22 Amazing Things to do in Antigua, Guatemala

Last Updated on August 10, 2024

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If you love beautiful colonial cities, Antigua in Guatemala should be on your list of places to visit. Antigua is home to beautiful colonial architecture, historic ruins, great cafes, amazing restaurants and stunning volcano views. For not a really big city, there are many things to do in Antigua, Guatemala, as well as some great day trips to take.

Antigua was the country’s first capital, known back then as Santiago de Guatemala. The historic center is UNESCO World Heritage Site, but the city has been through a lot. Due to its location, Antigua is prone to earthquakes and was hit several times, leaving the city in ruins. Which is why, after the earthquake of 1773 destroyed most of the city, the capital was moved to Guatemala City.

The city is very walkable, and you can cover everything on foot. If you choose accommodations in the center, most of Antigua Guatemala sights are within walking distance. Pack comfortable shoes though, as the streets are all cobblestones. If you want to give your legs a break, you can hop in one of the tuk tuks. They are cute, fun, cheap and perfect for a quick ride.

cobblestone streets in Antigua Guatemala

How to get to Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua is located just 25 miles (40km) from Guatemala City, which is where La Aurora International Airport is. So, if you are getting to Guatemala by air, this is where you will arrive.

Depending on traffic, which can be heavy at times, it can take anywhere from 50-90 minutes to get from the airport to Antigua. There are several means of transportation you can choose from:

  • Guatedriver – this is a private transfer, which is the best and most convenient way to get from the airport to Antigua. The driver will be waiting for you when you arrive, so you can be on your way the second you leave the airport. They also monitor your flight, in case of any delays. To book your transfer, you can contact Guatedriver via Whatsapp (+502 3775 7831) or their FB page.
  • Uber – Uber operates in Guatemala and is another convenient option. While you won’t find it in more remote areas of the country, it works well in Guatemala City. Know that, when you order an Uber in Guatemala, you will receive a 4-digit safety code, that your driver will ask for when you get in.
  • GuateGo – this is a shared shuttle, which is a more budget friendly option. They have a set schedule, so you might have to wait around a bit depending on when your flight arrives.

Just for research purposes and to have a comparison, I took Uber from the airport to Antigua and pre-arranged Guatedriver for my ride back to the airport when it was time to leave. I can honestly say, Guatedriver is the way to go. They have nice cars, great drivers, who are very punctual and provide excellent service overall. Communication is prompt and booking process very easy. And the rate was actually a bit cheaper than what Uber ended up costing me.

a chicken bus on the street of Antigua Guatemala

How many days to spend in Antigua, Guatemala

I’d say you need at least 2-3 full days to see most of the city’s highlights. If you plan on doing any day trips, like the volcano hikes, add extra days for that.

I was in Antigua for 6 days, two of which were spent doing the overnight Acatenango hike, which left me with 4 full days exploring the city. It was enough time to see all the top Antigua attractions at a nice pace, without running from one thing to another, just to check it off. I also had time to enjoy the city, sit in the square people watching, linger at a cafe, walk aimlessly and just enjoy the atmosphere.

view of Fuego Volcano seen from the street in Antigua Guatemala

Things to do in Antigua, Guatemala

Get a picture with Arco de Santa Catalina

Chances are, if you look up Antigua, Guatemala, one of the first images you’ll come across will be a yellow Arch, with the volcano in the background. That yellow arch is Arco de Santa Catalina, one of the biggest landmarks in Antigua.

Arco de Santa Catalina was built in 1694 and had a secret passageway inside to connect the Santa Catalina Convent with the school on the other side of the road. The nuns who lived in the Convent taught at the school but took a vow of seclusion and could not be seen out in public. They used the secret walkway to get across.

The volcano you see behind the Arch in the distance is Volcán de Agua, one of the three volcanos, that surround Antigua (Fuego and Acatenango being the other two). On a nice and clear day, you can get a nice shot of both the Arch and the volcano.

To get a picture without too many people in it, you have to show up early. Obviously, this is a popular spot, and the entire street gets lots of foot traffic during the day into the night. I was there by 6.30 am and there were already a few people there. Early morning is also when you have the highest chances of getting a clear view of the Agua volcano, before the clouds roll in or it gets too hazy.

Aga in front of Arco de Santa Catalina in Antigua Guatemala

Visit Iglesia de la Merced

There are many beautiful churches all over Antigua, but Iglesia de la Merced is one that really stands out. The bright yellow exterior with the stunning detailing is eye catching and it’s a great example of Baroque architecture.

Adjacent to the church is a Convent, that is also a must visit. While the church is free, you need to pay Q20 to enter the Convent, but it’s absolutely worth the cost. There is a beautiful courtyard with the fountain in the center,

And perhaps the best part about visiting Iglesia de la Merced is the roof top of the church with some of the best views of Antigua. But that’s only open on the weekends. So, if you happen to be in Antigua over the weekend, do not miss this! There is an abundance of great roof tops in Antigua, but this one is by far my favorite. You get amazing city views, as well as a close up look at the Baroque architecture of the church.

The church is free to visit, but you need to pay Q20 to enter the Convent (this includes access to the rooftop, if you are there on the weekend).

the fountain in the center of El Convento next to Iglesia de la Merced in Antigua Guatemala
view of Antigua from the roof top of Iglesia de la Merced, one of the top things to do in Antigua Guatemala on the weekends
views from the roof top of Iglesia de la Merced – open only on the weekends

Wander the cobblestone streets

No matter how many days you have in Antigua, set aside some time to wander around, with no particular plan. Walk the cobblestone streets, admire all the colonial architecture and check out the beautiful doors.

Antigua is really easy on the eyes, so have your camera ready. At every turn, there are beautiful pastel-colored buildings, churches, cute cafes and boutique shops.

tuk tuk on the street of Antigua Guatemala

Take a walking tour of Antigua

Antigua is not that big and it’s very easy to walk around on your own. But if you’d like to learn about the city and its history, you might want to book a walking tour. Those are usually a couple of hours long and take you to all the important places.

I always recommend joining walking tours at the beginning of the trip. It will not only give you a nice overview of the city, but also help you get oriented. It’s a great introduction to the city, its history and culture. Plus, local guides have the best recommendations

This small group City Highlights Walking Tour is 5 star rated, comes highly recommended and often sells out.

colorful colonial buildings in Antigua Guatemala

People Watch at Parque Central

Parque Central, also known as Plaza Mayor, is Antigua’s main square and the heart of the city. Always full of locals,

There is a beautiful fountain in the middle, plenty of walkways, trees and benches. You can grab a cup of coffee or ice cream from one of the little trucks and enjoy the shade and some people watching. The park is always full of locals

The park is surrounded by beautiful and important buildings. You have the Cathedral, Real Palacio de los Capitanes Generales. Also, many restaurants and cafes.

Parque Central in Antigua, Guatemala

Visit the New and Old Cathedral

The Cathedral of San José, also known as Catedral de Santiago, sits just to the East of Parque Central. It was built in the 16th century and was one of many buildings, that got seriously damaged by the 1773 earthquake. It was partially restored and is a functioning church., which you can visit it for free.

You can also see the ruins of the original Cathedral, right behind the church. Which I actually found way more impressive than the New Cathedral. You can see just how huge the original church was. There are several photographs there of what the Cathedral looked like before the destruction. It’s a great spot to take some pictures, I highly recommend putting it on your Antigua itinerary.

The entrance to the ruins is just around the corner from the New Cathedral, on 5 Calle Oriente and it costs Q20.

new cathedral in Antigua Guatemala
the ruins of old cathedral is one of the must things to do in Antigua Guatemala
the arches of the old cathedral in antugua guatemala

Stop at Tanque de la Union

Not far from the main Plaza is a smaller park and and a yellow structure with several arches. When you get closer, you will notice 22 washing tanks. Back in the day, this is where locals would come to wash their clothes.

The old communal laundry is now one of Antigua’s landmarks and a popular hangout spot for locals. There are several vendors there, selling drinks and local snack. The yellow arches make for a fun photo op, especially in the afternoon, during the golden hour lightning.

Tanque de la union in Antigua guatemala
wash basins at Tanque de la union in antigua guatemala

Visit Convento de Santa Clara

Right next to Tanque de la Union is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Antigua, Convento de Santa Clara. I know there is an abundance of interesting ruins in Antigua, and you might not have time to visit all of them, but trust me, put this on top of your list of things to do in Antigua, Guatemala.

The Convent was founded in 1699 for the nuns from Puebla, Mexico and it suffered serious damage during the 1773 earthquake. Like many other fallen buildings in the city, the ruins of Santa Clara Convent have been restored and are open to visitors. Beautiful gardens were added, and the entire property is really well maintained.

One of the highlights is the stunning courtyard with a fountain in the middle. If you love photography, you can’t miss this place. The Convent is often used for special events i.e. weddings, which is not surprising, given how beautiful the place is.

It’s also very quiet and relaxing there. Hard to believe, this place is in the middle of a busy city.

Convento de Santa Clara is open every day 9 am-5pm and there’s an entrance fee of Q40.

convento santa clara one of the best ruins in Antigua Guatemala

Visit Iglesia de San Francisco and the Ruins

Another must see in Antigua is Iglesia de San Francisco and the adjacent ruins. The Baroque style church is one of the most important and most visited churches in Antigua because of the tomb of Santo Hermano Pedro. He was a Franciscan monk, who founded the first hospital for the poor in Antigua. He was buried in the church, and later canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II on his visit to Guatemala. San Francisco church is very popular with locals, for that reason.

The church is located a few blocks away from the main square and sits in a small plaza. There are several vendors there selling fruit, drinks, snacks and some handicrafts.

To the side of the church are the ruins of yet another Convent.

The church is free to visit, but there’s an entrance fee of Q10 to enter the Ruins and the Museum.

San Francisco church in Antigua Guatemala
ruins at San Fancisco church in antigua guatemala

Visit other ruins in Antigua

Antigua is known as the city of ruins. Several earthquakes caused serious damage to a lot of buildings, and while the city was rebuilt, there are many ruins scattered all over Antigua. A lot of them have been preserved and are open to visitors, others you can only view from the outside.

The ruins in Antigua are mostly convents and churches and despite being the remnants of a tragedy, they add a certain character to the city. If you love photography, you should definitely put this at the top of your list of things to do in Antigua, Guatemala.

  • La Recolección – one of my absolute favorite ruins in Antigua. If you go to the Mercado Central, it’s not far from there. It’s an old Convent It costs Q40 to enter (for visitors). If you don’t have time or interest to visit too many ruins, put this one on top of your list.
  • Convento de las Capuchinas – built in 1736, the convent was the last building built before the Santa Marta earthquake. It costs Q40 to enter.
  • Iglesia El Carmen – you can only this church from the street, but restoration work is being done as we speak, so it might open to visitors one day.
  • Iglesia de la Candelaria – a small ruin, that you can only see from the outside. It’s a bit outside of the city’s center and has a basketball court in front of it. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it, but you’ll pass if you walk to the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint.
  • Convento de la Compañía de Jesús – this is an old monastery and college, and you surely will pass it while walking around the city. You can only see it from the courtyard in front of it.
  • Ermita San Jerónimo – I stumbled upon this ruin on my way to La Recolección. It’s a pretty ruin, although quite small and I don’t think it’s worth the admission price of Q40. Especially since there are many other better ruins in the city. Unless you are on a mission to visit all the Antigua ruins, you can skip this one.
La Recolección
La Recolección
La Recolección
Ermita San Jerónimo
Convento de la Compañía de Jesús 
Convento de las Capuchinas
El Carmen

Have a meal at Rincón Antigüeño

No matter how many days you are in Antigua for, be sure to have one of your meals at Rincón Antigüeño. It’s a great spot to have a traditional Guatemalan food for cheap. It’s a local place but became popular with tourists as well.

When you walk in, take a right and go to the window to order your food. There’s a big menu on the wall and after you order and pay for your meal, you get a number and take it to any open table. Despite the place being often quite busy, the food comes out quick. It includes a drink and handmade tortillas, which they make right at the entrance, which is fun to see if you have to wait.

One of the most popular dishes is Pollo a la Leña, which is what I ordered. It’s a rotisserie chicken, with garlic potatoes and a salad.

This is a popular spot, and it does get busy, but the line moves fast, and the turnover is quick. It’s open every day from 8 am – 4pm.

Shop at Nim Po’t

Just steps away from Arco de Santa Catalina is a big artisan shop called Nim Po’t. If you are lookin to do some shopping, this is a great place to go. This store is huge and sells anything from clothing, hats, T-shirts, coffee, chocolate to colorful wooden masks and pottery. They have a big selection of handmade textiles from different parts of Guatemala. Also, a nice assortment of new and used huipils from all over the country.

One of the things I like about Nim Po’t is that you can do browsing and shopping without the pushy vendors, that usually happens at other markets.

They accept credit cards, but you’ll need to show your ID, so be sure to have it on you.

Hike up to Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint

For one of the best views of Antigua, hike up to Cerro de la Cruz. This viewpoint was named after the large cross that stands there and offers amazing views of the city with Volcán de Agua in the background. It’s one of those not to miss places in Antigua and it’s free to visit!

Cerro de la Cruz is quite popular with tourists, so best time to go is in the morning, before the crowds arrive. Chances of getting a clear view of the Agua volcano are also better early in the morning.

To get to Cerro de la Cruz, walk 1a Avenida Norte for several blocks until the street curves to the right. Right there, to your left will be a set of stairs. It’s a bit of a steep hike, but not too bad. If you’ve done one of the volcano hikes, this will be nothing. It took me 20 minutes to get from the center to the viewpoint.

You can also hop in one of the tuk-tuks, if you are not up for the hike. At the top, there are bathrooms and vendors selling drinks, snacks and some souvenirs.

Now a little word of safety. Prior to my trip, I have read reports of robberies on the trail leading up to the viewpoint. Some mentioned, there have security guards now. I was there around 7.30 am and didn’t see any guards, but there were several people walking their dogs and a few joggers. But I would definitely advise against going after sunset or way early, especially alone.

view of Antigua from the Cerro de la cruz viewpoint in antigua guatemala
enjoying the views from Cerro de la Cruz is one of the free things to do in Antigua, Guatemala

Go roof top hopping

There is no shortage of roof top bars and cafes in Antigua. A lot of them have amazing views of the city and the volcanos surrounding it. One of my favorite things to do in Antigua was trying different roof top cafes and bars, whether it was for breakfast, coffee or an afternoon drink. Here are some of my favorite roof tops in Antigua.

  • Café Sky – this is the roof top bar with the best view in Antigua in my opinion. The only thing is, unlike other roof tops, this one does not have any protection from the sun. So, unless you enjoy being in direct sun during mid-day heat, I’d come in the afternoon/night. They also have indoor space, but obviously the roof top is better, if you are there for the views.
  • Rooftop Antigua – another roof top with great atmosphere and views. On a clear day you can see all three volcanos. A section of the bar is covered, if you need shade or in case of rain.
  • Antigua Brewing Company – the brewery has three levels, but it’s the roof top terrace, that is the best spot there. The views are amazing, there is some shade if you don’t want to fry in the sun and some days they have a DJ.
Antigua Brewing Company
Antigua Brewing Company
Sky cafe one of the best roof tops in Antigua guatemala
Café Sky
Rooftop Antigua
Café Sky

Visit Mercado Central

Visiting local markets is one of my favorite things to do anywhere I go, so I had to check out the main Mercado in Antigua.

If you’ve never visited a market like this, prepare for a sensory overload. It’s colorful, loud and chaotic. I’ve visited quite of few Mercados all over Mexico, but the market in Antigua is easily the biggest I’ve seen so far. You can easily get lost there, literally.

At Mercado Central you’ll find vendors selling absolutely anything you can think of, from fruit, food, clothing to textiles and souvenirs. This is where locals go shop on a daily basis. There are also some cheap eateries serving authentic Guatemalan food.

Right next to the main market is Mercado de Artisanal, also worth visiting, especially if you are looking for handicrafts or souvenirs,

Monday, Thursday and Saturday are the busiest days, but the market is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm.

Enjoy Craft beer

Antigua has a pretty decent craft beer scene and there are two breweries worth visiting. Antigua Brewing Company, located right in the heart of the city, was the very first brewery in Antigua. They have a nice selection of beers and a small food menu to go with it. You can get a flight to sample several of their brews, or if you are an IPA fan, Fuego was pretty good. And they have one of the best roof tops in Antigua! The views from their terrace are incredible!

Antigua Cerveza is another local brewery with two locations. They have a small bar Cerveteca right in the center of the city, near the Arch. A simple, no frills tap room, with just a few seats and several beers on tap. Their second location is a short walk outside of the city center. It’s called El Bosque and it’s a huge beer garden in a forest like setting. There are several seating areas, fire pits, games and often live music. Antigua is a busy city, and El Bosque is like an oasis in the middle of it.

Have a drink at a Speakeasy bar

If you enjoy a great cocktail, you have to visit Ulew, which made the list of 50 best bars in the world. There’s no menu, you just tell the bartender what you like, and he creates a drink for you. If you can score a seat at the bar, you can watch the skilled bartenders in action.

Usually, the way into a speakeasy bar is a secret, as finding how to get in is part of the fun. But since there is an actual sign at the entrance, and plenty of information online, I might as well share it too. When you walk into the Antigua Brewing Company, in the left corner there is a red telephone booth. That’s how you get into Ulew bar.

red telephone booth inside of Antigua Brewing Company
One of the best bars in Antigua, Guatemala

Enjoy street food

Best place to go for street food is Plaza la Merced, which is right next to church of the same name (the one with the rooftop). Every day at night, you’ll find many vendors selling local Guatemalan street food. Great place to sample some local food for cheap.

Overnight Acatenango Volcano hike

If you are up for a real adventure and a serious work out, one of the best things to do in Antigua (and all of Guatemala actually) is the two-day hike to Acatenango volcano. Acatenango is one of the three volcanos surrounding Antigua and its neighbor Fuego is one of the most active volcanos in Central America. The real highlight of this hike is being so close to Fuego and seeing its frequent eruptions from the base camp and the summit.

Hiking Acatenango is an incredible experience, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The 4.5-5.5 hour steep hike to the base camp on the first day is quite difficult, but the most challenging part is the 4 am hike to the summit the next day. Acatenango at summit is 3,976 meters (13,044 feet) above the sea level, and you can really feel the effects of the altitude. If you are coming from a lower elevation place, I don’t recommend doing this hike on the very first day. Spend a couple of days in Antigua first to adjust to the altitude.

Acatenango hike is one of the top things to do in Guatemala and there are several companies that offer that trek.

Based on excellent reviews, I booked with Wicho&Charlie’s and cannot recommend them enough. Everything from start to fish was top notch. They offer excellent service, have amazing local guides and if you are worried about sleeping conditions at the base camp, they are also the only company that has cabins (shared and private), not tents. This makes a huge difference, as it can get really cold and windy up there. If you read their reviews and wonder, if they are really that good, I can tell you, yes they are!

There are cheaper options out there but be really careful who you book with. This can really make or break your experience. This is not an easy hike, and you want to go with a reputable company. Snce I’ve done my Acatenango hike with Wicho&Charlie’s, that is my top recommendation, but there are a few other reputable and high rated companies:

Whichever company you go with, don’t wait till last minute to book. This is a pretty popular hike, and spots book up in advance. Especially in dry season, when the weather is most favorable for such an experience. I recommend booking the trek as soon as you have your travel dates in order.

fuego volcano erupting seeing from the summit of acatenango volcano

Hike Pacaya Volcano

If you would like to hike a volcano, but the overnight Acatenango adventure sounds a bit too extreme, you can hike Pacaya Volcano instead. This is Central America’s most active volcano, located about 1.5 hr from the city of Antigua.

The only way to hike Pacaya Volcano is with a guide, and as one of the most popular day trips from Antigua, it’s not hard to find that excursion. If you have a rental car, you can drive yourself to the volcano, and hire a guide on the spot. Otherwise book a tour in the city, which will have everything taken care of, including round trip transportation.

The hike itself is 2.5 hours, but you need to add about 3 hours of travel time, so this will take up most of your day. A lot of companies offer a daytime hike and a sunset one. One of the highlights of the tours is roasting marshmallows using the volcanic heat.

As for the difficulty level, this is considered to be a moderate hike. Although this will all depend on your hiking experience and what shape you’re in. Some people find it easy, while others think it’s quite challenging. The hike is not that long, but it’s steep, so the real challenge comes from the incline, not the distance. I’d say, as a point of reference, if you’ve done the Acatenango hike, this will be a piece of cake.

And finally, if you want to go up the volcano, but have no interest in hiking, you can also sign up for an ATV Pacaya Volcano Tour. Riding an ATV to an active volcano is definitely one of the fun and adventurous things to do in Guatemala.

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Take a day trip to Hobbitenango

Just 20 minutes away from Antigua is Hobbitenango, an eco-village inspired by Lord of the Rings. If you are a fan, this might be a fun day trip to take from Antigua. While there, some of the activities are axe throwing, archery, mini golf and other games. There are tons of photo opportunities, like the famous Giant hand and the swing, that’s all over Instagram.

Hobbitenango is up in the mountains, so the views are incredible, as long as you are there on a clear day. You can go just during the day or spend the night in one of the hobbit-style homes. They currently have three you can book for an overnight.

The entrance to Hobbitenango costs Q50 and includes the transport from the parking lot to the entrance gate, as well all the games and access to the trails, swing and photo spots.

To get there, you can take a shuttle from their office in Antigua (click on the link for exact location). It leaves every day at 8am, 10 am, 12 pm and 4 pm. The shuttle returns back to the city at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm. The round-trip costs Q45. You can also easily get there by taxi or Uber.

Learn Spanish

This is obviously not something you’ll be doing if you are in Antigua for just a couple of days, but if you are planning an extended stay, the city is an excellent and popular place to learn Spanish. People in Guatemala speak with a clear and easy to understand accent. Especially compared to other Spanish speaking countries.

There are plenty of Spanish schools with courses of all levels. Both Antigüeña Spanish Academy and Ixchel are excellent choices and come highly recommended.

Very popular are also homestays, where you live with a family and learn the language by immersion, which is the best way to do it. You’ll also get a glimpse into the everyday life at the same time.

What NOT to do in Antigua, Guatemala

After all the great things to do in Antigua, Guatemala I just listed, there’s one I do not recommend doing, contrary to what a lot of other Antigua guides suggest. And that is to take a day trip to Lake Atitlán.

Lake Atitlán is a beautiful lake located in the western highlands of the country. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It’s hands down one of the best places to visit in Guatemala, just not as a day trip from Antigua.

Lake Atitlán is huge with several different villages around, all different and all worth visiting. You need much more time than one day to get a sense of that place. Lake Atitlán deserves minimum 3 days, ideally longer. To get from Antigua to Lake Atitlán, you are looking at 2.5 hours each way. That’s 5 hours out of your day just to get there, assuming there’s no traffic. That time is better spent in Antigua.

Things to know about Antigua, Guatemala

  • The currency in Guatemala is Quetzal
  • Not a lot of English
  • Plenty of banks/ATM’s
  • Credit cards are widely accepted but be sure to also have some cash if you plan on buying from street vendors.
  • Tipping – 10% tip is automatically added to your bill in restaurants
  • A lot of places are closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly
  • Leave your heels at home – if you are a girl and think of bringing high heels to Antigua, think twice. The entire city is cobblestones, which looks beautiful and charming, but makes for a very challenging walk in anything other than flat and comfortable shoes.
  • Download WhatsApp – the primary means of communication with most people and businesses is WhatsApp. So, if you don’t have it yet, make sure to download it on your phone.
  • Tap water is not safe to drink – just like in Mexico, you cannot drink tap water in Antigua (and all of Guatemala). Many hotels will have filtered water in the lobby to fill your water bottle.

Where to eat in Antigua, Guatemala

Breakfast

  • Doña Luisa Xicotencatl – a very popular breakfast spot, with a bakery attached to it. They are known for their banana bread.
  • Café Boheme – cozy cafe with a French twist. It has a great roof top terrace with beautiful plants and plenty of shade.
  • Café Estudio – another great cafe with a terrace and beautiful views.
  • Cafe Cafe Guatemala – highly recommended place with a laid-back vibe. Great coffee and variety of fresh juices.

Coffee Shops

  • Fat Cat
  • 12 Once
  • Alegria Café

Restaurants

  • Por Que? No – one of the best restaurants in Antigua. Tiny place, so be sure to make a reservation or show up at opening time.
  • Rincon Tipico – great place for cheap and authentic Guatemalan food. It’s always packed, but the line goes fast and turnover is pretty quick.
  • Caoba Farms – great farm-to-table restaurant located on the farm in the outskirts of the city (don’t walk there after dark, take a tuk-tuk).

Vegan Restaurants

  • Once Once – one of the best restaurants in Antigua with plant-based food. Great ambience as well. Try their cauliflower tacos.
  • La Bruja
  • Wachuma

Bars

  • Antigua Brewing Company – the very first brewery in the city with several beers on tap
  • El Bosque – large beer garden in forest like setting
  • Tabascos y Vinos – small, intimate wine bar right next to Arco de Santa Catalina with a nice selection of wines by the glass. And the price decreases with each glass. Perfect place for a pre- or post dinner drink.
Tabascos y Vinos

Where to stay in Antigua, Guatemala

There are so many beautiful hotels in Antigua to choose from. Because Antigua is not a huge city, most of them are within walking distance to all the attractions, restaurants and cafes.

Porta Hotel Antigua – one of the most beautiful hotels in the city, in a convenient location, just a few minute walk to the main square and close to many of Antigua attractions. The setting is beautiful with lush gardens and a good size pool. The restaurant on site Los Moros gets rave reviews, there’s also a bar and a poolside snack bar.

El Carmen – right in the heart of the city, close to everything. Rooms and comfortable and spacious. Breakfast is included and you can enjoy it from the roof top terrace, along with the amazing views of the volcanos.

Posada del Angel if you are looking for an intimate, boutique hotel, this is an excellent choice. There are just 7 rooms, each very unique. The hotel is on a quiet street, just a few blocks from the main square. There is a small lap pool, and you will love the roof top terrace, where breakfast is served.

Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo – this is the top-rated luxury hotel in Antigua. With over 100 rooms, this place is huge, but still charming. It used to be a convent, so the hotel is full of history and the museum on site is free for guests. Other amenities include a pool, spa and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you don’t mind splurging a bit on your Antigua accommodations, you really can’t go wrong with this gorgeous place.

Ojala – but if you are looking for more of a budget option, look into Ojala. This is mostly an upscale hostel, but also have private rooms.


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