Arequipa

View from the airplane window: the volcanoes around Arequipa are still active

Arequipa, surrounded by volcanoes in southern Peru, has been my favourite city to visit during our month-long journey here. It is situated at a comfortable altitude (7,638 ft) so the temperature is a pleasant 19°C as a write.

The cathedral on the main square

The historic centre of town has a relaxed atmosphere with fewer tourists and touts than Cusco. The Plaza de Armas (main square) is surrounded by colonnaded buildings and no traffic! Traffic can be chaotic in Peruvian cities, so the absence of cars was a nice surprise.

An inner courtyard of the Santa Catalina convent

We visited a number of the old colonial buildings including the Santa Catalina Convent which is a walled off city within a city, with streets, homes and courtyards to wander through. Very peaceful.

Chasing pigeons in the Plaza de Armas

So if you are planning a trip to Peru, make sure Arequipa is on your itinerary!

Exterior of a church dated 1698