Yanahuara sits on the slope across the Rio Chili from the colonial centre — a leafy residential district that for centuries was a separate village serving the agricultural plots of the irrigated valley. It now feels distinctly more upmarket than the centre, with quiet residential streets, a small colonial-era plaza, and many of the city's better restaurants. The crossing of the Puente Grau is a five-minute walk; the climb up to the Yanahuara mirador is steeper than it looks.
The Plaza Yanahuara itself is the highlight. Around it you'll find good ice cream parlours, the sillar mirador with views back to the volcanoes, and a Sunday market that draws families from across the city. It's a useful base for visitors looking for quieter accommodation than the busier centre offers.