One day itinerary in Arequipa: Best places to visit + Tips

How to visit Arequipa in 1 day: The best itinerary + Where to stay

Planning to visit Arequipa during your trip to Peru?

Great idea!

Known as the “White City”, Arequipa is one of those must-see destinations in Peru that combines colonial charm, incredible views of surrounding volcanoes, and some of the best food in the country.

To help you make the most of your time, I’ve put together the perfect 1-day itinerary in Arequipa—with the top things to see, useful tips, and my favorite hotel recommendations for every budget.

So, what can you really do and see in just one day in Arequipa? And where should you stay?

Let’s dive in!

1 Day Itinerary in Arequipa

1. Start with a good breakfast

Of course, you’ll need to refuel first if you want to see as much as possible in 1 day in Arequipa!

Usually, hotels include breakfast (although sometimes it’s very simple) with your stay.

But if you prefer to explore the city for breakfast in Arequipa, there are several good options. For example, you have:

• Eco Brunch for generous portions, with a great service
• The Pantry for good homemade bread

If you prefer to just have a morning coffee, there are also several nice coffee shops in Arequipa: Kafi Wasi Coffee House, Kaffeehaus or the nice Café Lautrec.

2. Santa Catalina Monastery

A day in Arequipa has to include the Santa Catalina Monastery, and to get the most out of it, it’s best to go as soon as it opens, around 9.00-9.30 in the morning.

There are fewer visitors, so you can soak up the serene atmosphere and take the best photos.

With more than 5 acres, it’s a real city within the city, with its streets, cloisters, parks and even its square. Its blue and red walls contrast magnificently with the white arches and cobblestone streets.

• Spend 1h30-2h visiting the convent.

2. The Plaza de Armas

After the Santa Catalina convent, we moved on to the second must-see in a day in Arequipa: the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city.

With its colonial arcades and a garden with a fountain in the center, it is said to be the most beautiful square in Peru, and I agree!

Here, children play, street merchants sell their wares, pigeons flutter around the beautiful fountain, and locals come over to chat while watching passersby.

Personally, I like to buy a queso helado (Arequipa’s typical ice cream with cinnamon) and sit for a while on a bench in the plaza.

3. The Cathedral

Your next stop is Arequipa’s magnificent Cathedral, located on the north side of the Plaza de Armas.

Built with sillar, a white volcanic stone characteristic of the region, the cathedral is a sight to behold, inside and out.

The guided tour takes you up to the bell tower: climbing up there can be a bit tiring, but the reward is worth it!

The panoramic view of the city, with the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes in the background, is very impressive.

Don’t forget your camera to capture the moment, as this is the best place in Arequipa to take pictures.

4. The church of La Compañía and its cloisters

After visiting the cathedral, head to the church of La Compañía, located on the east side of the Plaza de Armas.

This Jesuit church is one of the best examples of mestizo baroque architecture.

Don’t miss the chapel of San Ignacio (5 soles), decorated with frescoes depicting tropical flora and fauna, and its volcanic stone cloisters, which contain several stores and cafes. You can also climb to the second floor to enjoy a beautiful view of the surroundings.

5. The museum of the Andean Sanctuaries and the Juanita mummy

Before finishing your 1 day tour in Arequipa, why don’t you visit the Museum of the Andean Shrines?

This place is famous for housing the Juanita mummy, a young Inca girl who was sacrificed on top of the Ampato volcano more than 500 years ago. Her remains, perfectly preserved by the glacial cold of the volcano, are a fascinating window into the past.

• Please note that the museum closes at 18.00 and on Sundays at 15.00, so plan your visit to arrive on time

Where to stay in Arequipa?

Here are my suggestions of hotels to spend 1 day in Arequipa, for different budgets:

• Arequipay Hostel: Located a few blocks from the Main Square, this hostel offers very clean and bright dormitories. Perfect for budget travelers. Private rooms and shared dorms available. Basic breakfast served daily. From just $8 USD.

• Hotel Tierra Viva: Ideal for mid-range travelers. Just two blocks from the main square, it offers great value with comfortable rooms, Wi-Fi, and buffet breakfast included. From $60 USD per night.

• Hotel Los Tambos: A great choice for those seeking superior comfort. Located just 50 meters from the main square. Stylish rooms and a rooftop terrace with spectacular views of the city. À la carte breakfast with 5 menu options. From $71 USD per night.

• CIRQA – Relais & Châteaux: A stunning luxury hotel in the heart of Arequipa with a restaurant, bar, and rooftop terrace. Breakfast and dinner included with all rooms. From $475 USD per night.

Where to Eat During Your Day in Arequipa

Arequipa is famous for its traditional dishes like rocoto relleno and chupe de camarones.

Ideally, you’d try them in a traditional picantería in the Yanahuara neighborhood, but if you only have one day in the city, it’s better to stay in the historic center to save time.

Between the Santa Catalina Monastery and the Plaza de Armas, you’ll find plenty of excellent restaurants. Here are my favorites:

Great options for lunch (but also open for dinner):

• La Benita de los Claustros – located in the beautiful cloisters of La Compañía, serving authentic Arequipeña cuisine.
• Las Gringas – wood-fired pizzas made with Peruvian ingredients like quinoa flour and purple corn, with vegan, gluten-free, and salad options.
• 13 Monjas – cozy place for sandwiches, homemade pasta, and salads, plus a great selection of natural wines from small producers.

In the evening:

• MUMIS – for delicious Italian–Peruvian fusion cuisine in an elegant but relaxed setting.
• Clandestino – a true gastronomic experience with local products from Arequipa and other regions of Peru. I love this place because it delivers the quality of top restaurants (like Astrid y Gastón), but without the snobbery—and at a more accessible price.

My Tips for Visiting Arequipa in One Day

• Be mindful of the altitude: Arequipa is at 7,760 ft (2,360 m) above sea level. While not as high as Cusco, you might still feel the effects of altitude—headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath.
• Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and tobacco, and take it slow—especially on your first day.
• Drink only bottled water. Tap water in Arequipa isn’t safe to drink.
• Protect yourself from the sun. At altitude, the sun is stronger—even if it doesn’t feel hot. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

What if you have more time to visit Arequipa?

If your itinerary is flexible, I definitely recommend spending a bit more time in the region—it’s worth it!

You could explore the traditional Yanahuara neighborhood, wander through the lively San Camilo Market, or even spot a few llamas and alpacas hidden around the city.

• To help you plan, check out my 2-day itinerary for Arequipa and the complete travel guide to Arequipa.

You also can’t miss the spectacular Colca Canyon, easily accessible from the city. You can visit it with a one-day tour or a 2-day, 1-night tour—with breathtaking landscapes and a chance to see the majestic Andean condor in flight!

If you’re up for more adventure, you can also opt for a 2-day trek or a 3-day trekking adventure for a more immersive experience in the Colca Valley.

Tourist map of Arequipa

Here’s a 1-day itinerary for Arequipa with the must-see attractions you saw in this article, as well as my suggestions for cafes and restaurants:

How to get to Arequipa

By bus

You can depart from Nazca (12h), Ica (12h), Lima (16h) or Cuzco (10h) with Cruz del Sur, Flores, Excluciva or Oltursa.

If you want to make the trip more pleasant, you can make some interesting stops along the following route: Lima – Paracas – Ica (Huacachina) – Nazca – Arequipa.

By plane

The best way to visit Arequipa in just 1 day is by plane, so you can arrive quickly and make the most of your time.

There are direct flights to Arequipa from Lima (1h), Cusco (1h), and Juliaca (40 min) with airlines like LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSMART Peru.

To find the best prices on flights, you can use our flight search tool powered by Skyscanner—it’s the easiest way to get the best deals on both international and domestic flights in Peru.

When to visit Arequipa

In general, the dry season, which runs from May to September, is considered the best time to visit Arequipa.

During these months, the days are usually sunny, which makes visits to the city and tours to the Colca Canyon, much more pleasant.

On the other hand, keep in mind that this is also the high tourist season (especially July and August) and there can be more crowds at tourist sites.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds, the low season months (April and October) are a good alternative, although you may encounter some rain.

Rent a Car in Peru

Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Peru at your own pace and make the most of your trip—especially if you want to visit places off the beaten path.

Personally, I always go with Booking.com Cars, and here’s why I recommend it:

• Compare prices easily from all the major rental companies in one place—it’s the fastest way to find the best deal.
• Free cancellation on most options, so you can book now and adjust later if needed.
• Cheaper insurance with better coverage than what rental desks usually offer—no hidden fees, just savings.

Click the button below to find the best car rental deals in Peru:

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