For your trip Peru, you want to visit Arequipa in 1 day and are looking for a free self-guided walking tour with the route map.

Well, I share with you below, for free, my self-guided walking tour + itinerary map to visit the most beautiful sites of Arequipa in 1 day.

Indeed, all you have to do is download the attached Google Maps to follow the route in pedestrian GPS mode and thus discover the main tourist sites of Arequipa on foot. Remember to download it in advance so that you can use it on site offline.

And in addition to the itinerary on foot to follow to visit Arequipa in 1 day, I also tell you the program for the day, the details of the visits with photos and my restaurant and hotel recommendations.

So, now discover the best way to organize this walking tour of Arequipa to make the most of it in 1 day.

Is visiting Arequipa in 1 day enough?

Visiting Arequipa requires at least 2 days to be able to visit everything and to discover all the hidden treasures of this city. But when we organize a circuit in Peru, tourists generally do a road trip of 2 or 3 weeks. However, in such a short time, you have to manage to visit the many tourist and unmissable sites of the country: Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Sacred valley, Nazca lines, Huacachina Desert, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, etc.

This means limiting yourself to visiting the main cities (Arequipa, Cuzco, Lima) in 1 day to be able to have time to discover all the other exceptional sites of the country.

But with my self-guided walking tour, you can experience most of Arequipa in a single day.

Indeed, the pre-Columbian historical heritage and the vestiges of the Spanish colonization of Arequipa can be discovered by exploring only the historic center of the city.

Namely, for the anecdote, that Arequipa has the nickname "white city" because, during the colonial period, many buildings were built with Sillar stone which is a white volcanic stone. But originally, it was called "Ariq Q'epha" which in Quechua meant, city behind the volcano (Ariq for volcano and Q'epha for behind) which recalled that Arequipa is located on the slopes of the Misti .

If you start your day early and follow my self-guided walking tour, you will be able to see the essentials of Arequipa including its historic center, the splendid Monastery of Santa Catalina and the Belvedere of Yanahuara. (see below the main stages of my self-guided walking tour to visit Arequipa in 1 day).

How to visit Arequipa in 1 day?

To visit Arequipa in 1 day, you have to explore its historic center and visit the city's must-see sites.

To do this, you have several options:

• Choose to visit the city without a program, simply by taking a random walk in the historic center, but you risk missing out on magnificent visits.
• Choose one free tour of Arequipa on foot in 2h30 (perhaps a little fast to discover the whole of the city);
• Book a guide for a private tour of Arequipa on foot about 3 hours;
• Or visit Arequipa on foot following the itinerary of my tourist circuit which takes 1 full day. This is the best way to discover most of the city freely and at your own pace (details of the itinerary and visits below).

With my self-guided walking tour, you will be able to see the most beautiful sites of Arequipa by following the program below:

The best thing to do will be to start with the Monastery of Santa Catalina, then discover the historic center of Arequipa and finish with the Mirador de Yanahuara to admire the 3 volcanoes around the city.

Program and itinerary to visit Arequipa in 1 day

Here are the details of the program and the walking route which allows you to visit the most emblematic sites of Arequipa in 1 day:

Morning:

• Departure from Santa Catalina Monastery
• Arequipa Arms Square
• Visit to the Cathedral of Arequipa
• Visit to the Juanita Museum
• Church of the Company of Jesus
• San Camilo Market for your lunch break

Afternoon :

• Departure from San Camilo Market
• Visit to the Casona Tristan del Pozo
• Monastery of Carmelitas Descalzas of San José and Santa Teresa
• Passage through the square and San Francisco complex
• Discovery of the Lazaro district
• Mirador Yanahuara to finish with an extraordinary view of the volcano

Arequipa Self-Guided Walking Tour

My walking tour to visit Arequipa in 1 day only represents 5 km or about an hour of walking to be spread over a full day.

Download the free Google maps of the route to visit Arequipa on foot. Thus, you will follow it in pedestrian GPS mode:

Arequipa in 1 day – Morning tours

To start my walking tour, you will have to go at opening time (9:00 a.m.) to the most beautiful site in Arequipa (personal opinion): Le Santa Catalina Monastery

Visit to the Monastery of Santa Catalina

When you arrive at the Monastery of Santa Catalina you will be greeted by an amazing array of colorful buildings and architectural details that may bring to mind theAndalusia.

The monastery was actually a nunnery. It was founded in 1579 and housed a community of nuns for several centuries. Originally, they were more than 450 who lived isolated from the outside world.

Today it is open to visitors who can access the entire complex, including the magnificent courtyards, chapels, gardens and living quarters.

White, blue and orange walls, arcades, fountains, geraniums contribute to the incredible beauty of this site. Personally, it was a real favorite for me!

Arms square

400 meters from the Monastery (5 minutes on foot), is an unmissable site of Arequipa: the Plaza de Armas.

This beautiful square is surrounded by cafes, restaurants and shops selling everything from handicrafts to high-end designer clothes. On weekends and holidays, the square is bustling with street performers, musicians and other popular entertainment.

This picturesque square is the heart of Arequipa and is surrounded by some of the city's finest architecture, including:

• The Palacio de Gobierno, or government palace. This historic building, which once housed the Peruvian government, now houses a museum that showcases the country's rich history and culture.
• The iconic Cathedral of Arequipa.

Cathedral

With its white facade and its imposing steeples, the Cathedral of Arequipa is a true masterpiece! Built in the 16th century, inside there is an impressive collection of religious art and artifacts, including intricate altarpieces and beautifully carved statues.

The Inca Museum

From the Cathedral, my walking tour takes you 200 meters to discover a surprising museum: The Andean Sanctuaries Museum.

Indeed, this museum can be visited to discover the mummy Juanita. You will learn the legend of this 12-year-old Inca girl who was sacrificed in the 1450s and therefore froze in the snows of the mountain of Ampato in the Andes of southern Peru.

Church of the Company of Jesus

Taking Portal de la Municipalidad street, my self-guided walking tour takes you in 2 minutes to admire the magnificent facade of the Church of the Companía de Jesus.

San Camilo Market

Then, following my itinerary, you will walk about 500 meters to reach the most beautiful market in Arequipa: the San Camilo Market.

This market is one of the largest and oldest in the city and is a must-see attraction for anyone wanting to experience the local culture and cuisine. As you enter the market you will be greeted by colorful stalls selling everything from fresh produce to local handicrafts. You can buy beautiful hand-woven alpaca wool sweaters, pottery and silver jewelry.

This is also the place where you can easily find coca leaves. I recommend that you buy a sachet to better withstand altitude sickness if you continue your trip, especially in the Colca Canyon, the Cross of the Condor or on the Altiplano towards the Mirador des Volcans (4 m altitude).

When you have finished visiting the market, it will be time for a lunch break.

You can experience the traditional Arequipa dish called rocoto relleno, which is a spicy stuffed pepper. Another popular dish in Peru is ceviche, prepared with raw fish and lime juice. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can also try guinea pig, which is a traditional Peruvian delicacy.

Arequipa in 1 day – Afternoon tours

My program to visit Arequipa in 1 day will take you 700 meters from the market to admire the facade of the Casona Tristan del Pozo. This large building is an old colonial house built in 1738. Today, it houses the offices of the bank "Banco Continental".

Monastery of Carmelitas Descalzas of San José and Santa Teresa

The Monasterio de Carmelitas Descalzas de San José y Santa Teresa was founded in the XNUMXth century by a group of Carmelites. Since then, these nuns have lived in this monastery in spiritual retreat and have devoted themselves to prayer and meditation.

The monastery is still in operation today and you can meet the nuns who live there, as well as see their unique lifestyle.

The visit to the Monasterio de Carmelitas Descalzas de San José y Santa Teresa is interesting to discover the Spanish Baroque architecture of the monastery, as well as the peaceful gardens and the intimate chapels. You will also be able to see the relics of the patron saint of the monastery, San José, as well as the personal objects of Santa Teresa.

Personally, I did not visit it for lack of time. So it's up to you to decide whether or not to visit it.

San Francisco Square

After a 400-meter walk along Melgar Street, you can discover San Francisco Square, which dates back to colonial times. The San Francisco complex includes a church, a convent and a museum, which reveal the stunning Baroque architecture for which Arequipa is famous.

Neighborhood Lazaro

A few hundred meters from San Francisco Square, you can stroll through the Lazaro district. Indeed, this district is known for its architecture, in particular its magnificent houses from the colonial era and their perfectly preserved facades.

Place and Mirador Yanahuara (Belvedere of volcanoes)

And after walking about 20 minutes, you will arrive at the last stop of my walking tour to visit Arequipa in 1 day: Mirador Yanahuara

Indeed, it is at Mirador Yanahuara that you will end your day of visit with an extraordinary view of the volcanoes around the city ​​of Arequipa :

• The first volcano you can see from Mirador Yanahuara is Misti. This stratovolcano is one of Peru's most active, its last eruption being in 1985. With its snow-capped peak contrasting against the blue sky, Misti is a sight to behold.
• Chachani is another volcano that can be seen from Mirador Yanahuara. This massive volcano is a popular destination for hikers and climbers. Its name means "cold road" in Quechua due to its freezing temperatures.
• Finally, you will also see the Pichu Pichu which is the smallest of the three.

Where to stay to visit Arequipa on foot?

To visit Arequipa on foot, I recommend that you choose a hotel in the historic center of the city.

Here are 2 hotels with an ideal location to visit the city (an upscale hotel and a budget hotel):

• Central plaza : Offering a view of the Misti volcano and the Plaza Mayor of Arequipa, this very central hotel offers excellent value for money!

• Casa Andina Premium Arequipa : Right next to the Santa Catalina convent and less than 10 minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas, this beautiful hotel is perfect for doing my self-guided walking tour: