The Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa was founded in 1579 and built from white volcanic stone. Originally, the monastery was a cloister for nuns from wealthy Spanish families. It operated under a strict vow of silence and seclusion for nearly 400 years. Wandering around here is like going back in time. It's not only beautiful but peaceful. One of the most memorable stops during our time in Peru.

We were on a private tour and the tickets were already organised. Shared a guide who was quite knowledgeable and afterwards we could go around on our own. I loved the tranquility of it all and the information on the new nuns/recruits on what they had to do and where they lived. The stories of the wealthy who put their first born girl to be wed then the next daughter to be a nun? These wealthy families paid for them to be there. You viewed the nun's cells and then after a year if they took their vows then they were moved into the other part with bigger cloister. Viewed the ingenious way that the water flowed into stone basins for them to do their washing with the plugs made of potato? Then the pool in which the servants on return from visiting family had to bathe in it to purify themselves before they could enter back in the monastery! Very pretty streets within and it would have been a village in its own rights with their communal kitchen. Very interesting and peaceful and it has a little cafe for coffee cake etc. Definitely worth a visit.

One of the best and most peaceful places I've ever been to in my life. A good dose of beautiful colors, culture, history, and art. I could spend here a few days if I could.

Map in English ,provided at the entry. Not necessary to have a guide. Coffee shop. Clean toilets I had anticipated exploration solo on what should have been a free day in our tour. Unfortunately (partly because I had sleep deprivation following the all night bus journey) participated in two visits prior to arriving here and then the tour leader hired a guide (extra sol to the guide). So did not get a break in the coffee shop or relaxing stroll exploring. Amazing architecture. Absolute must see.(but at your own pace) Sprawling. Cost 45 sol to enter.

Is a fascinating and historic site with a rich history. Visiting Santa Catalina Monastery offers a unique glimpse into the past, allowing travellers to appreciate both the religious and architectural aspects

we took the one hour guided tour and helped us to enjoy more this beautiful and well preserved place, it looks like a city within a city. After the guided tour we stayed one hour more.

Without any doubt, this is the main place to visit in Arequipa. In my list, it is among the top 10 monasteries in the world. Take your time, do not rush, you need at least 2-3 hours to stroll through this enormous and beautiful monastery that housed 13 nuns who lived in a cloister, totally isolated from the outside world and even among themselves. It is a small city surrounded by a huge wall. Each nun had their quarters, with a private kitchen, and a couple of rooms for praying, sleeping and doing their daily tasks. The place is magnificent, very well kept, painted in red and blue, with streets, gardens and a cemetery (which is not visited). Collections of paintings, magnificent murals, a church, and many other sites. The price you pay for the visit is worth it, you will never regret it.

Take your time, their iOS guided audio tour was great. Take 3plus hours and go early. Lots of shade and cool from heat. So much color and beauty within these walls!

Absolutely beautiful. I wish I'd spent more time wandering around but I needed to get to my next activity. The colors and the architecture and the plants... everything is just Absolutely beautiful.Taking a guide is most recommended as they will explain the history and what the various sections of the property was used for. A good half day visit.

I recommend you get a guide and don't just wander around. The place is a citadel from the colonial era frozen in time. Great architecture, great artifacts, great old wood-burning kitchens with the original pots still covered in soot. A contemplative space. The laundry area will blow your mind with its clever medieval technology. The gift shop sells all the goods made by the 10 or so recluse nuns that still live there. They're probably being trafficked by the Catholic church, but that's not a hill I'm about to die on. If you want to have lunch at Chicha next door, go by and make a reservation before you go to Santa Catalina. The monastery takes 1 - 1.5 hours to enjoy.

The convent covers 5 acres and is a charming place to stoll, with lots of flowers, interesting rooms, and streets that felt like we were in Italy.

This is more than a religious place. First of all, get a guide! If you visit this place by yourself, you will miss all the details beyond history. This place originated many elements of the Arequipean culture (for example, the Queso Helado found in most city corners). Be nice and purchase something from the store of the Monastery, even if it's one chocoteja! Even if you are not religious, do it as a form of support to preserve the local history and culture.

This place was very interesting, our guide told us about the history and importance of this place during the colonial times, is a monasterio that is still working with ancient Rules!

As soon as you walk in to this place it seems like it would have been the same 200 years ago. They’ve taken great pride in preserving the history and maintaining everything as it should be, it adds more intrigue that Nuns are still living there in what seems like a secret quarter, hidden away from tourists. Winding passages, gardens, roof top views, this place is vast with so much history to divulge. 100% recommended.

Really beautiful monastery, the guided visit is a must do and the guide speaks really clear Spanish (fans other languages as well).