ABOUT
Unveil the pre-Colombian and Spanish history of this city by joining our free walking tour Arequipa taking place in the historical center; Arequipa city is known as La Ciudad Blanca—The White City because during the colonial period many churches and palaces were built by using mainly the Sillar Stones (white volcanic stones—also described as pearly white volcanic rocks).
The original name of this city is Ariq Q’epha in Quechua the language, Ariq means volcano and Q’epa means behind; so Arequipa means, a city located at the foot or behind the Misti Volcano. Book our everyday tip-based walking tours taking place in the historic centre with fluent English-speaking tour guides.
Why to reserve with us?
- 100% Peruvian company
- 100% Indigenous team
- Licensed tour guides
- It is Free to book
OPERATION ISSUE OF THIS TOUR:
Make your free tour reservation now! — we are operating all free tours in Arequipa in English and Spanish. We have morning and afternoon schedules, you don’t need to text us on WhatsApp unless your group is big.
DETAILS
How to recognize our Guides? Look for our Operator: Free Tour Downtown Arequipa Logo at the correct meeting place. Please don’t get confused with other location.
Duration: About 2.5 to 3 hours.
Language: All our free tours are entirely in English; however, if you wish a Spanish tour check, Spanish free tour of Arequipa.
Tour Type: It’s a free, non-private group tour; groups can be significant sometimes; therefore, our guides use speakers.
Accessibility: This tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
What to bring? Sweaters, rain coats, hats and anti-slip shoes — because of Covid-19 issue, bring your mask.
Included: Professional and licensed Tour Guide.
How to book?: Please book on this webpage.
Faq’s: Please scroll down to the bottom of this page.
WhatsApp: +51 958745640 & +51 984479073.
HIGHLIGHTS
The itinerary can always change because of weather, strikes and festivals.
Meeting Place
Meet us at Our Meeting Place is at Santa Catalina Street 204, right outside Las Gringas pizzeria — how to get in there?
Church of the Society of Jesus — interior visit
We will comment on the main façade and the cloisters of this 17th century church.
Fundo El Fierro | Plaza San Francisco
Learn about the history of one of the most beautiful colonial mansion in the city of Arequipa and which later on became the first prison in this city. Today at this place we have a handicraft center operated by the indigenous people.
Monastery of Santa Catalina — exterior visit
Stroll past the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena, which is considered one of the most original architectural works from the Viceroyalty of Peru.
Plaza de Armas or the Main Square
Discover this unblemished plaza by modern interference, it is a museum of the city’s sillar (volcanic rock) architecture — white, and aesthetically unique.
Los Tambos
Discover the history of the first hotel in Arequipa city.
Puente Bolognesi
Discover the most famous colonial bridge in the city of Arequipa where we will also comment on the sacred river of Chilli.
Tour Ending Place
We finish the tour very close of the Plaza de Armas.
PHOTOS
PRICE
Free – based on your donation, neither our tour guides nor the team members have set salaries.
TOUR SCHEDULES
If you prefer a free tour in Spanish, please read Horarios de free tour en Español. We don’t run free tours in Arequipa every 1st of January.
MEETING PLACES
For all Free Tour Schedules in Arequipa: Meet us at Santa Catalina street 204, right outside Las Gringas pizzeria — how to get in there? Please don’t get confused with the Plaza de Armas!
Santa Catalina street 204
REVIEWS
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Are you wondering whether our free tours in Arequipa are as good as the paid ones? Our guided tours are 100% free to join and we work hard to earn your appreciation at the end of the tour; therefore our walks are first-class.
Read the history of our highlights
Arequipa’s Main Square
García Manuel de Carvajal, founded Arequipa city on August 15, 1540, in this Plaza; in the central part of the square, there is a beautiful bronze water fountain (from the colonial period) and at the top of the fountain, there is a copper pixie with a horn trumpet.
Cathedral of Arequipa
The basilica cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Arequipa was built between 1540 and 1656, it has a neoclassic style, designed by Lucas Poblete; many earthquakes and fires have destroyed this church, the last two restorations happened in 1879 and 2001.
Monastery of Santa Catalina
In 1579, the viceroy Francisco de Toledo ordered to build this monastery, made from white and pink Ashlar stones; this monastery had about 300 nuns during its heydays in the 18th century, the nuns were mainly Spanish Americans and mixed races with indigenous.
San Camilo Market
The 1868 earthquake of Arequipa destroyed the convent of Los Padres Camilos, since the church was gone, the city hall established a market in this place, this market bears the name of the former church—San Camilo. In 1938, Gustave Eiffel designed the current market.
Yanahuara Panoramic Lookout
This lookout is located in Yanahuara district, it’s made up of a set of beautiful Sillar stone Roman Arches, built in the 19th century. From this place, you can see almost all the colonial city of Arequipa and its three awesome volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu.
The Company of Jesus Church
This Andean baroque-style church was built between 1590 and 1698, the stones that were used to build this church are from the quarries of the Misti volcano; inside the church, there are 66 canvases from the Cusco School of Art, from painters such as Bernardo Bitti and Diego de la Puente.
Faq’s
- Will my kids love your free tour?(View)
- What’s an appropriate amount of tip for our free tour?(View)
- Do the free tours in Arequipa (10am and 3pm) have a different route?(View)
- Can we leave the free tour because we have other scheduled tours?(View)
- What is the minimum number of walkers required to run the tour?(View)
- What is the maximum number of walkers allowed per group?(View)
- We are a group of 11 or more, can we make a reservation online?(View)
- We are a group of 11 or more, can we have a private free tour?(View)
- Can our free tours ever get canceled because of weather, protests or festivities in Arequipa?(View)
- We use crutches, can we participate in your free tours?(View)
- We use a wheelchair, can we participate in your free tours?(View)
