The city of Antigua, located about 1,545 meters above sea level and surrounded by three volcanoes, is in my opinion the best place to immerse yourself in Guatemalan culture. Antigua was once the capital of Guatemala, but it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, after which the capital was moved to Guatemala City. The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, and rightfully so: with its beautifully preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture and colonial churches, it is definitely worth adding Antigua to your itinerary. Antigua-made coffee is considered among the best in the world, so make sure to visit some of the fantastic coffee spots in the city! If you’re into adventures, Antigua won’t disappoint you either – it’s the starting point for many exciting tours and hikes. In this article, you will find my best recommendations for what to do in Antigua.
Climb the Acatenango and the Pacaya volcanoes
There are loads of great outdoor activities around Antigua. The Pacaya and Acatenango hikes are among the most popular. While the hike to Pacaya is a 3 to 4-hour, easy-to-medium difficulty trek that you can do in a morning or afternoon, most people take two days to do the Acatenango (and optional Fuego) hike. Read my articles on Pacaya and Acatenango for more details about these tours.
Roadtrip to Atitlan
If you can’t fit a stay in lake atitlan for few days like in San Pedro or around, you can always do a day trip there. I’ve done it by renting a moto at motoHound, a great place to have either bog moto for long and adventurous days, or even scooters to stay in Antigua but go more freely from one place to another ( it hurts the back in antigua with the rocks).
MotoHound is a great place to book your own moto, to book in a group, and here’s also other company that propose various tours. You can even go to the beach !
Walk to the Cerro de la Cruz
A 15-minute steep hike up the hill (“Cerro”) will reward you with a breathtaking view of the center of Antigua. The starting point with the stairs to go up is close to the city center (30 minutes on foot from the Central Square), but you can also hire a tuk-tuk to take you there.
Visit Antigua’s Churches and Museums
Antigua has over 30 churches and several museums worth visiting. The Church of La Merced, with its vibrant yellow façade, is definitely worth a visit. You can also go up to the roof of the church to enjoy the views. The church has remained largely intact after the 1773 earthquake that devastated Antigua and destroyed many other religious buildings in the city. The Catedral San José, founded by the Franciscan order in 1541, is also worth a visit. Be sure to also visit the ruins behind the cathedral. If you have more time, the Museo de Arte Colonial, Museo del Libro Antiguo, and Casa del Jade are also interesting places to visit to learn more about Guatemalan history and culture.
Explore the Caoba Farm & San Juan del Obispo
If you have more time to spend, I recommend leaving the city center to visit Caoba Farm, located on the outskirts of Antigua. This organic farm has a Farm-to-Table restaurant that serves outstanding, fresh meals and hosts Farmers' Markets every Saturday and Sunday. In the village of San Juan del Obispo (15 minutes outside of Antigua), you can visit Chocolate Antigua, a small museum and shop where they explain and demonstrate the traditional chocolate production process. Museo San Juan del Obispo showcases religious art and historical artifacts significant to the region’s cultural heritage.
Learn Spanish
If you're looking to learn Spanish or brush up on your skills, Antigua is the perfect place for you. Many students come here to attend one of the many Spanish schools. The Antiguena Spanish Academy offers very affordable 1-on-1 or small group classes held in a beautiful garden. Tip: stay with a local Guatemalan family through a homestay for true immersion (you can book this through the school).
Tips for cafés and restaurants
Ojala Café
A café in the Ojala hotel with a peaceful garden and beautiful decoration.
Siena Luz Café & Bookstore
Delicious coffees and breakfasts, with a lovely patio.
Fernando's Kaffee
A place with produce on place chocolate and coffee, with beautiful patio where local come to work their textile.
Hector's Bistro
A great place for Western-style dinner and breakfast. It has various seating areas (patio, rooftop, library, café).
Aqua
The most charming rooftop bar in Antigua with excellent cocktails (though a bit on the pricier side). They also have a swimming pool available for 150 quetzales per day.
El Bowl
Create your own healthy bowl here for a decent price
Where to stay
- Adra Hostel: A boutique hostel close to Antigua’s central park that offers private rooms and dormitories. It has a restaurant, bar, and a rooftop with great views. Adra also offers yoga classes.
- Hostal Antigüeño: Affordable private rooms and dormitories in a traditional style. Their garden is a great place to relax.
- Ojala: A beautiful hotel with various gardens, a rooftop, and stylish decoration.
- Cacao Boutique Hotel: A calm and luxurious hotel with beautiful rooms on the higher price end.
