.
• See the views from the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa.
• Visit the Museo Santuarios Andinos.
• Have lunch at Chicha.
• Explore the Monasterio de Santa Catalina.
• Enjoy a cocktail at the Museo del Pisco.
• Take a walk through the Yanahuara District.
• Indulge in dinner at El Tio Dario.
• Return to the Plaza de Armas de Arequipa to see it at night.

One Day in Arequipa

With just one day in Arequipa, you should focus on the main square in the city center, the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena, and a few eating stops.

We had four days for Arequipa and our Colca Canyon day trip. It felt like enough time to tick off the main Arequipa attractions and then some, but still left us wanting more. This is Peru’s second most populated city, after all, coming in right behind Lima.

I’m not here to shame you for having limited time, though. Let’s get into all of the fun you can have on your trip to Arequipa.

Stop 1: Plaza de Armas de Arequipa

The city center is the perfect place to get yourself situated and amped about the rest of your day. If it feels a little European that’s not an accident. The architecture here is a blend of Spanish, colonial, and neoclassical styles.

The city’s main square is the heart of Arequipa’s historical center. If you need to get yourself caffeinated before getting on with the rest, Oso Café Arequipa is a nice espresso bar in the area.

Note: If you’re booking a guided tour of the local attractions, you’ll likely meet on the plaza.

This is the city’s hub for urban life, events, and general gatherings. By that last bit I mean locals like to just hang here because it’s scenic as heck. You’ll have mountain views all around while you’re at it, so join them all in the lingering.

Stop 2: Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa

This impressive cathedral is located on the Plaza de Armas, so you’re making the most of your time here. There are guided tours offered in the daytime with free hours for cathedral visits in the evenings.

You can’t visit the museum inside without a guide, so I’d recommend having someone show you around. They’ll walk you through rooms of bejeweled religious artifacts, the church’s impressive interior, and the bell towers at the top.

Fun fact: There are a lot of really good views in this city. In fact, I can’t think of a place with scenic viewpoints than Arequipa.

We went in the daytime to get the view at the top and were definitely impressed. Keep in mind that this is a church tour, so leave the workout tanks at your hotel. Here’s a bonus travel trip: Leave them at home. Those armpits are just too much for me and this town.

Stop 3: Museo Santuarios Andinos

This small museum’s main attraction is Juanita or the Girl of the Ampato. She was sacrificed as part of an Incan ritual somewhere around 1,400-1,500 AD. What you’ll see today is her well-preserved corpse thanks to volcanic activity in the region.

No, I didn’t take a photo of her. It felt invasive. That said, it was a striking sight.

You can’t visit the museum without a guide, but you can pay whatever you’d like for that guide on top of a reasonable museum admission. 

READ MORE: Visit the ultimate Inca site with my guide to Machu Picchu.

Stop 4: Lunch

Our first meal in Arequipa was pizza and I have no regrets about that. The name of the place suited the situation quite well, too. Las Gringas is a favorite here for its adorable courtyard, fresh ingredients, and excellent service.

I needed a pick-me-up so I ordered my spinach-heavy pie with a hazelnut latte. Brian had to try a Peruvian IPA with his meat lovers’ choice. We finished every last crumb.

Fun fact: Pizza does a great job fueling you for the city’s hills.

If you’re feeling fancy, head to Chicha, arguably the best restaurant in the city. This one has Peru’s most impressive celebrity chef, Gastón Acurio, at the helm.

If you visit April through December, you won’t want to miss the river shrimp among their signature Peruvian dishes.

Note: This coincides with the city’s dry season, an ideal time to visit Arequipa.

We were lucky enough to try it in ceviche while sipping on one of the most delicious lemonades I’ve ever had. Our shared main was their steak churrasco. Reservations are highly recommended whether you’re here for lunch or dinner.

Optional Stop 5: Chaqchao Chocolates

This chocolate shop is in the same courtyard as Las Gringas. If you didn’t have room after their pies for sweet treats, a return trip is worth it if you have time later.

We tried a piece of their super decadent chocolate cake up on their sun deck and it was all pretty ideal. Anything on their dessert menu is likely just as rich and delicious.

Stop 6: Monasterio de Santa Catalina de Siena

The working Santa Catalina Monastery is what many Arequipa tourists take back with them in the evocative sense. This is a city within a city, part of the city’s historical center and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an Instagrammer’s delight. 

Street names inside give you an idea of the size of this place as you stroll through. Alleyways lead you into the nuns’ old quarters, kitchen areas, and gardens.

Some of the vibrant blues on the walls gave off Chefchaouen vibes for those who have been to Morocco.

At its peak, there were about 450 nuns and other staff living here. Today, the number is much smaller — it’s home to 20 or so nuns who live their lives according to the Dominican Second Order — but recruitment is still happening.

If you visit, be respectful. This is still home to nuns who practice a life that likely doesn’t resemble yours or mine. Expect to spend at least a few hours here. You’ll think you’re done then find there are all kinds of nooks left to explore.

Don’t miss out on views from one of the open rooftops. There was only one rooftop accessible on our visit, but it was worth the wheezy climb.

For more historic religious sites, the Iglesia de San Francisco is also worth a look. The church was founded in 1552. A single nave inside is set against an Andean Baroque style, a movement that started in Peru between 1680 and 1780.

Stop 7: Museo del Pisco

The Museo del Pisco is less museum and more contemporary cocktail bar with a variety of classic beverages and delicious novelties. They’re all created by mixing more than 100 pisco varieties with different regional fruits.

When they say something is strong, by the way, believe them. We ordered a fig cocktail beverage and a pisco punch, and they both made climbing Arequipa’s steep hills a bit easier.

Stop 7 Alternative: Waya Lookout

If you’d like a cocktail with a view, Arequipa has a great rooftop bar scene. Our favorite was the Waya Lookout, a rooftop bar on the main square with views of the cathedral and distant volcanoes.

Yes, you can explore along the rooftop on your own, but I’d suggest doing that before that bucket of Coronas.

We liked this one enough that we visited it twice. Our second trip was to sample their food and frozen juices, and I’d recommend it all.

If you’d like to have yourself a little rooftop bar crawl, the Sunset Rooftop Bar on the highest level of Le Foyer and the bar at the top of the Katari Hotel are two more options.

Stop 8: The Yanahuara District

The Yanahuara District is basically a suburb of Arequipa, but you can walk there if you don’t mind a longer stroll. It takes about 30 minutes to walk over the river from the Plaza de Armas. 

Explore the neighborhood shops and pose against one of the many adorable archways. Climb up to the Yanahuara Lookout for the best city views in these parts, including a sighting of El Misti. 

Stop 9: Dinner

If you worked up an appetite walking about Yanahuara, pop into El Tio Dario, a seafood-heavy eatery that resembles a secret garden. You’ll reach the restaurant through the scenic archway to the left of the Yanahuara Lookout.

Our meal here was delicious. We shared a liter of lemonade, a crab salad dish that was all kinds of photogenic, the fresh fish and chips of the day, and a platter of “empanaditas.”

These are basically baby empanadas. They were also the highlights of our extensive meal outside of the scenery and company, of course.

If you like options, La Nueva Palomino was also on our list. It’s a local favorite for generous helpings of stuffed peppers and dishes that come with some heat.

Stop 10: Plaza de Armas de Arequipa

You’re not having a stroke. You’ll return to the city’s main square at the end of your day to see the cathedral all lit up.

As we’re not nightlife people, this was our favorite thing to do in Arequipa after dark. The square comes alive at night, too, with locals and visitors.

Arequipa Tours

Arequipa is easy enough to explore on your own, but if you’re dealing with bad jetlag or altitude sickness, a guided walking tour of the city may sound pretty nice.

Yep. You can get altitude sickness in Arequipa, as the city sits at 7,660 feet. All of the pharmacies in town sell medications and other herbal remedies to help you get through it.

I felt quite tired in Arequipa during our trip but didn’t really feel the effects of altitude until we reached Cusco. Brian didn’t really feel much of anything.

Back to tours, here are a few highly rated options:

With More Time in Arequipa

We were lucky enough to have four full days in Arequipa.

While some of that time was spent on tours exploring attractions nearby, I do have some additional suggestions on more to do in Arequipa proper:

• Monasterio de la Recoleta: This former monastery was rebuilt several times following earthquakes. The views of El Misti from the bell tower are the best part.
• Parque Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzman: This urban park is a great place to relax and admire local art. We were treated to sculptures of ladybugs and Minions.
• Mundo Alpaca: Alpaca World is one of the most popular free things to do in Arequipa. Meet some animals and tour exhibits about the region’s textile industry.
• La Queseria Craft Cheese & Wood Oven: This pizza restaurant serves aggressive appetizer platters of regional cheese. I was into it.
• Chelawasi Public House: This is a small microbrewery with great craft beers that also offers dishes like burgers and savory platters to pair with your pints.
• Mercado Central: Also known as Mercado San Camilo, this is the city’s central flea market and a hub for Peruvian food.  

READ MORE: We love cities with a nice beer scene. Learn about our favorite breweries in Bogotá.

Where to Stay in Arequipa

We spent four nights at El Portal De San Lázaro on our trip to Arequipa. I’d highly recommend it for its fantastic staff alone.

The breakfast there is delicious and representative of Peruvian cuisine, but they’ll pack you a lunch if you’re not able to partake due to tours. That melts my heart.

It also feels like it should be much more expensive than it was, but that’s expected in Arequipa. This city is still arriving onto the scene as a major hub for tourism, so it’s a great value destination.

Use the map below to browse your options if you’re not ready to commit:

Arequipa deserves at least a day of your time.

I hope Arequipa stays less touristy so that we’re able to make a return trip that’s just as great as our initial visit.

We liked Arequipa so much more than Cusco. It was much less hectic, less expensive, and less stressful where people trying to sell you stuff is concerned.

It’s also just as impressive as Cusco. While Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Arequipa is the gateway to Colca Canyon treks. If you only have a day, I won’t hate on that, but you’ll want to return to this one at some point.

More cities we love near popular destinations:

• How to Visit Historical Sukhothai, Thailand
• A Guide to Solvang, California Charmer
• How to Spend a Hectic Day in Marseille
• Things to Do in Antibes on the Riviera
• How to Plan Your Day in Bruges, Belgium

Travel guides for destinations to fuel your wanderlust:

• Watch Elephants Play at a Chiang Mai Sanctuary
• A Bucket List Guide for San Diego’s Best
• A Guide to Ancient Moai on Easter Island
• Chase These Waterfalls Across Iceland
• Plan Your Trek Through the Narrows at Zion

Want to see more?