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This Antigua, Guatemala itinerary will help you plan out a one-day visit in Antigua. Starting with breakfast and ending with cocktails, this day guide to Antigua will highlight the major things to do, what to eat, and answer some questions you may have about visiting Antigua.

Is Antigua, Guatemala worth visiting?

Yes! Antigua, Guatemala is a destination that’s definitely worth visiting. This charming city encapsulates a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that draws travelers from around the world. Its UNESCO World Heritage status underscores its historical significance. It has well-preserved colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and impressive churches.

The city’s backdrop of volcanic peaks, including the prominent Volcán de Agua, adds a stunning natural element. For outdoor enthusiasts, Antigua serves as a gateway to adventures amidst unique landscapes. Hiking trails around the volcanoes and exploring the surrounding natural wonders make it an ideal destination for nature lovers.

Overall, Antigua’s historical significance and proximity to stunning natural landscapes make it an absolutely worthwhile destination, offering a diverse and fun experience for many travelers.

What is Antigua, Guatemala known for?

Antigua, Guatemala is renowned for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The imposing Volcán de Agua serves as a dramatic backdrop to this colorful town. Additionally, its proximity to stunning natural landscapes and volcanoes offers outdoor enthusiasts hiking opportunities with breathtaking views, contributing to Antigua’s allure as a multifaceted destination.

Antigua is also known for being a popular tourist and ex-pat hub in the country. It is considered one of the wealthiest and safest parts of Guatemala.

How to Get to Antigua

The main airport is in Guatemala City and is called La Aurora International Airport. There is no public airport in Antigua, Guatemala. The most common way to get to Antigua from Guatemala City is to take a shuttle, taxi, Uber, or drive a rental car. This can be arranged in advance or upon arrival.

There are also local bus routes (called chicken buses) that you can use to piece together the journey, but there will be a few stops and interchanges, so I don’t really recommend this.

Your hotel or hostel can help arrange a trusted private driver to meet you at the airport or you can find private drivers through sites like GetYourGuide or Viator.

Breakfast in Antigua

Start your day in Antigua with a good breakfast and coffee. Even if you prefer tea, coffee is a staple in Guatemala and I recommend sampling some local brews. Some of the best cafes in Antigua, Guatemala are Arista de Cafe and Fernando’s Kaffee.

Coffee in Antigua, Guatemala is easy to come by. As coffee is one of the major exports of Guatemala, you can find coffee beans for sale in lots of shops. You can also find great coffee at cafes and restaurants. My favorite coffee was at Artista de Cafe (pictured below). I went back twice!

What to Do in Antigua, Guatemala

After breakfast, you may like to start with an Antigua, Guatemala walking tour. This is a great way to get a lay of the town before venturing out on your own. If you prefer to explore solo or with your own group, first head to Parque Central. Here you’ll find a fountain and city hall (ayuntamiento). It is a lively place where many families and friends gather. You’ll also find street food vendors selling things like sweet corn (atol de elote) and stuffed fried plantains (rellenitos). Parque Central is also sometimes referred to as Plaza Mayor.

Across the street from the Central Park is Royal Palace of the Captains General, a great museum with a large courtyard with an amazing view of Agua Volcano. There is a mix of contemporary art and ancient relics conserved at the museum. The museum also offers a second-floor patio looking out onto the plaza, which makes for a good people watching or photography perch.

Next, head to the famous Santa Catalina Arch. This yellow arch in Antigua, Guatemala is one of the most recognizable features of the town. It was originally built in in the 17th century to enable nuns to pass between buildings without using the street. A clock was added in the early 19th century. If you’re hoping to get a picture of this arch without crowds, you’ll need to go before breakfast. You can almost always find people selling local goods here on the street and tuk-tuk drivers.

Nearby the arch, you can find another beautiful yellow building: Iglesia de la Merced. This Catholic church was built in from 1749-1767 in Spanish Guatemalan Churrigueresque style, meaning ultra baroque, with two bell towers and lots of sculptures on the facade. The church was practically new at the time of the 1773 major earthquake and therefor did not suffer major damage. The church is free to enter, but the covenant and the ruins next door have a small entrance fee for travelers.

After visiting one of the best-preserved churches in Antigua, head to one of the best ruins in Antigua, Guatemala. The Ruins of the Convento La Recoleccion is a former church and friar monastery that today exists as more of a park to explore. It is also a protected national monument. A 1700 royal decree built the monastery, but the 1717 earthquakes damaged it. Later, the 1773 Santa Marta earthquakes damaged it even more. Man-made destruction also used the land or parts of the monastery ruble for sports facilities, a soap factory, and animal stables.

Lunch at Caoba Farms

Good food in Antigua, Guatemala is pretty easy to come by in the historic downtown area of Antigua. Popular and recommended spots for lunch are La Casa de las Sopas and Rincon Antigüeño.

For lunch in Antigua, I highly recommend Caoba Farms over any other popular spot though. This was one of my favorite experiences in Antigua. Caoba Farms feels like eating in a garden. There are many comfortable tables spread throughout the property with thick, lush vegetation creating privacy between tables. There are all sorts of unique plants and flowers. They are a sustainable farm where you can explore the grounds. Plus, the food was fresh and delicious.

There’s also a butterfly preserve you can enter for a small fee. If you’re traveling with kids, you might like to know that they have a cool playground and some farm animals like chickens and pigs in pens.

Caoba Farms is a ten-minute walk towards the edge of Antigua or a quick tuk-tuk ride.

After lunch, catch a tuk-tuk or a taxi outside Caoba and head to a tour of a coffee mill and plantation at Finca la Azotea. Here you can book a guided museum tour, wander the fields, and sample their local coffee brew. The guided tour is about 45 minutes and costs Q50 ($7 USD). On the property you can also find a small chapel, a beer garden, restaurant, and some horse riding facilities.

You can also rent a bike and ride around the the trails on the property, which could keep you plenty busy as the trails/private roads branch off for miles.

They also have swings and hammocks throughout the grounds, so this would be a nice place to relax for a bit too. Bring a book or a deck of cards if you think you’d like to hang out here for awhile.

Related: Around the World in 27 Books

Dinner and Drinks in Antigua

For dinner, head to Once Once (vegan), Luna de Miel or Antigua Brewing Company. If you opt for the brewery, be sure to head to the top floor outdoor terrace where you can get a view of Fuego erupting through the night. Seeing a volcano erupt as I was eating dinner was such an exciting experience and something I’ll always remember.

Two of the best bars in Antigua, Guatemala are Ulew (for the drinks) and Cafe Sky (for the view). After dinner, head to a little speakeasy on the ground floor inside of Antigua Brewing Company called Ulew. The secret bar Ulew has a very limited number of seats, so try to come at times that might be less busy like a weekday. The entrance is a red phone booth inside the main floor of the brewery. The bar does not have a menu, but instead you tell the bartender which flavors you like and he or she mixes something for you.

If you still have energy, head to Cafe Sky, a rooftop patio bar in Antigua. It also has unobstructed views of Fuego erupting, which never gets old.

Where to Stay in Antigua

Airbnb in Antigua, Guatemala is a popular option. This is what my group and I used. We rented a whole house for four nights for less than $200 each (3 people).

There are a variety of budget hostel options that I heard good things about from other people. One recommended Antigua hostel is Maya Papaya. Another well located hostel is Funk Yeah. If you do the Acatenango Hike with OX Expeditions, Funk Yeah is right next door. This makes the early morning departure and the exhausted return home easier.

Related: How to Book a Great Hostel

If you prefer a high-end stay, try one of these luxurious hotels in Antigua.

Is Antigua dangerous?

Guatemala has a reputation for violence and crime, consistently scoring high on crime indices. While this is true for certain parts of the country, I felt quite safe in Antigua. It is popular tourist hub. Use common sense like you would in any other destination. It’s best not to wear expensive jewelry that might attract attention or to put your wallet in your back pocket. These are the same precautions you’d probably take anywhere you travel. In my personal experience, I visited the country for 5 days without incident.

Day Trips from Antigua

If you’re wondering where to go next or have more time around Antigua, there are several popular day trips from Antigua. First, if you are interested in hiking a volcano as a day trip, you should check out Pacaya. In comparison to other volcano hikes, the Pacaya Volcano hike is relatively easy, and you can join an organized group that cooks pizza or marshmallows over hot rocks.

Another cool day trip, especially if you are a fan of Tolkien, is a trip to Hobbitenango. This is an eco-park themed around The Hobbit. It is a bit like the more famous Hobbiton in New Zealand, but on a smaller scale and more nature focused.

If you are interested in a bigger trip out of town, the Acatenango and Fuego Hike is practically a must-do experience in Guatemala. It is challenging but rewarding. Here you climb the Acatenango Volcano, located just an hour outside town. It is an overnight, two-day trekking adventure with many reputable organized guided hike options through Wicho and Charlie’s and OX Expeditions.

Antigua, Guatemala Map

The map below features things to do and places to eat on a quick visit to this charming town.

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