| Duration: | 8 Hour(s) - 0 Minute(s) |
| Tour Category: | Full Day Tours |
CITY TOUR & SANTA CATALINA CONVENT
Nestled at the foot of majestic volcanoes and bathed in warm sunshine year-round, Arequipa, known as “The White City,” is one of Peru’s most beautiful and culturally rich destinations. A city tour of Arequipa offers travelers an unforgettable blend of history, architecture, and local charm. Built predominantly from sillar, a white volcanic stone, its colonial-era buildings shimmer brilliantly against the deep blue Andean sky.
The tour typically begins at the Plaza de Armas, a breathtaking square surrounded by arcaded buildings and the grand Basilica Cathedral, whose twin towers dominate the skyline. From there, visitors can explore the Church of La Compañía, an exquisite example of Baroque mestizo art with intricate facades and gilded interiors. Each corner of the city reveals Spanish and indigenous influences that together narrate centuries of history and faith.
A highlight of the tour is the Santa Catalina Convent, often described as a “city within a city.” Founded in 1579, the convent spans an entire block and features narrow cobbled streets, bright blue and orange walls, and peaceful courtyards filled with flowers. Once home to hundreds of cloistered nuns, it offers a fascinating glimpse into monastic life during the colonial era. Walking through its serene cloisters feels like stepping back in time, with each room and corridor preserving centuries-old traditions.
Beyond its historic treasures, the Arequipa City Tour also offers stunning views of El Misti Volcano and opportunities to visit traditional neighborhoods like Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, where panoramic viewpoints capture the city’s elegance and the surrounding Andean landscape.
For travelers seeking a perfect balance of beauty, spirituality, and history, the Arequipa City Tour & Santa Catalina Convent experience stands as one of Peru’s most captivating journeys—a true celebration of art, faith, and timeless charm.
Program:
Today you will have a half-day tour of the city of Arequipa, which lies at the foot of the beautiful extinct "Misti" volcano. On the main square, the Plaza de Armas, you will see the Cathedral with its Carrara marble altar, the huge Belgian organ, and the magnificent pulpit, carved in Lille, France.
You will then continue to the Jesuit church of La Compañia with its beautifully painted chapel and carved volcanic stone arcades. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the Santa Catalina convent.
This convent, closed to the public for almost 400 years until 1970, is still home to a few cloistered nuns. The tour provides an insight into the isolated lives of the nuns, mostly daughters of the wealthy Spanish nobility, led in this attractive setting with its quaint, narrow streets and courtyards.
