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Arequipa Region
Arequipa
Things to Do in Arequipa
Monasterio de Santa Catalina
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Monasterio de Santa Catalina

See all things to do
See all things to do
Monasterio de Santa Catalina
4.5
#1 of 89 things to do in Arequipa
Speciality Museums
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Considered a masterpiece of colonial architecture, this monastery is a large complex of rooms, picturesque plazas, ornate fountains and a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets.
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Admission tickets
from $15.50
All you need to step foot in the door.
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
670 within 3 miles
Roqoto
129
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Peruvian • Latin • Spanish
Pasta Canteen
1,578
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • European • Healthy
Mumis
710
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Peruvian • Latin
Alma Bar Restaurante
515
460 ft$$$$ • Peruvian • Latin • International
Sunset Rooftop Bar
204
475 ft$$ - $$$ • Peruvian • Latin • Bar
Zig Zag Restaurant
4,984
495 ft$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Grill • Vegetarian Friendly
Espacio Lagom
216
0.2 mi$ • Japanese • Peruvian • Sushi
La Petite Française
612
0.1 mi$ • Dessert • French • Cafe
La Plaza Bar & Grill
698
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Peruvian • Bar • Fusion
El Fuego de San Antonio
340
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Peruvian • Latin
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Attractions
81 within 6 miles
Arte Colonial
6
143 ftArt Galleries
Casa del Moral
180
432 ftArchitectural Buildings
Alvaro Valdivia - Anticuario
6
257 ftArt Galleries • Antique Shops
Maqueta del Colca
5
473 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Centre of Arequipa
2,039
0.2 miHistoric Sites
San Francisco Plaza, Church and Monastery
297
0.2 miLibraries • Religious Sites
Museo de la Catedral de Arequipa
1,093
0.2 miSpeciality Museums • Churches & Cathedrals
Church of San Agustin
126
0.2 miReligious Sites
Plaza de Armas
3,868
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Tristan del Pozo (Continental Bank Exhibition Gallery)
46
0.2 miArt Galleries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
7,606 reviews
Excellent
5,426
Very good
1,831
Average
276
Poor
50
Terrible
23
wunen
8 contributions
A village within a town
Mar 2020
Even when you are not a fan of museums or chapels this one is a must see. It's actually a village within a town so be prepared to stay 1-2h here - but it's very interesting and fun and every area has a different colour. You don't need a guide as a lot of explanations are provided on panels nearby in 5 (!) languages.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Javier Velarde
Muchas gracias por su lindo comentario, nos alegra haya disfrutado su visita al Monasterio de Santa Catalina.
Written March 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ran poot
New Delhi, India11 contributions
A city within a city
Oct 2021 • Family
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.
Written October 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeahSydney01
Sydney581 contributions
We recommend a guide, very worthwhile
Jan 2020 • Couples
This was a highlight of Arequipa. We paid the 20 soles for a guide (for an hour) and I am glad that we did as she explained things that we would have never deduced ourselves. The insights into why some of the women came to live at the monastery were very interesting. The monastery is very beautiful and photogenic.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Javier Velarde
Muchas gracias por su lindo comentario y recomendación, nos alegra haya disfrutado su visita al Monasterio de Santa Catalina.
Written January 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Manuel V
Dubai, United Arab Emirates58 contributions
Amazing place!
Dec 2021
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.
Written December 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
User4818
Linz, Austria20 contributions
Amazing visit!
Jan 2020 • Couples
Great place to visit. At the entrance you get an explanation of the staff (they speak several languages) ad they offer a tour. We went on our own and so had as much time as we wanted to explore. It's a lovely place with lots of history, you can easily spend about 2 hours there. The entrance fee of 40 soles was definitely worth it!
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Javier Velarde
Muchas gracias por su lindo comentario y recomendación, nos alegra haya disfrutado su visita al Monasterio de Santa Catalina.
Written January 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jgemza
Whitesboro, NY455 contributions
Nice Tour
Feb 2020
On a rainy day, our tour group visited this monastery for an hour and a half. Old sections still in good shape but occupancy went from almost 200 to less than 2 dozen. Great history for the town.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Javier Velarde
Muchas gracias por su comentario, nos alegra haya disfrutado su visita al Monasterio de Santa Catalina.
Written March 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DonCesar
Nuremberg, Germany2,030 contributions
Cosy
Feb 2020 • Couples
The place to see in Arequipa. Cosy and it definitely made me want to have that style at my place if I ever construct a house. We did the tour on our own since we like to go slow and took 2 hours to see it, got a little bit of an explanation here and there from the people in a tour and the plaques with explanations
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Javier Velarde
Muchas gracias Don Cesar por su lindo comentario, nos alegra haya disfrutado su visita al Monasterio de Santa Catalina.
Written February 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
trfcnte
Redondo Beach, CA290 contributions
This place is amazing!
Oct 2022
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.
Written October 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S P A N
Crofton, Canada24 contributions
So much color and beauty behind these walls!
Nov 2023 • Couples
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!
Written November 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrahamP113
Witham, UK1,729 contributions
Part of city trip
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is an amazing place in the heart of the city. Very peaceful and yet so large. To see the conditions the Nuns lived in and very basic. Lovely tour guide who explained everything so well. Great visit
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Javier Velarde
Muchas gracias por su lindo comentario, nos alegra haya disfrutado su visita al Monasterio de Santa Catalina.
Written March 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Monasterio de Santa Catalina, Arequipa

Frequently Asked Questions about Monasterio de Santa Catalina
Monasterio de Santa Catalina admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $15.80, while a popular guided tour starts around $20.00 per person.
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