Arequipa, Peru
Arequipa is known as La Ciudad Blanca — the White City — for its stunning white volcanic stone architecture. I thought it was gorgeous. A beautiful city, worth visiting on its own, and also the base for one of the most impressive natural wonders in Peru: the Cañón del Colca.
Time of Year I Visited
I went in June, passing through on the Peru Hop route from Cusco.
Did I Feel Safe?
Yes, I felt safe in Arequipa. It’s a well-touristed city with a lively centre.
Where I Stayed
Casa de Avila — I loved this place. It’s just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas, built around a beautiful central garden patio. The kind of place where you want to sit with a coffee in the morning and not move. Breakfast is included and they serve it right there in the garden. Charming, calm, and great value.
What’s Worth Doing
Katari Hotel rooftop terrace: A local tipped me off about this one. The Katari Hotel is right on the Plaza de Armas, and their rooftop terrace has panoramic views over the city, the cathedral, and the surrounding volcanoes. Go at sunset — watching Arequipa light up from up there is something else. The best part: you don’t need to be a guest to go up. Just order a drink and enjoy the view.
Cañón del Colca: I did a full day tour with Peru Andes. The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world — twice as deep as the Grand Canyon — and the views are dramatic. Along the way you stop at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where you can watch the Andean condors soaring above the canyon. With their wingspan of up to 3.5 metres, seeing them up close is something you don’t forget.
The tour also included a stop at the Chacapi thermal baths in the Colca Valley — volcanic hot springs with waters reaching up to 45°C. Here’s what I didn’t do: read the itinerary properly. I had no idea the thermal baths were part of the tour and showed up without a swimsuit. They did rent swimwear at the entrance, but I wasn’t exactly excited about the bikini bottom situation. So I rented the top and a pair of men’s shorts. It was ridiculous, it was funny, and I got in the water anyway. Lesson learned: always read the full itinerary before you go.
What I Ate
The food in Arequipa is something else — picante, spicy, bold. I loved it. Arequipeño cuisine is one of the most distinctive in Peru and worth exploring properly.
In the city centre I also tried queso helado — a traditional frozen dessert sold by street vendors, typically women. Despite the name (which literally means “frozen cheese”), it’s actually a sweet coconut milk and cinnamon ice cream, and it’s delicious. Don’t miss it.
How Long Did I Stay?
2 days — one for exploring the city, and one for the Cañón del Colca tour. Then I continued to Puno with Peru Hop.
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