How does that sound? I think it’s a very good solution if you want to be hassle-free during the tour!
Now, I know this is a free walking tour in Arequipa, which technically means you don’t have to pay anything for it, but the idea is that, in the end, you offer a tip to the guide, depending on how much you loved the tour!Īnother alternative I have found for you is this online tour, where you reserve your spot for the walking tour and you pay US $5 online which is basically the tip you would leave on the spot. The tours depart daily at 10 AM and 3 PM from the Tourist Office at Plaza des Armas. I just love free walking tours because I feel the perspective of the guide is much more personal and they do their best to entertain the visitors!ĭuring the Arequipa walking tour you can expect to walk by the Plaza de Armas and Alpaca Museum, admire the best views of the volcanoes, and enjoy some pisco tasting in some great locations.
Actually, it’s so common that you will find many people at the main plaza offering a tour and your hotel will most probably do the same.īut, if you ask me, the safest option is to pre-book your spot online. Taking an Arequipa city tour is one of the most popular things to do when visiting. Learn about Arequipa with a free walking tour Now, let’s get back to the important stuff – here are my recommendations for what to do in Arequipa:Ģ. NOTE: Before starting, I’d like to let you know that Arequipa is located at 2,335 m altitude, which means you’ll need some time (around one day) to get used to it and altitude sickness is not uncommon when traveling to this city. My last visit to the city left me quite enthusiastic, so I have put together this ultimate Arequipa travel guide with some of the best places to visit and some other practical information I know will help you organize your trip!
So when you go shopping for handmade souvenirs in Arequipa, you’ll find a “local passport” as well (it’s only symbolic, but still fun to find).
You might believe the city is only worth visiting for its volcanoes (it’s surrounded by no less than 3 volcanoes – Misti, Chachani and Pichupichu) and alpaca wool clothes but be prepared for some amazing gastronomy, rooftop views, and much more on the outskirts!įUN FACT: Even though it’s not the capital city, Arequipa is so developed that they call themselves an “independent country”. There are two theories as to why this is, one is that the name comes from the fact that a great number of its buildings were built using a white volcanic rock called “sillar” and the other is that the name “White City” is due to the fact that, in colonial times, more than 70% of the population was white. Are you ready?Īrequipa is also known as the “White City” (or “la ciudad blanca”, as locals use to call it). Arequipa is the second biggest city in Peru (after Lima, the capital city) and, although all of its attractions are in the historical center, it still has so much more to offer any kind of traveler! In this article I’ll share with you my list of the best things to do in Arequipa, Peru.