7 most fascinating museums in Arequipa

Arequipa is not only famous for its volcanoes, landscapes, and gastronomy. The White City also holds a valuable historical and artistic legacy in its museums. In its venues, you can find everything from perfectly preserved mummies to colonial paintings, religious art pieces, pre-Columbian objects, and memorabilia of illustrious figures. Below, we show you the 7 must-visit museums in Arequipa, ideal for those who want to delve into the cultural richness of this beautiful city in southern Peru.

1. Museo Santuarios Andinos: Home of the Famous Mummy Juanita

This is one of the most recognized museums in the country. Administered by the Catholic University of Santa María, its main attraction is Mummy Juanita, an Inca girl sacrificed on the Ampato volcano, found in 1996 in a surprising state of preservation.

In addition to Juanita, the museum exhibits other Andean mummies, textiles, ceramics, sculptures, and a valuable audiovisual archive that explains the ritual context of these discoveries.

Address: Calle La Merced 110, Arequipa
Price: Foreigners S/25 – Peruvians S/5 – Students from S/3
Hours: Tue to Sat 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Sun 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

2. Cathedral Museum: Sacred Art and Colonial Jewels

Located within the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, this museum is a religious treasure with centuries of history. Inside are reliquaries, liturgical vestments, carved altarpieces, gold and silver objects, and canvases dating back to the founding of the city in 1540.

An ideal place for those who wish to combine architecture, spirituality, and viceregal art.

Address: Plaza de Armas s/n
Price: Adults S/10 – Students S/5 – Optional guide S/5
Hours: Mon to Sat 7:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. / 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Sun 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

3. Mario Vargas Llosa House Museum: Literature and Technology in One Place

Nobel Prize in Literature winner Mario Vargas Llosa was born in this house, and today it is an interactive museum dedicated to his life and work. It features 16 thematic rooms integrating multimedia resources, holograms, and 3D effects to narrate the trajectory of the renowned writer.

A recommended stop for literature lovers and modern tours.

Address: Av. Parra 101, Arequipa
Price: Foreigners S/10 – Peruvians S/5 – Schoolchildren S/3
Hours: Mon to Sun 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

4. Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC): A Space for Current Creativity

The MAC of Arequipa is a vibrant place that brings together works by renowned contemporary Peruvian artists. It has three permanent rooms and other temporary ones, where exhibitions, workshops, and talks are organized to promote modern art.

A fresh and different alternative to traditional museums.

Address: Av. Los Cristales 146, Arequipa
Price: S/3 for all public
Hours: Mon to Fri 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

5. Santa Catalina Monastery: A Living Museum Full of History

Founded in 1579, the Monastery of Santa Catalina is one of Arequipa’s tourist icons. With its sillar stone cloisters, narrow streets, and flowering patios, this convent is a city within the city. In addition to being an active religious enclosure, it houses a large collection of colonial art, especially from the Cusco school.

Address: Calle Santa Catalina 301, historic center
Price: Adults S/40 – Seniors (over 60) S/20 – University Students S/12 – Schoolchildren S/6
Hours: Tue to Sat 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Sun 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

6. La Recoleta Museum: Cultural Diversity in One Place

This old 17th-century Franciscan convent has become a museum that houses unique objects from pre-Columbian cultures such as the Inca, Chimú, Paracas, and Wari. Furthermore, it displays a curious Amazonian ethnographic collection with pieces from communities like the Shipibos and Ashánincas.

An ideal space for travelers who wish to know the cultural plurality of Peru.

Address: Calle La Recoleta 117, Yanahuara
Price: General admission S/10
Hours: Mon to Sat 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

7. Museum of Viceregal Art of Santa Teresa: Spirituality and Art in Sillar

Located in a Carmelite monastery founded in 1710, this museum stands out for its colonial sillar architecture and its valuable collection of religious art. It has 14 thematic rooms, including the cloister of the offices, the room of the angels, and the chapel of wax-making, among other spaces full of devotion and beauty.

Address: Calle Melgar 303, historic center
Price: General admission S/20
Hours: Mon to Sat 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.