Private Walking Tour of the Historic Center + Santa Catalina Monastery

Meeting Point

We’ll pick you up from your hotel—as long as you stay in the historic center.

Bolognesi Bridge

Discover the history of the oldest bridge in Arequipa, built back in 1577 and designed by the architect Juan de Aldaná Duró.

Old hotel Los Tambos – exterior visit

This accommodation was the first hotel in the city of Arequipa built back at the beginning of the 20th century.

Arequipa Main Square

Visit the Plaza de Armas and learn about the history of the attractions that surround this square:

• Cathedral — exterior visit
• The Portals of Arequipa — external visit
• La Compañía de Jesús Church — exterior visit
• Church of Our Lady of Mercy — exterior visit
• Bronze water fountain

Church of the Company of Jesus – interior visit

Discover the history of the façade and cloisters of this church.

Colonial mansions — exterior visit

Arequipa was refounded as a Hispanic city on August 15, 1540, you can still see colonial mansions that belonged to notable families during the Spanish occupation period.

Plaza San Francisco

Fundo El Fierro

Discover the history of the oldest prison in Arequipa — today this colonial-era mansion works as a craft center for local producers.

Santa Catalina Monastery — interior visit

This monastery was built starting 1579 and financed by Doña María de Guzmán who was a young widow of the Spanish nobility.

During colonial times, this monastery was home to more than 450 women—most of them noble Spanish nuns; the rest of its population was made up of low-income girls who found a food shelter within this monastery in exchange for dedicating their lives to Catholicism.

Tour Ending Place

This walking tour ends very close to the Plaza de Armas, a 5-minute walk away.