Is Antigua Guatemala Worth Visiting?

Quick Verdict:

Yes, if you are coming to Guatemala, you have to include Antigua in your itinerary. The former capital of Guatemala. It served as the capital of the former Spanish Colonial region for 230 years. It has been frozen in time due to the 1773 earthquake that forced the country to move the capital to Guatemala City. It still has the colonial Spanish architecture and cobblestone streets. All amidst stunning volcanoes surrounding the city.

Stay or Skip?

Stay if…

You love to learn a bit of history, want a jumping-off point for some hiking adventures, or want to enjoy amazing cafe culture. There is a mix of Mayan culture with deeply rooted traditions and Spanish colonial influence. Also, if you like the comforts and conveniences of a city but don’t want to be in a major metropolitan city.

Skip if…

You have weak ankles and bad shoes. I am teasing a bit here, but you should really be careful walking on the uneven cobblestone streets. The hustle and bustle of a big city isn’t going to be what you find here. If you love to have dozens of options for activities and a big party scene, this probably isn’t the place for you.

The Best Bits of Antigua:

Walkability:

• You can walk from edge to edge of the city in about 25 minutes.
• Every neighborhood or street has plenty of food, cafes, and grocery options.
• Dare I say there are no bad places to stay in Antigua Guatemala.

Ruins & Architecture

• As you walk through the city, you will stumble upon ruins that are up to 500 years old.
• The Santa Catalina Arch & Santa Clara Convent are just some examples of the beautiful structures left from the 1700s.
• The city was planned on a grid and was one of the earliest cities in Latin America to do so.
• Must-see ruins:
  • Catedral de Santiago
  • Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
  • Convento de Santa Clara
  • La Recolección
  • Iglesia y Convento de las Capuchinas
  • Casa Santo Domingo
  • Iglesia de Candelaria

The McDonald’s

Yeah, I might get flamed for this, but it’s my truth. Back home, you can rarely find me at McDonald’s. It wouldn’t be my first fast-food choice. That crown goes to In-N-Out as a California girlie. However, when in Antigua, as they say. I love trying McDonald’s in every country we go to. They often have regional items that you can’t get in other places.

Personally, I go for the McCrispy’s and a few items I don’t see in other places. When I tell you I have been to McDonald’s in over a dozen countries, this is by far the best one I have had. First of all, it is absolutely beautiful and massive on the inside. There is plenty of seating outside among the gorgeous plants and preserved ruins. Not without Ronald, of course.

We got the crispy wings and waffle fries, and at the time they had a special McCrispy with fried onions, BBQ sauce, and bacon. The chicken was juicy and crispy, and everything was perfect. The waffle fries and fried chicken were complete surprises to me. I didn’t even know McDonald’s could taste like that. Clearly, it was memorable because I am writing to you about it.

Volcano Hikes

• Acatenango is the most famous and strenuous hike that actually takes you up a dormant volcano, with an option to add on a hike to Fuego. Unfortunately, I am fat and out of shape at the time of visiting, so this isn’t going to be the blog where I give you a breakdown of this one. I hope to do it one day!
• Pacaya is a much shorter day hike that takes you up to get a view of Fuego. You can even roast marshmallows on the volcanic rocks! I give a full breakdown of this hike here.

Volcano Views

If hiking isn’t your thing, you can still see the volcanoes from around the city. You can get a nice view from rooftop bars. Even in the distance, we could see Fuego erupt while we were sipping on drinks during sunset.

Cafes & Food

There are so many to name, honestly, but we didn’t have a bad meal here. One of my favorite activities is to go to a cafe, get a little treat, and have a fun drink while journaling or filling out postcards.

Standouts:

• Itzam: a restaurant honoring Mayan tradition with some modern flair
• Siena Luz: get the chocolate cake and some beans to take home
• El Carbonero: Pupusa place
• Gerty’s Bar & Gallery: trendy speakeasy bar/cocktail place

Accessible Transportation

One of the things we loved most about coming to Guatemala is how many options for reliable transportation you have. There are plenty of options for shared shuttles to get to other points of interest. You can also find many tours and day trips that leave from Antigua. The shuttles aren’t the most comfortable or glamorous options, but they get you to where you need to go safely.

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You can check out GuateGo for all the shared shuttle options.

Recommendations:

Best time to visit

November to April is their dry season, and you will find the most consistent mild weather during this time.

May to October is their wet season, with showers mostly in the afternoons and evenings. September & October are typically their wettest time of year. You will find much fewer tourists but very slippery cobblestones.

How long to stay

I would plan a minimum of 3 nights here, but you can certainly spend more time exploring. There are a few day trips you can take from Antigua if you want to use it as a home base.

Day Trips:

• Pacaya: half-day hike to see Fuego
• Acatenango: overnight, but you would need to base in Antigua first
• Hobbitenango: a hobbit-themed park that sits on a hillside
• Altamira: ecological park with stunning viewpoints

Activities:

• Chocomuseo: learn about how chocolate goes from bean to bar
• Maya calendar reading
• Jade Museum and jewelry shopping
• Guatemalan cooking class
• Coffee plantation tours

So, is it worth it?

Personally, I am bummed we only stayed 4 nights in Antigua and wished we had planned to stay much longer. It is a place I could also see being a good home base while balancing work and travel. There are a ton of cafes to work from, and a new coliving space has popped up there that we can’t wait to go back and check out.

If you are planning on coming to Guatemala, Antigua absolutely deserves some time on your itinerary. You may have come across it because of the famous volcano hikes you can do from Antigua. However, I hope that this has sparked a bit more curiosity to explore the place on your own. You get a bit of everything here, including amazing food, beautiful views, options for adventure, Maya culture, and cute cafes.

Who This Guide Is For

History buffs, hikers, and cafe junkies planning their next trip.