Antigua is the jewel in Guatemala’s crown, a gorgeous and colourful colonial city ringed by volcanoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a welcoming and buzzing city that’s easy to navigate and even easier to fall in love with.
Far prettier, safer, and more friendly than the capital, Guatemala City, Antigua is the country’s number one tourist destination, and no trip to the country would be complete without a visit.
Things To Do In Antigua Guatemala
There’s a huge number of things to do in Antigua Guatemala, from visiting some of the city’s many historic houses, churches, and former convents, to shopping for traditional handicrafts, to experiencing Guatemala’s home-grown coffee culture in the many cafes, to hiking up some of the nearby volcanoes (including Volcan de Fuego, one of the world’s most active and one of the top things to do in Guatemala).
During my three-month Guatemala travels, I spent ten days exploring the delights of this beautiful city, and had no trouble finding plenty of interesting ways to spend my time there.
So read on, to discover my recommendations for what’s worth seeing during your time in Antigua Guatemala. And when you’re done, don’t forget to also check out my many other Guatemala posts, to help you plan your Guatemala itinerary.
Where is Antigua Guatemala?
Not to be confused with several other places of the same name, like Antigua the Caribbean island, or Antigua the town in the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, Antigua Guatemala is located in the Central American country of Guatemala (obviously!), about 1 hour’s drive or 40 km from Guatemala City airport.
The city sits at an altitude of 1,545 metres (just over 5,000 feet) and is surrounded by several volcanos, including the towering Agua volcano which looms right over the town, the very active Volcan de Fuego, its sister volcano Acatenango, and the smaller but also active Pacaya volcano.
A brief history of Antigua Guatemala
The name ‘Antigua’ means ‘old’ in Spanish, which is fitting because the city is indeed old! Originally founded in 1527 under the name ‘Santiago de Guatemala’, Antigua was moved and re-established twice in the 16th century due to a fire and an earthquake, before ending up in its current location.
Antigua then served as the capital of Guatemala for more than two centuries, becoming an economic, political, religious and cultural hub and one of the greatest cities in the Spanish Empire. It survived earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods, until 1773, when much of the town was flattened in a devastating series of quakes known as the Santa Marta earthquakes, because they started on the religious day of Saint Martha.
After this, the capital was moved to a safer location in what is now Guatemala City, and the original city became known as ‘La Antigua Guatemala’ – the old Guatemala. Over the next couple of centuries it fell into neglect and was mostly abandoned until the mid-19th century, when new coffee and grain farms brought investment, and an influx of workers breathed new life into the area.
Today, strolling around this beautiful old city discovering historic buildings from its colonial past is one of the many amazing things to do in Antigua.
1/ Do a walking tour
The first thing you should do when you arrive in Antigua is simply to grab your camera and sun hat and go for a stroll. Every corner and every colourful new street reveals new delights, from brightly-painted buildings to historic churches, and from cute cafes and bars to shops and markets selling gorgeous handicrafts.
There are plenty of paid walking tours you can do, but central Antigua is a small and friendly area, built on a grid system, so it’s easy to navigate and safe to walk around by yourself. I think one of the greatest things to do in a new place is just to wander and see what you find, and in Antigua you are guaranteed to find plenty of places to interest or excite you as you walk around. Keep reading to learn more about the highlights.
2/ People watch in the Parque Central (Central Park)
Antigua’s Central Park is the city’s hub, a buzzing, lively green square flanked on all four sides by colonial-style colonnades and historic buildings like the cathedral and the Palace of the City Council (El Palacio del Ayuntamiento), which was built in 1743.
At pretty much any time of the day or night you’ll find the Parque Central full of people: couples relaxing, groups of friends hanging out, families with kids feeding the pigeons, and numerous street vendors offering snacks, souvenirs, crafts and clothing.
I spent a very happy couple of hours here just people-watching and taking photos. Some locals saw my camera and asked me to take their portraits, so I found it was a great place to get chatting to locals.
Don’t miss the eye-catching design of the central fountain while you’re there!
3/ 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.
4/ Take a photo at the Santa Catalina Arch
If you google pictures of Guatemala, there is one iconic image that comes up over and over again: a street full of colourful painted single-storey houses, and at the end, a buttercup-yellow archway, through which the perfect cone of the Agua volcano can be seen.
That arch is the Santa Catalina arch, and it’s the most famous and most photographed monument in all of Guatemala. You’ll find it just two blocks north of the Central Park.
The arch was built in 1694 to connect the Santa Catalina Convent to a school on the opposite side of the road. The convent was a closed order and the nuns who lived there could not be seen in public, so the arch was built with a secret passageway inside. This allowed them to pass from the convent to the school, where they taught, without having to go out into the street.
The best time to visit the arch is in the morning, before the crowds arrive and before clouds have gathered over Volcan de Agua.
Read more: 30 Beautiful Pictures Of Guatemala And The Stories Behind Them
5/ Hike up Acatenango volcano to see Fuego erupting
This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me the Acatenango volcano hike was the absolute top of all the things to do in Antigua Guatemala, so much so that it’s now on my bucket list to go back and do again someday!
Volcan de Fuego is an active volcano located just to the southwest of the city. It’s one of the world’s most active volcanos and one of the most reliable, erupting about every 15-30 minutes. That means that if you go, you’re almost guaranteed an epic display, with lava and ash spewing into the sky many times over.
To witness this incredible spectacle, you need to climb up Acatenango volcano, which is right next door and a safe distance away. Most people do this as a challenging two-day, one-night hike with a chance to camp the night on the side of Acatenango, but if hiking isn’t your thing it is also possible to drive up on a jeep tour.
See photos and read about the full experience at The Thrilling Volcan De Acatenango Hike In Antigua Guatemala
6/ Hike up Pacaya Volcano
If you want to see one of Guatemala’s epic volcanos but aren’t tempted by the challenge of Acatenango, another great option is Pacaya.
Volcan Pacaya is Guatemala’s most popular volcano hike, partly because it’s so accessible – just an hour’s drive from Antigua – and partly because it’s much easier than Acatenango, only taking about an hour to hike up to the lava field.
Until last year it was erupting constantly with slow-moving sticky lava, meaning visitors could get really close to red-hot glowing streams. But now the eruptions have stopped, so if you see blog posts or tour operators offering you the chance to see red hot lava, they are all out of date and are lying to you. However, don’t be put off, it’s still worth visiting!
Pacaya is still an active volcano and could start erupting again at any time, so it’s illegal to hike up to the top. Instead, tours from Antigua take you to the freshly cooled lava field on the slopes below, where you can toast marshmallows using the heat of the earth and admire the different coloured lava.
There’s even a guy who makes pizza in a pizza oven built from lava using the heat of the earth, but you’ll need to book well in advance if you want to try it.
7/ Admire Volcan de Agua (but don’t hike up it)
This isn’t really a thing to do, more of a thing not to do, but worth including in this list simply to answer the question you’re probably asking: what about Volcan de Agua? This magnificent volcano is the closest one to Antigua, is clearly visible from the city centre, and is probably rather tempting if you’re a keen hiker.
But sadly, at the time I was there (and at the time of writing this post), it is still not considered safe to hike up the Agua Volcano. Not only because it’s a long, steep, and very tough climb, but mainly because there have been numerous reports of robberies and assaults on the trail. Licensed and reputable guides won’t take tourists up there, so you’d have to go on your own and it would be very much at your own risk.
I do know one guy who has climbed it. To avoid the bandits, he and a couple of mates took a very long and challenging route up the wrong and most difficult side of the mountain where even the robbers don’t dare to go. It took them 13 hours there and back so definitely not for the faint hearted. If you’re really determined to do it, reach out to my friend Rony Turnil – who took me up the amazing Santa Maria volcano near Xela, and see what he says.
Read more: Is Guatemala Safe? 60+ Practical Tips For Safe Travel In Guatemala
8/ Explore the Church and monastery of San Francisco el Grande
Almost every time you turn a corner in Antigua you stumble across another ornate colonial-style church – there are so many that I quickly lost track of which was which. But my favourite was the imposing Iglesia Católica San Francisco el Grande.
Unlike many of Antigua’s other old churches, this one is still very much in use – in fact on the day I visited there was a service going on, and the church was so full there were even people queuing outside. So I wasn’t able to see inside, but I was able to admire the magnificent exterior and the earthquake-flattened ruins of the monastery next door, complete with colourful frescoes and shady courtyards.
San Francisco el Grande is popular with locals because it’s the final resting place of Brother Pedro de San José de Bethancourt, a Franciscan monk who dedicated his life to helping Antigua’s poor. His tomb is in a separate building next to the church, and visitors often come to pray for favours and miracles. There’s also a display of some of his possessions, and a wall of thank-you notes from people who believe their prayers were granted.
9/ Admire the Church and Convent of Mercy (Iglesia de la Merced)
One of the most eye-catching churches in Antigua Guatemala, and arguably one of the prettiest things to see in the city, is the canary-yellow church of La Merced, which was completed in 1767 after a 15-year build and miraculously managed to survive the 1773 earthquakes that devastated the rest of the city.
You’ll easily spot it thanks to its twin bell-towers and bright yellow facade liberally covered in intricate white stucco decorations and statues of saints. The interior is equally impressive, with statues and frescos; entry is free so it’s worth a look.
You can find this church three blocks north of the Parque Central. Next door is the Convento La Merced, which you can enter for small fee (worth it to check out the fabulous views from the top) and in front is a small plaza where street vendors and food sellers gather in the afternoons and evenings.
10/ Wander round the Convent of Las Capuchinas
Another ruined historic site I particularly enjoyed exploring was the convent of Las Capuchinas. This was an 18th-century convent housing a strict order of nuns, many of whom came from very poor families since unlike most holy orders of the time, the nuns did not have to pay an admission fee to join.
Like so many of Antigua’s colonial buildings, the convent de las Capuchinas was badly damaged in the 1773 earthquake and was abandoned shortly thereafter. Today it’s a photogenic warren of rooms, a chapel, gardens, cloisters and courtyards. You can also visit the cells where the nuns lived and get a sense of what life would have been like.
11/ Discover the Casa Santo Domingo museums
This former 16th century monastery was once one of the most important religious sanctuaries in the Americas: a grand building filled with historic art and relics. Unfortunately, it too was partially destroyed in the 1773 earthquake and was eventually abandoned.
Today the various buildings, cloisters and courtyards have been lovingly restored into a huge complex that’s one of the most unmissable visitor attractions in Antigua Guatemala. There’s a luxury 5* hotel, a bar, restaurant, candle and chocolate-making workshops, and several museums and art galleries, including an archaeology museum, museum of pre-Columbian art and colonial history museum.
12/ Relax at the Casa Santo Domingo spa
Casa Santo Domingo is also home to a gorgeous spa, which is a fabulous place to relax away from Antigua’s busy streets. It is a little expensive compared to most things in Antigua, but it’s a really lovely place to visit for a treat.
I highly recommend booking a restorative massage for the day after doing the Acatenango volcano hike when your legs will be sore – if you book a treatment you also get access to the spa’s pool area with sunbeds and jacuzzi, and there’s also a nice (if rather expensive) restaurant.
13/ Take in the view from Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross)
One of the other most-photographed spots in Antigua Guatemala is the view from the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint, which sits on a hill just to the north of the city, five blocks north of the Parque Central.
It’s a relatively easy and short 10-minute walk up a clearly marked path to the viewpoint, where you’ll find a small park and the large cross that gives the viewpoint its name. On a clear day you get beautiful views over Antigua and across to the towering Agua volcano – though sadly when I visited it was not so clear and the volcano was covered in cloud.
14/ Do a food tour
As well as being a beautiful historic colonial city, Antigua is a very cosmopolitan place, full of restaurants and street food stands serving every type of cuisine. That means it’s very easy to spend a week there eating pizzas and burgers, but why not explore some of the highlights of Antigua’s food scene and discover Guatemalan cuisine while you’re there?
There are several options, but one of the best is Taste Antigua, whose foodie tours take you around the city, sampling typical dishes like Pepián de Pollo (the National Dish of Guatemala) or Rellenos de Plátano from restaurants, street food vendors and markets.
15/ Do an authentic Guatemalan cooking class
If a simple tour isn’t enough for you, why not try a cooking class? There are several schools offering the chance to try your hand at making traditional Guatemalan food, but two of the most highly-recommended are El Frijol Feliz and La Tortilla Cooking school.
Some schools will combine your cooking lesson with a market visit to pick up ingredients first, before taking you back to the school to turn your meat, vegetables and spices into delicious Guatemalan soups, stews and sides like Pepián, stuffed chillies, frijoles (refried beans) or tamales (corn dumplings).
16/ Explore Antigua’s Coffee Culture
Did you know coffee is grown in Guatemala? Thanks to its high elevation and mild, wet climate which is perfect for producing coffee, Guatemala is one of the world’s most important coffee producers. If you’re a coffee lover, a visit to Guatemala is a visit to the source, and a great chance to sample and buy some truly excellent coffee at the cheapest prices.
Unsurprisingly, Antigua is full of cafes and coffee shops selling the freshest Guatemalan coffee, so if coffee is your thing, make sure you take the time to stop in and sample some of it. If you really want to get under the skin of Guatemala’s coffee culture, you can also do a guided tour to a coffee plantation.
17/ Learn about jade at the Jade Maya museum
As well as building stunning cities and temples like the ones at Tikal and Yaxhá, the Maya were pioneers in mining and carving the beautiful green precious stone, Jade. Jade was their most valuable possession; they crafted it into stunning ornaments and figures, embedded it in their teeth and left magnificent jade death masks in the tombs of their kings.
One of the best ways to learn about Maya jade is to visit the Jade Maya museum, which is located just a block away from Casa Santo Domingo (so it’s easy to pop in after you’ve been there). There’s a multi-room exhibition about the history of jade, a workshop where you can see skilled artisans creating beautiful jade piece by hand, and a shop where you can buy your own jade rings, necklaces or earrings. Buy from here and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that this is real, quality, authentic jade at fair prices – as opposed to the questionable stuff you will see in markets all over Guatemala.
18/ Visit the Choco museum or do a chocolate workshop
Did you know that the Maya also discovered chocolate? After Jade, cacao – the fruit from which chocolate comes – was their second most prized possession, and cacao pods were even traded as currency. The Maya consumed chocolate as a hot, bitter drink flavoured with spices and it was only after the Spanish brought it back to Europe after the conquest that it was transformed into the sweet stuff we know today.
Antigua’s ChocoMuseo, located right on the main square, is a great place to learn all about the history and production of our favourite treat. Entry to the museum is free, or you can do a workshop where you get to try your hand at making chocolate and taste chocolate the way the Maya intended.
19/ Have brunch at Villa Bokeh (or stay there)
Villa Bokeh is one of Antigua’s fanciest five-star hotels. Located about a 10-minute cab ride out of the city centre, this former family home has been converted into a stunning retreat, complete with individually-deigned rooms featuring art by top Guatemalan artists, a gym, spa, pool, and pristine manicured gardens with direct views across to Volcan de Agua.
If your budget will allow, I highly recommend booking in for a night or two, but if that’s not an option then they also serve weekend brunch, where you can enjoy the delicious food and gorgeous surroundings without breaking the bank.
To find out more, check out my separate post: A Review Of Villa Bokeh, A Luxury Hotel In Antigua Guatemala
20/ Visit the Central Market (Mercado Central)
One of the things I loved most about Guatemala was its colourful markets. Nowhere do you get a greater sense of the country’s vibrant and energetic culture than in these buzzing centres of commerce, where locals come from across the region to buy and sell everything they need.
Antigua’s central market is no exception. It operates every day, but the busiest days are the official market days of Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The edges of the market tend to be given over to tourist wares and souvenirs, but if you dive in deeper, you’ll soon find the real authentic Guatemalan life inside the market, from women making hot tortillas on an open griddle to vendors selling fresh meat, fish, vegetables and more.
Read more: 13 Top Tips For Taking Great Travel Photos Of Markets
21/ Shop for souvenirs in the artisan markets
Guatemala is famous for its stunning handicrafts, and if you have room in your luggage, you should definitely not leave without picking up something beautiful to take home. From colourful hand-woven textiles to wooden ornaments and masks, beaded or jade jewellery, or local chocolate and coffee, Guatemala produces wonderful things to take home, and all of it can easily be found in Antigua.
There are two main artisan markets in Antigua Guatemala: the cavernous Nim Po’t just north of the Santa Catalina arch, and the slightly more touristy Mercado de Artesanías, a short walk from the Convent de las Capuchinas. My favourite was Nim Po’t, which is run as a co-operative for artisans, and is one of the best places in Antigua to buy traditional Maya clothes and fabrics from every region, as well as artwork, wood carvings, masks and more.
22/ Learn Spanish
Guatemala is considered one of the best places in the world to learn Spanish, thanks to a combination of a clear, easily understood accent and very affordable prices for classes. I spent two months learning Spanish in the city of Quetzaltenango, but Antigua is another brilliant place to take classes, with dozens of schools to choose from.
Many of them also offer homestays and daily activities to fully immerse you and help you meet new people and make friends. Book a week’s course at the start of your trip to jump start your travel Spanish, but if you don’t have time for that, even just a couple of hours one-to-one will help you on your way.
23/ Dance salsa at las Palmas
When you’re done with sightseeing and shopping, a fantastic place to spend the evening is Las Palmas restaurant and salsa bar. They have a wide range of meals and delicious cocktails, plus live music and salsa dancing. It’s a really fun and friendly vibe, and you’ll soon get swept onto the dancefloor even if it’s not normally your thing (but it’s OK to watch everyone else too!)
Great day trips from Antigua Guatemala
I always object to articles entitled ‘things to do in X location’, that then give you a whole list of places to go that aren’t anywhere near the city you’re visiting! However, no guide to Antigua Guatemala would be complete without mentioning these day trips, all easily reachable by bus or car, or on a tour from the city.
24/ The colourful market at Chichicastenango
I’ve already mentioned Guatemala’s markets, but without a doubt the biggest, best and most colourful one in the whole country is the main market at Chichicastenango. Although it runs every day, the best days to go are the official market days of Thursday and Sunday, when the main market halls and the streets surrounding them are jam-packed with locals selling anything and everything.
To find out more, check out my separate post: Chichicastenango Market in Guatemala: A Photo Guide
25/ Hobbitenango
Lord of the Rings fans might appreciate Hobbitenango, a playful little eco-village designed to be a Guatemalan version of Hobbiton, with quirky little hobbit houses (including two you can spend the night in), a restaurant modelled on the Green Dragon Inn of the Shire, and incredible views over Antigua and the surrounding area.
Hobbitenango is just 20 minutes by car from Antigua. There’s also a shuttle bus from Antigua city centre that costs about Q45/$7 per person round trip.
26/ Day trip to lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlán is another of the wonders of Guatemala, and is really best explored at leisure over several days. But if you don’t have much time, you can also get a taste by taking a day trip from Antigua.
It takes about two hours by car to get to Panajachel, the main transport hub on Lake Atitlan. In a single day, you’d then have enough time to hop on a boat across the lake and explore one or two of the colourful towns, such as the arty San Juan La Laguna or the buzzing San Pedro.
27/ Take photos at the Altamira viewpoint
Located close to Hobbitenango (so easily visited as part of the same trip), Altamira is a hotel and restaurant with majestic views over the city of Antigua and surrounding volcanos. There is also a much-photographed sculpture of a large wooden hand that you can walk out onto, stand in the palm of the hand and take an Insta-worthy photo in front of the beautiful landscape.
28/ Hike the Corazon de Agua Trail
Less dramatic (and much less touristy) than the mega volcano hikes of Acatenango or Pacaya, the Corazon de Agua Trail is a gentle forest trail in the Corazon de Agua Ecological Park. To get there, take a bus from Antigua to Magdalena Milpas Altas, and from there it’s a 20-minute walk to the trailhead. The hike itself is a distance of about 5 km so will take you no more than about two hours, depending on how long you spend stopping to take photos from the various viewpoints.
How long should you spend in Antigua Guatemala?
I spent 10 days in and around this beautiful city, and honestly I could easily have stayed longer. In that time I did most of the things on this list, so if you want to do it all, you need to allow a solid week.
If time is short, I would say three days is the minimum you should spend in Antigua: this would give you enough time to do one volcano hike or other day trip and do some sightseeing in the city as well. If you want to do Acatanenango/Fuego, then you’ll need to allow a day and a half just for that, plus some time to recover/relax on the afternoon of the second day.
But it’s such a lovely city to spend time in, that it’s worth staying a bit longer, if you can. Check out my Guatemala itinerary for tips on how to make the most of your time in Guatemala.
Is Antigua Guatemala safe?
Many people visiting Guatemala for the first time worry about safety. Guatemala does have a bit of a reputation for being dangerous, and you do hear the occasional scary story of armed robberies, muggings or shootings.
However, I travelled round Guatemala for three months and I found it to be a very friendly and welcoming country. The vast majority of visitors have a happy and trouble-free visit, and what few incidents there are, are mostly between local gangs and do not involve tourists. Of course you need to be careful and take precautions such as not walking around alone at night or with your phone in your hand, but as long as you are sensible you should be just fine.
Antigua city centre in particular is one of the safest parts of Guatemala, because it’s a busy and buzzing place with loads of tourists around. I walked around the area by myself, often with my big DSLR camera round my neck, and never felt unsafe.
Read more: Guatemala People: 30 Portraits Of Guatemalans That Show Their Rich Culture
How to get to Antigua Guatemala
The best way to get to Antigua Guatemala is to fly to Guatemala City Airport (called La Aurora), and then get a shared tourist shuttle or a private transfer directly from the airport to your hotel in Antigua. The journey takes less than an hour.
Shared tourist shuttles also go daily from most major tourist destinations in Guatemala, including Quetzaltenango, Panajachel and San Pedro La Laguna on Lake Atitlan, Flores, Semuc Champey (Lanquin) and Rio Dulce.
Best hotels in Antigua Guatemala
Antigua has a huge range of hotels and hostels to choose from, ranging from basic budget places that are super cheap, to luxury five star extravagances. Here are just a few that I personally visited, though there are plenty more to choose from!
- Budget: Yellow House. A centrally-located and friendly hostel that has small but clean and cute private rooms with shared bathrooms. Yellow House also has a pretty roof terrace with space to work, read, or chat to your fellow guests, and a pretty decent breakfast is included. Top tip: upstairs rooms are nicer.
- Mid-range: Ojala. Ojala has affordable dorm rooms for the budget conscious, but also nicer but more expensive private rooms as well as a courtyard café. It’s just a couple of blocks from the Parque Central.
- Luxury: Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo. This Antigua icon was once a convent and is full of historic charm. Casa Santo Domingo is a huge complex including a pool, spa and gym, courtyards, restaurant, art gallery, archaeological museum and more.
- Retreat: Villa Bokéh. Villa Bokéh is about 10 minutes’ drive outside Antigua old town, but the journey is worth it for a chance to stay in this exquisite designer mansion set in 6 acres of parkland, with stylish designer rooms and an excellent on-site restaurant.
Best restaurants in Antigua Guatemala
Antigua is full of great cafes and restaurants, and it’s easy enough to just wander around and pick something that takes your fancy. Which is pretty much what I did! This is far from an exhaustive or even expert list – but here are some of the places I enjoyed eating and drinking during my stay in Antigua Guatemala.
- Antigua Brewing Company: Antigua’s first brewery, opened in 2015. Today it’s a popular spot with beer lovers, where you can try a range of home-grown Guatemalan craft beers, as well as food including burgers, nachos and tacos. Enjoy it all from their rooftop terrace with gorgeous views over the beautiful colonial city.
- Café Condesa: Located right on the main square, you’d think this cafe would be overpriced and touristy, but it actually has a decent menu, served in a very pleasant and shady courtyard. There’s also a takeaway window selling excellent cakes and gelato.
- La Taquiza Antigua: With its bar stools and graffiti decor, this taco place has a grungy feel, but the tacos are hot, cheap, quick and delicious. Budget but brilliant.
- NANA Restaurant: At the opposite end of the scale, NANA is high class and high quality. The menu is small but changes regularly and everything is made with the freshest local ingredients. There’s also a cute vintage clothing store on-site.
- Union Café: Reported to be one of the best places for brunch in Antigua, I tried it and didn’t disagree.
- El Viejo Cafe: Has an amazing bakery where you can pick up pastries for the road before a morning tour, and a charming shady courtyard cafe which is great for lunch.
- La Bruja: I’m not vegetarian, but I loved the food at this little vegetarian/vegan cafe. It’s located in the Centro Comercial la Fuente, which is a cute courtyard with a handful of restaurants around its four sides and shared seating in the middle. I recommend heading here for lunch and seeing what takes your fancy.
- Saberico: A chilled courtyard restaurant at the back, with a delicatessen at the front. My burger was excellent.
- La Casa de las Sopas: A small, rustic place serving traditional soups and stews. Great for warming up if it’s a cold and wet evening.
Where to next?
If you enjoyed this post, why not try some of my other Guatemala posts?
- Crater Azul: Is Guatemala’s Gorgeous Blue Crater Overhyped?
- A Surprise Review Of Eagles Nest Yoga Retreat in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
- A Sunrise Hike Up Volcan Santa Maria In Xela, Guatemala
- Visiting San Andres Xecul, Guatemala: Home Of The Famous Yellow Church
- The Colourful Market In Solola Guatemala: A Photo Guide
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