The architecture of the city of Arequipa is impressive, they do not call it “La Ciudad Blanca” (the white city) for nothing, in this city tour you will take a look at the buildings of Sillar, a whitish stone of volcanic origin, so you can see Sillar churches with beautiful decorations, you will visit the viewpoints of the city where you can see the Misti volcano in all its splendor and you will be able to appreciate from within the old Santa Catalina Monastery, the most representative place in Arequipa.

Arequipa is a big city, even bigger than Lima (the capital of Peru), in a city tour there is much to know, mainly the downtown area with its main square surrounded by beautiful colonial buildings as old mansions of Sillar stone, many of these buildings have semi-circular arches and vaulted ceilings, the Plaza de Armas (main square) has a fountain in the middle like many of the big main squares in the most important cities of Peru.

Arequipa’s Cathedral is really impressive, it was built in the 16th century, has two elevated towers on the sides and occupies almost half a block, the interior is of a simple but interesting style, with vaulted ceilings of neo-Renaissance and Gothic styles, this beauty of architecture has been rebuilt many times by the eruption of the Misti volcano, by fires and earthquakes, but still stands.

Among other religious buildings built of Sillar you will also visit The Church of the Company of Jesus with its beautiful facade and beautifully carved Sillar columns and the “Claustros de La Compañia (company cloisters), sealed of monks that once belonged to the convent from the church and that today are part of a complex of high quality stores of handicraft that you can buy during your walk.

One of the main historical attractions of the city of Arequipa is the Santa Catalina Convent, built in white Sillar on the outside and painted red tile on the inside that was built in 1579 and was a whole religious complex for nuns and ladies of the city who entered to the monastery to exercise and improve their virtues.

Another attraction of the city of Arequipa is the Misti Volcano with its snowy peak that is best appreciated when you see it from the viewpoints of Carmen Alto or Yanahuara, from there you can take beautiful pictures.