Last Updated on: 3rd July 2024, 01:11 pm
Antigua is easily the most iconic colonial town of Guatemala, and arguably of Central America as a whole. And that’s because from 1543 to 1773, it was the capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, which also included El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and even parts of Chiapas. As such a historically important city, there’s no shortage of things to do here. And this guide to the top things to do in Antigua will help you decide what to focus on.
Antigua, of course, is no longer the capital of Guatemala today. But it’s just thirty minutes or so from the modern capital of Guatemala City. The reason for the move becomes evident when exploring many of the city’s landmarks, as most of them were badly damaged by devastating earthquakes in the 18th century.
While Antigua would suffer from earthquakes from the time of the city’s founding, the most devastating series of earthquakes occurred in 1773, and many of its historic churches and monasteries have remained abandoned ever since.
Since the shift of the capital, Antigua has gradually been reoccupied. It now boasts a population of around 35,000 inhabitants – more than half of its historic peak of 65,000.
While Antigua just means ‘Old,’ the former capital was known as ‘Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala’ in its prime. Serious conservation efforts to restore and protect the city began in the 1940s, while Antigua was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
In the following guide, we’ll be covering the city’s main attractions, both free and paid. And at the end of the article, you can learn more about reaching Antigua, where to stay, and the most popular day trips in the area.
Top Things to Do in Antigua
Free Attractions
Antigua isn’t the most budget-friendly destination, which can take a lot of visitors by surprise. Many come to Guatemala expecting it to be quite affordable. But as we’ll cover below, a lot of the main attractions require entry fees which are greatly inflated for foreigners.
Virtually all the restaurants in the historic center, meanwhile, appear to be catered for tourists. And even getting your laundry done in Antigua can cost a small fortune!
With that said, there are indeed several free attractions around town that you won’t want to miss, regardless of your budget.
Parque Central
Like all colonial-era towns in the Americas, Antigua is centered around a central park, known in Spanish as Parque Central. In its center is a mermaid fountain – a 20th-century replica of the original version created in 1738.
As was typical of Spanish plazas, the Parque Central is flanked on all sides by a cathedral and multiple palaces. In addition to being a destination, it’s also a great place to just come and relax.
As we’ll cover shortly, you can enjoy some great views of the park from above via the balcony of the National Museum of Art, which is also free.
MUNAG - Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala
Easily one of Antigua’s top attractions, it’s incredible that the Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala (open Tue.-Sun. from 8:00-18:00) is free.
The museum doubles as an art museum and a history museum. While it does feature some contemporary works, you’ll find plenty of impressive pieces from the colonial area, while you can even find some pre-Hispanic pieces in the courtyard.
Furthermore, the museum is situated in the Palacios de los Capitanes Generales, which served as the governmental headquarters for all of Central America throughout the colonial era.
And as mentioned above, the museum’s balcony offers the best views of Antigua’s Parque Central. Free or not, visiting MUNAG is easily one of the top things to do in Antigua.
Arco de Santa Catalina
One of Antigua’s – and Guatemala as a whole’s – most iconic pieces of architecture is the Arco de Santa Catalina. The arch was constructed in 1694, and it was intended to help local nuns cross the street away from the public eye.
If circumstances are ideal, you’ll be able to look at the arch with Volcán de Agua in the background – a scene featured on the cover of Lonely Planet Guatemala (which doesn’t have the best reviews).
Unfortunately, Antigua’s surrounding volcanoes weren’t visible during most of my week-long stay, largely due to haze caused by agricultural burns.
As expected, there’s a constantly a crowd below the arch taking photos. Fortunately, officials have designated a slice of the road for photo opportunities, so you can snap a shot without fear of getting run over!
Iglesia Merced
Just north of the arch is Iglesia Merced, one of Antigua’s most famous churches. Unlike many others around town, it’s stood the test of time and remains in active use.
It’s quite a crowded place, as in addition to local worshippers, you’ll commonly find both street vendors and tour groups in the courtyard outside.
Union Tank
Inaugurated in 1853 – well after the capital shifted to Guatemala City – the Union Tank was a place where the lower classes could access water to wash their clothes.
While the water the water remains, it’s only decorative. Today, the adjacent plaza serves as a popular gathering spot for locals.
On the other side of the plaza, don’t miss the Iglesia San Pedro Apóstol. Inaugurated in 1654, it remains in excellent condition.
Church Ruins Around Town
As we’ll cover below, many of the top things to do in Antigua involve exploring abandoned monasteries that were destroyed by earthquakes. Not all of them can be entered, however.
And as you walk around town, you’ll be able to view the facades of some ruined churches that can only be seen from the outside.
Some of these include the churches of Carmen and la Candelaria, along with Antiguo Colegio de la Compañía de Jesús, a former Jesuit monastery.
Cerro de la Cruz
As Antigua lacks skyscrapers, if you’re looking for an overhead view of the city, the best option is Cerro de la Cruz, situated to the northeast of town.
Access to the viewpoint is free, though you will have to pay a small parking fee if you’re driving.
Looking at older reviews, you’ll come across multiple stories of robberies occurring on the walk up. The situation seems to be better now, however, with no mentions of incidents in the past few years.
As I’d be taking my camera, I decided to go on a weekend just to be sure. Plenty of tourists and families were out enjoying the view, while I also observed a group of police officers on patrol during the ascent.
While the walk up isn’t particularly long or difficult, Antigua’s elevation of 1578 m above sea level makes it a lot more tiring than it normally would be.
As for the view? Unfortunately, I didn’t find the view particularly impressive, but that was in large part due to haze obscuring the view of the nearby volcanoes.
In the early months of the year, farmers in Guatemala burn their agricultural waste, and even the volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitlán weren’t visible during my time in the country. This is something to keep in mind if you’re considering visiting in spring.
Ticketed Attractions
Many of Antigua’s top things to do require purchasing a ticket. And if you’re a foreigner, you’ll often have to pay about 40Q (about $5 USD) for these attractions – roughly ten times what locals pay. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there does not seem to be any combo ticket system in Antigua.
If you were to visit all of the ticketed attractions in town, the costs can add up quickly. Therefore, the following list is ordered from most to least essential to better help you decide.
Convent of Santa Clara
The Convent of Santa Clara is open daily from 9:00-17:00 and costs 40Q to enter.
The monastery was completed in 1705, but it suffered through constant earthquakes over the course of that century. It experienced heavy damage in an earthquake in 1717, after which it had to be rebuilt in the 1720s.
And then, like many other attractions in this guide, the convent experienced irreversible damage during the earthquake of 1773.
One of the highlights of the Convent of Santa Clara is the facade of the main church. Notably, it was not visible to the public in the colonial era, as it was solely intended for the nuns living within.
The beautiful Baroque exterior features carved figures of people like Santo Domingo de Guzman, Mary Magdalene, Santa Catalina de Siena and St. Francis of Assisi.
The convent also features a large central courtyard with a fountain in the middle, all of which is surrounded by two-story arcades. Even in its ruined state, it remains impressive.
Various rooms inside include the refectory, kitchen, and living quarters. You can also step inside the interior of the main church. At the time of my visit, where they were setting up for some kind of event.
Near the entrance and exit, meanwhile, you’ll find a small museum that contains ceramics and other artifacts found during archaeological excavations.
As we’ll cover below, the Convento Santa Clara is just one of several ruined monasteries you can visit in Antigua. But it’s arguably the most scenic – both for its surviving architecture and for its pleasant gardens.
If you only have one day to explore Antigua, make a visit here one of your top priorities.
Museo del Hermano Pedro
Originally known as the Convent of San Francisco, the Museo del Hermano Pedro is open daily from 8:00-17:30 and costs 40Q to enter.
The Franciscans began building this monastery in the 16th century, but it repeatedly suffered at the hands of earthquakes. A major reconstruction effort took place here in 1692, though the earthquakes of 1717 would cause major damage yet again. Like many other structures in Antigua, the disaster of 1773 would be just too much to bear.
The main church was rebuilt in 1871 and it remains in active use. And various parts of the former monastery were constructed from the 1960s, though only to preserve the memory of this once-prosperous monastery.
One interesting section is the former refectory, which features life-size mannequins of monks eating a meal. Without the model, it would be very difficult to tell what this room was once used for.
One of the most notable figures interred at the former monastery is Santo Hermano Pedro, after whom the museum was named.
Also known as Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur (1626–1667), Hermano Pedro was known for his missionary work, and he would become Central America’s first Catholic Saint.
Also be sure to explore the upper level during your visit. The upper story provides clear views of both Acatenango and Volcán de Agua – at least on a clear day. Also on the upper level, you’ll find an elaborate library known as the General Study Room.
Museo del Hermano Pedro seems to be one of the lesser-known attractions of Antigua, but it’s also easily one of the most impressive.
Convento la Recolección
Located at the western edge of the historic city, Convento la Recolección is open daily from 8:00-17:00 and costs 40Q to enter.
Out of all the ruined monasteries in Antigua, Convento la Recolección appears the most badly damaged, but that’s a large part of its charm.
It was originally built in the 18th century by the Récollets, a French branch of the Franciscan order.
Today, the central area is filled with toppled over columns, while you’ll have to weave in and out of heaps of rubble to make your way around. Though an official city destination, the experience will delight fans of urban exploration.
While, all in all, the Convento la Recolección isn’t quite as pretty as the Museo del Hermano Pedro, if you only have a short time in the city, you should make it a top priority. As mentioned, it’s very different from the other ruined monasteries in this Antigua guide.
Santiago Cathedral
The Catedral de Santiago long served as Antigua’s prominent cathedral, and it takes its name from the former capital’s original moniker.
As pictured above, the church’s main facade, which remains in great condition, faces Antigua’s Parque Central. And the small church behind the front entrance remains in active use.
But around the corner and through an entrance to the side, visitors can access the main portion of the cathedral which is now in ruins.
Open daily from 9:00-17:00, it costs 20Q to enter.
Construction began as early as 1545, but the cathedral had to be replaced in the late 17th century due the earthquakes. As you can probably guess, this structure was later largely destroyed in the earthquake of 1773.
While mostly open to the elements, some of the original vaulted arches have been restored, giving visitors a sense of the cathedral’s original size and splendor.
One of the most exciting parts of your visit will be descending into the crypt, of which there are a few different sections,. Highlights below the surface include a blackened carving of Jesus on the cross, as well as the remains of an ancient hosario, or bone depository.
Convento Capuchinas
Convento Capuchinas is open daily from 9:00-17:00 and costs 40Q to enter.
Consecrated in 1736, it was the last convent founded in Antigua. Little did anyone know that some of the most devastating earthquakes to strike the city would occur just several decades later.
Notably, Capuchinas was the first convent in Antigua to not require a donation from aspiring nuns. In turn, however, daily religious life here was known for being particularly strict.
The main section features various dorm rooms centered around a courtyard, while there are also multiple underground rooms to explore. Convento Capuchinas also includes a museum, though photos are not allowed inside.
While indeed interesting, Convento Capuchinas doesn’t have quite enough to make it stand out from the rest of the abandoned monasteries featured above. Therefore, it’s only recommended for those who are doing extended stays in town.
Museum of Colonial Art
You’ll find the entrance to the Museum of Colonial Art directly across from the Catedral de Santiago. Accordingly, the museum is situated in a beautiful colonial-era structure, said to be a former university building.
Its name is pretty self-explanatory. And unless you’re especially into this art style, the building itself will likely be the highlight for many. All in all, the museum lacks enough content to warrant its 50Q entry fee.
And as mentioned above, you can find plenty of colonial-era art in the Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala, which is completely free to enter. This museum is only recommended for those who like to see absolutely everything.
Even More
In a city with as rich a history as Antigua, it’s unsurprising that there are even more things to do than what’s described above. A few examples are the Convento e Iglesia de Santo Domingo, yet another former monastery. It can be entered via a modern hotel.
And there’s also the Casa Popenoe, a well-preserved house museum. Just note that you can’t simply show up and must arrange a visit with the owner in advance.
For a list of popular day trips from Antigua, check below.
Additional Info
If you like the idea of exploring Antigua’s top attractions while being guided by a local expert, consider taking an Antigua walking tour like this one, which has hundreds of positive reviews.
By staying within the historical center, all of the top things to do in Antigua above will be walkable. While it might be tempting to save a bit of money by staying in Antigua’s outskirts, it’s well worth splurging a bit to stay somewhere central. But there are indeed some budget options in the center to choose from.
Popular budget-friendly hotels in the heart of the city include Hotel La Sin Ventura and Hotel De Cortez y Larraz.
Those looking for something a bit fancier should consider Hotel y Arte Antigua or Posada San Sebastian.
And for those without much concern for their budget, Hotel Las Farolas and Hotel Aurora are some of the highest-rated options.
Antigua is situated just next to Guatemala City, so many travelers fly into the capital before immediately heading there. The journey could take up to an hour depending on traffic.
While Guatemala City is indeed worth checking out for a day or two, those coming directly from the airport can take a taxi. But a more hassle-free option would be to book a pre-arrange a shared shuttle in advance.
But what about coming to Antigua from elsewhere in the country? Generally speaking, when traveling around Guatemala, you’ll want to take special tourist shuttles. Guatemala and most Central American countries lack the convenient and comfortable coach buses that you’ll find throughout Mexico. While coach buses do exist, their routes are extremely limited.
That leaves ‘chicken buses’ (the nickname for local buses that are converted American school buses) as the only public transport option in many cases. But if you’re looking for a relatively comfortable and direct ride to your destination, a shared tourist shuttle is the way to go.
While pricey, these can save you a lot of time and stress. Multiple companies exist throughout the country, but I can recommend Adrenalina Tours. I used them multiple times, including from Flores to Antigua (a 12.5-hour journey!) and from Antigua to Panajachel, among other trips. Communication was always smooth and I always reached my destination without issues.
But if you’re still determined to take a chicken bus to Antigua, you’ll arrive at ‘La Terminal’ to the west of the city center. Personally, I think chicken buses are fine to take for day trips. But if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or valuable items, I’d think twice.
Some chicken buses might have plenty of storage space above the seats or a system in place to put your things on the roof. But in other cases, you may have to bring everything to your seat with you. And sometimes, the buses can get so full that three people will squeeze into a single seat!
Furthermore, you’ll often have to transfer multiple times, even if your destination may appear quite close on a map.
In addition to being a major destination in its own right, Antigua also serves as a convenient base for numerous other destinations.
Perhaps the most well-known trip from Antigua is the hike up the Acatenango Volcano, a grueling trek which also involves a night spent near the top. I booked this tour and had a good experience.
A shorter and easier volcano trek, on the other hand, is the one up Pacaya Volcano.
Chichicastenango is one of the most popular markets in all of Central America and is commonly visited from Antigua. While technically reachable by a few different chicken buses, many opt to visit the market by tour.
Or, you can even combine Chichicastenango with a visit to the ruins of Iximche. But as we cover in our dedicated Iximche guide, you can also reach the ruins by bus.
While not within Guatemala, a lot of travelers take a tour to the ruins of Copán in Honduras from Antigua, as it’s close to the Guatemalan border. While I visited Copán independently, there were a lot of steps involved to get to and from the ruins. Therefore, for many visitors, I think that a tour from Antigua would be a convenient option.