Top 10 Things to do in Arequipa Peru- Arequipa Itinerary

September 28, 2026Tiffany

things to do in Arequipa people standing in a plaza

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Last Updated on September 28, 2026 by Tiffany

Arequipa, also known as the White City, was hands down one of my favorite destinations in Peru. Further south, and a bit lesser known than Lima, this city is packed with charm, culture, and various activities to do.

What makes this southern city so special is the array of scenery. From colonial architecture to volcanic views, Arequipa is genuinely such a beautiful sight.

Gorgeous restaurants located in the city center, bustling fruit markets, and plenty of nearby hikes, there are countless things to do in Arequipa.

Arequipa sign under trees | things to do in a Arequipa Peru

Home to the base/transfer point for Colca Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world, Arequipa is more than just its city views.

Whether you’re interested in history and culture, or just breathtaking nature and adventure, this city has something to offer for all types of travellers.

If you’re planning a trip to Peru, I highly recommend adding Arequipa to your itinerary.

To help you make the most of your visit, here are 10 of the best things to do in Arequipa, Peru.

Table of Contents

Hike Colca Canyon- Things to do in Arequipa

Colca Canyon is the second largest canyon in the worldwas easily the highlight of my visit here and one of the best things to do in Arequipa. The way this hike played out so uncanny. On my last day in my hostel, both myself and my roommate were packing up our bags.

I asked her if she had hiked to the canyon yet and she said no as she couldn’t find anyone to go with. I then asked if she wanted to go together and the next day we were heading to the canyon for our trek!

You can definitely do this hike alone, but I would suggest to go with at least one other person if you’re not used to multiple day hikes.

We booked a mini tour with our hostel that offered breakfast and took us to a gift shop with indigenous products and got the cutest lama sweaters! We were eventually dropped off at the canyon while the other tourists continued their day tour.

Afterwards, we started our Colca Canyon 2 day one night hike and it was simply incredible. No service or endless doomscrolling, just miles and miles of gorgeous terrain.

Most people encourage hiking during the dry season, but I visited during rainy season and the greenery was absolutely incredible!

Free Walking Tour on Guru Walk- Things to do in Arequipa

arch in front of mountain things to do in a Arequipa Peru

Guru walks is a website that offers free walking tours in cities across the globe. I’ve used them to tour favelas in Rio Brazil, walk the streets of Lisbon Portugal, all over Colombia, and so many other countries.

If you’re staying in a hostel, often times you can head to the front desk and sign up for free walking tours as well. Although they are listed as free, guides make a living off tips. Anywhere between $5-$20 USD is often the norm.

This way people can pay what they can afford (whether it is less or more) and the knowledgeable tour guides can continue to represent their homes and put food on their plates.

Visit Mercado San Camilo

large fruit market things to do in a Arequipa Peru

As an avid fruit lover, San Camilo Market saw me everyday, sometimes even multiple times a day. There are countless amounts of tropical fruits to choose from such as soursop, dragon fruit, and cherimoya.

San Camilo also offers textiles and fabrics! I went to the market one day with a girl from my hostel who was looking for some fabric to bring home.

We spent hours wandering through the different stalls, looking at colorful fabrics, handmade goods, and traditional Peruvian clothing.

The market is huge and can feel a little overwhelming at first, but that was part of what made it so fun to explore. Between the fresh fruit stands, food vendors, juice shops, and textiles, there was always something new to see (and eat!).

Visit the Santa Catalina Monastery- Things to do in Arequipa

red outdoor hallway with the word silencio written on an arch

One of Arequipa’s most captivating attractions, the Santa Catalina Monastery is a is a gorgeous stop that feels like a city within a city. Founded in 1579, the monastery is known for its colorful colonial streets, quiet courtyards, and bright red walls.

Wandering through the maze like structure makes you catch a glimpse into the secluded lives of the nuns who once lived here.

This area is definitely a great photo op so be sure to bring your camera fully charged with lots of storage!

Walk around the Plaza de Armas

men with black sombreros playing the flute

Plaza de armas is always popping! As you can see from the photos above, I stumbled upon a beautiful cultural ceremony that was so enjoyable to watch and fun to experience!

If we’re comparing Arequipa to a house, Plaza de armas would be the living room!

Here you will be able to find lots of restaurants, meet your tour guides for walking tours, and it will always be super lively! The perfect place to people watch and get plenty of photos that you can remember forever.

Ruta de Sillar

Ruta de Sillar is genuinely majestic and lowkey gives mars vibes! The Ruta del Sillar winds through the dramatic quarries surrounding Arequipa, where towering walls of gleaming white volcanic stone reveal the handiwork of generations of local canteros (stonecutters).

Explore the enormous carved cliffs, and checkout the various and unique shapes, ancient techniques.

Bringing your camera is a MUST, because between the dramatic cliffs, intricate carvings, and golden lighting, you’re bound to get stunning photos.

Food in Arequipa- Things to do in Arequipa

As someone who doesn’t eat meat, I was concerned about food options, but Peru has to be one of the most veggie friendly countries I’ve ever visited! There are countless options for all diets.

mushroom ceviche topped with a sweet potato — vegan ceviche!

prana vegan things to do in a Arequipa Peru

Lima is one of the best cities (maybe in the entire continent) for veggie eaters, but for all diets in general. Peruvian food is DELICIOUS!

As I stayed nearly a week in Arequipa, the restaurant I returned to often was called Prana Vegan. It offered extremely affordable, authentic Peruvian dishes with a lunch special priced at only $5 USD!