Things to Do in Arequipa
50 curated spots from Arequipa itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Santa Catalina Monastery
Explore the colorful blue and red alleys, small gardens, and cloisters of this centuries-old convent that feels like a city within a city. Kids can follow different “streets” while adults appreciate the architecture; you can hire a guide at the entrance for a short tour.
2h · $13-15 per adult, reduced for kids
Monasterio de Santa Catalina
Wander this vast 16th-century monastery-city full of bright courtyards, flower-lined streets, and quiet cells; parts feel like a secret garden with climbing plants and high walls.
2h · $12-15
Museo Santuarios Andinos (Juanita Mummy Museum)
Join a guided visit (usually included) to learn about Inca rituals and see the famous mummy Juanita and well-preserved artifacts from the high Andes.
1h 30m · $8-10
Barrio de San Lázaro
Wander the narrow stone alleys, whitewashed houses, and small plazas of one of Arequipa’s oldest neighborhoods; look for vine-draped walls and hidden courtyards for photos.
1h 30m · Free
Mercado San Camilo
Wander through this historic market’s fruit, juice, and flower sections. Let the kids pick new fruits to try (like lúcuma or chirimoya) and watch local life; stick to whole fruits or freshly cut fruit from busy vendors.
1h · Free (plus a few dollars for fruit and snacks)
Mirador de Yanahuara
Walk through narrow streets lined with white sillar walls to an arcaded viewpoint overlooking the city and volcanoes.
1h · Free
Pillones Waterfall Hike
Join a Pillones Waterfall & Stone Forest tour: after a drive from Arequipa, walk carefully down the rocky slope to the river and follow it to the waterfall, surrounded by rocks and sparse high‑altitude vegetation.
3h · $25-40 (often combined with Stone Forest)
Barrio de San Lázaro Evening Walk
After dinner, wander the narrow stone lanes, small plazas, and whitewashed houses of San Lázaro, one of Arequipa’s oldest and most atmospheric neighborhoods.
45m · Free
Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
Step inside for a short look at one of the city’s most important landmarks; pair it with a slow walk around the plaza.
45m · $2-4
Centro Histórico Stroll & Plaza de Armas
Walk the main square, admire the white sillar cathedral, arcades, and volcano views; explore side streets lined with colorful facades and balconies.
1h 30m · Free
Claustros de la Compañía
Step into these atmospheric 17th‑century cloisters just off the Plaza; browse the small artisan shops and enjoy the volcanic stone architecture in a calm courtyard setting.
45m · $2-4
Claustros de la Compañía & Jesuit Church
Step into the carved stone cloisters with small shops and cafés, then peek into the richly decorated Jesuit church with its baroque façade.
1h · Free to wander courtyards; small fee for some interior areas
Evening Stroll Along Río Chili (Valle de Chilina Access Point)
Short taxi ride to a riverside access near the city where you can walk along the valley bottom among trees and views of the volcanoes at sunset.
1h 30m · Free (taxi ~$3-4 each way)
Evening Stroll Around Centro Histórico
After returning from Colca, take a gentle walk through the illuminated streets around the Plaza, duck into quiet side alleys, and enjoy the cooler air and live music drifting from terraces.
1h · Free
Free Explore – Centro Histórico Courtyards
Wander into open courtyards like Claustros de la Compañía and small passages with plants and artisanal shops.
2h 30m · Mostly free (small fees in some cloisters)
Free Explore: Centro Histórico Backstreets
Wander the side streets off the Plaza, peeking into sillar courtyards, handicraft shops, and small churches like Iglesia de La Compañía; look for leafy patios and volcanic-stone façades.
1h · Free (shopping extra)
Free Explore: San Lázaro Quarter
Walk 10–15 minutes from the monastery to this old neighborhood with narrow cobblestone streets, white stone houses, and small bougainvillea-filled plazas.
1h 30m · Free
Free Time: Shopping Around Plaza de Armas
Return to the center and browse handicraft shops for textiles, hats, and small souvenirs; let kids choose their own keepsakes.
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Full Day Tour to Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve
Guided 8-hour excursion with pickup in Arequipa; stops typically include Chiguata village, volcano viewpoints, salt flats, Salinas Lagoon with mirror-like reflections, and high-Andean camelid and bird viewing.
8h · $30-45 per person
Guided Day Tour: Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve (Laguna de Salinas)
Join a small‑group or private tour (e.g., 8‑Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas) with hotel pickup around 6–7 am; ride across volcanic plains, stop at viewpoints and mini‑geysers, then walk short stretches along the salt lagoon to photograph reflections, flamingos, and volcanoes before returning early afternoon.
5h 30m · $20-40
Imata Stone Forest
Continue from Pillones to wander among the strange rock towers of the Imata stone forest, taking time to climb small formations, look for hardy plants, and photograph the alien landscape.
2h · Usually included with Pillones tour
Mirador de Sachaca
Head to this viewpoint for a quieter, greener outlook over the city if the family wants one more easy scenic stop.
1h · Free
Mirador de Yanahuara at Sunset
Walk or take a short taxi to this viewpoint with arches and a small plaza lined with trees, then watch the sun set behind the volcanoes as the city lights up below.
1h 30m · Free
Mundo Alpaca
Walk through a leafy complex with alpacas and llamas, demonstrations of traditional weaving, and small exhibits explaining fibers like alpaca and vicuña.
1h 30m · Free (shopping optional)Museo Santuarios Andinos
Small museum housing the famous mummy ‘Juanita’ and exhibits on Inca rituals and Andean cosmology.
1h 30m · $7Museo Santuarios Andinos (Ice Maiden Museum)
Small museum displaying the Inca mummy ‘Juanita’ (may be rotated with similar exhibits) and artifacts; guided visits explain Inca rituals.
1h 15m · $7-9
Rooftop Sunset at a Centro Histórico Terrace
Head up to one of the Plaza‑adjacent rooftop terraces (for example, any non‑alcohol‑focused café with a view) to share tea, juice, or coffee while watching the sky change colors over El Misti and the cathedral.
1h · $5-10
Sachaca Viewpoint (Mirador de Sachaca)
Climb the tower or viewpoint hill overlooking green fields, the river valley, and surrounding volcanoes.
1h 30m · $1-2
San Camilo Market (independent wander)
After or instead of a tour, meander through aisles of fruits, flowers, and spices; buy snacks and small gifts.
1h · Free to enter
San Lázaro & Yanahuara Viewpoint Walk
From the center, walk through the old San Lázaro neighborhood’s narrow streets toward Yanahuara’s plaza and arches overlooking El Misti and the Chili River valley.
1h 30m · FreeRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
El Buda Profano
Atmospheric, greenery-draped vegan sushi bar tucked in a courtyard; fully plant-based kitchen, so no meat, fish, or alcohol in the food. Try the jungle-inspired sushi rolls, gyozas, and miso soup.
1h 15m · $12-20 per person
Prana Vegan Club
Leafy, boho‑feeling vegan restaurant tucked in a colonial house; order the vegan lomo saltado, quinoa bowls with seasonal veggies, and fresh juices or herbal infusions. Fully plant‑based, so all dishes are halal‑friendly.
1h 15m · $12-20 per person
El Turko
Casual Middle Eastern spot with shawarma and grilled meats; order chicken shawarma, falafel, hummus, and salads, all easily kept halal by avoiding any non‑halal meats.
1h · $10-18 per person
La Benita de los Claustros
Traditional Arequipeño spot in beautiful stone cloisters with plants; for halal, choose vegetarian dishes like chupe de queso (cheese soup), soltero de queso (bean and cheese salad), quinoa-based plates, and sides—politely confirm no pork or alcohol in the dish (“sin cerdo, sin alcohol”).
1h 15m · $10-18 per person
La Despensa by El Buda Profano
Vegan bakery-café serving pastries, granola, fruit, and good coffee with plant milks; everything is free of animal products.
45m · $6-10 per person
Omphalos Restaurant Vegetariano
Casual vegetarian restaurant with lots of plants and earthy decor; choose from soups, veggie stews, quinoa dishes, and daily menu del día that are entirely meat‑free—just double‑check any cheese sauces if you avoid alcohol‑based flavorings.
1h · $6-12 per person
Prana Vegan Club (Return Visit)
After your day in wild landscapes, return to Prana for comforting vegan burgers, wraps, or bowls—entirely plant-based, and therefore fully halal-friendly.
1h 15m · $9-13 per person
13 Monjas
Look for chicken, beef, seafood, and vegetarian dishes; halal-friendly choices here are the clearly non-pork plates, such as grilled meats, salads, and vegetable options that can be confirmed with staff.
1h 15m · $18-35 per person
Alma Restaurant (Casa Andina Premium Arequipa)
Buffet and à la carte breakfast in a colonial courtyard with garden feel. Halal note: focus on vegetarian options (eggs cooked separately on request, breads, pastries, fruits, yogurt, cereals, cheeses); confirm no pork or lard in breads and ask staff to avoid cross-contamination.
1h · $10-15 per person
Aromas y Sabores del Peru
Look for grilled chicken, beef, seafood, and vegetarian dishes; halal-friendly choices are the clearly non-pork menu items and any meat-free plates.
1h 15m · $15-30 per person
Augusta Organic Café
Cozy café with greenery, offering toasts, eggs, fruit, and pastries; choose vegetarian combinations and confirm no pork or alcohol-based sauces.
1h · $7-12 per person
Bagel Café Arequipa
Casual café with fresh bagels and coffee. Choose vegetarian options (cheese, egg, avocado) or fish if available; verify no alcohol in sauces.
45m · $6-9 per person
Chelawasi Public House (for drinks & sides only)
Craft beer bar with a leafy, slightly wild patio; you can enjoy soft drinks, juices, and vegetarian sides like fries or nachos—avoid meat dishes and of course any alcoholic drinks if preferred.
1h · $6-12 per person (non-alcoholic)
Chicha por Gastón Acurio
Choose seafood, chicken, vegetarian plates, and sides; halal-friendly options are the non-pork dishes you can confirm directly, with seafood and vegetable-based plates being the safest picks.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Dimas
Order eggs, fruit, pastries, and coffee or juice; halal-friendly options are the meat-free breakfast items, with no pork required.
45m · $8-14 per person
ECO Brunch & Café
Bright, plant-heavy café with smoothie bowls, crepes, avocado toast, sandwiches, and great coffee. Halal note: stick to vegetarian dishes like acai/smoothie bowls, avocado toast, pancakes, and request no alcohol in any sauces; confirm no lard in pastries.
1h · $8-12 per person
Eco Brunch Arequipa
Leafy café on a quiet street serving smoothie bowls, avocado toast, eggs, and pancakes; request vegetarian or egg-only plates and confirm no pork or alcohol-based sauces are used.
1h · $8-14 per person
Eco Brunch Arequipa (vegetarian café option)
Leafy, garden‑style vegetarian café with smoothies, fruit bowls, pancakes and egg dishes; order clearly vegetarian options (e.g., acai/fruit bowls, avocado toast without cheese, vegetable omelets) and confirm no alcohol or meat stock in anything you choose.
1h · $8-15 per person
Eco Brunch Café
Healthy café with smoothie bowls, granola, and toasts. Go for fruit bowls, granola with yogurt, and egg dishes; avoid any meat add-ons and ask about cooking oils.
1h · $7-11 per person
El Oriental Arequipa
Casual Middle Eastern restaurant serving halal-friendly options like chicken shawarma plates, falafel, hummus, and salads—request no alcohol in preparation and confirm halal chicken on arrival.
1h 15m · $10-18 per person