Things To Do
Stroll the Historic Center & Santa Catalina Arch
• Antigua’s Santa Catalina Arch is the city’s most iconic landmark and a must-see photo stop. • Around it, you’ll find Parque Central, cobblestone streets, artisan shops, and plenty of cafes.
Walk Through the Historic Center & Free Walking Tour
This is another fabulous way to kick off your visit to Antigua. You can do a walking tour of the city without spending a dime! There are a few options, but the highest-rated free walking tour is this one, which has hundreds of five-star reviews. You’ll stop at landmarks like the Santa Catalina Arch, Mercado de Artesenías, the Parque Central, and more.
SOAK UP THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE RUINED CATHEDRAL DE SANTIAGO
Antigua’s magnificent former cathedral was built in 1545 and destroyed by the earthquake in 1773 that wrecked much of the city. Today it’s an eerie and atmospheric place, with towering columns and wide archways leading up to the open sky, the collapsed roof now reduced to piles of rubble. Pigeons roost in the cracks and crevices or flap and flutter amongst the reproductions of plaster mouldings, and weeds sprout between the stones. You can pay a small fee to go in and wander round, which is well worth doing. Even in ruins, it’s a beautiful and atmospheric place. Next door is the replacement cathedral, a much more modern and rather gaudy affair, populated by a dozen life-sized brightly coloured and gilded figures from the Bible, including at least two renditions of Jesus and a fabulous Virgin Mary in velvet robes and an enormous golden crown.
Chocolate Museum & Workshops
• Antigua has a fun ChocoMuseo, where you can learn about cacao and sample Guatemalan chocolate. • There are also short workshops where you can make your own treats (minimal effort, just fun tasting and mixing).
IXIMCHÉ Mayan Ruins Tour
Discover the history of the ancient Mayan Civilization of Iximché. The site was ruled by the Kaqchikel from the XII - XV century. At the time of the Spanish conquest, Iximché was the second most important city in the Guatemalan Highlands, after the K'iche' capital at Q'umarkaj. The architecture of the site includes four Ceremonial Plazas surrounded by temples, structures up to 10m high and two ball courts. There's also a small Museum displaying sculptures and ceramics found at Iximché during the excavations (closed on Monday). This site is considered to be the first capital city of Guatemala (founded by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado).
Antigua Sunset Tour
End the day with breathtaking views of Antigua and its surrounding volcanoes. This relaxed tour takes you to a scenic lookout point just outside the city, where you can watch the sky turn shades of pink, orange, and purple over the colonial rooftops and lush valleys. Along the way, your guide will share a bit of history and local culture, making it both peaceful and memorable. It’s a perfect, low-effort way to enjoy Antigua’s natural beauty and capture stunning photos.
El Festival de la Luz de Antigua
Festival de la Luz de Antigua is a free annual light festival that transforms the historic streets of Antigua Guatemala into an open-air art gallery. Using spectacular videomapping projections, music, and immersive light displays, local and international artists bring the city’s iconic colonial churches and monuments to life. Stroll through the illuminated streets, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and experience one of Guatemala’s most unique cultural events.