Arequipa Region, Peru

Arequipa

Arequipa is a colonial city built of white volcanic stone, with a vast convent and the snow-capped El Misti volcano on the horizon.

Arequipa: City tour Arequipa by foot
Featured walk: City tour Arequipa by foot · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Arequipa is Peru's second city, at about 2,300 m above sea level. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The centre is built from white sillar stone and is easy to walk around the Plaza de Armas.

What makes Arequipa distinctive

  • The Santa Catalina Monastery
  • White sillar stone buildings
  • El Misti volcano
  • Picanterías serving local food

Walking tours in Arequipa

Hand-picked guided walks in Arequipa, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in Arequipa

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Historic centre

    Colonial streets.

  • Yanahuara

    A district with views.

  • San Lázaro

    The oldest quarter.

Free self-guided walk

The White City

A free self-guided walk in Arequipa, from the Plaza de Armas to the Santa Catalina Monastery and across the river to Yanahuara.

2.6 km · 4 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Plaza de Armas

    The centre.

  2. San Lázaro

    Narrow lanes.

  3. Yanahuara

    Arches and views.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Mostly flat.

  • Altitude

    About 2,300 m; take it easy.

  • Sun

    Strong sun.

When to visit

  • Dry season

    April to November is best.

  • Wet season

    Some rain from December to March.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Arequipa Airport has flights to Lima and Cusco.

Local transport

  • Taxis

    Cheap.

  • On foot

    The centre is walkable.

Questions travellers ask about Arequipa

How many days do I need?

Two days.

Is it a base for the Colca Canyon?

Yes.

Will I get altitude sickness?

Some people feel it; Arequipa is a good place to acclimatise.

Cusco: Curious Monkey Cusco- Eat the Streets, Walking Food Tour
Cusco

Cusco

An Inca capital at 3,400 metres, and the gateway to Machu Picchu

Discover the city
Lima: Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups)
Lima

Lima

Colonial plazas, clifftop districts and ceviche

Discover the city
Cusco: Curious Monkey Cusco- Eat the Streets, Walking Food Tour
Country overview

Peru

An Inca capital at 3,400 metres

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.