Guatemala

13 Perfect Things to Do in Antigua, Guatemala

Last Updated on 15/05/2024 by kami

Antigua is one of the most popular places to visit in Guatemala and most likely your first stop in this beautiful country (at least it was for me). The city is a real gem, with beautiful colonial architecture, impressive ruins, colorful streets, and a vibrant atmosphere. I loved all the great things to do in Antigua Guatemala, and I believe this is a must-stop in every Central America itinerary.

things to do in antigua guatemala

Antigua was founded in 1543 as the capital of the Spanish conquistadors in Central America. The town was thriving until, in 1773, Antigua was hit by two massive earthquakes that destroyed a big part of the town, including some of the best Antigua landmarks.

After this tragic event, the capital was moved to a new, safer place, and Antigua became a provincial town that eventually became one of the biggest tourist attractions in Guatemala. In 1979, Antigua Guatemala was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With this prestigious title, it got an even bigger boost in tourism. The town is also a popular destination for learning Spanish in Central America.

things to do in antigua guatemala

If you plan to visit Antigua Guatemala, I put together this guide with all the best things to do in Antigua to help you prepare for your stay there. Read on and have a wonderful time visiting Antigua.

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Things to do in Antigua Guatemala

So, without further ado, here are the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala.

Take a picture with Santa Catalina Arch

Santa Catalina Arch is one of the most popular landmarks in Antigua (or even Guatemala), and you can see it in the majority of pictures from the country. Dating back to the late 17th century, the structure was built to connect the Santa Catalina convent with a school so nuns could quickly move between the two places and follow their vows of seclusion.

Unlike many valuable buildings in the town, Santa Catalina Arch survived the devastating 1773 earthquake and today is one of the most iconic (and Instagrammable) spots in Antigua. The French-style clock was added to the structure in the early 19th century.

things to do in antigua guatemala

While the Santa Catalina Arch itself is an interesting place, its surrounding is very picturesque, too. The structure towers above one of many cobbled streets of Antigua (5a Avenida Norte), with colorful colonial houses along the way. There are also the Santa Catalina convent ruins, where you can peek through the gate to see what’s left of the place. What makes this spot so popular is the majestic Volcán de Agua you can see in the background (if you are lucky and the weather is clear).

This perfect surrounding makes for a popular Instagram spot. When I was wandering around at 6 in the morning (thank you, jetlag), people were already waiting in line to take a perfect picture; in the afternoon, it was even worse with crowds surrounding the place. Still, it is a magnificent structure, and this is where you should start your Antigua sightseeing.

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

Watch the life go by at Plaza Mayor

The heart of Antigua and its central place is Plaza Mayor, the town’s main square. It is a pleasant area with the park right in the middle where in the morning you can relax a bit, and later in the day, once the people go outside, you can enjoy some people-watching. Right in the middle, you can admire the beautiful Fountain of the Sires, originally from 1738, inspired by the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna, Italy.

The square is bustling with life until late night hours, with locals and tourists mingling, street artists performing, and vendors trying to sell their products. If you want to grab something to eat or drink, you will find a few cafes around, too.

Plaza Mayor is surrounded by some of the most important, beautiful colonial buildings in Antigua: the Cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace, and Palace of the Captain-Generals. The last one is especially picturesque, with numerous arches lining the facade of the building. Inside, you will find The National Museum of Art of Guatemala (MUNAG) and The Museo de Santiago de los Caballeros.

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

Wander around the Old Town

The Old Town in Antigua is a structured street layout that runs parallel and perpendicular to each other, with Plaza Mayor right in the center of the maze. Wandering around is one of the best things to do in Antigua, as the streets are all cobbled, lined with colorful colonial houses and historical sites, and simply the prettiest.

You don’t need a map as it’s easy to get a sense of direction (and in case you get lost, look for the volcano in the background to be your guide). I enjoyed all the strolls around so much as they gave me a real taste of the laid-back vibe of Antigua and helped me fall for the town even more.

To get to know the area even better, you can join one of the guided tours, where the guide will tell you about this fascinating place and its long and interesting history. Here are some of the best guided tours in Antigua:

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

See ruins of old churches

For centuries, Antigua was thriving, being one of the grand colonial capitals in the region. The city’s golden age lasted until 1773 when a devastating earthquake hit the place. Even if Antigua was rebuilt, there are still numerous churches from the old times, now in ruins, that are the great testimony of the grand past.

You will most likely stumble across them when wandering around the Old Town. They are usually closed to enter, but even if you can see only a facade, it is still a great look into the history and culture of Antigua.

Some of the ruined churches you can see are:

  • Colegio Compañía de Jesús located at the corner of Poniente and 6a Avenida Norte
  • Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de El Carmen at 3a Avenida Norte between 2a and 3a Calle Oriente
  • Ruinas de la Iglesia de la Candelaria – outside of the Old Town, on the way to the viewpoint Cerro de la Cruz
  • Church of Santa Rosa at the end of 1a Calle Oriente
  • Convento Capuchinas at 2a Avenida Norte
  • Convento la Recoleccion at the end of 1a Calle Poniente

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

One of the few sacral buildings that survived the earthquake is Iglesia de la Merced, built only a few years before this tragic event in 1767. Located not far from the Santa Catalina Arch, this beautiful church, with its distinctive yellow facade, still impresses today with stunning architecture and design.

The church is considered to be the best example of Spanish Baroque architecture in Antigua. For a small fee, you can visit the ruins of the enjoined monastery with the largest fountain in Central America.

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

Visit the ruined Cathedral

The most amazing testimony of the former glory of Antigua that impresses still today is the Cathedral that was the victim of the tragic earthquake, too. It was built in 1680 and was, in fact, the second church located in this place (the first one dated back to the first half of the 16th century).

Today, the beautiful facade facing Plaza Mayor is restored. Part of the church still operates, but in the back, you can explore the ruins of this grand structure and still see numerous rich decorations that were part of the Cathedral. It is easy to imagine how, back in the times, it was the largest church in Central America.

You can enter the site for a fee, and I definitely recommend doing it so you can take a closer look at all the remnants and feel the grandness of the place.

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

Visit Convento Santa Clara

Santa Clara Convent is one of the largest ruins to visit in Antugua (you must pay a fee to enter the site, but it’s worth it). The convent and the church were founded in 1699 by nuns from Mexico. It was a popular and reputable place among young women who wanted to devote their lives to serving others.

Like many buildings in Antigua, this one was also destroyed by the 18th-century earthquake (at least the beautiful facade survived mostly intact). Still, in recent years, the site has been going through a renovation that brings it to its former glory.

The place is well-kept, with a beautiful garden and interesting ruins you can explore. From the upper part of the buildings, you can admire a beautiful view of the ruins and lush vegetation in the background. This is definitely one of the must-visit places in Antigua.

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

Relax in Convento de San Francisco

This was probably my favorite place to visit in Antigua, even if it’s also one of the popular attractions in Antigua. Yet another ruined monastery, Convento de San Francisco, was built in the early 18th century. After a few earthquakes in the region (including the most tragic one), it was slowly being rebuilt, although parts of the sire are still in ruins.

While most tourists visit the place to commemorate Hermano Pedro de San José Betancurt, a 17th-century monk who is the first saint from Guatemala and who rests here, I found the convent a truly relaxing oasis in the heart of the bustling town. It was eerily calm, green, and quiet; I spent way too much time there simply soaking up the atmosphere.

The ruins are pretty impressive, too, worth exploring. There is also a small museum dedicated to the saint.

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

Hike to the best viewpoint of Antigua

A short walk from the Old Town, you will find Cerro de la Cruz (“Hill of the Cross”) – the best viewpoint in Antigua. The last part of the hike is a bit challenging (for me, it was extra hard because of the jetlag), but the view from the top is really rewarding. You can see the whole town right below you and the majestic Volcán de Agua towering above the area.

It’s best to go there during the daytime as there was news of robberies taking place on the way up to the viewpoint (however, police monitor the area). When I visited Cerro de la Cruz, it was busy with people, and I felt safe all the time. And the panorama of Antigua and beyond really was amazing.

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

Visit museums

While most of Antigua attractions are outdoors, there are a few interesting museums you can visit during your stay in the town. Some of the good ones are Museo del Libro Antiguo (showcasing some incredible old books, including the first edition of Don Quixote, from 1620), Museo de Arte Colonial, Museo de Santiago de los Caballeros (with a great collection of weapons, this is an excellent place to learn about the history of Guatemala), MUNAG – Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala, or ChocoMuseo Antigua (where you can learn more about chocolate and try to make it yourself).

things to do in antigua guatemala

Learn Spanish

Antigua is the most popular place in Guatemala to learn Spanish. There are numerous schools you can choose from and different programs where you can select the intensity of lessons and private versus group lessons. You can also look for a place to stay with the local family to help you immerse in the language even more. It’s worth researching before choosing the right school as the prices and standards might vary.

things to do in antigua guatemala

Go souvenir shopping

Since Antigua is such a popular destination, you can expect plenty of places for souvenir shopping. Besides the standard items, you can also get local pottery, jade jewelry, handbags, or textiles. Many of those things are produced locally by indigenous artisans. Guatemalan coffee and cocoa are also great souvenirs to take back home (that’s what I got).

You can find numerous souvenir shops when wandering around the Old Town, especially at and near Plaza Mayor; there is also a local market with an artisan section at the end of 3a Calle Poniente.

things to do in antigua guatemala

Enjoy the food scene

Since Antigua is a popular place among tourists, there are numerous good restaurants, bars, and cafes that, besides fine food and drinks, offer beautiful decor too. Even a simple Starbucks is pretty in Antigua. I simply googled what I was in the mood for, chose restaurants and cafes based on reviews, and was not disappointed.

One of the places I enjoyed most was a small courtyard between 2a and 3a Avenida Norte (entrance is at Poniente), where there are a few small restaurants to choose from, including a good vegetarian one – La Bruja (that’s where I ate). But with so many good places around, you will surely find something for yourself.

Eating out in Antigua can be an excellent introduction to the Central American cuisine. There are also some highly-rated food tours you can join to get a better taste and understanding of the local cuisine. Here are the best ones:

things to do in antigua guatemala

Day trips

While Antigua is a great destination itself, it can also serve as a base for some day trips around. I visited Lake Atitlan from Antigua and loved this place; I can definitely recommend it.

Other popular day trips from Antigua include:

  • hiking Volcan Pacaya (probably the most popular day trip, recommended with a guide)
  • Chichicastenango – probably the most popular market destination in Guatemala
  • Hobbitenango – a Lord of the Rings-themed park
  • Jocotenango – just outside of Antigua, a quiet town with a beautiful church, street art, and an old coffee farm
  • Iximche Ruins, the first capital of Guatemala, founded in 1470
  • Mixco Vieho – the well-preserved Mayan ruins

If you would like to go on a tour to one of those places, here are the best options:

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

Final thoughts on visiting Antigua Guatemala

As you can see, there are so many great attractions in Antigua Guatemala, and visiting the town is a must when exploring Central America. True, it might be a tourist destination and one of the most popular places to visit in Guatemala, but you can also easily get a glimpse into the local life and culture.

I loved my time in Antigua, Guatemala; it was a perfect introduction to Central America, and I can’t recommend visiting this wonderful place enough.

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

things to do in antigua guatemala

Further reading

I published more articles about Central America that you might find useful when planning your trip there. You can find them here:

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations).


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things to do in antigua guatemala


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4 Comments

  • Reply
    Isabel
    17/10/2023 at 16:34

    HI Kim, nice blog and information. I love Antigua .. planning to be there soon after many years.
    How do I receive you wanderlust blog ? Is it different from your newsletter or Bloglovin ?
    Thank you for sharing. Safe travels!

    • Reply
      kami
      23/10/2023 at 14:51

      Thank you for your comment Isabel. The easiest way to follow the articles is probably via my Facebook page where I share new content (as well as other updates from my travels). Here’s the link, if you are interested: https://www.facebook.com/KamiAndTheRestOfTheWorld
      Have a wonderful trip to Antigua!

  • Reply
    Rutto
    19/02/2024 at 14:16

    Thank you so much for telling your experiences. I am going there in a few days. It’s preciously helpful.

    • Reply
      kami
      25/02/2024 at 16:13

      I’m glad to hear that. Enjoy Antigua, this is such a wonderful place!

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