Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala is a charming city with stunning cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and views of surrounding volcanoes. It’s safe, walkable, and only an hour drive from the nearest international airport.
Things To Do
There are so many great things to do in Antigua! Here are some highlights:
Volcan Acatenango Hike - If hiking an active volcano and waking up at sunrise to watch a volcano eruption sounds fun to you, then the overnight Acatenango hike is a MUST when visiting Antigua. See my full Acatenango review here.
Volcan Pacaya - If you’re not up for the craziness of an overnight Acatenango hike, Pacaya is another volcano that you can hike in just 4-5 hours. Some tours even include marshmallow roasting on volcanic rock!
Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross) - Located in the north of the city, this is quite literally a hill with a cross. You can do a short hike up a paved walkway to the iconic viewpoint. Great views of Antigua from there and a great spot to catch the sunset.
Hobbitanango - This Hobbit-themed amusement park is top of my list for my next visit to Antigua! It’s ~20 minutes drive from the city, but seems like it’s worth it for the great views and general weirdness. If you can’t make the trek all the way to New Zealand for Hobbiton, this is a solid second option.
Mercado de Artesanias El Carmen - Busy market with tons of different vendors where you can buy infinite amounts of handmade souvenirs and textiles.
McDonald’s - This is showing up in the ‘Things to Do’ section and not in ‘Dining’ because I cannot, in good conscience, recommend that you eat at McDonald’s. But this is worth a visit solely because it’s STUNNING. And a stunning McDonald’s is a unique attraction!
Explore Colonial Ruins and Churches - One of the best things to do in Antigua is to just walk around: there are so many beautiful colonial buildings and ornate churches.
Dining
There are so many great restaurants and cafes in Antigua and I barely scratched the surface. Here are some of my favorites:
Caoba Farms - Solid farm-to-table restaurant in the south side of the city. It was difficult to find an empty table because this restaurant is POPULAR. But I did manage to find a very, very secluded seat — so secluded that no waiters even noticed me. LOL I did eventually get a breakfast sandwich and it was fresh and tasty. I had a nice time walking around the grounds afterward and checking out all the fresh produce growing!
Picasso Cafe - I really want to gatekeep this one, but everyone deserves to know about this teeny tiny pasta restaurant. It was just SO SPECIAL and cute. There’s no menu so you just tell the owner, Oscar, what you’re in the mood for and he puts something together. I got an EXCELLENT shrimp pasta — I was carb-loading before my Acatenango hike and this was the perfect meal for it. He also makes delicious lemonade and serves complimentary sorbet at the end of the meal.
Union Cafe & Juice Bar - Casual spot with smoothies, coffees, and other healthy food options. I was craving smoothies all week so this was my go-to spot.
Raiz Cafe - Cozy and adorable corner cafe across from Antigua Books (which has a small English section in case you’re in need of some books!).
La Vid Coffee Roasters - I came in here while their power happened to be out but didn’t let that stop me from having a good time. A couple people had a jam session and I got insanely wired on cold brew that ended up making me SUPER jittery. Five stars.
Artista de Cafe - Solid coffee shop with outdoor patio. It’s great if you’re looking for a coworking spot.
12 Onzas - I was told this was the best coffee in Antigua by someone on Acatenango. It was delicious!
Lodging
I stayed at this very quiet Airbnb in the west of the city, just a ~15 minute walk to the city center. There was a communal kitchen, hammocks, and affordable laundry service.
If you’re looking to be closer to the action, I’d recommended Selina Antigua. This spot is popular with budget travelers. It’s pretty trendy and has a pool, co-working space, and events. It was my second choice but I ultimately decided to have some peace and quiet after spending two weeks with so many people at Lake Atitlan.
Next trip I’d love to stay at Earth Lodge, a resort up in the mountains just outside of central Antigua. If you’re looking for solid views and some R&R, this is the spot!
Getting There
Antigua is located about an hour from the international airport in Guatemala City. Guatemala City is pretty dangerous, so it’s best to head directly to another destination after landing.
I used Uber to travel in and around Antigua, including my journey from Antigua to the Guatemala City airport.
From cobblestone streets to active volcano hikes, Antigua, Guatemala, is a walkable paradise filled with history, stunning views, and vibrant dining spots.