The Colonial Splendour of Arequipa Old Town

Arequipa's UNESCO protected Old Town has some of the most beautiful architecture in Latin America, with its buildings made of white or pink volcanic rock.

Arequipa is Peru's second largest city (about 1.3m residents) founded in 1540. A delightful city set in a green valley among the high-altitude deserts and volcanoes of southern Peru; the buildings in the centre have been built almost exclusively of the volcanic material 'sillar', a white, porous rock, giving Arequipa its nickname of 'La Ciudad Blanca' - 'The White City'. At an elevation of 2,300m (7,500 feet) above sea level, the altitude can take a few days to get used to.

Arequipa is a tranquil city with important colonial and republican architecture, leading it to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the main attractions within Arequipa is the Santa Catalina Convent, established in 1579. It was built mainly in the Moorish 'mudejar' style, and is well known for its brightly painted walls. There are still some 20 nuns living in the convent, and parts of it are also open to the public. Covering an entire city block, it is almost a walled city within the city, with many alleyways and patios, and easy to get lost inside without a guide. The convent also has an impressive collection of religious art dating back to the 16th century.

You can discover Arequipa’s history is some excellent museums, including: the Museum of the Cathedral that explains the history of this magnificent building; the Museum of Contemporary Art showcasing 20th century Peruvian artists; pre-Colombian and colonial art and artefacts at the Museum of the Central Reserve Bank; the Santa Maria University Museum of Archaeology which has many prices of ancient relics from the time of the Incas.  

The old town is the main attraction, much of which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1868. The city was re-built and today the buildings stand proud with its beautiful 19th century colonial architecture.

There are many churches, as well as convents and monasteries in the city. The cathedral, located in the main square, is perhaps the most impressive. The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, founded in 1551, was constructed with walls made of tuff (a type of volcanic rock). There is a museum and art gallery on site to explore. There are over 250 unusual domestic houses, made with thick walls and stylish arches and domes.  

There are a wide choice of excellent hotels in the Old Town, along with cafes, restaurants and bistros. The cuisine here, like in Lima, is a fusion of many influences reflecting with mixed nature of the inhabitants. 

Arequipa has a well connected airport with a number of daily flights from Lima and Cusco, as well as a few from Juliaca (near Lake Titicaca). The Colca Canyon can be reached from Arequipa by road in 2-3 hours.

The Belmond Andean Explorer Train to Arequipa

It is possible to travel to Arequipa Travel in style on board the Belmond Andean Explorer, South America's first sleeper train. Journey between the former Inca capital of Cusco to the beautiful 'white city' of Arequipa, via the majestic islands of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy sweeping views of the high plains of the Peruvian altiplano from the open-air observation deck, pisco sour in hand and new friends by your side. Gather round the grand piano in the lounge bar and dine in the sumptuous surrounds of the two dining cars, enjoying dishes created by skilled chefs and made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients. At night, sleep in luxurious cabins inspired by Peruvian fabrics and with your own en-suite shower.

Trips between Cusco and Arequipa are two night itineraries, offering the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation. These stop en-route at Lake Titicaca to visit the Uros floating reed islands and traditional Taquille Island, with its fabulous views of the lake. It is also possible to see the rock art of the first human inhabitants of Peru and explore the Colca Canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and the best place in South America to see the powerful condor.