Peru is probably best known for the incredible Inca city of Machu Picchu, the Amazon rainforest, and its capital Lima, but there is so much more on offer in Peru.
Just a short flight, or a 18 hours bus ride away from Lima, is Peru’s second city, Arequipa. With only about one million habitants, it’s a lot smaller and less crowded than the capital, with outstanding architecture and historical monuments. It’s a great place to hang out.
Arequipa is almost completely built out of sillar, a white volcanic stone. This unique building material, the blend of European colonial, native-American and Baroque architectural styles, gives the city its distinctive character and earned it the nickname Cuidad Blanca (White City). The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Guarded by not one but three dramatic volcanoes, the city enjoys a resplendent setting, with the image of 5825m El Misti rising behind it. Arequipa is also often used as a gateway for trekking and tours to the Colca canyon.
Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas, the main square of Arequipa, surrounded by buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic stone, such as the Cathedral.
Catedral
The building stands out for its white sillar and massive size – it is the only cathedral in Peru that stretches the length of a plaza. It also has a history of being a sort of “phoenix”, stretching up from the ashes. The original structure, from 1656, was gutted by fire in 1844, and was then victim of the 1868 earthquake. Another earthquake in 2001 toppled one enormous tower, and made the other slump precariously, but it has all been restored since. The interior is simple and airy, with a luminous quality, thanks to the high vaults. The Cathedral is international: both the altar and the 12 columns (symbolizing the 12 Apostles) are made of Italian marble, the huge hanging lamp is from Spain and the pulpit was carved in France. Belgium provided the impressive organ, said to be the largest in South America.
Plaza de Armas
Free entrance
Mon-Sat 7am-11h30am, 5pm-7:30pm, Sun 7am-1pm, 5pm-7pm (although, these opening hours may vary depending on masses)
Mercado San Camilo
The oldest market in town, it’s three blocks away from the main square. You will find some nice fruits and vegetables, as well as souvenirs and handcrafts.
418 Nicolas de Pierola
Mon-Sun 6am-6pm
Calle Mercaderes
Stroll down the 4 block Calle Mercaderes, the only exclusive pedestrian street in Arequipa. The street is made of a mixture of old and new buildings, lined with pot plants. Shop among trendy local and international brands, sip on a coffee or buy artisan crafts.
Santa Catalina Monastery
Even if you’re overdosed on colonial edifices, this convent should not be missed! Guarded by imposing high walls, it is one of the most fascinating religious buildings in Peru. The best way to visit Santa Catalina is to hire one of the informative guides, available for S20 from inside the entrance. The tours last about an hour, after which you’re welcome to keep exploring by yourself, until the gates close. I chose to wander around on my own without a guide, soaking up the atmosphere and getting slightly lost. There is a map printed on your ticket but you don’t really need to be oriented, just look around!
After passing under the silencio (silence) arch you will enter the Novice Cloister. After passing under this arch, novice nuns were required to a vow of silence and resolve to a life of work and prayer, for 4 years. Graduated novices passed onto the Orange Cloister, that represents renewal and eternal life.
I really enjoyed visiting the monastery for almost 3 hours. The colors of the walls and the trees bring a very relaxing and meditative atmosphere.
Santa Catalina Monastery Website
Mon, Thu-Sun 9am-5pm, Tue-Wed 9am-7:30pm
Entrance 40 soles
Museo Santuarios Andinos
Mummies aren’t just found in Egypt. You can find one in Arequipa! There’s an escalating drama to this museum, dedicated to the preserved body of a frozen mummy. The guided tour is compulsory but free (a tip is expected at the end). The tour (about 1h) starts with a 20 min video then leads you through a series of 5 rooms filled with artifacts, to finish with the macabre sight of poor Juanita, the “Ice Maiden”, the 12-year-old Inca girl sacrificed to the gods in the 1450s and now preserved in a glass refrigerator. It was common for the Inca to select a child at birth to be offered as a sacrifice to their gods. Her body is extremely well-preserved due to being frozen and naturally mummified.
From January to April, Juanita is switched for a different girl mummy called Sarita.
Museo Santuarios Andinos Website
La Merced 110
Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-3pm
Entrance 20 soles (+tip for the guide)
Mundo Alpaca
Mundo Alpaca is an ecological-tourism complex, located in the historical area called San Lázaro, where the city was founded. You’ll find Andean colonial architecture, green areas and a live exhibition of alpaca processing. The visit takes about 30 min and teaches you the difference between llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, as well as the whole process to creating the yarn. You can also, at the end, visit the shop and buy cosy hand-woven alpaca clothing.
Mundo Alpaca Website
Juan de la Torre Ave. 101
Mon-Fri 8:30am-6:30pm, Sat 9am-6:30pm, Sun 9am-5:30pm
Free entrance
Just meets World 