Arequipa,
la Ciudad Blanca, or "White City," is one of Peru's most culturally and industrially important cities. It is often said that the city's name evolved from the Quechua phrase, "Ari, quepay," meaning, "Yes, stay." Others contend that the name stems from the Aymara words "ari" and "kipa," which together translate to "near the mountain." The largest city in the Peruvian Andes, Arequipa is also the most beautiful.
Arequipa lies in the shadow of El Misti, a breathtaking and active snow-capped volcano. It is nicknamed the "White City" because many of its buildings are built with
sillar, a white rock formed from petrified volcanic ash that is both beautiful and resistant to the earthquakes that plague Arequipa. El Misti looms above the city, attracting mountain-climbers from around the world. The volcano is visible from nearly every spot in town, but is perhaps best viewed from the rooftops of the labyrinthine
Convento de Santa Catalina.
Arequipa is a modern city that offers everything necessary...
No, it’s not the gentle rumbling of volcanic earthquakes you feel. It’s the rockin’ dance floors of Arequipa’s clubs. The White City may ooze a tranquil colonial vibe by day, but when the sun goes down, the student crowd gets to dancing. Toss in a thriving backpacker scene, and you’ve got a dance party cocktail as potent as any Pisco Sour. Dance clubs in Latin America are known for keeping the parties going till the wee hours,... Read More
Sure, Arequipa is a tourist destination, a cultural epicenter and an important city for industry. But Peru’s second largest city is also a college town. The thriving student population of Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa brings a youthful vitality to the White City. But sometimes even the most energetic and engaged need a little pick-me-up (read: late-night cram sessions). And that’s where Arequipa’s many cafes come into... Read More
Getting off the beaten path in Arequipa doesn’t just mean delving into the vast wilderness that surrounds the city. With dozens of outdoors outfitters, you’re likely to see just as many tourists on remote mountain tops as you are at the Plaza de Armas! Beating the crowds and going deeper into the White City means exploring the over-looked and often forgotten. Arequipa’s quaint neighborhoods and tranquil suburbs are tucked between the... Read More
-
-
Convento de Santa Catalina
Arequipa's stellar and serene Convent of Santa Catalina, founded in 1579 under the Dominican order, is the most important and impressive religious...
-
- Attractions
-
-
-
Casa del Moral
An extraordinary mestizo baroque mansion, built in 1733 by a Spanish knight and nicely restored with period detail in 1994, Casa del Moral offers...
-
- Castles, Palaces & Historic Buildings
-
-
-
Monasterio de la Recoleta
A 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas across the Río Chili, distinguished by its tall brick-red-and-white steeple, is the Recoleta convent museum....
-
- Religious Sights
-
