Arequipa Peru Sightseeing

The Plaza de Armas, the main square of Arequipa, surrounded by buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic stone.

Visit San Camilo market, the oldest one located in the centre of the city. It's three blocks away from the main square.

See Juanita Mummy in the Museo Santuarios Andinos. From May to November the main exhibit is the Dama de Ampato, also known as Juanita. Found close to the main square is the Museum of the Catholic University, with the interesting exhibition of frozen bodies of sacrificial victims found in the neighbouring volcanoes.

Convento de Santa Catalina is the most visited building from the spaniard era of the city. Described as a city in a city, this beautiful place with its colors, flowers and little streets, will make you feel you are back in time. Quite close to the Plaza de Armas.

One of the newest attractions is the Convento de Santa Teresa, a little off the usual tourist areas in downtown Arequipa. Not as interesting architecturally as Santa Catalina, some of the paintings and artifacts are stunning.

Many of the almost 250 colonial buildings entitled as Human Heritage by UNESCO, are close to the main square. Some are turned to banks, stores, restaurants and departments. This practical way of preserving the city by finding a practical use to the historical buildings, provides a great experience to the visitor who feels like visiting a living museum.

Churches are among the most beautiful buildings preserved. They are all Catholic and you can visit them but be aware to have some respect because most of the population practices the Catholic religion. La Compania, San Francisco, La Merced and the Cathedral are some of the most famous.

Arequipa has beautiful bridges. Puente Bolognesi is the closest to the main square. Get there and visit the Tambos (ancient houses rebuilt by the city government and used as apartments). Great experience.

Puente Fierro is an iron bridge designed by Eiffel and still in service. A technological jewell located in Vallecito (10 blocks from main square) and a must for people who loves trains and bridges. From the bridge, at golden time (4-5PM), you can get some of the best pictures from the volcanoes and the city.

Nearby, in the old countryside, is the Molino de Sabandía (Sabandía Mill), a three centuries old water mill, set in the old Arequipa countryside.