Overview
Arequipa, Peru's elegant "White City", sits beneath three volcanoes in the south of the country. Its colonial centre, built from pale sillar stone, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the natural base for trips into the Colca Canyon. For UK travellers it slots neatly into a wider Peru itinerary alongside Cusco and Lake Titicaca. There are no direct flights to Arequipa from the UK, so every routing connects, most often through Lima. The price charts on this page show how current fares are moving.
Best time to fly to Arequipa
Arequipa enjoys sunshine for most of the year and is known as the city of eternal blue skies. The dry season, roughly April to November, brings clear days, cool nights and the best conditions for the Colca Canyon and for spotting Andean condors. January to March is wetter and greener, though showers are usually brief. July and August coincide with UK school holidays and peak demand, so book early; late April, May and September often balance fine weather with lower fares. Check the "When to book" chart above for the cheapest departure dates.
Airlines and routes
No airline flies non-stop from the UK to Arequipa. The standard approach is a long-haul flight to Lima followed by a short domestic hop. British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Lima in around 12.5 hours; KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris), and Iberia and LATAM (via Madrid) also link UK cities to Lima. From there, LATAM, Sky Airline and JetSMART run frequent flights of about 1 hour 35 minutes to Arequipa. Allow a comfortable connection in Lima; total journey time is usually 18 to 24 hours.
Things to do in Arequipa
A compact, walkable centre and dramatic surroundings make Arequipa well worth a few days.
- Santa Catalina Monastery: A vast 16th-century convent, a walled town of ochre and cobalt-blue lanes.
- Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral: The grand arcaded main square and its sillar-stone basilica.
- Museo Santuarios Andinos: Home to "Juanita", the remarkably preserved Inca ice mummy.
- Colca Canyon: One of the world's deepest canyons, famed for condor viewing at Cruz del Cóndor.
- Yanahuara viewpoint: Views of El Misti volcano framed by carved stone arches.
At Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP)
The airport lies about 8 km north-west of the city, a 20 to 30 minute drive. Official airport taxis and pre-booked hotel transfers are the easiest options, and many hotels arrange pick-ups. Agree the fare in advance or use a booked car rather than hailing on the street.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Arequipa
- Book long-haul roughly three to six months ahead; Lima routes fill quickly for July and August.
- Fly midweek and avoid UK school holidays where you can.
- Use flexible-date searches, as shifting a day or two can cut the fare noticeably.
- Compare full-service carriers such as British Airways, KLM, Iberia and LATAM, and price the Lima to Arequipa leg both bundled and booked separately.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism and can normally stay up to 183 days, with the exact allowance set by immigration on arrival. Carry a passport valid for the duration of your trip. The currency is the Peruvian sol; keep some cash for taxis and markets and pay larger bills by card. No vaccinations are required, but Arequipa sits at around 2,300 m, so take your first day gently to adjust to the altitude, and note that the Colca Canyon is considerably higher.
