Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa

As a student I paid 5 sol, I got a guided tour of the cathedral, the museum and the bell tower. It was spectacular! No pictures were allowed in the museum but some pieces were breathtaking, I highly recommend. The bell tower had a fantastic view of the Plaza de Armas! Throughout the tour Percy, our tour guide, spoke Spanish to others in my group but changed to speak English to me and my sister. He was amazing!!

The Basílica Catedral de Arequipa is not just an architectural marvel — it’s a living monument to the city’s resilience, faith, and cultural identity. Whether you're a history lover, architecture enthusiast, or just wandering through Arequipa's beautiful center, this cathedral demands your time and admiration. It’s the heart of the White City — and it absolutely feels like it.

It’s a very odd experience as a tourist to visit this church. There are two men in polyester suits, comical shades and bad breath who seem to guard the entrance and tell you that it is shut and opens tomorrow and that only open for mass. I don’t know why they don’t just put up a sign in Spanish, English, French etc. stating that to enter cathedral as a tourist you need to visit museum and pay an entry fee and fee for a guide. In any event, the outside with the stone from volcano rock is more impressive, as the cathedral has been destroyed numerous times over the years by earthquakes and fires.

Beautiful church and plaza in the area. Recommend to go inside if you have the possibility.

This is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. I must say the architecture is unique. All made in white volcano lava stone. I did not pay any money to enter but I just went to pray. I must say you can take a private tour and walk further down into the convent, I adore the sculpture of Lucifer.

The altar piece is huge, ostentatious and yet another reason to question the money the Catholic Church and the invaders took from Peru. That said, there’s a private little chapel that holds its own with the Sistine Chapel in The Vatican. It’s breathtaking, all original and this alone is worth a visit to Arequipa. Look in the mirror to get a full vista of the dome. No photos allowed, but lots of postcards of it to take away with you s/1 each.

Nice cathedral with good views from the rooftop. You must have a guide before you can enter so do have to wait for that but the guide is good. I’d prefer (and recommend) a fixed fee ticket price including the guide to make it more transparent.

Ten soles for the ticket and whatever you want to pay for the mandatory tour. The guide only delivered the tour in Spanish but he was immensely friendly, knowledgeable and humorous. They take you to the museum (no photos or videos) and the rooftop. Absolutely worth the time and money and then some.