Walking Routes and Tours in Arequipa

October 30, 2026

Arequipa’s centre is flat, compact and easy to cover on foot, and a walk of two to three hours links most of the main sights. The altitude is about 2,335 m, so walk slowly, carry water and wear a hat. Prices are in soles (S/).

Free and guided walking tours

Free walking tours leave daily from the Plaza de Armas and run on tips. Departure times vary by operator, so ask at your hotel or look for the guides on the plaza. Paid guided food walks of Mercado San Camilo also run through booking platforms. Independent guides at Santa Catalina work in seven languages, and a tour takes about an hour.

The historic centre loop

Start at the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral on its north side. Walk on to the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, then on to Santa Catalina at Santa Catalina 301, open daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and until 8:00 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday. A foreign adult ticket is S/50. Continue to Casa Tristán del Pozo at San Francisco 108, which has free exhibition space, and finish with a juice at Mercado San Camilo.

The Casa de la Moneda, at Ugarte 403, is a colonial house of about 1794 that served as a mint from 1836 to 1841 and now houses Casa Andina Premium.

San Lázaro to Yanahuara

For a longer route, walk through the old quarter of San Lázaro, with its narrow sillar lanes, and cross the Chili river by the Puente Grau, which opened in 1888. From there climb to the Plaza de Yanahuara. The distance is about 2 to 3 km each way, and the climb is moderate at this altitude. At the top, the mirador has carved sillar arches and views to Misti and Chachani. Vendors on the plaza sell queso helado. Allow a taxi back if you are tired.

Tips for walking

Mornings are the clearest time, and the midday sun is strong. Keep valuables out of sight, take licensed or hotel-booked taxis after dark and watch for fake taxi drivers near bus terminals. Peru is Level 2 on the US scale. Protests happen in the city from time to time, so check UK FCDO advice and your hotel’s notes for any marches in the centre.

For a first visit, our sightseeing page lists opening hours for the main churches and museums. For food stops, see the activities page .