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If you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, Antigua must be on your list! A UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful colonial buildings and so much charm. It’s one of the most popular cities in Central America and after visiting, I can definitely see why.
The city is surrounded by volcanoes and has so much to offer. Not to mention, the food and drinks scene here is incredible. So make sure you pencil in enough time to explore all that Antigua has to offer.
In this guide, I’ll cover the best things to do in Antigua including must-see activities, unique experiences and day trips!
Antigua is located in Southern Guatemala around 40 minutes drive from the capital, Guatemala City. It was actually was the capital city of Guatemala but after a large earthquake in 1773 this was changed. Guatemala city was made the new capital city of Guatemala due to the extensive damage. Many of the buildings in Antigua were restored.
The city is surrounded by volcanoes with some of the most famous being Acatenango and Fuego (which you can hike!). Antigua sits at 1500m above sea level so it is a good base to acclimatise for a few days before hiking.
I would recommend spending at least 3 days here! However, if you have some extra days it would definitely be worth spending them in Antigua.
Best Things To Do
Visit Santa Catalina Arch
This is the iconic shot in Antigua! Built back in the 1800s, it’s the perfect spot for that “welcome to Guatemala” pic. From one side, you’ll see La Merced Park (where you can get some great street food!) and in the other direction, you will see the daunting Volcán de Agua.
The Arch can get quite busy throughout the day and especially busy during festivals. We visited during the Festival of Flowers and there were so many people. I’d recommend visiting early in the morning for a great view without the crowds.
Hike Acatenango Volcano
Antigua is usually the base for the famous Acatenango hike. One thing I will say is if you are looking for a bucket list experience while in Guatemala, Acatenango should be on your list! The hike is everything and more. I booked with Tropicana Hostel for the hike but there are a few different tour operators to choose from. I have linked my full guide and packing list here if you want more information on the hike itself!
Explore the Colourful Streets
Antigua is picture perfect. It’s an amazing place to just wander around the pretty streets! It’s very walkable too. Considering it’s not a massive city, there are so many different stores, bars and restaurants. You’ll be sure to find something fun!
Take a Coffee Tour
A coffee tour should be on your list when visiting Guatemala. Guatemalan coffee is so good! During our time in Antigua, we went on a coffee ATV tour which was so much fun. The tour started by heading up to Cerro de La Cruz. Next on the agenda was the coffee tour at a local farm. There was also a chocolate making demonstration too. I booked the tour via Get Your Guide here.
Visit Local Markets
Antigua is a great place for shopping. Mercado Central is a big market stocking food, clothing, souvenirs and much more! Next door is the Handicrafts Market with plenty of handmade items and souvenirs. Another spot in town for souvenirs is Nim Po’t. Here the items are individually priced so there is not any price negotiations unlike the markets.
Enjoy a Rooftop Bar
Antigua has some beautiful rooftop bars. Many have volcano and sunset views so are perfect for a drink and to take in the scenery! Some favourites are ABC (Antigua Brewing Co) and Rooftop Antigua. A lot of hotels and hostels also have rooftop views so check this out where you’re staying.
Hike Pacaya Volcano
While I didn’t hike Pacaya myself, it comes highly recommended. It’s a day hike so would be a perfect alternative to Acatenango if you didn’t want an overnight hike. A popular activity at Pacaya is to actually cook pizza using heat from the volcano!
Visit Hobbitenango
Hobbitenango is an eco-theme park located just outside of Antigua. It takes about 20-25 minutes to drive to the entrance. It looks like a hobbit village! It has hobbit-themed attractions, restaurants/cafes and even has a small hotel. A really unique activity that is perfect if you have a spare half to full day in Antigua.
Where to eat in Antigua
Antigua is foodie paradise! There are so many good restaurants here serving a wide range of cuisines. Some of our favourites were:
- Ta’Cool Taco Shop – we visited twice and the food is delicious! The tacos, burritos and margaritas are so so good
- La Estancia – a beautiful steakhouse with great food. We visited the night before the Acatenango hike to fuel up
- Rincóncito Antigüeño – authentic Guatemalan food in the heart of Antigua. It gets busy but is worth the wait
- Pappys BBQ – Texan BBQ vibes and the food was 10/10! So much flavour and really friendly staff too
Where to Stay
There are so many options to stay in Antigua including hostels, hotels and Airbnbs so there is something for everyone! Here’s a few options:
- Aesthetic hostel: Maya Papaya
- Boutique hostel with beautiful rooftop: Adra Hostel
- Peaceful hotel with rooftop: Nico Hotel
- Hostel with capsule pods and glamping tents: Central Hostel San Sebastian
Final thoughts
Antigua is a beautiful city and is honestly one of my favourite cities. The colourful streets, friendly people and volcano views will steal your heart! Not to mention, the range of activities and great places to eat too.
If you are planning a trip to Antigua, you won’t be disappointed. To decide where to fit Antigua in to your wider Guatemala itinerary, I’ve posted a guide here. If you’re planning on hiking Acatenango, check out my tips for the hike and also my full packing list too.