What to See in Arequipa

The Convent of Santa Catalina is situated in the historical center of Arequipa. Built in 1579, it was used as a cloister for Dominican nuns. Today, nuns still find a home in this convent. This huge complex, measuring at more than 20,000 square meters, is made of volcanic stone. In the whole convent, you find different cloisters and also spaces for living, a plaza, a gallery and a chapel. When in Arequipa, you should not miss out on visiting this amazing Convent. Some people say that the Convent of Santa Catalina is not just a religious building, but also a citadel within the city of Arequipa. The whole complex is so big that you could get lost! If you don’t want to visit the Convent on your own, you can also do a guided tour so that navigating this grand space is made easier.

The Cathedral Basilica of Arequipa located in the Plaza de Armas is a beautiful and impressive cathedral made of volcanic stone. The construction of the cathedral began in 1540, the year in which Arequipa was founded. Inside the cathedral tourists can find the Museum of the Cathedral of Arequipa which is said to be the most important and traditional museum of the city. It represents the history of more than 400 years of the cathedral by showing valuable objects like jewelry, clothing, and paintings. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.

This small Jesuit church is located on the southeastern corner of the Plaza de Armas. The eye-catching feature of the church is its impressive facade. But the interior is also worth a visit: The altar is covered in gold leaves, and to the left of the altar you can find the San Ignacio Chapel where you can observe beautiful paintings of tropical flowers, fruits, birds, warriors, and angels.

Yanahuara is a nice and calm quarter in Arequipa. Most interesting is the famous viewpoint of Yanahuara where there is an amazing view of the Misti Volcano and Arequipa. The viewpoint was built in the 19th century and it is comprised of arches covered in the words of famous inhabitants of the city. When going to the viewpoint, you should also spend some time in the plaza of Yanahuara and visit the Church of Saint John the Baptist.

In contrast to the Convent of Santa Catalina, this convent is less popular and quieter. The peaceful convent located in Melgar 303 shows the evolution of colonial art in Peru. You can also still find rooms for daily prayers. A highlight of this convent is not only the exhibition rooms, but also flowers and hummingbirds in the garden. The convent is open from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm.