29 Epic Things to do in Antigua Guatemala

Things to do in Antigua, Guatemala

Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Guatemala, the colonial gem of Antigua beckons travelers with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture. As you embark on a journey through this UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll find yourself captivated by the cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and the majestic backdrop of volcanoes. We spent 1 month in Antigua, Guatemala and it quickly became one of my favorite cities. In this guide we will highlight 27 adventurous things to do in Antigua, Guatemala. This Antigua bucket list will help you plan the ultimate visit to Guatemala.

View from Cerro de la Cruz

Key Things to Know about Antigua, Guatemala

Language: Spanish

Currency: Quetzals

Best Time to Visit: Dry Season (Nov-April), however we spent the whole month of September and it was still a great experience.

How to arrive: The Guatemala International Airport (GUA) is about 45 minutes drive from Antigua. Regularly scheduled shuttles also transport backpackers from other parts of the country as well as Mexico and El Salvador

Best Places to Stay in Antigua, Guatemala

Luxury:

Hotel Casa Santo Domingo is definitely the most luxurious hotel in Antigua. The hotel is built into the old ruins and has beautiful gardens, a lovely pool area and guest access to the Santo Domingo Convent Museum. This is such a unique hotel, rich with culture and history.

Mestizo Hotel my parents stayed here when they visited us and they loved it! It is a small boutique hotel one block from the main square. The rooms are decorated beautifully and the free breakfast is delicious. The highlight of this hotel is the rooftop which has views of Fuego Volcano.

Budget:

Hostal De La Fuente is my top choice for budget accommodation in Antigua, Guatemala. The hostel is located a few blocks from the main square and provides really comfortable private and dorm rooms. It is a smaller hostel which creates a more intimate vibe and the common area is perfect for meeting other travelers. The best thing is that breakfast AND dinner are included. They host daily activities and help organize tours as well.

Book Hostal de la Fuente

Somos is another popular option for budget accommodation in Antigua, Guatemala. A lot of people we met stayed here and really enjoyed it. It’s got a social vibe and the rooftop with jacuzzi is definitely a highlight! They also organize tours and activities. This hostel seems to attract a slightly younger crowd.

Book Somos

Overview – 29 Things to do in Antigua Guatemala:

(Full Details Below)

Climb Acatenango Volcano
Cerro de la Cruz Lookout
Do a FREE walking tour!
Explore the Best Ruins in Antigua
Take a picture under Santa Catalina Arch
Take Spanish Lessons
Enjoy Craft Beer in El Bosque Cerveceria
Shop for souvenirs at the main Market
Take a day trip to Hobbitenango
Roast marshmallows on the Pacaya Volcano
Enjoy a delicious chocolate making class
Visit Caoba Farms for yoga, markets and a flavorful meal
Try Pollo Campero
Grab sunset beers at Antigua Brewing Co.
Try some amazing coffee
Thursday night Pub Quiz at El Barrio
Free Salsa Lessons
Enjoy a delicious meal with views of the ruins
Go to a local soccer match
Visit a Macadamia or Coffee Farm
The best place to try authentic Guatemalan Food
Attend a Guatemalan festival
People watch in the main square
Visit La Merced Church
Take a ride on a Chicken bus
Visit Lake Atitlán
Enjoy a delicious cocktail in a secret bar
Check out the most beautiful US Fast Food Restaurants (McDonalds & Starbucks)
Enjoy Live Music and Craft Beer at Cerveceria 14

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View of Fuego Volcano

29 Things to do in Antigua Guatemala

1. Climb Acatenango Volcano

The Acatenango Volcano Hike is definitely the top thing to do in Antigua Guatemala. This is an epic 2 day adventure that has you climb up the Acatenango Volcano in order to be up close to the consistently erupting Fuego Volcano. It is a tough climb, but the views are unreal. Ultra adventurers will also have the opportunity to hike onto Fuego Volcano for an extra close view. You get to camp overnight on Acatenango which allows you to see the lava erupting and in the morning you can opt for the sunrise summit hike on Acatenango. This was a top 5 life experience and I am so happy I did it! We booked our tour with CA Travelers and we definitely recommend their tour because it was well priced and all the food and equipment was great.

Cerro de la Cruz Lookout

2. Cerro de la Cruz Lookout

Climbing up to the Cerro de la Cruz lookout is one of the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala. The lookout involves a short hike and provides 180 degree views of Antigua, Guatemala. From here you can admire the historical landmarks and get a birds eye view of the city. On a clear day you can also see Agua, Acatenango and Fuego Volcano in the distance. The hike up is free and takes about 15 minutes once you get to the trailhead. Don’t forget water and sunscreen. You can also pay a tuk tuk to drive you to the top. The hike to Cerro de la Cruz starts from here

3. Go on a Free Walking Tour

This is one of the first things to do in Antigua, Guatemala. We used GuruWalk to book our tour. I definitely recommend this tour with Nelson. He was a great guide and we got to experience some cool things like the local market and an art exhibition in one of the old ruins. Walking tours are always the best way to learn the history of the city, get a brief overview of the main sites and receive local knowledge on the area.

La Recoleccion Ruins

4. Explore the Best Ruins in Antigua

A devastating earthquake in 1773 destroyed a lot of the churches, convents and monuments in Antigua, Guatemala. Today, some of them have been restored and you can marvel at the history. Many of the ruins have beautiful gardens to wander and admire the impressive architecture and design of that time. There are a ton of ruins in Antigua. Some you can just view from the sidewalks, while others are set up like museums that you can walk through and learn about the history. There is a fee to enter most of the ruins. Here are my top 3 ruins: Santa Clara Convent, Convento Capuchinas, La Recoleccion, Santo Domingo Museum. Pro Tip: if you are taking Spanish classes you will qualify for the student discount.

5. Take a Picture Under the Santa Catalina Arch

This is the token symbol of Antigua and is hard to miss. Historically, the arch allowed for nuns to pass from one side of the street to the other without being seen. It has been embellished a bit since then to make it an appealing tourist stop. You will probably pass through the arch multiple times as you explore the city. If you want to get pictures without the crowds you need to visit in the early morning.

6. Take Spanish Lessons

We spent 3 weeks doing Spanish Lessons in Antigua and I could not recommend it more! For $30 USD a day we had 4 hours of private lessons, 3 meals, and our own room in a homestay. I improved my Spanish a ton and got such a rewarding cultural experience. You can book into school for a few days or a few months and it is very easy to make a reservation. We studied at Antiguena Spanish School and I highly recommend their school. Our school took place in the gardens of a large property and each week there were cultural activities that the teachers put on.

Drinks at Antigua Brewing Company

7. Grab Sunset Beers at Antigua Brewing Company

This is one of the best things to do in Antigua Guatemala! The food and drinks are great, but the rooftop patio is what really makes Antigua Brewing Company amazing. From the roof you get a great view over the city and on clear days you can see the eruptions from Fuego Volcano in the distance. I recommend the beer flights or the alcoholic slushies.

8. Shop for Souvenirs at the Main Market

Guatemala is definitely the best country in Central America to buy souvenirs. You will find souvenir shops all around Antigua, and there are usually many vendors in the Central Park. However, for the cheapest and widest selection of souvenirs definitely check out the Main Market. There is a whole souvenir building with hundreds of stalls to check out. Here is the location of the Artisan Market.

Hobbitenango

9. Take a Day Trip to Hobbitenango

If you have a bit of time in Antigua (or love Lord of the Rings) then I recommend a day trip to Hobbitenango. It’s a fun amusement park up in the mountains with rides, games, food and music. Once you are inside the park, the activities are all included in your entrance ticket. I loved the bungee swing! There are shuttles multiple times a day to take you round-trip to Hobbitenango and the fee includes the entrance ticket (about 95Q). The main office is just down the street from La Merced Church. You may want to call ahead and reserve a spot if you are traveling in the high season or visiting on a weekend. I would also avoid visiting on the weekend if possible. Here is the location of the shuttle office in Antigua

10. Roast Marshmallows on the Pacaya Volcano

This is a great hike for all levels and allows you to experience one of Guatemala’s active volcanoes without the major physical effort that Acatenango requires. The views are great and the unique experience is being able to roast marshmallows from the crater. When I visited the lava fields had dried up, but if there is a new erruption it would be even more awesome! I recommend Old Town Outfitters for the tour. You can check out my whole Pacaya Volcano Guide Here

Pacaya Volcano Tour

11. Enjoy a Delicious Chocolate Making Class

Fernando’s Kaffee offers chocolate making classes everyday! You will get to sample different styles of chocolate and then learn the process of cooling the chocolate and placing it into molds. I loved getting to take home my own chocolate creations. It costs Q180 ($23 USD) and the classes are 10-12, 11-1, and 1-3 pm. You get to bring home 2 chocolate bars, 5 mendiants, and 5 chocolate covered cacao beans.

12. Visit Caoba Farms for Yoga, Markets and a Delicious Meal

About 20 minute walk from central Antigua is a unique place call Caoba Farms. At Caoba Farms you will find a lot of community events including markets, yoga classes, workshops and the farm. There is a delicious restaurant serving fresh farm to table meals and usually live music on the weekends. The meal was fantastic and very colorful. Check out their website for up to date information.

13. Eat The Best Fried Chicken at Pollo Campero

Pollo Campero is THE Guatemala Fast Food you have been missing your whole life. It is so good and loved that when you board your return flight you will notice how many passengers are bringing Pollo Campero back to the US. It is fast food but the restaurants operate with table service. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, and personally I think its better than KFC and other fried chicken places I’ve had in the US.

14. Enjoy Craft Beer at Antigua Cervesa El Bosque

I randomly strolled into this forest one day and I was so surprised to find a brewery inside. It is crazy that this place exists right in the middle of Antigua. The brewery is open air with picnic tables, fire pits, corn hole and more. There are a few menus to choose from and it is the perfect place to spend and afternoon or evening with friends. Check out their location here.

15. Try Some Amazing Coffee

Coffee is one of the main exports in Guatemala, and you will find so many cute trendy coffee spots in Antigua. I’m personally not a coffee drinker but I wish I had more excuses to stop at some of these cafes. The one place we did check out was Artista de Cafe which was such a relaxing place to get some work done and enjoy their drinks (I had the lemonade and it was unreal). Some other popular spots are Fat Cat Coffee, Cafe Boheme, and Alegria Cafe.

16. Thursday Night Pub Quiz at El Barrio

This is a popular spot for backpackers in Antigua Guatemala and it is a fun place on any night. El Barrio is the sports bar area of a larger compound that includes other restaurants and bars sharing the same courtyard. On Thursday they run a really good pub quiz and the winnings are substantial. It is also the best place to watch local and international sports. Make sure to arrive early to get a table for your group

17. Free Salsa Lessons

Salsa classes are always a great way to meet other travelers/locals and experience the culture. I really enjoyed the free salsa classes that Frank Arango puts on. Every Monday & Tuesday you can join for free Salsa and Bachata classes at 5 pm. These classes are tip based and a lot of fun. You can also schedule private dance classes as well. Check out Frank Arango Salsa Studio here.

Santa Clara Convent

18. Enjoy a Delicious Meal with view of the Ruins

is a popular French restaurant in Antigua Guatemala that has a patio overlooking the San Jose Cathedral. The food is amazing and the views into the ruins are really special as well. This is an upscale restaurant so it is more expensive than most places in Antigua but it’s 100% worth it. Making a reservation is key and try to request the patio seating. The views into the ruins are best during the daylight but there are lights at night. Pro Tip – if you don’t want to splurge at Tartines, I recommend packing a picnic and visiting one of the ruins I mentioned above!

19. Go to a Local Soccer Match

Antigua GFC is one of the better teams in Central America and their home stadium is walking distance from the center of Antigua. Tickets are cheap and this is a fun non-touristy experience. You can check their schedule here.

20. Visit a Macadamia or Coffee Farm

The area surrounding Antigua, Guatemala is filled with different farms and plantations. We got to visit Valhalla Macademia farm with our Spanish teachers as part of our Friday field trip and it was a unique experience to learn the process of harvesting Macademia and turning it into different products. We got to sample some of the products and purchase things from their shop. Valhalla gives back to the Guatemalan community by teaching people how to grow Macademia plants as a source of income. We took a chicken bus there, but it is also easy to drive or take an Uber. The tour is free and no reservation was required. They also have a restaurant onsite. Coffee Plantations are another popular tour stop as well.

21. The Best Place to try Authentic Guatemalan Food in Antigua Guatemala

In general, we were not too impressed with traditional Guatemalan food. It’s difficult to follow Mexico from a culinary perspective. However, there are some good restaurants if you are looking to try authentic Guatemalan food. Rincón Antigüeño is a popular choice in town and they have a different set menus everyday. Definitely look out for Pepian, this was our favorite Guatemalan dish.

22. Attend a Guatemalan Festival

Guatemalan people love to celebrate a holiday and they have a lot of unique celebrations. We were there is September for the Independence Day which is really a few days worth of celebrations. There are parades, fireworks, shows and the running of the torch. Some other holidays are Dia de los Muertos, Christmas, and Easter.

Fountain in Antigua Main Square

23. People Watch in the Main Square

The main square in Antigua Guatemala is really beautiful and lively. It is a great photo spot for pictures of the fountain and Cathedrals. You will find people selling art, food, and coffee in the square. Many local families spend time here as well and it is a great place to people watch. Look out for the coffee guy that serves his coffee from a jet pack on his back.

24. Visit La Merced Church

La Merced is the most eye catching church in Antigua. Its bright yellow color and baroque architecture make it stand out from the rest. It is a centerpiece of Antigua. It is possible to visit inside the church when there is not a scheduled Mass. Outside the church you will find a lot of vendors selling local street food. This is the best place to try some street food in Antigua.

25. Take a ride on a Chicken Bus

Chicken Bus is the slang term for the public busses around Guatemala. They are old US school buses that have been painted and decorated to have their own character. Our tour guide gave us the analogy “They arrive as Caterpillars and transform into Butterflies.” Riding on a Chicken Bus is an experience in itself. You will see them passing the streets, or you can find the terminal at the main market. They are very cheap to ride and perfect for visiting neighboring towns of Antigua.

Lake Atitlan

26. Visit Lake Atitlán

No Guatemala itinerary is complete without a visit to Lake Atitlán. In order to go here you should allow at least 2 nights on the lake (more is better). It’s a 2-3 hour ride from Antigua and you can easily book shuttles there. Check out my post 15 Adventurous Things to do in Lake Atitlán

27. Enjoy a Unique Cocktail in a Secret Bar

There is a really cool Speakeasy in Antigua Guatemala called, Ulew Cocktail Bar. You can find it inside the Antigua Brewing Company. The unique aspect of this place is that their is no menu. The waiters will note your preferences and bring you a custom cocktail served in very interesting glassware. The cocktails are great and it is a fun experience!

McDonalds in Antigua Guatemala

28. Check out the Most Beautiful US Chain Restaurants

When we are on the road for a while sometimes it is so nice to have the comforts of home when it comes to food. In Antigua I would highly recommend checking out some of the US fast food restaurants – even if you just pop you head inside. The Starbucks is so beautiful that I wanted to visit everyday. It was the perfect spot to do our Spanish homework. The McDonalds is also really nice and has great views of the volcanoes from the open air courtyard. Even Taco Bell has a nice colonial feel. Due to the UNESCO World Heritage Site the US Chains have to blend in with the city.

29. Enjoy Live Music and Craft Beer at Cerveceria 14

Just outside of town is a really cool brewery that has a lot of outdoor live music on the weekends. It’s the one spot that I wish we had made it to. There is a free shuttle that picks up in front of the Santa Clara Panaderia. You can check the Cerveceria 14 website for more info and a schedule of events.

Acatenango Volcano Hike

Do you Have Travel Insurance?

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