Santa Catalina Monastery Tours
Step into a city within a city: the Santa Catalina Monastery, a vast 16th-century convent of cobbled lanes, flower-filled courtyards and walls washed in vivid ochre and blue. A guided visit unravels four centuries of cloistered life in one of Peru’s most atmospheric and photogenic religious complexes.
2 excursions · prices per person, book with partner
Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa — FAQ
What is the Santa Catalina Monastery?
Santa Catalina is a huge, still-active 16th-century convent in central Arequipa, a maze of colourful streets, courtyards and cells that functioned as a self-contained city for cloistered nuns.
Is the Santa Catalina Monastery worth visiting?
Yes — its vivid ochre and blue lanes, courtyards and history make it Arequipa’s most beautiful and unmissable site, ideal with a guide to bring the stories to life.
How long do you need at Santa Catalina?
Allow about 1.5–2 hours to explore the monastery’s streets, courtyards and museum, longer if you love photography.