Top Things to do in Antigua
The 10 Best Things to do in Antigua, Sacatepequez Department
Antigua Guatamala is known as the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in Central America. Stroll the cobblestone streets, lounge with the locals in Central Park on sunny afternoons or hike up one of the volcanoes overlooking the city for amazing views.
Restaurants in Antigua
1. Acatenango Volcano
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,168 reviews
Reviewed By yesenial557
Tropicana tour agency have one of the best view of the fuego volcano,I took an incredible couple package which I could enjoyed with my partner
2. Caoba Farms
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 303 reviews
All organic farm that also offers tours, volunteering, a farm-to-table restaurant, a store, Farmers Markets on Saturdays (live music, vendors, free activities..), Thursday- and Friday night activities and much more! Check out our homepage for more details and follow us on Facebook (caoba farms) and Instagram (caobafarms) to keep posted!
Reviewed By LeilaniRuth - Los Angeles, United States
After living in Antigua for over 3+ years, this is a staple for special occasions, when friends visit, or just needing some solo time. There's a bustling energy about the ground on Saturday's when Caoba throws their famous farmers market, although they're open Wednesday - Sunday and hosts various events throughout. Make sure to bring a camera and enjoy a walk around the property. From the beautifully presented snacks to the farm, it's a photographers dream full of color, life, and the beauty of nature all around. Your visit can be a short stop into the artisanal tienda, although you'd be selling yourself short. If you have time, settle into the restaurant for a full meal, straight from the farm, or just a liquado. There's plenty to do for the entire family if time allows - farm tour, workshops, mariposa garden, succulent plant garden, play area for the kids, live music, and much more. They conveniently offer shuttle service from Parque Central, but it's also a very enjoyable 15min walk from town. Uber is also available if a private ride is more your style.
3. The Plaza Central Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,952 reviews
This town square, with tree-lined streets and old colonial buildings, is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists.
Reviewed By Rolliecole - Austin, United States
The park itself (during Christmas season) was ablaze with Christmas lights at night and children playing, vendors selling, people strolling day and night. It is surrounded by some of the principal sights of the city, including the cathedral, several banks with guarded ATMs, and several highly-rated restaurants. We walked through it or by it every time we walked somewhere in the city, if only to see what was happening. Our favorite was a parade of dancing horses - the caballeros (and one lady) astride each horse would make them do a tap dance on the cobblestone streets to music blaring from a pickup ahead of each of two or three horses. The park is a reason to visit Antigua; if you go there, you would have to work hard to miss it.
4. Iglesia de La Merced
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,077 reviews
Destroyed twice by earthquakes, this 1548 church was rebuilt in the 1700s to withstand earthquakes and boasts a lovely yellow façade and a huge stone fountain, reputed to be the largest in Central America.
Reviewed By 796alvaror - San Salvador, El Salvador
La Merced is a colonial baroque style Catholic Church, well preserved, it keeps its greatness outside and inside. It’s a must visit place in Antigua. In addition to, its Square has delicious Guatemalan food and it’s a nice meeting place for locals and foreigners day and nighttime.
5. Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 531 reviews
One of many ruined churches in the city, this multi-domed church is often visited by pilgrims seeking answers to their prayers from Friar Hermano Pedro, the beatified 17th-century monk buried inside.
Reviewed By T9604IZmattp - San Diego, United States
Make sure you stop here to see the resting place of Hermano Pedro, Guatemala’s first Saint. He was considered the Mother Theresa of his time, and is venerated as such. The church was damaged and eventually destroyed in Guatemala’s famous historic earthquakes, and was rebuilt in the 1960’s. Fun Fact: Scenes from The New Adventures of Tarzan were filmed here when the church was still in ruins.
6. Pacaya Volcano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,588 reviews
Reviewed By 177patd - Kent, United Kingdom
I visited Pacaya using a local firm from Antigua. They charged 75 quetzals (£9) to transport me my minibus to & from my hotel. They also included a guide to escort our group (about 10) to the lava sites towards the top of the volcano & back down. I had to pay a further 50 quetzals (£6) entrance fee to the Volcano site. I also hired a wooded walking stick (5 quetzals), which was a very useful aid to get grip/leverage up the sometimes slippery/loose volcanic rock surface. I would say that walking to the main viewing area of Pacaya (not the top or where the lava stream can be viewed) is 'medium' degree in difficulty. You can hire a horse & proceed bu horseback to the viewing area. Didn't to that so not sure how much that cost. However, to get to the lava stream is fairly tough going mainly because the rock surface is very loose in places & you have to scramble on all fours in places. Having said that, some very young children managed it. There is nothing in the way of 'health & safety near the lava streams & you are able to get as close as you dare. I tasted some roasted marshmallows that one of the guides had heated up over the main lava stream visible.
7. Arco de Santa Catalina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,694 reviews
This monumental arch was built as a passageway between the monastery and adjoining school. The buildings were constructed to accommodate an increase in religious followers during the 17th century.
Reviewed By TimDore - Marana, United States
Guatemala was a stop on our cruise ship so we signed up for a Blue Planet shore excursion which drove us 2 hours to Antigua. There are so many sites to visit in this beautiful city including the Arco de Santa Catalina. The Arch was built in the 1690s so cloistered nuns could walk from the convent to the school without having to cross the streets of the city. You can see the Agua Volcano in the background as you stand under the arch. I highly recommend a short visit for some great pictures.
8. ChocoMuseo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,367 reviews
Cacao and chocolate museum in Antigua, Guatemala. Learn about the history of cacao, the cacao tree and cacao in Guatemala. ChocoMuseo has its own artisanal chocolate factory which makes chocolate from organic Guatemalan cacao beans. ChocoMuseo also offers chocolate workshops to make your own chocolate. A unique experience for the whole family.
Reviewed By snsd23
The museum itself is quite small, only about two rooms. The areas for the chocolate-making and cooking classes are in the center. The instructor, Orlando, taught a class about 90-120 minutes long that included learning the history of chocolate, making chocolate bars, and preparing (and tasting) several kinds of chocolate drinks. I had a great time, and it seemed to be a hit with everyone from preschoolers to grandparents.
9. Casa Santo Domingo Museums
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,584 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In 1538, the first Dominican friars of the "Orden de Predicadores de Santo Domingo de Guzmán" arrived in the "Capitanía General de Guatemala", establishing the "Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo". It was one of the most important Roman Catholic convents of the Americas in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The baroque two-towered building with fantastic ten bells, filled with rich objects and holy relics, was destroyed by the earthquakes of 1773. Its ruins remained abandoned for many years. Centuries later, they were somehow restored and house, today, an awesome complex of museums. Through the ancient walls, brick archways, old crypts and tile corridors, the treasures of "Casa Santo Domingo" are on display: pre-Columbian Mayan art, ceramics, religious objects, silver and glass wares, old pharmacy articles ... plus paintings, sculptures, colonial furniture and archaelogical findings. Art and history. Unmissable! Enjoy!
10. Cerro de la Cruz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,424 reviews
Reviewed By badbunny227 - Houston, United States
I toured this via my mountain tour. Very nice view of the city. There are merchants there to sell trinkets and icecream.
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