Unmissable Antigua, Top Things to Do in this Guatemalan Gem
Before going to Antigua, I had read a lot of posts saying “3-4 days” was plenty of time to spend in the city. Some even suggested 2 or 3 days was enough, but I had no problem filling 7 days in Antigua.
There are numerous sites and activities to enjoy in Antigua, half day or full day tours, and even overnight trips to take.
These are some of the top attractions and activities in Antigua that should be part of any trip to this colonial city.
Take a Free Walking Tour
I love taking a free walking tour in any new city to get a feel of the layout and get a glimpse of all the major points of interest to return to. My friend and I struck gold when we were 2 of 4 on our tour and had the most incredible guide who took us all over the city and gave us some amazing insights and recommendations.
We booked through GuruWalk and really lucked out with Victor Antonio who was a life long local filled with knowledge, recommendations and terrible but endearing jokes.
I cannot recommend this guide enough, but make sure you allot extra time because he likes to add several stops (we went over by an hour - but it was well worth it).
Convento Capuchinas
Popularly known as Convento Sor Juana de Maldonado, a seventeenth-century building, it is part of the Convent of the Clean and Immaculate Conception, an order to which Sor Juana de Maldonado y Paz, a poet and writer of the sixteenth century, belonged.
🗺️2a Avenida Norte y 2a Calle Oriente esquina. Antigua Guatemala Sacatepéquez, Antigua Guatemala 03001
🕰️Daily 9a-5p
💵Foreign visitors Q 40 (approx $5.20)
🌐For more information
I visited the Convent on my last day in Antigua and it was a truly beautiful place. Packed with history and stunning architecture, it is absolutely worth a visit.
There is a peaceful garden in the back where you can sit and relax a bit and feel like you are in another place entirely.
Arco de Santa Catalina
🗺️5a Avenida Norte 28, Antigua Guatemala
This yellow landmark archway dating to the 1600s & topped by a clock built in the 1800s, became my North Star due to it’s central location and being the “gateway” to the night time food market.
A great place to snap some iconic photos, it is surrounded by numerous bars and restaurants. A very large souvenir market can also be found just passed the arch.
Iglesia de la Merced
The Church and Convent of La Merced is a Catholic church located in the city of Antigua Guatemala in Guatemala. The architect Juan de Dios Estrada was in charge of its construction from 1749. The church was inaugurated in 1767.
🗺️ H768+F3X &, 1a Calle Poniente, Antigua Guatemala
💵Free to enter, 30Q to go up to the roof/visit convent
🕰️I found SO much varying information on hours, but it appears visitors are welcome daily from 9-6pm
Just passed the Arco de Santa Catalina, you will find this stunning Catholic Church with awe inspiring detail on it’s yellow facade.
I opted not to go inside due to time restraints and passing by during mass times, but if the outside is any reflection of the inside, it is worth popping in to. Due to its location, the views from the roof are guaranteed to wow on a clear day.
⭐This is also where you will find the night food market, offering a variety of traditional Guatemalan street food like búfalo, shuco, and chalupas, perfect for an authentic culinary experience. More on that below.
Parque Central de Antigua
Quite literally the center of the city, Parque Central de Antigua is surrounded by historic buildings, churches, cafes, banks and shops. It is nearly impossible to not to find yourself passing through this beautiful little park while in Antigua.
*This is also the meeting point for many walking tours and shuttle services.
Catedral da San José
One of the most striking buildings surrounding Parque Central de Antigua is Catedral da San José.
This cathedral is not only visually stunning, but is also packed with history, having been built and rebuilt throughout history due to devastating earthquakes.
The Cathedral is captivating from the outside, but also beautiful on the inside and is worth popping in to.
Camino a Hobbitenango
Hobbitenango is a theme park in Vuelta Grande, Antigua Guatemala, ideal for nature and adventure lovers. We offer a restaurant, bar, hobbit-themed accommodation, impressive viewpoints and exciting activities such as a swing at 2,500 meters high. It is a magical place to live unforgettable experiences!
🕰️Daily 8a-5p
💵Q50 (€6) for adults and Q30 (€3.5) children between 4 and 10 years old
If you don’t opt for the ATV tour (see below), you can still easily visit this amazing site.
The most recommended way is by tour. Which provides transportation all the way to the site. The final stretch of road is inaccessible by private vehicle, and a tour will provide proper transportation. Most tours provide round trip transportation and 2-2.5 hours to explore on your own.
The drive is only about 20 minutes from the city center. You will need to park in one of the nearby lots (at a small cost) and either walk or take a provided vehicle (also a small cost) the remainder of the way up Vuelta Grande to the site.
You can also take a taxi to Vuelta Grande (the final stretch of road) and then walk or take the provided vehicles.
Cerro de La Cruz
For the best views of the city, head up to Cerro de La Cruz, located on a hillside on the far north of Antigua, offering views of the city, the historic center, and Volcán de Agua.
🗺️Cerro de La Cruz, H779+P7H, Antigua Guatemala
🕰️Daily 7a-6p
💵Free
Getting there
🥾Hike
The starting point is the Cacique Tulian Square. From there, you only need to walk one block down Libertad Street until you reach the intersection with Rey del Bosque Street. At this point, you will find a sign indicating the beginning of the trail for the ascent to the hill. The hike is described as:
Short hike. Easy, but can be challenging. Uphill with steps and some flat walkways.
🚗Drive
It is a short drive from the city center, and there is a parking lot available. A short walk is required from the parking lot.
🚕Taxi
It is a short taxi ride to the entry (and minimal cost). There are taxis and tuktuk there to take you back down.
🏍️ ATV Tour (see below)
Take an ATV Tour
To see both Camino a Hobbitenango and Cerro de La Cruz, as well as visit a chocolate factory - you can take an ATV tour.
This was my birthday activity and one of the highlights of my time in Antigua. There are several tours available, but we opted for a day time tour that made stops at: Cerro de la Cruz, Camino a Hobbitenango, and San Juan del Obispo.
We booked through Viator because I had a great cashback offer, but you can also book directly through the company. We used booked through Get Your Guide and were really happy with our experience.
Other Antigua tour options we considered and I would book in the future: Sunset ATV tour and Volcano Tour.
Volcanos
Antigua Guatemala is situated near four volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, Acatenango, and Pacaya, two of which you can hike.
Pacaya Volcano, known for its accessibility and lava fields, and Acatenango Volcano, offering panoramic views and the chance to see the active Fuego Volcano.
Here's a more detailed look at each (with a little help from Google)
Pacaya Volcano:
Accessibility: Pacaya is a popular choice for a day trip from Antigua due to its relatively easy hike and proximity.
Activities: You can hike through lava fields, see solidified lava, and even roast marshmallows on the volcanic rocks.
Active: It's one of the active volcanoes in Guatemala.
Family-friendly: The hike is considered relatively straightforward, making it suitable for families.
Acatenango Volcano:
Views: The hike to Acatenango offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding region, including the active Fuego volcano.
Challenge: The hike is a more challenging adventure, requiring good physical condition.
Overnight: Many people choose to do an overnight hike to Acatenango to witness the spectacular lava show of Fuego at night.
Fuego: You can hike to Acatenango first, then hike to Fuego to experience the active volcano.
This is one of the top-rated overnight Fuego Volcano Tours
To hike Acatenango, this is a great option.
Pacaya
You can visit Pacaya with a private or group tour or drive/taxi to the base yourself.
⭐A certified guide is required to ascend Pacaya and can be booked via a group or private tour, or hired on arrival.
Entry is 100Q (approximately $13) and is not included with tours or transportation.
My friend wasn’t quite up for the overnight adventure, so we chose to do the afternoon Pacaya hike. We were hoping for some sunset views, but had a foggy day, which hindered any views, though it was still well worth it and beautiful.
We booked this afternoon Pacaya tour from Antigua that included transportation and a guide for $22 per person.
An added benefit to the group was that we met some awesome fellow travelers that I ended up meeting up with later on my trip.
Whether you visit Antigua for 2 or 3 days, or spend a week or more in this Guatemalan city, you will not be short on things to do and see.
From active adventures to chill historic and art centered activities, there really is something for everyone in Antigua, Guatemala.
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