Top Things to do in Antigua
Top 10 Free 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. Colibri
2. Antigua Cigars
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 102 reviews
We are a cigar shop that has a private living room smoke room. Come and visit us and allow us to invite you in. See you soon.
Reviewed By robertsN1243GW - Farmington Hills, United States
We came down for my daughters wedding over Christmas/New Years but this was my 4th trip to Antigua and boy do I wish I had found this place earlier. The owners, Uwe and Lyne, are very nice and interesting people and I enjoyed conversations with them on 2 occasions. They have an excellent selection of cigars but on Uwe's recommendation I tried 2 of his house sticks and was not disappointed. If you enjoy a good cigar in a nice place with good people this is not a place to be missed. My only regret is that I didn't buy more to bring home.
3. Casa de Artes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
At any visit to Antigua, "Casa de Artes" cannot be missed! It is a mix of shop and small museum of Guatemalan crafts as textiles, masks, pottery, wood carvings, jewelry, sacred images and religious items. Extremely high quality articles, that can bewitch any visitor! Located at the city's historic center, at only two blocks of "Parque Central" and of "Catedral de San José", you will easily find it while strolling along Antigua's old cobbled stone streets. Prices? On the expensive side, but quality and uniqueness are assured. Enjoy!
4. 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.
5. Casa del Jade
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 539 reviews
Casa del Jade, since 1,977, invites everyone to discover the beautiful world of the stone of Heaven, Jade. Through a guided tour in our Museum you will discover the importance of this stone since ancient times until today, you will be able to appreciate how Jade is handcrafted, and then enjoy the largest Jade jewelry exhibit in Central America. Don't miss the opportunity to acquire a piece of Ancient history transformed into beautiful jewels and pieces of art.
Reviewed By 54SRB - Sacramento, United States
We wandered into this store, which has a small storefront, just intending to look around. We were greeted by Berny, who could not have been more helpful without being at all pushy. Occupying a large portion of the ground floor of a restored large casa, spanning several interconnecting rooms that go deeper into the former house, the jewelry store offers a dazzling array of jewelry, specializing in all colors of Guatemalan jade but also having other semi-precious and precious stones available, often in distinctively designed pieces. At the back of the store is a museum with a well-mounted display of Olmec and Maya artifacts with clear explanations of their provenance. Fort the serious shopper (not us), there are pieces in every price range, all of them attractive. Included in the inventory are pieces made by co-ops supporting the local people. In the courtyard were a couple of Maya women selling their textiles. Berny helped with translations, and with his assistance, we were able to get a better understanding of the techniques used. One of the lovely women demonstrated how she used her hip-strap loom for us. We are so glad we stopped in Casa del Jade and grateful for Berny's assistance.
6. The Snug
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
Antigua's Authentic Irish bar. Yes it is Irish owned. We have Guinness along with several other imported beers and liquors, including Strongbow Cider. Located at 6th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues (red house, a clover hanging outside).
Reviewed By Trek690217 - Brentwood, United States
Stopped in to the Snug for a quick drink after building up a thirst on 3 hour walking tour of Antigua .....turned into lots of drinks lunch and great fun. Cece was so welcoming as we entered Rory ( owner) took us up to roof terrace to see view of volcano from there We had curry for lunch really good So glad we entered snug for “unquick” drink
7. Xibalba Joyas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 85 reviews
Experience our handmade jewelry exhibition displayed in a colonial environment decorated with guatemalan art, antiques and exclusive items. Witness the process of the jade stones transforming into jewels and the blacksmith making the finishing touches on the designer jewels inspired in nature and guatemala´s rich culture. Join our workshop to design and make your own jade jewel. The only workshop in the region where you will immerse yourself in mayan history and create a unique jewel with your own hands!
Reviewed By 290janea - Arlington, United States
My daughter and I first enjoyed shopping in this lovely space, seeing the work of a range of Guatemalan artists and artisans in jade, metal, fabric, and ceramic. We got to talking with Laura, the proprietor, and enjoyed it so much--and learned so much from her--that we decided to do the jade workshop. We each made a piece for a necklace. It was fun, interesting, and a wonderful experience working with the stone and being inspired by Laura's vision and expertise. It was one of our favorite things in all of Antigua, because of Laura's vision and caring for the people and traditions of the country. We'll enjoy wearing our pieces, and look forward to visiting again.
8. La Nueva Fabrica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
La Nueva Fábrica is an art space that supports creative exploration through galleries for exhibitions and community events, an artist residency program, and multidisciplinary workshops and studios. Explore galleries with rotating exhibits of contemporary art and historic photography, peruse our design store, savor a refreshment at our café inside two racing buses, and enjoy our gardens.
9. 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.
10. 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.
