Free Walking Tour of Arequipa
Two and a half hour walk through Arequipa, the White City, with San Lázaro, Mundo Alpaca and the Plaza de Armas.
Reserve your free spotQuick answer
Yes, it is free: no ticket, you tip the guide at the end. Free Walking Tour of Arequipa meets at Plaza de San Francisco, lasts about 2h30 and is guided in Spanish and English; rated 9.0/10 from 1,278 reviews on Civitatis.
Start times vary by date and are confirmed when you book.
This free walking tour lasts about two and a half hours and covers the historic centre of Arequipa on foot. The guide speaks English and Spanish. It starts at Plaza de San Francisco. The thread of the route is the temples and museums, the oldest neighbourhood in the city, Mundo Alpaca and the Plaza de Armas, with an optional taste of Peruvian pisco at the end.
The route starts in the historic centre and first takes in the temples and museums close to the square: the San Francisco church, the Order of Friars Minor Temple, the Guillermo Zegarra Meneses Municipal History Museum and the Fundo el Fierro Mansion. It then walks through San Lázaro, the oldest neighbourhood in the city, with narrow streets and houses of volcanic rock and stone decorated with flowers.
The next stop is Mundo Alpaca, a kind of interactive zoo with llamas and alpacas, where you learn to tell the two species apart and how wool is made. After that comes the Plaza de Armas, with the cathedral and the Company of Jesus cloisters. To finish, the group heads into a traditional bar where you can taste Peruvian pisco if you like, and the tour ends back in the centre of Arequipa.
Tour highlights
- San Francisco church and Order of Friars Minor Temple
- Guillermo Zegarra Meneses Municipal History Museum
- Fundo el Fierro Mansion
- San Lázaro neighbourhood
- Mundo Alpaca
- Plaza de Armas, cathedral and Company of Jesus cloisters
- Traditional bar with Peruvian pisco (optional)
Good to know before you go
- The guide speaks English and Spanish.
- Groups are capped at 6 people, even with separate bookings.
- Wheelchair accessible.
- Booking is free and at the end you leave whatever tip you think is fair; it is not included.
- Be at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early, and cancel your booking if you cannot go so the guide does not wait for you.
Meeting point
After the tour
This tour is free — there's no charge to join. At the end, tip your guide whatever you feel the experience was worth. 100% of tips go directly to them.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Free Walking Tour of Arequipa really free?
Yes — there is no ticket and no upfront cost. You reserve a free spot, join the tour, and at the end tip your guide whatever you feel it was worth. Most travelers tip the equivalent of €10–20 per person, but the amount is entirely up to you.
Where does the Free Walking Tour of Arequipa start?
The tour meets at Plaza de San Francisco (Plaza de San Francisco). The exact meeting point and how to spot your guide are confirmed in your Civitatis booking.
How long is the tour, and what languages is it in?
It lasts around 2h30 and is guided in Spanish, English. One booking covers up to 6 people; larger parties need a private tour. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Is the Arequipa free walking tour wheelchair accessible?
It is listed as wheelchair accessible.
Can I bring a large group to the Arequipa free walking tour?
Groups of more than 6 people are not accepted, even if they book separately. For larger groups a private tour is suggested.
What is Mundo Alpaca, and do I have to taste the pisco?
Mundo Alpaca is a kind of interactive zoo with llamas and alpacas, where you learn to tell the two species apart and how wool is made. At the end, in a traditional bar, tasting the Peruvian pisco is optional.