Today we are visiting the city of Arequipa.
Arequipa main square
Known as the White City because of the stone used in its construction, Arequipa is one of the most beautiful cities in Peru. It was the country's capital for almost 50 years, and its Plaza de Armas and Santa Catalina Monastery are its most notable landmarks.
Arequipa has been a World Heritage Site since 2000. It is also surrounded by an impressive chain of volcanoes, including El Misti and Chachani (6,057 metres).
What to see in Arequipa
1. Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas in Arequipa is one of the most beautiful squares in Peru, and it was here that the city was founded. The Cathedral Basilica, built in white ashlar, is a highlight. It has one of the largest organs in South America and admission is free.
The square is surrounded by colonial-style buildings with porticos also made of white sillar stone. In the centre is a huge fountain surrounded by gardens.
Plaza de Armas
2. Santa Catalina Monastery
One of the must-see places on your visit to Arequipa.
The monastery is an incredible mini city covering almost 20,000 square metres with cloisters, courtyards and streets, some named after Spanish cities such as Burgos and Granada.
It was founded in the 16th century. Its exterior appearance is sober, but the interior is decorated in earthy colours and blues that give it a special charm. Cloistered nuns lived in the monastery, and the size of their rooms depended on their dowry, but they all had their own kitchen.
The state of preservation is incredible. It is really worth a visit.
You can climb the Bell Tower to enjoy views of the city and access the upper choir.
We recommend arriving first thing in the morning, as the visit can take up to three hours. No guide is necessary, as there are free audio guides that you can download to your mobile phone.
Santa Catalina Monastery
3. Museum of Andean Sanctuaries
In the museum, you can find several collections of objects related to Inca culture, but the star attraction is the remains of the mummy Juanita, a young maiden from Cabanaconde who is believed to have been sacrificed to the gods.
Arequipa
4. Church of La Compañía
Built in the 17th century in white ashlar, it is considered one of the finest examples of Andean Baroque architecture. Its cloister is spectacular.
Church of la Compañía
5. San Camilo Market
Markets are always our favourite place to get a feel for the city. The San Camilo Market is a ten-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas.
It is quite large. Apart from having the most typical area for buying souvenirs, it has all kinds of stalls organised by trade, where you can find everything from fruit and vegetables, meat, offal and fish to fabric sellers, chemists, herbalists and restaurants. It is busiest first thing in the morning.
Mercado de San Camilo
6. Eating at a picantería
If there is one typical thing to do in Arequipa, it is eating at a picantería. We met up with our friend Alberto from Mexico to eat at La Nueva Palomino. It is located on the other side of the river outside the historic centre. We walked there, as the area is quite safe, and it took us about twenty minutes.
It's best to book ahead. We had a reservation, but we only had to wait half an hour, which we used to have a beer.
We ordered their recommended dishes: duck almond stew and beef stew. All for 130 soles.
Duck almond stew
Where to eat in Arequipa
As we mentioned earlier, eating at a picantería is an essential experience in Arequipa. We went to Nueva Palomino, but La Mundial and La Capitana were also recommended to us.
Breakfast is a fundamental meal for us, so we recommend Sencia Brunch & Coffee. Everything is delicious. We ordered egg and avocado toast, which comes with coffee or tea and juice, amazing, for 60 soles for two. In this case, the juice can be carbonated. They make it with homemade jam and add sparkling water. Seriously amazing.
In the afternoon, we had coffee with Alberto at Monper Café. Coffee and tea with a choice of desserts and burgers.
Breakfast at Sencia Brunch&Coffee
Withdrawing money in Arequipa
It wasn't easy to find an ATM outside the Plaza de Armas, but there is one next to it in a McDonald's.
Misti volcano
After visiting the must-see places we mentioned in the post and having lunch with Alberto at the picantería, we went to the hotel to pick up our things and head to the airport.
Our flight to Lima leaves at 9:30 pm. We are flying with SKY Airlines. In theory, our flight was at 6:30 pm, but it was delayed until 9:30 pm. Now it's 9 pm and there is no boarding gate. There has been a problem with the plane coming from Lima, and we have to wait until at least 11 pm for it to arrive so we can fly to Lima.
Casa Errante Arequipa
Thank goodness the plane arrived because tomorrow we are leaving for Madrid on the 10:20 am flight.
They gave us a sandwich and a bottle of water for dinner to make up for the inconvenience.
An hour and a half later we were in Lima. As usual, our backpacks were the last to come out, and we waited more than 40 minutes. The taxi driver (who was the owner of the hostel) was worried because we weren't coming out. Finally, at 2 a.m. on the 27th, we arrived at the hostel.
We stayed at Sunset Hostel Airport, a double room with bathroom and breakfast for $22. You can pay by card. The taxi service costs 25 soles.
Mapa
Map
Breakfast at Sencia Brunch & Coffee: egg and avocado toast, including coffee or tea and juice for 60 soles for two.
Lunch at La Nueva Palomino restaurant: duck almond sauce and beef stew for 130 soles.
Taxi from Casa el Errante to Arequipa airport for 35 soles.
Flight from Arequipa to Lima with SKY Airlines, €80 per person with 10 kg cabin baggage and 23 kg hold baggage.
Taxi from Lima Airport to Sunset Hostel Airport, 25 soles.
Accommodation at Sunset Hostel Airport, double room with bathroom and breakfast for $22.
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