Antigua in Spanish means ‘old’. So, literally translated, Antigua Guatemala is Old Guatemala. Not just in the name, this colonial city reflects ‘old’ in history and character as well. Once upon a time, it used to be the country capital of Guatemala. Now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua’s appearance is characterized by cobblestone streets, colonial style architecture and ruins of the past. If you like to get lost in colorful old world charms, coupled with some volcano hikes and good eats, you will find plenty of interesting things to do in Antigua Guatemala.
Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala
The activities in this old town of Guatemala varies from visiting old ruins to hiking up volcanoes. We collaborated with some of our fellow travel bloggers to curate this recommendation list of best things to do in Antigua Guatemala.
Acatenango Volcano Hike
After multiple visits to Antigua Guatemala, Acatenango volcano hike is our favorite activity and that is why it tops the list! The hike itself is not exactly within the city. But Antigua Guatemala is a launchpad for this hike. The trailhead of Acatenago volcano lies about 25 km (15 miles) from the city and can be reached in an hour by road.
On this hiking trail, you get to walk across four different ecosystems – farmlands, cloudforest, coniferous forest and volcanic sands and rock, before reaching base camp on Acatenango volcano and camp overnight. For the Acatenano volcano summit, most tour companies take you on a sunrise hike while few others offer a sunset hike. Some companies also offer Fuego hike as an add on to the Acatenango hike.
The best part of Acatenango volcano hike is the close views of the Fuego volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Guatemala and Central America. You get to see the volcano erupt every few minutes, from base camp as well as from the summit of Acatenango. Whether emitting clouds of ashes into the air during day, or spewing lava and displaying fireworks at night, the sights of Fuego volcano are unparalleled and something that you will remember forever.
Acatenango volcano hike, as exciting as it may sound, this is a grueling hike due to the steep slopes, high altitude, fast elevation gain and varying weathers.
Read this post for the first-hand account of our Acatenango volcano hike experience and other details that will help you plan your own Acatenango adventure, and check out the YouTube video below for visual immersion in the experience.
Go on a Free Walking Tour
Contributed by: Lara of The Best Travel Gifts. You can also find her on Facebook.
My number one thing to do in a new city is a free walking tour. I think it’s the best way to get a feeling of the city. In about two hours, you will learn a little bit about the history of the city, visit the main highlights and discover cool places to return to after the walking tour!
The best thing about the free walking tours is that you can decide for yourself how much you thought it was worth, and you get to decide after you have had the complete tour. Plus it is an easy and low-key way to meet like-minded travelers.
Now that I have convinced you to do a free walking tour whenever you can, you probably want to know more about the ones in Antigua. And I can tell you, it is definitely worth your time.
There are a few different organizations that operate on different days and hours. I joined Freetour.com which leaves from Iglesia de la Merced at 3:30 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. But check out Guruwalk to find more free walking tours at different hours in Antigua.
Visit the Old Ruins
Contributed by: Maartje of The Orange Backpack. You can also find her on Instagram.
As Antigua in Guatemala was built in a very unstable area: it is surrounded by impressive volcanoes and has dealt with many earthquakes in the past. The result is a town filled with the most stunning ruins to visit during your stay in Antigua.
As Antigua used to be Guatemala’s capital, it was filled with the most stunning monuments and impressive buildings. But the 1773 earthquake pretty much destroyed all of Antigua, leaving its monumental buildings in ruins. The ruins were never cleared and only partly restored. Most of them are still there today and you can visit many of them.
The cathedral is one of the biggest ruins to visit. It is partly restored and still being used as a cathedral, but most of it is still in ruins. The entrance where you buy your ticket is to the right. You can walk around the ruins for about an hour. Sometimes concerts are organized in the main hall.
Another must-visit is the Santo Domingo convent, now part of a very expensive hotel. It is open for non-guests though, so you should definitely pay it a visit. You can visit the old crypt and there are free museums with artifacts that were found right here.
Santa Catalina Arch
Contributed by: Vicky of Buddy The Traveling Monkey. You can also find her on Instagram.
Without question, one of the top things to do in Antigua is to visit the Santa Catalina Arch. This iconic structure can be seen on everything from postcards to decorative plates. It is a beautiful example of Spanish architecture and one of the many reasons to visit Guatemala. It is located on 5 Ave Norte, also known as Calle del Arco.
Although beautiful, the arch was not originally constructed for decorative purposes. It was actually built in 1694 to connect a convent and a school. Through a hidden passageway, cloistered nuns could walk back and forth between the two buildings without having contact with the outside world.
Nowadays, the Santa Catalina Arch is a symbol of resilience for the people of Antigua. It has stood tall over the centuries despite many earthquakes. For tourists, it is a great photo opportunity. On clear days you can see the massive Volcán de Agua (Volcano of Water) through the arch.
Because the arch is so iconic, there is always a crowd of people waiting to get a picture in front of it. You should definitely arrive early in the morning if you would like to get a photo with less people in the background.
Chocolate Workshop
Contributed by: James Ian from Travel Collecting. You can also find him on Pinterest.
Chocolate was “invented” by the Mayans, so what better place to learn how to make chocolate than Guatemala? The ChocoMuseo (Chocolate Museum) offers chocolate making workshops in Antigua, and they are highly recommended.
The workshop starts with an introduction to cocoa plants, pods and beans. There is a demonstration toasting the beans and you then get to de-husk the toasted beans and grind them into a paste. From the paste, you make a chocolate tea and a couple of different hot chocolates. One of them is a “Mayan” hot chocolate, which is bitter and definitely an acquired taste. The other is more akin to what a typical Western palette is used to.
Finally, you get to make chocolate truffles with any flavor that you like. Whether that is chili chocolate, cardamom or coconut, you have the chance to pour the chocolate into molds and add your own fillings. There are 15 flavors available. Later in the day, you go back and pick them up to take back to your hotel, so I recommend not leaving the workshop as the last thing you do before catching a bus out of town.
The whole experience is both informative and fun. The two-hour classes are offered twice a day in English and Spanish, and cost 25 USD for adults.
Visit a Coffee Plantation
Contributed by: Holly of Globeblogging. You can also find her on Instagram.
The high, fertile volcanic soil of Antigua is Guatemala’s best known coffee region. Coffee is one of the main exports for Guatemala, and in 2021 it is the 8th largest coffee exporter in the world. The coffee in Antigua is world-class, and a visit to a coffee plantation to see the life cycle of coffee first hand is a must for any lover of coffee.
Travel Agents are on virtually every street in Antigua and will be happy to sell you a tour ticket for around 20 USD per person. Plantation vehicles will collect visitors to transport them the short distance to the plantation. Filadelfia is one of the oldest plantations in the region and grow three types of Arabica beans on a sprawling estate in the shadow of Volcan Agua.
If you happen to visit from November to March you will be able to pick the ripe red berries of the Coffea bush and crush them together in your hand to reveal the coffee beans within. You will be surprised by how sweet is the juice that runs across your palm, a sharp contrast to the more bitter flavour of the coffee. Your tour will take you through the plantation through every stage of the production, washing, husking, drying, roasting and packaging for export, before you finish with your own fresh brewed coffee straight from the ground you are standing upon.
Sunset at Cerro de La Cruz
Contributed by: Bradley of Dream Big, Travel Far. You can also find him on Instagram.
One of my favorite moments from our backpacking trip across Guatemala was watching the sunset at Cerro De La Cruz. Antigua in particular is full of incredible spots to watch the sun go down, but this one has to be the best.
It is a simple stone cross perched atop a hill on the north side of the city, hence the name Cerro de la Cruz which translates to Hill of the Cross. From there, the view of Antigua’s landscape looks stunning, especially with the Agua Volcano in the backdrop. The hike itself is not too demanding – much worth the vista at the top!
I recommend planning this sunset rendezvous after spending a day exploring the city. It was a lot of fun trying to spot various landmarks we visited earlier from the top, from the Arco de Santa Catalina to the Parque Central.
Watch the stone monument becomes a simple yet beautiful stunning silhouette as the warm orange glow makes way for the night sky. Whether you are here with a loved one, some friends, or even alone, the spectacle is truly one to remember. Do not forget to bring a nice drink to enjoy up there!
Breakfast at Tenedor del Cerro
Contributed by: Daniel of Layer Culture. You can also find him on Pinterest.
Whilst in Antigua and on the lookout for things to do be sure to transport yourself up to Tenedor del Cerro. Many people question safety in Guatemala but when in safe havens such as Antigua you find it is a breeze to get to know places whether during the day or night. One place recommended by many locals is Tenedor del Cerro which makes the perfect place to go for breakfast, or even lunch if you cannot make it in the morning.
Tenedor del Cerro is a swanky restaurant that also serves as a cultural center where you can learn about local Guatemalan art. The site itself is home to a selection of permanent and contemporary sculptures, art installations, and other mosaics that are on rotation through the calendar year. With a spectacular view of two volcanoes, this high mountainside location makes the ideal spot to get some Instagram-worthy shots of the famous Acatenango volcano.
Before breakfast or lunch at the restaurant you are able to walk around the grounds free of charge without even entering the restaurant, however, note that some of the best views of the volcanos are found from inside the restaurant. There is a bit of a hike involved to get to the restaurant but Hotel Santo Domingo offers a free shuttle ride every hour on the hour, which is available for all travelers to the restaurant.
Caoba Farms
Contributed by: Tiffany of A Girl and Her Passport. You can also find her on Instagram.
There are so many great places to eat in Antigua Guatemala it can be hard to pick just one. If you want a wonderful food experience in a great setting, then visit Caoba Farms. Caoba Farms is located on the edge of the city and is a working farm with an onsite restaurant. Much of what they serve is grown onsite.
If you want to add to the experience, go on a Saturday. There is Farmer’s Market featuring local food and crafts. There is also usually live music as well. The farm has its own store, which is a great place to find organic food, and much of it grown on the farm. You can walk around the farm after you are done shopping and eating. You can see what they are currently growing and how it all works.
Walking to Caoba Farms is possible depending on where your hotel is located in Antigua Guatemala. Keep in mind the last part of the walk is on a dirt road, so it might be muddy if it has rained. Otherwise, it is a great walk to the farm and there are signs as you get closer.
Hike the Pacaya Volcano
Contributed by: Isabella from Boundless Roads. You can also find her on Instagram.
Antigua Guatemala is a great hub to spend a few days or even a month, like I ended up doing, and enjoy day trips every now and then. You can alternate pleasant and relaxing walks around the city cobblestone roads, with daily trips in the surrounding area that offers an array of interesting activities, among which a hike to Pacaya Vulcano.
Hike Starting Point
If you are a bit out of shape or you want to train and prepare for the more challenging Acatenango, hiking to the Pacaya Volcano is a perfect trip, being the least challenging of all the hikes in Guatemala. After a 30 minutes bus to the starting point and the entrance of the park, you will start your hike on a narrow and steep path, but worry not because it lasts only 1 hour and 30 minutes and you arrive on a nice plateau from where you can admire the Pacaya Volcano and the incredible smoke coming out of the cracks. It is an incredible view from a distance.
The Hike
At this point, you will continue the walk around the foot of the Volcano and start getting closer and closer to the hot spots stepping on the dried lava stones until you get so close to the cracks that you will be able to cook marshmallows on the smoke coming out. And in fact, that is what tours are offering included in the package. A nice treat for your efforts.
After spending about an hour relaxing while admiring the Volcano and its show in all its beauty, you will start the descent from a different and very panoramic path. This time is a breeze. No efforts, just pure enjoyment.
If you still think that it is too much for you, worry not, because you can rent a horse at the beginning of the trail and a guide till take you around with minimum efforts for you.
The cost of this tour varies, starts from 40 USD but it does not include the horse ride.
Bonus: Spend New Year’s Eve in Antigua Guatemala
We once had the opportunity of spending the New Year’s Eve in Antigua Guatemala. Although the town is small, the energy was terrific for the celebrations. Since morning you will see a carnival like atmosphere on the street where the Santa Catalina Arch is. Different parades and musical performances by people clad in colorful clothes adorn the street. Fireworks happened near the Santa Catalina Arch in the evening and the major fireworks with accompanying lighting reflecting the year change happened near Parque Central at midnight. Since evening lot of people had also started releasing sky lanterns up in the sky. So, by midnight, the sky was filled with sky lanterns and fireworks, thus displaying a stellar show for the new year’s eve.
New Year’s Eve in Antigua is not like your typical year end parties in big cities. But instead, the entire town seemed to enjoy an open air party with family, friends and strangers, sharing joy, laughter and happy vibes.
But all of that was in the pre pandemic era. When travel becomes somewhat normal again, consider spending a new year’s eve in this vibrant little colonial town. New Year’s Eve is one of the best ways to experience the culture and the colors of Antigua all coming together.
How to Reach Antigua Guatemala
To reach Antigua Guatemala, you need to fly in to the nearest international airport, Guatemala City. The drive from the airport takes about 1 hour to reach Antigua, situated about 40 km away. You can book a ride after arriving at the airport. There is a kiosk at the airport. Also, just outside the airport, you will find several people offering to sell a ride to Antigua Guatemala.
But the most guaranteed and cost effective method is to book a collective shuttle (shared tourist vehicle/taxi) in advance. We usually book all our collective shuttles in Guatemala from Adrelina Tours. Although the travel duration is longer in the shuttles versus a private taxi, the booking and the journey have always worked fine for us, till now. The cost for a shared ride between the airport and Antigua is about 15 USD.
Final Thoughts on Antigua Guatemala
Guatemala is home to pretty diverse set of travel attractions spread all over the country. With an effortless blend of history and nature, Antigua Guatemala creates a captivating little world and hence deserves a spot on your Guatemala itinerary.
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Great article! My husband and I are planning to spend a month in Antigua this fall. Neither of us speak Spanish…at all. Do you think we’ll have a difficult time navigating the city and meeting our needs? We’re hoping to learn some basic phrases before before we go, but are concerned that won’t be sufficient.
Thanks Sarah. Antigua Guatemala is a touristy place, so you can get by with English, but for spending a month there, you will have a better experience if you can learn some basic conversational Spanish. Enjoy your time in Antigua, it is a lovely place! 🙂