Antigua, Guatemala is one of my favorite places on the planet. This picturesque little city is so colorful, beautiful and filled with so much history and culture. Antigua is a place I would recommend for everyone to visit. It’s great for solo travelers, groups of friends, families and couples. There’s really something for everyone and the spectacular beauty of the area and the charming nature of the city really make it the perfect destination.
Antigua is the former capital of Guatemala and it one of the most spectacular Spanish colonial cities in Latin America. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
Location: Where is Antigua, Guatemala
Located in the Central Highlands of Guatemala, the city of Antigua sits at 5,029 feet of elevation. Antigua is located about 24 miles from the airport in Guatemala City. While this is very close, it usually takes between 1-2.5 hours to make the trip. With no traffic, you can do it in an hour, but the fastest I’ve ever been able to make this drive is 1.5 hours. Once, it took me almost three hours.
Some hotels in Antigua will arrange transfers from the airport directly to their hotel. This is a great option, of course, however, it’s also very affordable and reliable to book your own transportation.
Private and shared transportation from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua:
- Shared Transportation from Guatemala City to Antigua
- Private Shuttle From Airport to Antigua or Vice-Versa
- Roundtrip Private Transfer
- You can also book an Uber upon arrival, but this is usually around the same price (or sometimes more) than pre-booking a transfer.
Where to stay in Antigua
Antigua is a small, walkable city packed with tons of accommodation options. My biggest recommendation is to stay in a centrally located hotel, so that you can walk to all of the amazing places Antigua has to offer.
In Antigua you’ll find a wide variety of accommodations, catering to every price point and style preference.
From hostels, to hotels to luxury stays, Antigua really has it all. I’ve stayed at a variety of accommodations in Antigua and honestly, each one has been a great experience. I will say, a hotel with a rooftop so you can take in the volcano views really is extra special.
Anywhere within walking distance to Parque Central de Antigua (Antigua’s Central Park) is a great option. This is the center of town and there are several churches, markets and shops to explore.
Hostels in Antigua:
- Maya Papaya (one of my faves!)
- Ojala (the sister hostel to Maya Papaya)
- Casi Casa
- Yellow House Hostel B&B
Hotels in Antigua:
Luxury stays in Antigua:
Getting around Antigua
Antigua is very walkable and you can get almost everywhere on foot. I love wandering the streets and walking all over the city. It’s such a charming place filled with so many shops, cafes, markets and restaurants.
If it’s raining, or if it’s a longer walk, there are tuktuks around the city that can take you wherever you need to go. Make sure to agree on a price before setting off on your trip.
Keep in mind that most of the streets in Antigua are cobblestones, so sneakers are a great option for footwear.
Food and the best restaurants in Antigua
Something I love about Antigua is the huge selection of restaurants, cafes and bars. The food in Antigua is awesome and you can truly find anything you’re looking for.
I definitely recommend trying some delicious, traditional Guatemalan food while in Antigua! Be on the lookout for local dishes like:
- Pepián
- meat stew
- Chile Relleno
- stuffed peppers
- Tamales
- Kaq’ik
- pre-hispanic turkey soup
A few of my favorite restaurants include:
- Madre Tierra (delicious Guatemalan food)
- Fridas (Mexican)
- El Viejo Café (coffee shop and full service restaurant)
- They have a beautiful rooftop garden!
- Casa Escobar
- This is a steak house and it’s very tourist focused. It’s also very nice and the food quality is great. With this, come very high prices compared to other restaurants in town and Guatemala in general. It’s worth it for a special occasion!
Guatemala is known for its amazing coffee and there are so many fantastic coffee shops in Antigua. These are a great place to go and enjoy a morning coffee, read a book or hangout in the afternoon.
A few of my favorite coffee shops include:
- 12 onzas
- Cafe Sol
- They have a beautiful terrace
- El Gran Cafe
- Grab and go, no seating
- Siena Luz, Coffee & Book Shop
- Great coffee and food with books and co-working!
Coffee tours and experiences:
- Antigua ATV Coffee Tour (this also included visiting Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint)
- Coffee Tour in Sacatepéquez with Tasting (free pickup in Antigua)
Fast Food
Interestingly, Antigua also has some of the most beautiful fast food restaurants I’ve ever seen. The Starbucks and McDonalds are especially beautiful and the Taco Bell is quite pretty as well. I’ve never seen a city with such unique and charming fast food restaurants.
I don’t usually eat fast food in the United States, but outside of the country, I like to see what different menu options they have. Even if you don’t want to eat fast food, these three are definitely worth stopping by just to see.
Chocolate in Antigua
In addition to coffee, Antigua is known for their delicious chocolate! You can visit the local chocolate museum to try tons of great treats, It’s quite small and more of a store than a museum, however, they offer amazing chocolate making classes.
A chocolate making experience is definitely a must-do in Antigua!
Chocolate making classes:
- Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Workshop in ChocoMuseo Antigua
- Private Chocolate Tasting Experience in Guatemala
- Guatemalan Bean to Bar, Cacao and Chocolate Experience
What to pack for Antigua
The weather in Antigua is pretty consistent throughout the year. Usually, the high is somewhere between 74-80 degrees and the low is 55-60. If you visit in June-September/early October, expect some rainy days. If you’re visiting during the rainy season, having a raincoat or umbrella is a good idea. After that, rain is less common.
Definitely bring layers, as the temperature drops once the sun goes down. Sneakers are great as well as, like I mentioned above, most streets are cobblestones.
I always pack in a carry-on and when you’re traveling to Guatemala, going in only a carry-on is my best advice. Dragging a big suitcase on cobblestones isn’t fun and a lot of hotels don’t have elevators.
If you visit Lake Atitlan, which I absolutely recommend you do, you’ll most likely need to put your suitcase on a boat. A carry-on is much easier to maneuver than a large suitcase.
Must do activities in Antigua
For being a small city, Antigua has a lot to do! From hikes, to ATV tours, to coffee experiences, Antigua has it all.
A few must-do activities include:
Check out Catedral de Santiago
These ruins are of a cathedral that was built in the mid-1500s and destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. The facade of the cathedral remains, but once you step inside, all that remains are roofless ruins that are very interesting to explore. Entry is just a few dollars and very worth it.
Check out the markets
There are several handicraft and artisan markets in Antigua. There are also great food markets! These are so fun to walk through, grab a snack and shop for souvenirs.
The best handicraft markets include:
- Mercado Central de Artesanias (indoor/outdoor)
- This is the “main” tourist market in Antigua. You’ll find art, leather, clothing, jewelry and everything else you’re looking for!
- Nim Pot
- Right near the iconic yellow arch (Arco de Santa Catalina) you’ll find Nim Pot. This is more of a store and less of a market, but it contains handmade items from a variety of talented artisans! You’ll find everything from Mayan clothing, to ceramics, to hand sewn bags.
- Prices here are a little more expensive than in the tourist markets, but the variety of products is fantastic.
- Right near the iconic yellow arch (Arco de Santa Catalina) you’ll find Nim Pot. This is more of a store and less of a market, but it contains handmade items from a variety of talented artisans! You’ll find everything from Mayan clothing, to ceramics, to hand sewn bags.
- Mercado de Artesanias El Carmen
- This is another great artisan market located close by to Parque Central. It’s smaller than Mercado Central de Artesanias but still has a great variety of art, ceramics, wooden sculptures and other souvenirs.
In addition to artisan markets, there are also wonderful food markets! I love shopping for fruit in Mercado Municipal de Alimentos – this is the food section of Mercado Central, close by to Mercado Central de Artesanias. It’s really fun to wander through and to snack on fresh fruit.
I went on a a guided market tour and it was great! I was able to learn a lot about local fruits and vegetables and try some that I had never had before. Combining a market tour with a cooking class is also so fun – check out this great one: Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour.
In front of Iglesia la Merced (Merced Church) you’ll also often find some amazing street food vendors. Everything is worth trying, but the pupusas are especially delicious. There are tons of delicious and affordable options.
Often, there are also artisan vendors set up nearby!
Eat delicious local food on a street food tour
When you’re in Antigua, I absolutely recommend going on a street food tour! There are so many delicious spots to try and it’s such a fun way to learn more about traditional Guatemalan food.
Food tours in Antigua:
- Street Food Evening Tour (about 10 minutes outside of Antigua, includes free transportation)
- Private Street Food Tour in Antigua
- Foodie & Street Food Tour
Go on a walking tour
I love walking tours. I think they’re such a great way to see a city with a local and to learn more about where I’m traveling! Antigua has so much history, especially because it was the former capital of the country, and it’s so interesting to learn more about its past and present.
There’s walking tours all day long and they vary in length and theme. Personally, I love a walking tour that’s around 1.5-2 hours. I feel like that’s the perfect amount of time to get a great overview but still have time to explore on my own.
Walking tours in Antigua:
- Colonial and Cultural Walk in Antigua
- Private Walking tour of Antigua
- Guided Walking Tour Legends of Antigua (evening tour focused on dark legends and myths)
Go on a hike
Antigua, and the surrounding areas, are great for hiking! There are scenic viewpoints, like Cerro de la Cruz, that are close to town, or volcanos nearby that make great hikes.
Cerro de la Cruz you can hike on your own, but there are also some great guided options. If you’d prefer another way to get to the top of Cerro de la Cruz, there are also ATV tours which are so fun!
Hikes near Antigua:
- Pacaya Volcano Morning Tour from Antigua
- Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef
- Overnight Volcano Acatenango Hiking Adventure
Is Antigua, Guatemala safe?
This is one of the most common questions I’m asked and one most travelers are thinking about when booking a trip. The great news is that Antigua, Guatemala is very safe. Antigua is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, tourist destination in the country. It is so widely-visited, in part, due to how safe it is.
You will feel very safe in Antigua as a solo-traveler, with friends or as a family with children. Of course, use common precautions, like not leaving your purse open or your phone unattended, but overall, it’s a very safe place.
FAQ: Things to Know When Visiting Antigua, Guatemala
- How many days do you need in Antigua, Guatemala?
- 3 days is a great amount of time to explore Antigua and take part in many of the activities and experiences offered. If you plan to take an overnight hike to Acatenango Volcano, which I absolutely recommend you do, then you’ll want 4 days in Antigua.
- What is the best month to go to Antigua?
- There is no bad time of year to visit Antigua, but December-April is especially great as there is very little rainfall. However, no matter when you go, it’s going to be a great experience!
- Is it safe to walk around Antigua, Guatemala?
- Absolutely! Antigua is very tourist friendly and very safe. Like with anywhere you visit, be cautious at night and don’t walk alone in isolated areas after dark. At night, stick to major tourist areas and go with a friend/group when you can.
- If you don’t feel comfortable walking, you can always take a tuktuk.
- Absolutely! Antigua is very tourist friendly and very safe. Like with anywhere you visit, be cautious at night and don’t walk alone in isolated areas after dark. At night, stick to major tourist areas and go with a friend/group when you can.
- Is Antigua Guatemala expensive to visit?
- In general, Antigua (and Guatemala in general) is very affordable. It is absolutely possible to visit Antigua on a budget and have a fantastic experience. There are inexpensive hostels, tons of free things to do and great street food (and inexpensive restaurant) options.
- Of course, you can also have a more luxurious experience in Antigua! There is really something for every traveler.
Ready to visit Antigua, Guatemala? I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip!
If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments or DM me on Instagram, @twosistersabroad.
While you’re in Guatemala, be sure to also check out Lake Atitlan, another stunning destination about 2.5 hours by car from Antigua. Lake Atitlan is one of my favorite places and travelers often visit Antigua and Lake Atitlan on the same trip.
Check out my posts all about Lake Atitlan here:
- The Best Things to do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
- Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Travel Guide: Tips and Advice for Your Trip
- Where to Stay in Lake Atitlan for the Best Experience!
pin me!
♡Kate
This post with everything you need to know when traveling to Antigua Guatemala includes affiliate links at no cost to you! Affiliate links help keep our blog up and running. Read our disclosure here.
