Antigua is a unique destination that offers a great diversity of attractions ranging from its colonial architecture and historic landmarks that have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site to breathtaking hikes through the volcano-surrounded valley in which it is found.
Founded in 1542, Antigua is one of the oldest cities in Guatemala, even serving as the country’s first capital until a catastrophic earthquake devastated the community in 1773. In the three centuries since, Antigua has rebuilt itself bigger and more beautiful than ever and has become one of the most inviting tourist destinations in Central America today.
From delving into the city’s historical ruins to shopping its modern markets or even hiking up the area’s active volcano peaks, these are the 15 best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala.
A Quick Look at the 15 Fun Things to Do in Antigua, Guatemala
- Hike Up to Cerro de la Cruz
- Take a Picture at the Santa Catalina Arch
- Hang Out in Central Park
- Tour a Coffee Farm
- Marvel at the Iglesia de la Merced
- Walk Over to the San Francisco Church
- Go on a 2-Day Acatenango Volcano Hike
- Enjoy a Morning Trek Up Pacaya Volcano
- Take a Cooking Class
- Tour a Chocolate Museum
- Visit the Santa Clara Convent
- Learn Some Spanish
- Shop At Nim Pot Market
- Have Drinks at a Rooftop Bar
15 Things to Do in Antigua, Guatemala
1. Hike Up to Cerro de la Cruz
When visiting Antigua, you are going to want to take in the impressive mount-encompassed city from the best vantage point. And there is no better spot to take that picture-perfect photo than at Cerro de la Cruz.
The cross itself can be seen from several spots throughout the city. But it is a whole different experience to hike up to it. The trek takes about 25 minutes to make from the city centre and is fairly easy, with a flight of stairs leading up to the cliff side.
2. Take a Picture at the Santa Catalina Arch
Like Cerro de la Cruz, no visit to Antigua is complete without first taking a photo at the iconic yellow Santa Catalina Arch.
Initially built to connect two convents so that the nuns didn’t have to pass through the street below, the El Arco de Santa Catalina has become a symbol of the city and is located just steps from Central Park.
The arch is typically very busy throughout the day, but tourist crowds tend to disperse a little if you visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon.
3. Hang Out in Central Park
Also known as Parque Central or Plaza Mayor, Central Park is the commercial and tourist heart of Antigua and is home to a beautiful fountain known as the Fountain of the Sirens and several of the city’s top sightseeing hotspots, including the Santa Catalina Arch and the Catedral San Jose.
Additionally, the park is lined by several cafes, restaurants, and shops, making it perfect for grabbing a coffee, ice cream, or snack as you sit down on one of the park’s benches and enjoy the world’s oldest pastime — people-watching.
While watching the local people go about their day offers a great time, Central Park comes to life in the evening, when it is converted into a mini market of local street vendors peddling everything from used books and handicrafts to local foods and desserts.
4. Tour a Coffee Farm
Coffee is huge in Guatemala, especially in Antigua, where the constant activity of its surrounding mountains has left the soil rich with minerals perfect for the coffee-growing industry.
As such, there are several plantations lining the countryside, many of which welcome visitors to explore their facilities and take a peek behind the curtain as to the plating, growing, and harvesting processes of the coffee bean.
Perfect for coffee enthusiasts and inquisitive tourists alike, coffee tours can be booked through numerous tour operators in Antigua, but I personally suggest this ATV coffee tour for a blend of thrilling adventure as you explore the local coffee industry.
5. Marvel at the Iglesia de la Merced
Despite being destroyed and rebuilt twice, the Iglesia la Merced was first built in 1548, making it one of the oldest churches in Guatemala and placing it at the top of the several beautiful churches you have to visit in Antigua.
The church that currently occupies the site was completed in 1767 and boasted a baroque-style yellow exterior with a structural design intended to withstand the region’s earthquakes, the evidence of which can be seen in the ruins of the convent that sits adjacent to the church itself.
Along with boasting a picturesque exterior, visitors are encouraged to enter the church to admire the intricate details of its indoor space. Meanwhile, the park across the street is a great spot to hang out and often features local vendors and street food.
6. Walk Over to the San Francisco Church
Speaking of beautiful churches in Antigua, the San Francisco Church was not as well prepared to handle the local earthquakes as Iglesia de la Merced. Fortunately, the result is one of Antigua’s most alluring sets of ruins, with restorations at the point of allowing visitors to enter its monumental cathedral.
What makes this set of ruins even more exciting is that inside, visitors will find a small market, museum, and more, all of which can be explored with absolutely no admission fee.
7. Go on a 2-Day Acatenango Volcano Hike.
While this adventure is a little more physically demanding than other attractions featured on this list, hiking up Volcano Acatenago is an absolute must-experience activity when visiting Antigua.
The volcano is one of the most prominent landmarks standing out along Antigua’s picturesque landscape, towering at about 4000 metres tall. The hike takes about six to eight hours to reach the summit and approximately three hours to descend back down.
While the hike can be done in a single day trip, doing the overnight hike is definitely the better option, allowing trekkers to camp along its rugged mountain sides while admiring the frequent eruptions of Volcan de Fuego, which is less than 2 km away.
Between the intrepid hiking route, the breathtaking panoramic views, and the unique opportunity to observe an active volcanic eruption, the Acatengango is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is not to be missed when in Antigua.
8. Enjoy a Morning Trek Up Pacaya Volcano
With an elevation of just over 2,500 metres, Volcan Pacaya is the perfect alternative for less experienced hikers or visitors who don’t have the time to hike Volcano Acatenango but still want to experience one of Antigua’s picturesque volcanic hikes.
While not quite as rewarding as Acatenango, Pacaya is still a beautiful trek and is a relatively easy hike that only takes about an hour and a half to reach the summit.
Pacaya Volcano is particularly cool as it goes through activity periods. While hikers are not permitted during times of activity, these periods have resulted in the production of picturesque lava fields.
What’s even cooler is that when hikers are permitted, these fields are still being warmed by the lava beneath the earth’s surface, allowing visitors to roast their marshmallows using geothermal heating.
9. Take a Cooking Class
Taking a cooking class is a great way to immerse in a new local culture regardless of where in the world you are visiting. What’s even better is that you can take these new culinary talents and share the international flavours with your friends back home or revisit the destination through the culinary arts in years to come.
As the culinary capital of Guatemala, Antigua is the best place in the country to take a cooking class. Through these classes, visitors will explore local ingredients along with traditional preparation and techniques for cooking a variety of dishes, including the Guatemalan national dish — Pepian.
10. Tour a Chocolate Museum
Touring the local ChocoMuseo is one of the most unique and cultural things to do in Antigua.
Through the museum’s interactive exhibit, visitors explore not only the creation processes of turning cocoa beans into chocolate but also the cultural role the beans have played in Guatemala.
Native to the country, cacao was considered sacred amongst both the Mayan and Aztec people thanks to its healing properties and was even believed to have been given to them by the gods.
As such, chocolate making goes beyond producing a delicious dessert. Instead, it is an art that the Guatemalan people love to share with visitors, allowing tourists a hands-on experience at the Chocolate Museum.
11. Visit the Santa Clara Convent
After San Francisco Church, the Santa Clara Convent is perhaps the most alluring set of ruins in the city and definitely one of the top things to do in Antigua, Guatemala.
The initial structure was built over 16 years by five nuns starting in 1699. Unfortunately, it only stood for two years following its completion before ultimately being destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1717.
The nuns rebuilt the complex, only for it to again be demolished in 1773, at which point the convent abandoned the facility and relocated to Guatemala City.
While no longer in operation, the convent remains one of the most enigmatic attractions in the city and consists of a picturesque courtyard with rustic walls, an old fountain, and beautiful foliage.
12. Learn Some Spanish
Guatemala is famous for being one of the best places in the world for native English speakers to learn Spanish. This is because Guatemalans tend to speak slowly, and their native accent is considered one of the most neutral in the world.
This means that Spanish learned in Guatemala is the most adaptable when travelling to other Spanish-speaking countries, providing you with a valuable tool for future trips.
In fact, Antigua, in particular, is one of the best cities in the country to take Spanish classes and is considered one of the most prominent centres for language learning in the world.
What makes Antigua such a beneficial destination for taking Spanish lessons is that its affordable classes allow for 1-on-1 sessions, which you can then put into practice shopping along the city’s tourist-friendly shops and restaurants.
Whether planning an extended tour through Guatemala or visiting numerous Spanish-speaking countries in the future, taking Spanish classes provides a valuable tool and is one of the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala.
13. Shop At Nim Pot Market
Speaking of practicing your Spanish skills, there is no better place to do so than at the Nim Pot Market. Set just next to El Arco de Santa Catalina, this local market is just a short stroll from the central square and is a perfect place to stop for souvenirs.
At the market, visitors will find a wide variety of local vendors selling everything from wallets, t-shirts, and traditional outfits to coffee, cacao, ceramic, and postcards. What’s even better is that these are all often accompanied by low prices, providing you with lifelong mementos and reasonable deals.
14. Have Drinks at a Rooftop Bar
With so many things to do in Antigua, it is important to take some time to relax and simply take in the historical setting. And where better than from the comfort of a rooftop bar as you sip a local craft beer or specialty cocktail?
There are several rooftop bars throughout the city. Those looking for a nice cold beer can swing by the Antigua Brewing Company, while those who prefer the welcoming flavours of the cocktail are better suited for Cafe Sky.
Meanwhile, Rooftop Antigua is the perfect choice for visitors looking for a softer beverage, including some of the best coffee in the city. Los Tres Tiempos is another great rooftop bar with a mouthwatering food menu ideal for admiring the views over a nice meal.
15. Take a Free Walking Tour
The best way to make sure you get to all of the great attractions and things to do in Antigua is to take a free walking tour of the city.
Several walking tours can be found online. I personally use GPSMyCity.
Common sites that you will visit throughout these walking tours include;
- Central Park
- The Santa Catalina Arch
- Hotel Casa Santo Domingo
- The Central market
- San Francisco Church
- San Jose Cathedral
- Ruins of El Carmen
- La Merced Church
- Iglesia de la Merced
- ChocoMuseo
- Santa Clara Convent
However, there are several different tours you can take. And as a self-guided tour, you are welcome to add or omit any stops you may like.
