The 23 Best Things to Do in Antigua, Guatemala

Last updated on December 17th, 2025

We’re sharing the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala, plus tons of tips to help you plan your trip!

Nestled in Guatemala’s Central Highlands lies what many say is the country’s most beautiful city, Antigua. With views of multiple volcanoes, including one towering right over town, plus cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and interesting ruins, it’s a city loaded with character, beautiful scenery, and history around every corner. Oh, and lots of delicious food to be eaten!

We very quickly fell in love with this city, so much so that it’s easily our favorite we have been to in Latin America (so far!). And if you want to experience it for yourself, we’re sharing 23 of the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala, as well as important planning logistics, our top tips, and more!

23 Best Things to Do in Antigua, Guatemala

1. Visit one of the city’s amazing cafes

2. Enjoy a traditional Guatemalan breakfast

3. Go on a walking tour

One of the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala is to go on a walking tour! Not only will you get to see a lot of the city this way, but you’ll be with a local guide who can share tons of knowledge with you.

There are many free walking tours in the city to check out, which will take you to some of the top sights. Just keep in mind that these are tip based, so it’s not totally free. But if you’d rather explore on your own, we’re sharing some of our favorite stops below!

4. See the Arco de Santa Catalina

A can’t miss spot in Antigua is Arco de Santa Catalina. This yellow arch was originally built in 1694, with the purpose of helping nuns walk from the Convento Santa Catalina to a school across the street, without walking in the road.

Today, it is now one of the most iconic structures in the city, not only because of its beauty, but because from one side it perfectly frames Volcán de Agua, a volcano that towers over town. 

Even at 6:30 AM, this spot was busy with photographers, all wanting to capture the perfect shot. So if you want to snap a photo here, arrive early and be prepared to be patient!

5. Wander around Parque Central 

Parque Central is the heart of the city, and easily one of the top things to do in Antigua, Guatemala! This park is surrounded by ornate buildings, like Catedral San José, Real Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, and Palacio del Ayuntamiento. While the inside of the park has tons of trees (including some with purple flowers!), 

We loved coming here at all times of the day and watching the energy and vibe change. The mornings are quiet, with mostly locals and a few dogs. While the afternoons and early evenings are lively and full of street vendors, like ice cream stands in the shape of mini chicken buses. 

8. Tour Convento Santa Clara (or other ruins!)

Alright, quick history lesson on Antigua. The city was founded in the early 16th century and was the third capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala. This was an area ruled by the Spanish that encompassed present day Guatemala, plus Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Mexican state of Chiapas.

However, the city has been impacted by many earthquakes over the years, including in 1773, where much of the city was destroyed. This prompted the capital to be moved to Guatemala City.

Today, some of the original Spanish colonial buildings have been restored, while only the ruins of others remain. As you walk around town, you’ll stumble upon many ruins, many of which you can tour. And our personal favorite was Convento Santa Clara (Q40/~$5.18 USD per person).

Convento Santa Clara was founded by three nuns from Mexico and was used as a religious retreat, with bedroom cells, a kitchen, workrooms, and an infirmary. And while it was designed to try to withstand an earthquake, it did succumb to multiple earthquakes in the 1700s. 

As you walk around today you can see archways and courtyards with a mix of its original stonework and facade, plus beautiful gardens, fountains, and a cathedral. It’s absolutely stunning! So much so that people host events here often. It looked like they were setting up for a wedding the day we visited and we kept saying “can we get re-married here?”

Regardless of which ruins you choose, visiting one is must when in Antigua. We love that the city has kept this part of its history alive!

7. Visit Tanque La Unión

Another interesting place to visit in Antigua is Tanque La Unión. This yellow, arched structure was built in 1853, after the major earthquake. And underneath the arches there are 22 washing tanks that were used by locals to do laundry and socialize. All with volcano views! Not a bad spot to do laundry, we must say!

8. Check out the city’s museums

To experience more of the city’s culture, head to one of its museums! Our top two picks are MUNAG – Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala and Museo Casa Del Tejido Antiguo. MUNAG is a FREE museum that showcases a blend of historic and modern Guatemalan art, plus has a beautiful courtyard and views of Volcán de Agua.

Museo Casa Del Tejido Antiguo is located a bit out of town, but a quick Uber ride. Here you’ll get to see textiles from different communities across Guatemala. And you can even do a weaving class or bracelet making class!

9. Try traditional Guatemalan stews

Guatemala is known for its stews, so you must try a couple while in Antigua!

There are quite a few to try, but one of the most famous is Pepián de Pollo. In fact, it’s said to be the national dish of Guatemala! This is a chicken stew made with tomatoes, roasted seeds, and peppers. It has such a deep, rich flavor that is unlike any stew we have ever tried!

Another Guatemalan stew we loved was Jocón con Pollo, which is made with a tomatillo based broth. It is fresh tasting, with a little bit of tang and spice. 

To try both of these stews (plus other Guatemalan dishes), we recommend going to La Casa de Las Sopas or La Cuevita de Los Urquizú.

10. Eat at one of the city’s local restaurants

11. Visit Caoba Farms

Hands down one of the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala is visit Caoba Farms Restaurant. This organic farm used to be a coffee and rose farm and today houses a variety of fun things to see, including a nursery, butterfly exhibit, murals, a market with produce and local items, the farm itself, and a restaurant!

While you could just go and walk around (all for free!), we highly recommend eating at their restaurant. The menu focuses on farm to table and highlights many of the items grown right on the property. We loved their colorful salad, loaded with fresh veggies, plus their veggie pizza, which is cooked in a wood fired oven. They have a couple different seating areas, including a greenhouse-like atmosphere and hidden little nooks filled with plants. It’s magical! And we even made a fun little cat friend who joined us for lunch.

While it is located outside of the main part of town, it’s a short and easy walk. So don’t miss it!

12. Enjoy amazing ice cream at Glacy Cream

Whatever you do, do not leave Antigua without getting ice cream at Glacy Cream. This local spot has a mix of traditional and more unique flavors, all of which are creamy and delicious. But the best part is the (optional, but highly encouraged) torched marshmallow topping. It takes the ice cream to the next level!

This is one of the most delicious things to do in Antigua, Guatemala and makes for the perfect post-Acatenango treat! Or just a little snack while walking around town. We regret not going back multiple times. 😭

13. See the city from Cerro de la Cruz

Want to see the city from above? One of the most scenic things to do in Antigua, Guatemala is to hike up to Cerro de la Cruz! This free overlook has head on views of the city and Volcán de Agua. It’s a short, but steep walk (this is the starting point) to the top, but you could also take a vehicle all the way.

We had read that in the past the hike up here wasn’t very safe, but it has gotten much safer in recent years. Some people reported a heavy police presence, but we personally didn’t see any. Regardless, we felt perfectly safe! Just make sure to go during the daylight (it’s technically only open from 7 AM-6 PM anyways).

14. Take a cooking class

The only thing better than trying local dishes in Antigua is learning how to make them yourself during a cooking class! And one of the best places to take a cooking class in Antigua is La Tortilla Cooking School. You will make 5 different Guatemalan dishes, plus a drink, all while learning about the cuisine. 

15. Shop at the city’s markets

One of our favorite things to do when traveling internationally is to check out the markets. Not only are they a great way to see more of the local life, but they are lively, colorful, and often have some fun food items to try and souvenirs to buy. In Antigua we suggest going to Mercado Central Antigua Guatemala, which has tons of produce, food, and snacks. As well as the Artisan Market, which has a variety of handicrafts and clothing items.

16. Check out the vendors at Iglesia de la Merced

Not only is Iglesia de la Merced a beautiful building to see while in Guatemala, but it’s also home to tons of street food. Here you can get tostadas, grilled meats, snacks, and a tasty Guatemalan drink called Atole de Elote. This is a hot drink made with sweet corn and flavored with vanilla or cinnamon. It tastes a lot like creamed corn (a Texas BBQ staple)!

The outdoor market here is definitely more lively on the weekends, but you can find vendors any day of the week!

18. Hang out at Antigua Cerveza

As non-drinkers, one of our favorite things to do in Antigua, Guatemala may surprise you…Antigua Cerveza El Bosque!

This is a brewery tucked into a lush park, with string lights, fire pits, and tons of areas to hang out. And while many may come for their beer, they have a lot more to offer! You can get food from various vendors (the pizza and tacos were delicious!), listen to live music on certain days of the week, and play lawn games. And for the non-drinkers, they have some insanely good jugos naturales. We recommend the Jamaica and the Mangorola!

It’s such a fun vibe and unlike anywhere we have been in our travels. We loved it so much we went multiple times!

19. Hike up Acatenango Volcano

20. Visit Pacaya Volcano

If Acatenango seems a bit too daunting of a hike, but you still want to experience an active volcano in Guatemala (there are three total!), head to Pacaya Volcano! 

This is a much easier and shorter hike (although still at a higher altitude) and while you will not see any eruptions, you will have amazing views, plus be able to walk on dried lava fields and feel the heat of the volcano. So hot that you can actually toast marshmallows!

Pacaya is also a good alternative if you do not have two days to dedicate to Acatenango, as these tours are only 6 hours long. Leaving you more time to explore more of the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala!

21. Learn how to make chocolate

Chocolate has long been an important item in Guatemala, dating back to ancient Mayan times, who thought cacao was the food of the Gods. And if you’re a chocolate lover like us, one of the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala is to attend a chocolate making class!

ChocoMuseo, Maya Cacao Chocolatería, and Ek Chuah all offer chocolate making workshops in Antigua. During these classes you’ll learn about the history of cacao and witness the entire chocolate making process, from bean to bar. Plus you’ll leave with your own chocolate souvenir!

While we did not do this in Antigua, we did go to a local woman’s house in Semuc Champey to make our own chocolate and it was a very neat experience!

22. Study Spanish

Guatemala is a very popular destination for Spanish Immersion Schools. While many do these in Lake Atitlán, you can also do them in Antigua, like at Antiguena Spanish Academy! 

During these Spanish Immersion Schools, you can take multi-hour Spanish lessons daily for as little as one week (we suggest 2+ weeks!). And while you can just do classes, you also have the option to stay at a homestay with a local family, where you’ll get to practice all of the Spanish you’re learning, plus have a truly local experience.

Doing a Spanish Immersion School is SO high up on our bucket list, as we hope to become fluent in Spanish one day. Everyone we know who has done one in Guatemala has only had wonderful things to say about the experience!

23. Visit a coffee farm

Last, but certainly not least, one of the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala is to visit a coffee farm. I guess it’s only fitting we started and ended this list with coffee!

After drinking delicious coffee at Antigua’s cafes, why not go get a closer look at how it’s made? On this coffee tour you’ll be taken to a more rural region outside of Antigua, where you’ll learn the step by step process for turning coffee cherries into a rich cup of joe. Including seeing them grind the coffee the traditional way, with a metate. And of course, you’ll get to enjoy a fresh coffee at the end!

Planning your time in Antigua, Guatemala

How to get to Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua is located in Guatemala’s Highlands, about 38 km (23 miles) from Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport. And despite not being far away, the drive can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

From the airport, you could take an Uber to Antigua, which is the most expensive option. Or a chicken bus (a local bus), the cheapest option, but they can be a bit less safe and you’ll want to have decent Spanish skills.

We personally suggest taking a shared shuttle from the airport to Antigua. When you’re about to leave the airport, you’ll see some different stands, one of which is for a shuttle to Antigua or Lake Atitlán. For $20 USD each (they took US currency), we got a shared ride to Antigua. It was super easy and smooth!

Arriving from another area of Guatemala? Antigua is about 79 km (49 miles) from Panajachel on Lake Atitlán (about a 2-3 hour drive), and further from other destinations on the lake. When getting between Lake Atitlán and Antigua, we booked shuttles through Due South Travels. But you can also book shuttles through lodging and tour providers at the lake itself. 

Getting around Antigua, Guatemala

One of the things we loved about Antigua is that it is super walkable! We walked everywhere during our time in the city, including to a very nice supermarket to grab groceries for Lake Atitlán.

But if you don’t feel like walking, you can take a tuk tuk around town (make sure to agree to a price beforehand) or Uber.

When to visit Antigua, Guatemala

Guatemala has two seasons: the rainy season (May-October) and the dry season (November-April). During the rainy season, it may just rain in the afternoon, or in the summer months it can rain quite a bit more. Especially if there are any hurricanes or storms that bring extra rain to the area.

While Antigua would be fun to explore rain or shine, for some of the top things to do in Antigua, like Acatenango, you will want good weather. So if hiking Acatenango is top priority, we’d suggest visiting during the drier months. 

We specifically visited Antigua in mid March and while we did not experience any rain, there was one occurrence that happened daily we didn’t expect: haze. Everyday, shortly after sunrise, the skies got very hazy. So visibility wasn’t the best at times, but it was still beautiful! 

I think in the future, we’d like to visit at the beginning of the dry season, when the scenery is greener and the skies are likely clearer.

How many days do you need in Antigua, Guatemala?

Where to stay in Antigua, Guatemala

Tips for visiting Antigua, Guatemala

Is Antigua, Guatemala safe?

We felt 100% safe when exploring Antigua! While bad things can happen anywhere and it’s good to always be alert, we never once felt uneasy in the city. And that includes walking around both during the day and at night, often with our cameras clipped onto our chest (we typically put the cameras in our bags at night to be safe).

Language barrier in Antigua

Guatemala is a Spanish speaking country and the amount of English spoken will heavily vary depending on the destination. But since Antigua is such a tourist destination, you will hear quite a bit of English here. The main employee at the hostel we stayed at spoke English and we encountered a good amount of English at the more tourist focused restaurants.

But when traveling abroad we always suggest learning some basic phrases in the country’s language. Not only is it helpful, but we think it is a nice way to connect more with locals.

What to pack for Antigua, Guatemala

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