Arequipa City Tour and Santa Catalina: 4-hour Guided Walk

Walk a medieval monastery and the baroque heart of Arequipa in one morning

A half-day guided tour of Arequipa's historic center and Santa Catalina Monastery, a 1579 medieval convent still inhabited by nuns, includes entry fees, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and round-trip hotel pickup. The tour visits the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, La Compañía Church with its baroque murals, and three districts with views of Misti Volcano; the order of stops may vary.

Step-by-step itinerary

Arequipa city and monastery tour

• Pickup from hotel in historic center
• Visit Plaza de Armas and Cathedral
• See Cathedral and Compañía de Jesús Church
• Tour Santa Catalina Monastery
• Visit Yanahuara district for volcano views
• Visit Carmen Alto district for countryside views
• Explore Cayma district and San Miguel Arcángel Church
• Drop off at hotel

The Experience

Your hotel pickup starts the tour in Arequipa's historic center, and the first major stop is the Plaza de Armas, where the Cathedral—rebuilt multiple times after earthquakes—faces the square. You'll see La Compañía Church next, a 1590 baroque structure with exceptional paintings and murals inside, then move into Santa Catalina Monastery itself. Built in 1579 from ashlar stone and spanning 20,000 square meters, the convent functions as a working cloister where nuns still live; the space reads like a medieval city unto itself, with its own streets and architecture frozen in time.

After the monastery, the tour takes you to three viewpoint districts. Yanahuara and Carmen Alto both offer panoramic sightlines to Misti Volcano across the colorful countryside—the kind of vistas that justify stopping to photograph. Cayma comes last, where you'll visit the Plaza Mayor and the Church of San Miguel Arcángel, which holds an anonymous collection of paintings depicting miracles of the Virgin. The guide speaks English or Spanish and can adjust the order of stops depending on conditions.

Hotel dropoff ends the tour. If your accommodation sits outside the historic center, you can meet the group at Hotel Mirador del Monasterio on Calle Zela 301 instead. The monastery closes on Good Friday, Christmas and New Year, so plan accordingly.

What’s included

• Entry to Santa Catalina Monastery.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• round-trip transport from your Arequipa hotel (or from the meeting point if your hotel is outside the historic center).

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?Choose the shared tour if you're joining other travelers, or book the private option if your group prefers to explore Arequipa's colonial center and Santa Catalina Monastery on your own schedule.

Top questions

What exactly is Santa Catalina Monastery and why is it called the forbidden city?

Santa Catalina Monastery is a working convent built in 1579 where nuns still live today. It spans 20,000 square meters and was designed as a self-contained medieval community with its own streets and architecture; the nickname reflects how it functioned as a closed world separate from the city outside its walls.

How long is this tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs for four hours. Hotel pickup begins in the historic center of Arequipa, though the exact start time depends on your hotel location and the operator's schedule—confirm the pickup window when you book.

Will I see views of Misti Volcano on this tour?

Yes. The tour includes stops in the districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, both positioned for panoramic views of Misti Volcano across the surrounding countryside—these are the main photo stops on the route.

Is the guide included and what languages do they speak?

A professional guide is included and leads the tour in English or Spanish, depending on your preference at booking.

What happens if my hotel is outside the historic center?

If your hotel is not in the historic center, you can meet the tour at Hotel Mirador del Monasterio, located at Calle Zela 301, instead of arranging a pickup from your accommodation.

When is Santa Catalina Monastery closed?

The monastery closes on Good Friday, Christmas and New Year, so avoid booking this tour on those dates.