Our Travel Guide to Arequipa, Peru | 72 Hours in Arequipa
All photos in this post are by Stevie Rozean on a 35mm Minolta 6000.
We journeyed to Peru in June of 2024 for a destination wedding we planned for our clients (more on that to come). Before the wedding, we spent some personal time in Arequipa, Peru, a city set at the base of looming Volcano Misti. Arequipa was one of the most underrated cities we have ever traveled to - when we landed at its airport we had zero plans except for where we would be staying. But we left thoroughly impressed, inspired, and swearing we would return again soon to do all the things we didn’t get to.
In this guide we’re going to share where we stayed, what we did, and what we ate and drank. I highly recommend this city to people who are fueled by stunning views, 16th-century architecture, mind-bending history, good design, and delicious food.
Where We Stayed
Selina Arequipa This is a brand of hostels that are all over South America and Europe. We’ve stayed in them many times and they are always dependable. They organized all of our taxis, offered excursion planning, and provided food and beverage onsite. If you’re looking for an affordable, clean option that’s in a good location, this is the place. We stayed in a private bedroom with a private bathroom for three nights for less than $350 USD total.
Cirqa Our friends stayed in this hotel and we visited them every day, even having meals at the restaurant onsite. This is a higher-end hotel, but still at such an affordable rate if you’re comparing it to American hotels of the same caliber. Stunning architecture, high-end service, impeccable food, and the coolest pool.
Our tour of Santa Catalina Monastery.
What We Did
Toured Santa Catalina Monastery This was one of our favorite experiences in Arequipa. The architecture was stunning and the history was mind-blowing. We highly recommend hiring one of the guides to take you on a tour. Your experience likely won’t be as rich without a guide. Ask questions and really indulge in the history of 16th-century nuns cut off from the rest of the world for the entirety of their lives.
Libreria El Lector A modern bookstore filled with mostly Spanish books. There was a section with English translations.
Sunset from a Rooftop Bar The photos in this post of Volcano Misti and the steeple in the background are from our rooftop experience. We ordered some Pisco Sours (a traditional Peruvian cocktail) and watched as the city turned pink.
El Anticuario If you’re into antique art, pottery, jewelry, rugs, blankets, glassware, and more, this shop is for you. We walked away with two rugs, shot glasses, and a sterling silver necklace, but could’ve taken a whole truckload if we had enough luggage space.
Casona Tristan del Pozo (Art Gallery) We stumbled upon this gallery when we were getting money from the ATM. Even the banks are beautiful here! This is a short stop, but we highly recommend it.
Wandered the Historic Neighborhoods Surrounding the Plaza de Armas Without having much of a plan, we were able to stumble into boutiques, try unique food, and wonder at the architecture built from white volcanic rock. We highly recommend a day with no plans so that you can soak in the local culture and have a spontaneous adventure.
What We Ate & Drank
Coffee & Breakfast
Ristretto A small espresso shop with a petite food menu of pastries, waffles, and a breakfast sandwich. One of the best cappuccinos I had in Peru.
Masamama A bakery with homemade breads, pastries, sandwiches (the best avocado toast), and espresso beverages. The outdoor patio vibes here are incredible. We sat and talked for hours.
Oso Cafe An espresso shop with drinks and refreshing lemonade. We sat here for a bit to get some work done.
Lunch & Dinner
Chicha Peruvian food set in a gorgeous, historic building. We each ordered a different dish and shared. Each one was incredible!
MUMIS An Italian restaurant with strong family history and the most decadent pasta dishes. We had the 7-course tasting menu and were deliciously stuffed by the end.
Kao Thai Thai and Peruvian fusion. One of our favorite meals of our entire trip throughout Peru.
Cirqa We ate a few meals at Cirqa, and each meal hosted incredible Peruvian food and personalized service from the staff.
Have you travelled to Peru? We would love to hear about your experience in the comments below! If you’re looking to plan a wedding in Peru and need a planner to partner with you, send us a message here. 