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With its charming cobblestone streets, colorful Spanish-Baroque architecture, and jaw-dropping skyline made up of three immense volcanoes, Antigua is truly Guatemala’s most-adored city.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 16th-century colonial gem boasts an incredible amount of things to do for anyone with a sense of adventure and a love for history, art, food, and culture!
My favorite things to do in Antigua, aside from strolling its beautiful streets, are the epic day trips and outdoor adventures, namely, hiking active volcanoes.
After spending one month in Antigua as a digital nomad, I can honestly say that there is so much to do and see that it can be difficult to fit everything in!
Whether you have only a couple of days or a flexible month-long itinerary, this guide to the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala, will act as your mini bucket list journal so you can start exploring on day one!
Best Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala
Top Tours & Experiences in Antigua to Book in Advance
There are so many wonderful things to do in Antigua that it can be hard to choose. Whether you’re interested in trekking up an active volcano for a sneak peek at plumes of smoke and lava or you want to dive head first into the art scene, Antigua has it all!
Choose between a hike up either Pacaya or Acatenango, learn Spanish at a local school, join a weaving course, or hop on a culinary tour that explores the city’s coffee, chocolate, and street food. Or, better yet, plan to do it all!
- Trekking Pacaya or Acatenango
- Learn Spanish
- Take a weaving class
- Coffee, chocolate, and street food tours
1. Roast Marshmallows Over Lava on Volcán Pacaya
One of my favorite (there were several) things to do in Antigua was seeing a real-life lava flow spewing from an active volcano and roasting marshmallows over the hot volcanic rocks!
Not only that, but trekking up Pacaya for sunrise and seeing the Fuego volcano erupt in the distance also made for a memorable experience. (Make sure to watch our YouTube video!)
If you get the chance to hike or camp on Volcán Pacaya, you’ll be rewarded with insane volcano views of Pacaya and the neighboring volcanoes of Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango, alongside the incredible scenery of the valley.
The hike itself is fun and slightly challenging, with somewhat steep inclines and soft volcanic soil (near the end). All in all, it takes about 40-50 minutes to hike to the top via La Corona Trail, and you must go with a guide.
Read more details on my guide to hiking Pacaya! 🌋
You can also hop on a sunrise tour to Pacaya or go on an overnight camping trip.
Our sunrise trek started early (2 AM from Antigua!), but it was worth it to have that once-in-a-lifetime experience. 10/10 highly recommend booking a day trip from Antigua to Pacaya!
2. Climb Up to Antigua’s Best Viewpoint
to get a sky-high view of the city!
You’ll have incredible views of both the city of Antigua and Agua Volcano from atop a hill covered in stone crosses and trails.
Overall, this hike is fairly easy, but it does include a good amount of steps. This also makes the hike up Cerro de la Cruz a great training trek if you’re planning to hike up one of the volcanoes! For those who can’t make the hike up, the view is also accessible by car.
The entrance is free and is just past the Church of Candelaria ruins, which you should stop to marvel at quickly on your way up or down!
Since it’s not far from the historic center and the famous Santa Catalina Arch, there’s no reason not to go!
Tip: Go for sunrise or sunset for the best views and light! At noon, it gets overcrowded and fairly hot (on a sunny day).
3. Photograph the Famous Yellow Santa Catalina Arch
You can’t come to Antigua and not take time to appreciate it’s iconic yellow arch. Consider this an essential Antigua activity!
This historic arch, which has withstood countless earthquakes, was originally used by nuns from the Convent of Santa Catalina in the late 17th century to cross the street without being seen.
The Santa Catalina Arch is one of the few monuments and colonial gems to withstand the devastating 1773 earthquake and the 1976 earthquake that shook the city, a testament to its architectural integrity.
You’ll find the Arco de Santa Catalina located on the bustling 5a Avenida. This is one of the main streets traversing the city, with plenty of my favorite Antigua restaurants, shops, markets, and more to explore along the way.
Tip: Depending on which side you’re standing on, the Santa Catalina Arch frames the Volcán Agua or the decorated La Merced church. When you go, make sure to take in the scenery from both vantage points! If you want to take beautiful photographs, waking up for sunrise is worth the lack of sleep.
4. Get Lost in the Maze at the Central/Artisanal Mercado (Market)
One of my favorite things to do in Antigua is to take a stroll in the local market (mercado).
Sprawling with vendors, artisanal goods, street food, fresh produce, and just about anything else you can imagine, the Central Market is the go-to place to get a glimpse into local culture and daily life.
You can shop for all kinds of treasures at the market, too—from hand-sewn wallets and traditional huipiles to worldly fragrant spices and flower bouquets.
The best way to visit the market in Antigua is to just show up.
There are different sections for different items (produce, dairy/meat, textiles, etc), so if you have a goal in mind, you can try to head straight there. Otherwise, just get lost in the maze and see what you find!
Head to the Central Market or Artisanal Market in Antigua on Google Maps. It’s located near the cemetery, west of town.
5. Overnight Trek on Acatenango Volcano
An overnight trekking and camping trip up Volcán Acatenango is a must-have adventure while visiting Antigua!
Volcán Acatenango is the volcano you’ll trek and camp overnight on at its base camp (3750m or 12,300ft). It is conjoined with Volcán Fuego, where you’ll likely see exploding lava (or ‘ashing’), from Antigua.
The 2-day overnight trek is not for the faint of heart and has become somewhat of a rite of passage for adventure travelers.
On your hike up Acatenango, you’ll experience four different ecosystems, intense inclines, challenging terrain, and changes in weather.
After reaching Volcán Acatenango, you’ll stop for the night at Basecamp, watching a mesmerizing fire show from the nearby Volcán Fuego. Staying overnight also means that you’ll be able to witness sunrise from Acatenango’s summit!
🌋 That said, if you plan on doing the Acatenango Volcano hike in Antigua, make sure you are well-prepared both mentally and physically! Altitude sickness isn’t likely at that altitude, but you can experience breathing problems nonetheless.
If there is one thing you must do in Antigua, Guatemala it’s hiking up a volcano!!
For Acatenango tours, I would recommend these guys:
6. Eat an Organic Brunch at Caoba Farms & Market
Caoba Farms is an organic farm, restaurant, and market all in one!
Come here to chow down on organic, delicious farm-to-table food. This is one of the best restaurants in Antigua, which also makes it one of the best things to do, especially on Sundays around brunch time.
The plant-filled outdoor restaurant has straw-covered floors; local live music accompanies you while you eat and drink, and cute farm animals, plus a butterfly sanctuary, await just around the corner for you to visit!
You can also come here for sunrise yoga sessions or aerial silk classes! It really has a wonderful community vibe.
While the best day to go is on Sunday for brunch, this is also the busiest time. Luckily, Caoba Farms is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), so you have plenty of opportunities to go.
7. Wander the City’s Historic Church Ruins
Another unmissable thing to do in Antigua is explore its beautiful church ruins, leftover from the multiple earthquakes in years past.
Antigua, Guatemala, has more church and convent ruins than any other city that I’ve been to! There are at least 10 that I can count, and probably several more that aren’t on my radar.
If you’re looking for a fun and free thing to do in Antigua, go on a self-guided ruins tour! Most of them are free to visit, aside from some of the more popular ruins.
You can split these up across several days or check them all off your Antigua bucket list in one go.
Must-visits are:
- La Recolección ruins (Q40)
- Church of Candelaria ruins
- San José Cathedral
- Church of Santo Domingo
- Convent of the Capuchins
- Church of Santa Rosa
- San Jéronimo Convent
- Church of the Society of Jesus
- Santa Clara Convent & Church (Q40)
- El Carmen Church ruins
Here is a fantastic walking guide of the Antigua ruins. It explains the history of the ruins better than I could! You can download the app or the PDF file, too!
8. Make Your Own Chocolate – Take a Cacao Workshop
You can’t visit Guatemala without sampling chocolate! And what better way to do so than signing up for a cacao workshop?
Learn about the history and process of turning cacao beans into delicious chocolate, all while making your own chocolate bar!
Cacao has been an integral part of Maya and Guatemalan culture for millennia. It’s also important in many Mesoamerican cultures, beginning with the Aztecs in South America.
Guatemalans get to take all the credit, having made the first-ever chocolate bar.
Best chocolate/cacao workshops in Antigua:
See some of the highlights in Antigua on this tour, including a 30-minute visit to ChocoMuseo!
The ChocoMuseum workshop is a popular place to visit in Antigua with an upfront chocolate shop and a back area for learning the history and process of cacao from start to finish. Sign up for their bean-to-bar chocolate workshop.
This sweet and unassuming coffee shop has been making handmade chocolate for 15 years. Their workshop costs Q180 per person and last for 2 hours. You take home 2 chocolate bars, 5 chocolate-covered cacao beans, and 5 mendiats. Workshop hours are M-F from 10am-12pm, 11am-1pm, 1-3pm, and 2-4pm.
See some of the highlights in Antigua on tihs tour, including a 30-minute visit to ChocoMuseo!
9. Get Lunch with a View at a Rooftop Bar or Café
Have achy feet from hiking and exploring the city’s cobblestone streets? There’s nothing better to do in Antigua than just relax and marvel at the volcano views from a rooftop bar or café.
Whether you want to grab breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks, Antigua has plenty of hidden rooftop gems from which to enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Some of my favorites:
- Antigua Brewing Company: A cozy outdoor bar and terrace with awesome views of Agua Volcano
- Cafe Estudio: (Pictured above.) The BEST rooftop terrace in Antigua with views of all three volcanoes!
- Rooftop Antigua: Pretty terrace for coffee and drinks with a view of the church ruins downtown
- Cafe Bohème: A cozy wooden terrace with distant views of the Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes
- Cafe Sky: Unhampered views of the backside of La Merced Church and Agua Volcano in the background
10. Visit the Ornate Iglesia La Merced & Park
The Iglesia La Merced is a gorgeous pale-yellow Catholic church. Iconic of Antigua’s Baroque-style architecture, La Merced is a testament to the beauty — and resilience — of the city.
The church has withstood two major earthquakes since its most recent rebuild in the 18th century.
Both the church itself and the green space around it are worth a visit while in Antigua. The park is a hub of local activity, with street food vendors setting up for incoming and outcoming churchgoers in the evenings.
You’ll also find myriad cafes serving up authentic Antigua coffee, inviting restaurants, and handicrafts markets right around this area, with the popular Avenida 5a (street of the arch) just a stone’s throw away.
Each spring season, during Holy Week (Semana Santa), this plaza and church are even more abuzz with festivities as the main procession begins here and traverses the town.
Every walking tour of Antigua includes a visit to La Merced! It’s simply a must-see in Antigua Guatemala.
11. Chow Down on Guatemalan Street Food
Speaking of La Merced park, it’s here where you’ll find some of the best Guatemalan street food! If you want a budget thing to do in Antigua, then chowing down on some cheap eats is a great way to have fun and explore the local culture via your tastebuds.
Street food in Antigua is fairly cheap, so make sure to bring small change with you! You can eat tamales for as little as Q5! The best way to approach street food in Guatemala is with a sense of curiosity.
Here you can try:
- Rellenitos: Fried mashed plantains stuffed with refried beans, meat, cheese, etc.
- Shucos: Guatemalan hot dogs
- Atol de elote: Sweet corn and milk drink
- Panitos de pollo: Chicken fingers
- Taquitos: Rolled tacos
- Enchiladas
Make sure that vendors are keeping ingredients covered, fresh, and that everything looks clean. Go where the locals go! That’s usually a good indicator that the food is safe and delicious!
12. Grab a Creative Cocktail in This Secret Speakeasy
A speak…what? Did you know that Antigua has its own little speakeasy? That’s right! Hidden inside another building, this bar has no exterior entrance, like a classic speakeasy you’d find in the United States.
Hint: Walk through the British red telephone booth inside the brewery!
What I love about this place is that there is no menu. You simply show up, and the bartenders will ask you what you like! Then, based on your taste preferences, they’ll make you a creative cocktail and serve it in a unique glass.
I had a spicy mezcal with a Mayan chocolate-covered ice cube complemented with gold shimmery glitter (pictured above). Paul had a sweet, gin grapefruit cocktail that came in a honey hive pot!
I found this bar on Instagram, so it’s not like they don’t want to be found. Check out Ulew Cocktail Bar and see for yourself how creative their drinks are!
13. Spend a Few Days Lakeside at Lago de Atitlán
While the majority of this guide is about things to do IN Antigua, I have to mention a few incredible places to visit AROUND Antigua. One of them is none other than the most beautiful lake in all of Latin America — Lake Atitlán!
There are so many awesome things to do in Lake Atitlán!
- Paraglide over the lake with views of Tolimán, San Pedro, and Atitlán volcanoes
- Hike up to Indian Nose Mountain for sunrise
- Sit in thermal hot spring baths
- Make your own scarf with a weaving workshop
- Explore colorful Mayan villages
- Kayak or stand-up-paddle board
- Meditate or do sunrise yoga
- Trek on an ancient volcano
- AND SO MUCH MORE!
A day trip to Lake Atitlán from Antigua on a guided tour would mean adventures from sunrise to sunset!That said, I’d highly recommend carving out some time from your Antigua itinerary to spend a few days lakeside. If you only have a day to spare, a day trip would be enough just to see its stunning natural scenery and visit a few of the towns around Lake Atitlán.
14. Take a Day Trip to Hobbitenango Theme Park
Are any fellow Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fans out there??
If so, then you’ll love spending a day in Hobbitenango, pretending to be in The Shire at this hobbit-themed park in the hills outside of Antigua!
Here, you can try your hand at archery or axe throwing, take photos on a troll hand overlooking the valley and volcanoes, eat in a cozy restaurant, grab a drink at the local watering hole (bar), go on a mini thrill ride on a tree swing, play minigolf, and more!
But the real draw to the park is the actual hobbit holes, which you can stay in overnight! They even have the iconic round, painted doors, and hobbit-like furnishings.
If they book out (which they tend to do), and you’d still like to stay nearby, then I would highly recommend the avocado farm and eco-friendly lodges at Earth Lodge! It’s only 0.9 miles away from Hobbitenango and is a really inspiring, sustainable property.
15. Go on a Thrilling ATV Ride Around Antigua Valley
Whether you want to visit the surrounding villages, mountains, or coffee farms, you can do so on a thrilling ATV tour around Antigua! ATV tours are an extremely popular thing to do in Antigua because they combine adventure and sightseeing.
On the sunset tour and mountain adventure tour, you’ll get to visit attractions like Cerro de la Cruz, Earth Lodge, and Hobbitenango, and ride off the beaten path to watch the sunset over the volcanoes and valley.
16. Shop at Guatemala’s Largest Craft Market in Chichicastenango
If you come to Antigua, Guatemala, you’re likely going to hear talk of Chichicastenango.
That’s because Chichicastenango boasts the largest craft market in Guatemala (and arguably in Central America). If you want to take home a bunch of handicrafts, textiles, or souvenirs, there’s no better place to shop in bulk and find handmade treasures!
You can get to Chichicastenango Market from Antigua by chicken bus, but there are also guided tours (private shuttles are also available).
17. Explore Antigua’s Colonial Architecture on a Walking Tour
Like many other cities around the world, Antigua has several free walking tours that you can hop on to learn more about its history. This is a great way to get acquainted with the city on one of your first days in town!
Several tours leave from the center of town. Strawberry Tours offers a free, two hour walking tour through Antigua, visiting some of the city’s most famous sights like the Antigua Cathedral and Convent of Santa Clara. Free Tour Expert also offers two hour walking tours of Antigua in both English and Spanish.
While these tours are technically free, don’t forget to tip your guide if you had a good experience!
Sights you might see on a walking tour of Antigua Guatemala:
- La Merced
- Santa Catalina Arch
- Casa Santo Domingo Museum
- Ruins of La Recolección
- Parque Central (Central Park)
- Ayuntamiento (City Hall Palace)
- Market
- Jade Museum
18. Visit the Historic Casa Santo Domingo Hotel & Museum
You may be thinking… Why is a hotel a top thing to do in Antigua, Guatemala? Well, it’s not just a hotel!
The grounds of the Casa Santo Domingo Monastery are exceptionally beautiful. Housed in a former 16th-century convent, now in ruins, the hotel boasts a lovely garden, restaurant, and museum.
If you are looking for a unique and memorable place to stay in Antigua, a stay at the hotel/museum/spa of Casa Santo Domingo is definitely worth considering! It’s one of Antigua’s crown jewels, complete with art and archaeological gems.
Already have your accommodation booked? You can still visit and tour the museum from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday.
19. Stroll Around the Parque Central (Central Park)
The main square, plaza, or park, known as Parque Centra, is a must-visit in Antigua! This square-shaped plaza is a popular gathering place among indigenous locals and peoples from all walks of life.
Inside the park itself is a curated garden with trimmed shrubs and trees, benches for resting in the shade, and an 18th-century decorated fountain with mermaids spouting out water.
Tucked away inside charming colonial-style buildings skirting the plaza’s edges are cozy cafes, upscale restaurants, handicraft markets, and a few ornate buildings — notably the Captain General Palace and the elegant Catedral San José (Antigua Guatemala Cathedral).
20. Grab Iced Coffee at Artista de Café
When in Antigua, you must try café Antigüeño (or simply, Antiguan coffee). One of my favorite cafes in Antigua is Artista de Café. As the name implies, these guys really know the art of coffee!
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be absolutely enamored with this cozy, minimalist space. Its inspiring atmosphere and the scrumptious caramel (iced) coffee always hit the spot! I loved to go there and work for a few hours on my laptop while enjoying a drink and a homemade dessert.
📍 5ta Avenida Sur No. 34A (5 blocks down from the Santa Catalina Arch)
⏰ Mon-Sun from 7 am – 6 pm, kitchen open until 3 pm
21. Hike in the Finca El Pilar Cloud Forest
Finca El Pilar is a private nature reserve and cloud forest located just outside of Antigua, Guatemala, in San Cristobál El Bajo. Visitors can go hiking, bird watching (hummingbirds in particular), camping, mountain biking, or relax in the on-site pool.
Finca Colombia and Finca Filadelfia are alternative options, too, offering coffee farm tours, restaurants, and lifestyle amenities for guests.
22. Go on a Tasty Coffee Farm Tour
On that note, a coffee farm tour is another fun thing to do in Antigua, Guatemala, that you shouldn’t miss out on! Antiguan coffee is famous all over the world for its strong arabica coffee with chocolate notes.
The Centro Cultural La Azotea in neighboring Jocotenango is a coffee museum and fully operational 150-year-old coffee plantation with a 19th-century working coffee mill. Also on-site is a Mayan music museum. You can tour the coffee museum and grounds for around Q30, which includes the entrance to the Finca, tour, and tasting.
You’ll find other fun activities onsite, too, like a chocolate workshop, cultural exhibition at the K’ojom House, horseback riding, and a natural ink and fabric workshop.
Guided tours are available on-site and through this ATV coffee tour.
You can also explore at your own pace! La Azotea is only 5 minutes from downtown Antigua, so it’s a great activity to do with family or friends to learn about the coffee-making process!
23. Take an Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class
Last but not least on this Antigua, Guatemala bucket list is an authentic Guatemalan cooking class! Have you ever wanted to take home the tasty flavors of Guatemala’s best dishes? Well, now you can. Iconic staples like pépian (stew) and tamales can make their way into your recipe book.
In this private cooking class, you get to learn one-on-one from local chefs (Carolina and sous-chef Iris). After you prepare your own dinner, you’ll end the night atop a scenic rooftop to sample your dishes together with a view of Agua Volcano!
24. Learn Spanish at a Local Language School
Antigua is a hub in Central America for learning Spanish. Actually, Guatemala in general is a popular place to take Spanish classes because they’re inexpensive and it’s thought that locals have a neutral accent. It’s also hard to beat the cultural (and language) immersion you’ll have in this beautiful country!
There are plenty of Spanish schools scattered throughout Antigua. Choosing which one is right for you is up to cost, curriculum, and where you want to be located.
Ixchel Language School is a popular option, located on the south side of the city center about a 10 minute walk from Parque Central. They have rave reviews and you can choose from total immersion courses and classes that are more flexible.
25. Visit La Nueva Fabrica
A contemporary art gallery that showcases incredible Guatemalan artists, visitin La Nueva Fabrica is a must for art lovers in Antigua! Exhibitions rotate, showcasing all mediums from textiles to paintings and abstract installations.
Located on the outskirts of town in the Santa Ana neighborhood, La Nueva Fabrica is dedicated to making art accessible to the local community of Antigua while simultaneously inspiring visitors from around the world. The drive out to this artistic haven is well worth the trek!
Admission is just Q50 for foreigners and Q10 for Guatemalan nationals, although all children under 12 get in for free.
They also host workshops throughout the year, from painting to Maya therapeutics and experimental embroidery.
Getting to Antigua, Guatemala
Because Antigua doesn’t have it’s own airport, you’ll most likely fly in to the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
The capital is well known for its traffic-choked streets and it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours to reach Antigua from Gutemala City, depending on when you land.
The most popular ways to get to Antigua from Guatemala City are by Uber or shuttle. Both of these options are relatively inexpensive and direct!
You can book both shared shuttles and private transfers ahead of time if you don’t want the hassle of hailing a taxi or Uber on arrival.
You’ll generally have the same options if you’re going from Lake Atitlan to Antigua, too!
Where to Stay in Antigua, Guatemala
There are so many beautiful places to stay in Antigua, from backpacker friendly hostels to luxury hotels that you’ll never want to leave!
These are a few of my recommendations based on price and preference…
Backpacker ($): Ojala
Boutique ($$): San Rafael Hotel
Luxe ($$$): Casa Santo Domingo
FAQs About Visiting Antigua, Guatemala
How long should you spend in Antigua, Guatemala?
Three days in Antigua is the perfect amount of time, but you could easily spend a week (or more) if you have it! There are so many delicious restaurants, cozy cafes, and interesting things to do, but three days is just enough time to squeeze in the must-sees.
What is the best time to visit Antigua, Guatemala?
The best time to visit Antigua is generally in the dry season, from November to April. More specifically, November and March are two of the best months as prices are a bit lower, crowds aren’t at their peak, and the weather is usually wonderful!
Enjoy These Things to Do in Antigua!
I hope this guide on what to do in Antigua Guatemala helps plan your trip. I am already itching to get back and add even more adventurous items to this list.
La Antigua has become one of my most adored cities in the world, and I hope the same for you too!
The city has so much to offer in the way of activities — from epic volcano hikes to scrumptious food tours, history walks, and more. If you have any questions about traveling in Antigua such as where to stay, eat, or how many days you should spend there feel free to reach out!
Save this guide for things to do in Antigua Guatemala for later!
I saw somewhere on your site information on a Women’s weaving association. Is it in Antigua? I can’t find the article. My friend and I are visiting there in a few weeks and would love to see, talk to and learn from the women and support the local economy.
Hi Sheila! I think you’re referring to the women’s association in San Pedro La Laguna in Lake Atitlán 🙂
What an amazing list! I am in Antigua for 5 weeks and will definitely hit up your recommendations. The drinks at Ulew are mind blowing! 😀