El Misti at 5,822 metres is the perfectly symmetrical stratovolcano that overlooks Arequipa — the dominant presence in every photograph of the city — and a popular high-altitude climbing objective for acclimatised mountaineers undertaking guided ascents of 2-3 days. The summit crater still emits sulphurous gases and the active volcanic risk is managed, but the summit views of the Andean high plateau, the Colca Canyon, and the Pacific coast far below are extraordinary. Hotels in Arequipa arrange El Misti climbing expeditions and the summit experience is one of the great high-altitude adventures in South America.
Our Picks — Arequipa
Historic Centre
The finest conventional luxury hotel in Arequipa, Casa Andina Premium occupies a beautifully restored sillar stone colonial mansion with rooms arranged around a fountain courtyard and a rooftop terrace with views of El Misti volcano. The restaurant serving contemporary Arequipeño cuisine has earned a passionate local following as well as pleasing guests.
Historic Centre
A beloved landmark of Arequipa hospitality for over forty years, La Casa de Mi Abuela occupies a sprawling garden property in the historic centre with colonial-style rooms, a magnificent swimming pool surrounded by subtropical plants, and the kind of warm Peruvian hospitality that makes first-time guests feel immediately at home.
Historic Centre
A grand colonial hotel in a prime historic-centre location with beautifully maintained gardens, a large outdoor pool, and rooms that open onto the internal courtyard's fountain and bougainvillea. The excellent service and the on-site travel desk for Colca Canyon and Cotahuasi expeditions make it a popular base for adventurous travelers.
Selva Alegre
A gracious hotel in the residential Selva Alegre district with views of El Misti from the outdoor pool terrace and the serene atmosphere of a garden resort within easy reach of the city centre. The Libertador brand's connection to Peru's UNESCO-listed colonial heritage is expressed in the architecture and the local art throughout.
Historic Centre — Plaza de Armas
A restored colonial casona directly on the Plaza de Armas, Casona Plaza offers rooms with cathedral views, a rooftop terrace that may have the best vantage point in the city, and a central location that is truly impossible to beat for first-time visitors. The quality of the location-to-price ratio is exceptional by any South American standard.
Historic Centre
A 400-year-old sillar stone house converted into a small boutique hotel with a collection of Peruvian colonial art, rooms with hand-painted ceiling timbers, and a pisco bar that is one of the city's most civilised evening destinations. Every detail communicates the owners' passion for the White City's architectural heritage.
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