Arequipa has it all. Yes, absolutely everything you can imagine can be found in the territory of the 'White City.' History, adventure, fabulous landscapes, wildlife, gastronomy, art, and much more are hidden in the Villa of Our Lady of La Asunta of Arequipa - the name with which it was founded in 1540 - which is firmly guarded by its most imposing natural attraction: the Misti volcano.
If you want to break away from the city routine and breathe in some nature, Arequipa is what you need. The campiña awaits you, so you can appreciate the modern city from its outskirts -where traditions and ancient locations are still preserved- surrounded by beautiful green landscapes. From the viewpoints of Yanahuara, Sachaca, or Carmen Alto, you can enjoy the fabulous scenery that Arequipa offers.
Pure adrenaline
If you are looking for more adventure, you can go trekking, mountaineering, rafting, or mountain biking in the Colca Valley. The ultimate destination will always be the majestic Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world, which welcomes tourists alert to admire the king of the Peruvian Andean skies: the majestic condor.
In the historic center, you can travel back in time with the more than 500 European-Andean colonial mansions that make up the city, adorned with white vaults and arches made of sillar, too.
Delicious gastronomy
Are you a lover of seafood and crustaceans? You must try a delicious Shrimp Chupe, a soup that combines the flavors of the region with Western ingredients. Likewise, the options to satisfy your culinary cravings are countless.
For example, the Ocopa arequipeña, an emblematic dish of the city, is usually served as an appetizer. Due to its versatile and pleasant flavor, it can be combined with any main course. Another popular appetizer in Arequipa is the solterito de queso, which is a kind of fresh and light salad that combines fava beans, corn, onion, cheese, diced tomato, and olives.
But if you want to taste the city's signature dishes, you must try these three options: Adobo arequipeño, Pastel de papa con rocoto relleno, and fried guinea pig (also known as Chactado). Any of these mentioned dishes will leave you completely satisfied, as they are hearty and usually served in generous portions.
Other attractions
To complement the adventure, a leisurely walk. Arequipa also has areas to stimulate your intellect and thirst for knowledge. These are architectural and archaeological sanctuaries in the city, as mystical as ancient: you can take a tour in the Sillar Quarries or the Toro Muerto Petroglyphs. In the former, you will find a spectacular route to discover how they work with sillar, a white volcanic stone, from its extraction, carving, and sculpting phases. This rock is also the foundation of Arequipa's architecture. In the latter, you will find a place related to cave art: Toro Muerto Petroglyphs, where you will appreciate engravings of zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, and geometric figures dating from 500 to 1300 AD.
Undoubtedly, Arequipa has a series of activities and locations that capture the attention of any adventurer. Have you already decided to visit it?
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How to get to Arequipa?
Main Attractions
Experiences in Arequipa
Cultural HistoryCity tour of Arequipa’s historic center and Santa Catalina Convent
Journey to the heart of the colonial era
