Things to Do in Peru

Plaza de Armas is the main square in Arequipa, featuring vibrant gardens, lush palm trees, bird fountains and colonial architecture. The first thing you will notice is how immaculately clean and symmetrical it is. Additionally, you'll be in the best location to explore some of the city's history and important buildings, like government offices, prisons and police stations. On the north side, you'll see the twin-towered Cathedral. Founded in 1612, it was reconstructed numerous times in the 19th century due to earthquakes and fire damage.

If you're looking to relax, chill out at one of the cafes or rooftop bars surrounding the square with a coca tea or Pisco Sour. These rooftop venues are also great for photographers who want a variety of shots, and the mountains set behind the provincial buildings make for an interesting contrast.

Founded in 1648, this Franciscan Convent features four cloisters and 11 rooms. The structure represents a range of architectural styles, from Romanesque to Neo-Gothic. Moreover, a visit to Recoleta Convent is an all-in-one pass to check out the collections of the Archaeological and Anthropological Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Religious Arts Museum. Along with religious works, visitors can explore pre-Columbian and Amazonian art, as well as paintings showing Cusco and Arequipa influence.

If you're interested in expanding your knowledge, the library houses more than 20,000 books, with the oldest volume dating back to 1494. Some points of interest in the convent include Porter Cloister, which features a brick vault, 17th-century furniture, a spacious courtyard and the Cloister of San Francisco, embodying a Franciscan atmosphere through its architecture. The Mission Senate stands as a tribute to Convent Arequipeño Franciscan missionaries, while Senate Alcantarino symbolizes reliquary convent architecture and features white roofs symbolizing the cradle of the Franciscan (Assisi).

Located four miles southeast of Arequipa is the Sabandía Mill, built in 1785 as the first mill of its kind in the area. Although the structure fell into a dilapidated state, it was restored in 1973 by architect Luis Felipe Calle, who was so proud of his work that he purchased the building and opened it to visitors.

Built around 1730, this large ancestral house is an excellent well-preserved example of baroque-mestizo architecture. The name of the house has nothing to do with ethics, but instead derives from the ancient mulberry ("moras") tree in the central courtyard. Visitors will enter through a white sillar arch adorned with precisely detailed carvings of figures and symbols. For instance, one of the them is a coat of arms made of smaller carvings including a puma, bird, castle and two crossed keys, held up by two angels, while a crown floats above.

Inside, you'll find sculptures, furniture, embellishments and artwork, including pieces from the Cusco School of Painting, one of the most important in American Art. Immersing yourself in this world will make you feel like a wealthy Peruvian during the 16th century. Out back, you can stroll through a small but well-manicured garden that is nice for taking pictures. There is also a small museum focused on Peruvian banknotes, as well as a map collection charting South American development.