What to See in Arequipa's Old Centre

A walk through the sights of the old centre

Arequipa’s main sights sit close together around the Plaza de Armas, with more across the Chili River in Yanahuara. White volcanic sillar stone gives the city its look, and El Misti (5,822 m, an active volcano) and Chachani (6,057 m) frame the skyline. Prices are in Peruvian soles (S/).

The plaza and the cathedral

The Basílica Catedral fills the north side of the Plaza de Armas in pale sillar. Inside, a Belgian organ by Loret is among the best-known features of the nave. The cathedral museum and bell tower open Monday to Saturday, with closing time quoted as 4:15 or 5:00 PM, and the ticket includes the roof terrace with views over the square towards El Misti. Check the cathedral museum’s site for the current price.

La Compañía de Jesús

The Jesuit church stands at the corner of General Morán and Álvarez Thomas. Entry to the church is free. Typical hours are about 9:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday, with mornings only on Sunday, so confirm at the door. The Andean-Baroque façade is carved with local plants and animals. The side Capilla de San Ignacio has a painted dome and murals of jungle fruit, and it charges a small fee. The old cloisters now house a shopping gallery.

Santa Catalina

The monastery at Santa Catalina 301 deserves a slot of its own. It opens daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, stays open until 8:00 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday, and costs S/50 for adults. A guided tour takes about an hour, and photos are fine without flash.

Across the river in Yanahuara

The Mirador de Yanahuara is a line of sillar arches carved with verses, facing El Misti and Chachani. It is free. On the plaza itself you will find the church of San Juan Bautista. Yanahuara is its own district, so Santa Catalina and San Lázaro are not part of it.

  • Barrio de San Lázaro is the old quarter in the historic centre, with narrow sillar lanes.
  • Casa Tristán del Pozo, at San Francisco 108, is a colonial house with free exhibition space.
  • Mercado San Camilo, on Calle San Camilo near Calle Perú, is an iron-roofed market with stalls of juices, bread, cheese and herbs.

One solemn stop

The Museo Santuarios Andinos at Calle La Merced 110 holds the mummies of children offered in Inca capacocha rituals on Andean summits, including Juanita. The tour is guided and photography is banned in the mummy room. Juanita is not guaranteed to be on view. Call or check the museum’s Facebook page for current times and prices, and visit quietly.

Practical advice

  • Spend your first day at an easy pace, since Arequipa sits at about 2,335 m.
  • The sun is intense, so carry sunscreen and a hat.
  • Use hotel-booked or radio taxis rather than flagging them in the street.
  • Protests have been seen in Arequipa, so ask your hotel if roads are blocked.

Read more: Walking tours in Arequipa sets out a loop through these stops, and the historic centre guide gives context. Find a city tour on Viator . The Santa Catalina official site lists current hours.