Top 12 Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala

Wondering about the best things to do in Antigua Guatemala? Well you’re in the right place.

The city of Antigua is one of the top tourist destinations in Guatemala.

The city is located in the country’s central highlands and is about a one hour drive from the capital Guatemala City.

Antigua is known for its Baroque-style architecture built along cobblestone streets. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

To help you make the most of your time during your visit, I put together this list of the top things to do in Antigua Guatemala. 

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How to get to Antigua Guatemala

Guatemala is the northernmost country in Central America. The easiest way to get to Antigua is to fly into Guatemala City.

If you’re coming fron North America, there are frequent flights into Guatemala City from Los Angeles and Houston in the United States.

From Guatemala City airport to Antiqua, you can either rent a car and drive, request an Uber, or arrange for a shuttle.

It will take about one hour to get to Antigua if you drive, slightly more if you take a shuttle.

The price for a shuttle to Antigua is $18 US. You can book your shuttle with GuateGo online. 

12 Things to do in Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala is a uniquely fun and walkable city. Be prepared to spend your time here walking the city’s colorful streets and getting to know this charming place.

This beautiful city is packed with culture and history. From ancient ruins to vibrant markets, there’s something here for everyone. Keep reading to find out what you should see and do when you visit this majestic destination.

1. Santa Catalina Arch

The Arco de Santa Catalina is the most recognized and most photographed landmark in Antigua.

A visit to the Arco de Santa Catalina is one of the most popular things to do in Antigua Guatemala.

The beautiful arch, built in the 17th century, crosses 5th Avenue North just above 2nd Street.

Arco de Santa Catalina was built to connect Santa Catalina school with the convent across the street. This was so the nuns would not have to go outside when crossing back and forth.

The arch and surrounding buildings are painted in a vibrant bright yellow.

If you stand on the south side of the arch about a half block down the street, you can see the arch over the cobblestone street.

Both Iglesia de la Merced and the massive Agua Volcano can be seen in the background. It’s a stunning sight to see on a clear day.

Side note: If you want a photo like the one pictured above without people (or very few), you will need to wake up early.

Plan to arrive at Arco de Santa Catalina by 6:15 a.m. at the latest.

Fortunately, Antigua is small so the arch should be within a few minutes walking distance from your hotel. 

2. Casa Santo Domingo Hotel

If you visit Antigua, Casa Santo Domingo is a must-see. The hotel was built on the grounds of the former Santo Domingo monastery which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1773.

My visit to Casa Santo Domingo was one of the highlights of my time in Antigua. The property has a tremendous amount of history and currently operates as a five-star hotel.

In addition to the hotel, there are also multiple restaurants and a total of six museums on site. 

For just a couple of dollars, you can explore all six museums including the Colonial Museum, Archeology Museum, Museum of Pre-Colombian Art, Marco Augusto Quiroa and the Artist Halls, Silver Museum and the Pharmacy Museum.

You can get through all six in about 90 minutes if you keep a good pace. 

You can also visit the hotel’s onsite Spa Casa Santo Domingo if you’re looking for some relaxation time.

I recommend exploring the grounds and hotel, walking through the museums, and then grabbing lunch or a glass of wine at one of the restaurants on-site. 

3. Choco Museo

Another one of the top things to do in Antigua Guatemala is the chocolate museum. Choco Museo Antigua is located on 5th Avenue about a block and a half from Arco de Santa Catalina.

What’s fun about the museum is that they offer a variety of free samples of their delicious Guatemalan chocolate. They sell everything from chocolate bars to truffles to liqueurs.

Guatemala is known for both its coffee and its chocolate, so you might as well indulge in both while you are here.

If you’re looking for gifts to bring back to friends and family, this is a good place to look. They sell lots of cute sampler packs that I’m sure anyone back home would appreciate receiving. 

The staff here are super friendly and can answer any questions you might have about their products.

The museum also offers several workshops including a chocolate bar and truffle making cooking class if you’d like a more hands-on experience during your visit. 

Choco Museo Antigua is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

4. Central Park

The Central Park, or Parque Central in Antigua is located three blocks south of Arco de Santa Catalina on 5th Avenue North.

The park is surrounded by the Captain General Palace (pictured above) and San Jose Cathedral.

There are several shops and cafes in the immediate area. You will find a large fountain in the center of the park along with plenty of benches to sit down and people watch if you need a break from all that walking around.

I recommend grabbing a cup of coffee and lingering for a short while just to take in the area.

You’ll see lots going on in Central Park, with plenty of locals in the area just going about their day.

If your Spanish is decent (or not) maybe strike up a conversation and make a new friend. All the locals I encountered during my time in Antigua were very friendly. 

5. Iglesia de la Merced

Iglesia de la Merced is a baroque church built-in 1548. It was rebuilt on several occasions in the 1700s after suffering damage from earthquakes.

You can find Iglesia de la Merced one block north of Arco de Santa Catalina. If you’re in the area, it’s worth taking the time to see it.

The inside is usually open during the day, and there is no charge for admission. 

However, the church is used for services, so it may not always be open to visitors. Do not plan to visit on Sundays or religious holidays unless you plan on attending the services.

As always when visiting churches or other religious buildings, make sure you are dressed appropriately. 

6. Go on a coffee tour

Another one of the unique and fun things to do in Antigua Guatemala is to take a day trip on a coffee tour. The ATV Coffee tours here are a lot of fun.

The ATV Coffee Tour takes you to a local coffee plantation where you get to learn about the coffee making process and sample the coffee.

Afterwards you get to ride your ATV up to Cerro de la Cruz for a beautiful view of the city.

If you prefer not to take a guided ATV coffee tour you can also visit the following coffee plantations on your own.

•  Filadelfia Coffee Tours: The tours here are two hours long and run at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. The tours cost $15 US. 
• De la Gente: The tours at De la Gente are three hours long and run at 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. You must make a reservation for your tour at least one day in advance. The tour will cost $29 US and comes with a bag of coffee. 
• Finca Colombia: The tours at Finca Colombia are available Tuesday through Friday and run about 90 minutes long. You must contact them via their website to request a time in advance. Their coffee tours are $15 US. 

7. Hike a volcano

If you’re looking for some outdoorsy things to do in Antigua Guatemala, you’re in luck. The city is surrounded by nature and several massive volcanoes.

There are three volcanoes located near Antigua that you can hike. You can climb all the way to the summit of all three, though some are a bit more challenging than the others.

Here’s a quick overview of your options should you choose to accept the challenge:

• Volcan Pacaya: Pacaya volcano is located about an hour outside of Antigua. It is a fairly easy climb to the top that should take you about 90 minutes or so. 
• Volcan Fuego: This volcano erupted most recently on June 3, 2018, but is now considered safe (generally speaking) to climb. This is an exceptionally challenging hike and if you are not in great shape you should not attempt this hike. Reaching the summit of Volcan Fuego will take the majority of your day and you will need an extremely early start (think 4:00 a.m.). 
• Volcan Acatenango: The Acatenango volcano hike is a guided overnight hike up to the summit which stands at 13,044 feet. This is considered a very challenging hike so be in good shape before embarking on this one.
• Volcan de Agua: Volcán de Agua is one of three volcanoes that surround Antigua Guatemala. It stands at 3,760 meters tall and offers stunning views of the city below, as well as nearby Lake Atitlán. While most people don’t attempt to climb all the way up (the hike is strenuous), it’s still worth visiting just for its beauty alone. Plus, if you take a shuttle or taxi up partway, it won’t be too difficult to reach some great vantage points without having to work too hard for them.

The guided tours linked above are the easiest way to complete these hikes, but you can always do these hikes on your own as well. Just be sure to do your research in advance.

8. Cerro de la Cruz

If you’re looking for even more active things to do in Antigua Guatemala, consider a hike up to Cerro de la Cruz.

It’s a short hike, about 15 minutes, but the view from the top of the hill is quite spectacular.

You’ll see all of Antigua below along with an unobstructed view of Volcan Agua in the background.

This is a great spot to get to in the morning as the sun is coming up, or in the early evening at golden hour. It won’t be too hot and the lighting will be perfect for photos. 

9. Walk Around and Explore

Like most places, part of the fun of visiting Antigua is just exploring on foot and seeing where the day leads you. Make your own free walking tour and explore the city.

If you prefer, you can also take a guided walking tour where you’ll learn about the history of the city as you see Antigua’s main attractions such as the Santa Catalina Arch, San Francisco Church, and Santa Clara Convent.

If you can handle it, I recommend waking up early at least one day during your stay.

If you can get out on the streets with your camera by 6:15 a.m. or so, you’ll get some amazing pictures of the city.

There are very few people out at this time, so you can get pictures of all the major sites without having crowds or cars in your shot. 

In addition to the pictures though, it’s the perfect way to get to know the city better.

It’s quiet and peaceful in the morning and you’ll pretty much have the place to yourself, though not for long. 

After your walking tour I recommend heading over to Antigua Brewing Company. They serve local and foreign craft beers and have very good food.

Another option is Cerveceria 14 which also has great beer and live music on some nights.

10. Try the best restaurants in Antigua

One of my own favorite things to do in Antigua Guatemala was trying all the delicious food.

If you’d like to sample some of the city’s best food and meet other travelers, I highly recommend joining the Antigua Foodie Tour. Food tours are always a fun way to meet new people and get to know a new city.

The Guatemalan Cooking Classes are also very popular. With a cooking class you’ll get to learn to make local dishes and then enjoy authentic Guatemalan cooking.

Cafe Condesa
If you want to get a taste of classic Guatemalan dishes served with traditional ingredients and spices, then Cafe Condesa, also known as La Casa Del Conde, is your spot. This family-run restaurant has been around since 1941 and serves traditional dishes like rellenitos (fried plantains stuffed with beans) and jocón (a spicy sauce made with chicken or beef). They also offer various types of seafood dishes as well as international options such as pizza, burgers, and more.

Café Sky Bar
Café Sky Bar is one of Antigua’s most popular restaurants. Located on top of a hill overlooking the city, this modern establishment offers not only stunning views but also delicious food. The menu consists mainly of international dishes such as pastas, sandwiches, salads, plus a variety of local specialties like chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers), tamales de pollo (chicken tamales), enchiladas guatemaltecas (Guatemalan enchiladas), and more.

El Portal Restaurant & Café
El Portal Restaurant & Café, is located in an old colonial house built in 1730. It features several dining rooms decorated with antiques and art pieces from all over Latin America. The menu consists mainly of regional cuisine including fish tacos, quesadillas filled with cheese or vegetables, chili con carne (beef chili), plus vegetarian options like vegetable lasagna and mushroom risotto. They also have an extensive collection of tequila and wines from different parts of Mexico and Central America.

Caoba Farms

This is a very popular farm to table restaurant located just outside the city’s historic center. They also have a store where you can buy locally made bread, sauces, meats, cheeses, fresh produce and other items.

In addition to the restaurants above, be sure to leave room to try the local street food as you’re walking around. It’s incredibly affordable and a great way to try more local dishes.

11. Santa Clara Convent

One of the most popular attractions in Antigua is the Santa Clara Convent. The convent was founded in 1699 by a group of nuns from Spain.

Today, it is one of the most well-preserved buildings in Antigua Guatemala. Visitors can explore the convent’s beautiful grounds, which are filled with flowers and fountains, or take a tour of the building itself.

The convent is also home to a Museum of Religious Art, which houses an impressive collection of religious paintings and sculptures. Whether you’re interested in history or art, the Santa Clara Convent is definitely worth a visit.

12. Day Trip to Lake Atitlan

Looking for a fun day trip from Antigua Guatemala? Consider heading to Lake Atitlan.

Just a short journey from the city, Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful spots in Guatemala, with its three towering volcanoes and clear blue waters.

This stunning lake is surrounded by volcanoes and is a popular spot for activities like swimming, kayaking, and hiking. There are also several beautiful towns located around the lake, each with its own unique charm.

The Lake Atitlan day tour is a full day tour and includes pick up and drop off at your hotel in Antigua.

Where to stay in Antigua Guatemala

Whether you’re looking for a unique boutique hotel or a swanky luxury hotel, Antigua has something for everyone. Read on to find out about some of our favorite hotels and why they stand out from the rest.

Here is a short list of recommended accommodations in Antigua:

Budget

• Yellow House Hostel: If you’ve got a backpacker’s budget and want to be in the center of town, this is your spot. This hostel is locally owned and operated. They have 24-hour reception, comfortable sleeping areas, excellent service, and private rooms are available. 

Moderate

• Meson Panza Verde: This is an affordable luxury boutique hotel located a short walk for Arco de Santa Catalina. The rooms here are gorgeous and spacious. On-site they have one of the best restaurants in the city, and complimentary Guatemalan breakfast is served each morning. 
• Casa San Bartolo: If you want to be close to downtown without compromising quality, then Casa San Bartolo should be your top choice. This four-star hotel offers modern amenities such as air conditioning, free Wi-Fi access, and complimentary breakfast daily. It’s also within walking distance from many local attractions such as art galleries and shops, making it perfect for those seeking convenience as well as luxury.

Luxury

• Casa Santo Domingo: This luxurious 5-star hotel is located within the grounds of an old monastery, giving it an extra special feel. It offers all the amenities one could wish for—including world-class spa services, gourmet dining, and spacious rooms with stunning views of nearby volcanoes. The swimming pool is arguably the highlight of this hotel; it’s simply breathtaking!

As you can see, there are plenty of amazing hotels available in Antigua Guatemala so you should be able to find something within your budget.

Conclusion – Why Visit Antigua

Whether you want to explore ancient ruins or experience Guatemalan culture firsthand, Antigua Guatemala has something for everyone.

From hiking Volcán de Agua for breathtaking views or shopping at La Merced Market for unique souvenirs, this beautiful city is packed with interesting sights and activities that will make your visit memorable.

If you have time so see more of Guatemala and plan on visiting the Lake Atitlan area, read my Lake Atitlan travel guide to help you make the best use of your time. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this list of my Top 12 Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala and that you find it helpful in planning your trip. If you’ve enjoyed this post I’d love it if you shared it. It really helps me a lot. Thanks for reading.