Arequipa Historic Center & Santa Catalina Monastery: Private Tour

Walk through colonial courtyards and climb to city viewpoints on a guided half-day in Arequipa

A private, guided tour of Arequipa's Historic Center and Santa Catalina Monastery combines walking through the city's colonial architecture with viewpoint stops by car. The tour covers the 16th-century monastery, Plaza de Armas cathedral, La Compañía Church, Casa Tristán del Pozo, and Yanahuara viewpoint, with a professional guide speaking your choice of English, Spanish or French and private transport throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Santa Catalina Monastery1h · entry included
2. Plaza de Armas20m
3. La Compañía Church20m
4. Yanahuara20m

Explore Arequipa's historic sites and viewpoints

• Visit Monastery of Santa Catalina
• See the main Cathedral and Plaza de Armas
• Explore Casa Tristán del Pozo
• Visit La Compañía Church
• Go to Yanahuara viewpoint
• Visit Andeneria viewpoint

The experience

Santa Catalina Monastery is the anchor of this tour: a 16th-century complex where you walk through courtyards, colored buildings and special passages that still hold the presence of the nuns who lived there during colonial times. The monastery's architecture and layout tell the story of spiritual and social life in colonial Arequipa, and the guide walks you through the details as you move through the site on foot.

The rest of the day splits between walking the Historic Center and driving to viewpoints. On foot, you'll see Plaza de Armas with its cathedral facade and central pool, La Compañía Church with its Baroque style and colonial art, and Casa Tristán del Pozo, whose pediment is considered the finest example of Arequipa's typical ornamentation. By car, you reach Yanahuara viewpoint about 20 minutes from the city center, where the volcanoes surrounding Arequipa come into view alongside the city's architecture spread below.

The tour runs 3 to 4 hours total and is private (just you and your guide), so the pace and language are yours to set. Professional transport is included throughout, and the guide speaks English, Spanish or French depending on what you need.

What’s included

• Private transport throughout the tour.
• professional guide in English, Spanish or French.
• entry to Santa Catalina Monastery, Plaza de Armas, La Compañía Church and all other sites visited.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by phaway viajes peru

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want to combine walking through the colonial center with viewpoint stops by car. You'll cover both the architecture and the surrounding landscape in one outing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is inside Santa Catalina Monastery that I'll see on the tour?

Santa Catalina Monastery is a 16th-century complex where you walk through colored buildings, courtyards and passages that preserve the layout of colonial convent life. The guide explains the spiritual and social history of the site as you move through the spaces where nuns lived and worked during that era.

How much of the tour is walking versus driving?

You walk through Santa Catalina Monastery and the Historic Center sites like Plaza de Armas and La Compañía Church. You travel by private car to reach Yanahuara viewpoint, which sits about 20 minutes from the city center, and the car takes you between the main stops in the city itself.

Can I visit these sites on my own, or do I need the guide?

The tour includes entry to all the places you visit, professional transport and the guide's knowledge of the history and architecture. The guide's explanations are what bring the colonial stories and architectural details to life as you move through each site.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible throughout. All areas, surfaces and transportation options accommodate wheelchairs. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available in the vehicle if needed.