Things to Do in Arequipa

Arequipa is Peru's second-largest city and sits at 2,335 meters elevation in a desert valley surrounded by three volcanic peaks, including the active Misti volcano.

The city's historic centre is built almost entirely from white sillar stone, a local volcanic rock that glows brilliantly at sunset and earned Arequipa the nickname 'White City'.

Arequipa was founded in 1540 and served as a crucial hub on the Spanish colonial trade route between Lima and the silver mines of Potosí in Bolivia.

The Santa Catalina Monastery, built in 1579, is a self-contained city within the city where nuns still live today, occupying an entire city block with colourful streets and plazas.

Arequipa is the gateway to Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons at 3,270 meters, famous for spotting Andean condors and traditional Quechua communities.

The city's cuisine, particularly ceviche and rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers), is considered among Peru's finest, with dishes using locally-grown ají peppers unavailable elsewhere.