Monasterio de Santa Catalina

A 16th-century citadel of colorful colonial streets, still home to cloistered nuns today.

  • Address: Santa Catalina 301, Arequipa
  • District: Cercado, Arequipa
  • Category: historic site and monastery

The Monasterio de Santa Catalina is a walled religious complex covering roughly five acres in the heart of Arequipa -- less a single building than an entire miniature city, with narrow cobblestone streets, plazas, cloisters, and courtyards painted in the deep blues, ochres, and reds typical of Andalusian (Sevillian) architecture. Founded in 1579, it operated as a convent for the daughters of wealthy colonial families for over four centuries, largely sealed off from the outside world until it opened to visitors in 1970. A small community of cloistered Dominican nuns still lives in one section of the monastery today, separate from the areas open to the public. Wandering its streets -- Cordova, Sevilla, Toledo, Granada, all named after Spanish cities -- feels like stepping into a self-contained colonial town, and it's consistently ranked as one of Arequipa's must-see sites.

Highlights

  • Vividly painted colonial streets and plazas -- deep blue, ochre red, and white, in the Andalusian style
  • Original kitchens, cells, and communal areas giving a sense of daily convent life across four centuries
  • Silence Street (Calle Silencio) and the Zocodober plaza, both classic photo spots
  • A small working community of cloistered nuns still resides on site, in a separate wing
  • One of Arequipa's largest and best-preserved colonial religious complexes

Ideal for

  • history and architecture enthusiasts
  • photographers -- the color and light are a major draw
  • travelers wanting a half-day break from the high-altitude Colca itinerary

Practical information

Hours
Daily, 9:00am-6:00pm; special night visits are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a different, lantern-lit atmosphere
Price
About S/50 (roughly $13-14 USD) for general admission; discounted rates are typically available for students and Peruvian/CAN nationals -- confirm current pricing on site or with the monastery directly, as rates change
Dress code
Modest dress is expected -- shoulders and knees should be covered, as this remains a working religious site
Good to know
Budget at least 1.5-2 hours to see the complex properly -- it's larger than it looks from outside, and a guide (available on site) adds a lot of context that's easy to miss wandering on your own. Morning light tends to be best for photos in the colored streets.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Santa Catalina?

Yes, there's a general admission fee, with discounted rates typically available for students and Peruvian/CAN nationals. Confirm current pricing on site or with the monastery, as rates change.

Is there a dress code?

Yes -- modest dress is expected since it remains a working religious site with a small community of cloistered nuns. Cover your shoulders and knees.

How long should I plan to spend at the monastery?

Budget at least 1.5-2 hours. It's larger than it looks from outside, and hiring one of the on-site guides adds context that's easy to miss wandering alone.

What's the best time to visit for photos?

Morning light tends to work best in the colored streets. There are also special lantern-lit night visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a different atmosphere.

Are nuns still living inside the monastery?

Yes, a small community of cloistered Dominican nuns still lives in one section of the complex today, kept separate from the areas open to the public.

What are the general visiting hours?

Daily, 9:00am to 6:00pm, with the additional Tuesday and Thursday night visits offered separately.