Information
City: ArequipaCountry: Peru
Continent: South America
Arequipa, Peru, South America
Overview
Arequipa, Peru’s second-largest city, is nicknamed the “White City” for its colonial buildings carved from sillar, a pale volcanic stone that glows in the afternoon sun.At the foot of the towering El Misti Volcano, Arequipa brims with history, ornate white-stone facades, and a lively, colorful spirit.It’s the starting point for reaching the nearby Colca Canyon, where sheer cliffs plunge into shadows deeper than almost anywhere else on Earth.One quiet tap on the glass was all it took to get her attention.Arequipa sits high in southern Peru at 2,335 meters (7,660 feet), ringed by mountains and volcanic peaks.From April to October, the air stays dry-bright sun by day, a chill after dark.November to March brings warmer weather and the soft patter of occasional rain.Long before the Incas, cultures like the Wari and Nazca shaped this land; under Inca rule, it became a hub for farming and administration.Founded in 1540 by García Manuel de Carvajal, the city thrived as a colonial trade and cultural center, its white sillar stone buildings gleaming in the sun.In modern times, it’s remembered for its role in the War of Independence and its vibrant arts and traditions.Visitors find a striking mix of colonial charm, dramatic landscapes, and rich culture.Number one.The Santa Catalina Monastery, founded in 1580, is a sprawling convent with sunlit courtyards and walls glowing in deep red and ocher.Tucked inside Arequipa lies a “city within a city,” where narrow streets bloom with color, courtyards echo with footsteps, and small chapels open into cool, dim galleries; the monastery offers a vivid glimpse into the daily life of colonial-era nuns.In the heart of Plaza de Armas, the soaring Arequipa Cathedral blends Renaissance grace with Baroque detail, its 19th-century walls rising from the rubble of a past earthquake.The square hums with chatter from café tables, framed by stately colonial facades and views of snow-capped El Misti.At Museo Santuarios Andinos, the glass case holding Juanita-the remarkably preserved Inca girl found atop Mount Ampato-pulls you into the mystery of ancient rituals.Monasterio de la Recoleta, with its lush gardens and quiet courtyards, rewards you with sweeping views over the city and the ring of mountains beyond.Wander Yanahuara’s cobblestone lanes under its graceful sillar arches, then pause at the Mirador to watch the volcanoes blaze in the afternoon sun.Towering above all, El Misti’s 6,093-meter peak tempts trekkers with winding trails and vast panoramas.Beyond the city, Colca Canyon drops twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, its cliffs a stage for Andean condors gliding on cold updrafts; here, visitors hike, raft, and stop in centuries-old villages.Nearby, the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve shelters vicuñas, llamas, and flamingos in the shadow of Chachani, while the remote Cotahuasi Canyon offers an even deeper and wilder escape.And when hunger calls, Arequipa’s kitchens deliver plates rich with spice and rocoto heat, each bite a taste of the city’s bold, distinctive flavor.In Arequipa, you can dig into rocoto relleno-fiery red peppers stuffed with meat, vegetables, and melted cheese-then savor adobo arequipeño, tender pork slow-cooked with warm spices; try the bright, zesty causa arequipeña made from chilled mashed potatoes, tuna, avocado, and lime, or ocopa arequipeña, a creamy huacatay, peanut, and cheese sauce poured over soft potatoes.Wash it down with a crisp pisco sour, a glass of chicha made from fermented corn, or a rich, fragrant cup of local coffee.Each May, pilgrims stream to the Sanctuary of Chapi for the vibrant Fiesta de la Virgen de Chapi; in August, the city bursts into song, dance, and parades for its anniversary, while the Festival de la Cerveza brings craft brews and music to the streets.The region thrives on agriculture-cotton, quinoa, fruit-along with copper and gold mining, and tourism fueled by its history and landscapes.Visit during the dry months from May to October for clear skies, keep altitude in mind before heading to places like Colca Canyon, and arrive easily by air through Rodríguez Ballón Airport or by bus from Lima, Cusco, or Puno, ready to explore a city where colonial facades meet the shadow of distant volcanoes.You can wander the city’s sunlit colonial streets, hike the rugged trails to nearby volcanoes, or stand at the edge of Colca Canyon with the wind in your face-Arequipa offers it all.
Landmarks in arequipa
