How to Spend A Day In Antigua, Guatemala

Cobbled streets, brightly coloured colonial buildings, ancient ruins and the brooding presence of three volcanoes make Antigua a must see on any visit to Guatemala.

I visited Antigua ahead of joining a group trip through Central America and as a result, I only had one day there. Despite the short time, I managed to see and experience a lot of what this lovely town has to offer. As is always the case however, if you are planning on spending a short time somewhere, you will need to prioritise what to see.

In this post, I’ll set out how to spend one day in Antigua. I’ll answer a few frequently asked questions and give you some further options to add to your itinerary. I’ll also offer up a general Antigua Guatemala travel guide and some tips so you can enjoy your time, however short or long it may be, in Antigua!

Frequently Asked Questions

Before setting out my recommendations of things to do in Antigua Guatemala, it’s worth answering a few frequently asked questions:

1. Is it worth going to Antigua, Guatemala?

Yes! I found Antigua to be a really charming place to visit. The colourful colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, coffee, food not to mention the volcanoes mean it’s definitely worth adding to your Guatemala itinerary. 

2. When is the best time to visit Antigua, Guatemala?

The best time to visit Antigua, and Guatemala generally, is in the dry season. This runs from November to April. Obviously, this also coincides with the high season so expect prices to be a little higher and crowds a little larger. I visited late February and the weather was perfect!

3. How much time do you need in Antigua, Guatemala?

As I mentioned above, I visited Antigua before joining a larger trip through Central America. As a result, I was only in there for a full day. Whilst I saw a lot in that one day, if you have the time then I think a minimum period of 2-4 days would be a good amount of time to experience what the city and the surrounding area has to offer.

4. Is Antigua, Guatemala Safe?

In my experience, yes, Antigua is safe. It goes without saying of course that no place is 100% crime free but if you are sensible, protect your valuables and money and don’t take any unnecessary risks, then your time there should be uneventful in that regard. As with any trip however, you should ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance in the event that something does go wrong. 

Staying online in Guatemala

If you like to stay online when travelling, either to keep in touch with family and friends, update social media, make bookings or use google maps, but you don’t want to incur roaming charges from your home provider, then consider an eSim from Airalo.

Easy to install, an eSim avoids the need to buy a local Sim card (and risk losing your home Sim when taking it out!) and allows you to continue using your own phone number for calls and texts.

I have used data packages purchased from Airalo on several occasions now, including in Central America, and can highly recommend them. When time is of the essence as it can be when travelling, accessing online resources can be a real time saver. For solo travellers, it can also be a comfort to know you have online access all the time.

A Little History

Antigua was founded in 1543 and was the colonial capital of the Captaincy of Guatemala, also known as the Kingdom of Guatemala, for over 200 years from 1543. The capital was transferred to Guatemala City in 1776 after Antigua was destroyed by an earthquake, known as the Santa Marta earthquakes, in 1773.

Antigua is surrounded by 3 volcanoes:

• the Agua volcano stands some 3760m in height and last erupted 80,000 to 10,000 years ago. That said, it can still produce debris flows and lahars! The name after all means volcano of water.
• the Fuego volcano stands 3768m tall and is consistently active with eruptions in 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023. It regularly emits gas and ash. Not surprisingly, its name means volcano of fire!
• the Acatenango volcano stands 3976m tall and is joined with Fuego. It has 2 peaks and last erupted in 1972.

Antigua was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

How to Spend One Day in Antigua Guatemala

It goes without saying that in one day you can’t see it all, in some respects you can barely scratch the surface. However, if one day is all you have, then if you make the most of it, you can actually see quite a lot.  So, grab your water, sunscreen and comfy shoes and let my following suggestions help you build your itinerary:

1. Immerse Yourself in the Colonial Streets and Architecture

Antigua retains many relics of its colonial past – brightly coloured buildings, terracotta roofs and cobbled streets – so put on a pair of comfortable shoes and set off on foot to see and explore them all.

As you explore, it’s not hard to see how being located along the Pacific Ring of Fire has impacted Antigua, with the presence of partially destroyed and damaged buildings and church ruins as a result of earthquakes seemingly around every corner.

Don’t forget to look up as you wander – the active Fuego volcano is likely spewing ash and dust into the atmosphere. It can be a little disconcerting the first time you see it but you get used to it!

2. Take a Walk up Cerro de la Cruz (The Cross on the Hill)

If you are feeling energetic take a walk up the 300+ steps up Cerro de La Cruz for wonderful views over the city and toward the Agua volcano. The walk is apparently safer now than in the past due to the presence of armed tourist police. I didn’t encounter any issues and hiking up is certainly worth it. Definitely one for your Antigua Guatemala itinerary!

If you’re not keen on the hike however, I have read that the Antigua Brewing Company has a roof terrace with great views so that may be a better option!

3. Join a Walking Tour

If you have stopped by my blog before (thank you!), you’ll know that I’m a big fan of joining a walking tour in a new city. Local guides will not only give you some history, but more often than not they’ll share personal stories and anecdotes. You can also benefit from their recommendations for places to eat and drink and general advice on how to get the most from your visit.

I joined a free walking tour run by Guruwalk and can recommend them. In a couple of hours I gained a lot of information and insight into Antigua. The tour is tips based meaning you pay what you think the tour was worth at the end.

Alternatively, you may want to consider this walking tour or, for those brave enough, this night walking tour.

4. Hang Out in Parque Central

Parque Central (or Central Park in English) is a beautiful oasis in the middle of Antigua. It’s surrounded by some significant colonial buildings including the Church of San Jose (formerly a cathedral before it was damaged in the 1773 earthquake). It’s also a great place to grab some shade and people watch.

Shoeshiners, hawkers, families and tourists are all there in numbers as are local police.

5. Visit the Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala

Located near Parque Central, this free museum is housed within the former Royal Palace of the Captains General. Inside you will find displays of Guatemalan art categorised into various periods or eras – pre-hispanic, colonial, contemporary, modern and republican.

Audio guides are available but there is signage in Spanish and English throughout for those who, like me, had no phone battery left to scan the QR code!

There are several other museums in Antigua you may want to consider visiting including:

• the Museo de Arte Colonial (displaying various art works from the colonial period)
• Museo de Libro Antiguo (featuring collections from the early days of Guatemalan printing)  
• Museo de Santiago (with its collection of weaponry dating from colonial times)

6. Stop by the Famous Santa Catalina Arch

No visit to Antigua is complete without visiting the Santa Catalina Arch! Probably the most recognisable site in the city, the arch was built in the 17th century to provide a bridge for cloistered nuns to cross from their convent to an adjoining school. The clock tower is a later 19th century addition….look out for the ‘error’ on the clock face!

The arch gets pretty busy during the day with everyone seeking photos, not to mention the locals trying to go about their daily business, so arrive early if you want an empty background.

7. Visit Iglesia La Merced

The Church and convent of La Merced is a Catholic temple whose construction began in 1751. As with many buildings in Antigua, it has suffered earthquake damage which necessitated repairs/rebuilding.

The beautifully decorative stucco on the outside was, for me anyway, reminiscent of royal icing! The interior, which is free to enter, does not disappoint.

A plaza in front of the Church is home to various markets.

8. Visit Hospital de San Pedro

The San Pedro Hospital and adjoining church are located close to Parque Central. The hospital was founded in 1663 and today offers medical care as well as other services to those unable to afford health or social care.

9. Fuel and Refuel at the Local Cafes

Antigua has lots of lovely cafes, restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, fast food places etc. so you won’t go hungry! For breakfast, try Fernando’s Kaffee and for an afternoon cup of coffee….take your pick!

More Time in Antigua?

If you have more time to spend in Antigua than I did or you’re looking for some other options to add to your one (or multi) day Antigua itinerary, then you may want to consider various day trips and activities such as:

• joining a volcano hike – Pacaya volcano and Acatenango hikes are both popular 
• joining a chocolate making workshop – check out Fernando’s Kaffee and Chocomuseo for classes and times
• joining an ATV Tour
• taking a cooking class
• visiting Lake Atitlan
• attending a Spanish language school
• exploring the ruins of the Santa Clara Convent
• joining a street food tour
• booking a spa treatment at the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo
• visiting Hobbitenango
• joining a coffee tour

Travel Tips

Regardless of how long you intend visiting Antigua, my advice for all visitors is to:

• wear sunscreen
• wear bug spray
• wear comfortable shoes. The cobbled streets are wonderfully quaint but can give your feet and legs a good workout!
• keep hydrated but don’t drink the tap water. Filtered water is available in most hotels and bottled water is widely available
• be careful with your belongings, especially in crowded places or when traveling at night
• learn a few Spanish phrases beforehand – it will stand you in good stead

Final Thoughts

Whether you are planning to spend just one day in the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala or longer, I just know you will have a great time! I really enjoyed my, albeit limited, time there and would love to go back! However, even just a short visit is 100% worth it in my view.

From its brightly coloured buildings to its cobbled streets, its colonial ruins to the brooding presence of its 3 volcanoes, there are many wonderful things to see and exciting ways to spend your time in Antigua. It’s a vibrant, colourful corner of Guatemala and one that deserves to be included in your itinerary.

If you want to see Guatemala’s most well known Mayan ruins, then do read my post How to Visit Tikal from Belize. If you’re planning a larger trip to Central America then do read the other posts on my Central America page.

Finally, if you need any extra travel planning advice and help, check my Resources page.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.