About Arequipa Tourism - Arequipa lies in the so-called South Tour Corridor of Peru, which includes the cities of Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco, as well as the Inca Trail. It's also called "the city where the volcanoes rest" because it's surrounded by three impressive volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and PichuPichu.

Volcanoes are visible from almost every place from the city, unlike the other cities in the corridor, Arequipa is a well-conserved Spaniard and "mestizo" culture, but not native Indian culture, providing an important cultural landmark for those who visit it.

Arequipa has a blend of natural attractions (volcanoes, rural path, hot spring fountains) and historical well-preserved monuments and houses is the seal of this 470-year-old city. Its people, well known as strong characters and hard workers all over the country, are also something difficult to forget to the visitor.

The Historic centre of Arequipa, keeps most of the important buildings from the Spaniard era. They are all built in volcanic sillar rock, and the whole complex represents an integration of European and native building techniques and characteristics, expressed in the admirable work of colonial masters and Criollo and Indian masons. This combination of influences is illustrated by the city's robust walls, archways and vaults, courtyards and open spaces, and the intricate Baroque decoration of its facades.

There are several walking routes available to enjoy the centre. Most of them start in the Plaza and cover 5 or 6 blocks. The newly created pedestrian mall at Mercaderes Street, historic Arequipa's main shopping street, is another important walking route. Lining Mercaderes Street are buildings of numerous architectural styles, ranging from traditional colonial, art deco, to contemporary.

Some other well-preserved touristic areas within the historic core are the pedestrian-friendly San Lazaro neighborhood and the Yanahuara district, located north and connected to the centre by two historic stone bridges.

Santa Catalina Monastery was founded on the October 2, 1580, and has an extension of 20,000 square metres that was constructed in the second half of the 16th century. The Convent, where there are still nuns living in cloisters, is a small walled city with narrow streets, passages, staircases, and small squares. The Convent remained closed to the public until 1970. The Convent has now recovered its original colorful view: the walls from the city were not only white, as most people believed. Ochre, indigo, and orange illuminate the austere architectural style.

Jesuits Architectural Complex is one of several buildings that demonstrate the perfect mix of cultures in this city. It consists of two cloisters with portal-led corridors made of carved sillar and Jesuit monograms in the upper part, and a beautiful church next to them. It is one of the most impressive exaamples of the mestizo Arequipa style.

Back from this complex and crossing Ayacucho street, a system of narrowed streets leads to San Lazaro neighbourhood, one of the most antique neighbourhoods of the city and the place where mestizos working for the Spaniards living in the centre, used to live. The area is well preserved and provides an excellent tourist experience. It reminds some of Andalucia or any Spaniard-Arab city.

The Tambos - Following Puente Bolognesi street and starting from the Main Square, a well-kept complex of buildings called "Tambos" have been recovered and arranged. They are populated buildings, used in the colonial era as hostels. Their current occupants have a deal with the city authority that permits visitors to enter to these living museums and imagine the everyday life of locals 400 years ago. Several Tambos are available; the most important are "La Cabezona" and "Tambo de Bronce".