Ultimate Antigua Guatemala Travel Guide + Itinerary

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Antigua Guatemala is one of the most charming and beautiful colonial cities I’ve ever visited. We spent almost two weeks here across multiple visits but felt we could have stayed forever. 

The cobblestone streets are lined with colourful colonial buildings, interspersed with the atmospheric ruins of Spanish churches and convents.

I’ve never been to a city where you can watch an active volcano erupt as you stroll through the main plaza. Antigua is surrounded by three looming volcanoes that are never far from sight: Acatenango, Fuego and Agua.

The colonial architecture is filled with painfully charming boutique hotels. Aesthetic cafes and restaurants with cuisines from all corners of the globe are scattered around leafy internal courtyards and along rooftop terraces overlooking the volcanoes. 

It’s got a safe and sophisticated feel, and despite being touristy, it felt authentic. 

International tourists sit alongside Maya families in traditional clothes in Parque Central, and the cosmopolitan bars are filled with trendy chapines visiting from Guatemala City for the weekend. 

This city ticked all my boxes, and we were immediately enamoured with it. 

My Antigua Guatemala travel guide covers everything you need to know about the city. Including getting there and around, the top places to eat, where to stay, the best things to do and an Antigua Guatemala itinerary.

About Antigua Guatemala

Antigua is located in southwest Guatemala, in the Sacatepéquez Department, just 40 km (25 mi) from Guatemala City, the country’s capital. 

Antigua’s official name is La Antigua Guatemala which translates in Spanish as ‘The Old Guatemala’, reflecting its former title as the capital of Guatemala. After a series of severe earthquakes in 1773 reduced much of the city to rubble, the capital was relocated to present-day Guatemala City. 

At first, I thought it was called Antigua Guatemala to distinguish it from the Caribbean country, Antigua, but no, the story is much more interesting than that! These days you’ll hear the city referred to as Antigua, Antigua Guatemala, La Antigua, or La Antigua Guatemala. 

It might not hold the title of capital anymore, but Antigua is certainly the prettiest city in Guatemala, and without any official statistics, I’d guess is a much more popular tourist destination than Guatemala City. 

Besides being so overwhelmingly charming, with incredible preserved and restored colonial architecture, it’s also much safer than Guatemala City. It has a cosmopolitan vibe that seems at odds with the physical history, with a plethora of trendy restaurants, cafes and bars, and boutique hotels. 

The entire historic centre has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its excellent example of Spanish colonial architecture and urban design. 

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How to get to Antigua Guatemala

From the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City

Antigua is a common starting point for travel in Guatemala. The country’s only international airport is located in the nearby capital, Guatemala City, but with a gritty vibe and some safety concerns, most travellers make a beeline straight for charming Antigua. 

The GUA – La Aurora International Airport is only 40 km (25 mi) away from Antigua, but the trip can take anywhere between 1 – 3 hours, depending on the horrendous city traffic. 

A lot of people think that if they’re arriving late at night they won’t be able to get to Antigua, but it’s possible to hop straight to Antigua from the airport, no matter what time you arrive. It’s probably the busiest transport route in the country, and it’s quite straightforward to organise. 

• 🚐 Shared shuttle: if you’re arriving during the day, you can pre-book a shared shuttle. Bookaway (which we recommend using for transport around Guatemala) has multiple shuttles per day for $12 – $30 USD. The first is at 6:00 am and the last is at 10:30 pm. There are also public shuttle buses at the airport, that charge around 150Q. They depart when full, and you’ll most likely need to pay in local currency. 

• 🚗 Uber: Uber is allowed to operate at the airport. Depending on what time you arrive, this can be an easy and affordable option, but the prices surge during rush hour and a taxi becomes cheaper. If you haven’t organised a SIM card in the terminal (there is a Claro kiosk) or have an eSIM or roaming, there is wifi at the airport. 

• 🚕 Taxi: available day and night, the humble taxi is always a reliable option at the airport. There is a taxi booth with fixed prices to Antigua (around $50 USD) but if you’re up for negotiating directly with the driver, you might get it a little cheaper. I would only opt for a taxi if the Uber was surging during peak hours. Regardless, it’s not really that much more than a shuttle if you’re 2 or more, and most tourists at the airport will also be travelling to Antigua so you can find someone else to split with. 

• 🚙 Private transfer: if you’re arriving late at night, I’d highly recommend pre-booking a private transfer. If for nothing but to ease your mind and reduce stress when getting off a long-haul flight in a new country in the dark. You can book private cars via Bookaway, for as little as $25 USD if you’re 1 – 3 people (just choose ‘car’ when searching). They’ll drop you off directly at your hotel in Antigua and are across your flight details and any delays. Paying online in advance also means you don’t need to worry about figuring out local currency as soon as you arrive. You can also ask your accommodation in Antigua to organise a private transfer too. 

From within Guatemala

• 🏙️ From Guatemala City: you might find yourself in Guatemala City (not the airport) if you’re travelling from further destinations like Flores or Rio Dulce, which are serviced by coach buses from the capital. If Antigua is your final destination, you might be able to book a combo ticket when you book the bus (e.g. Flores – Antigua, which would entail the coach bus to Guatemala City and then a shuttle to Antigua). Just be very certain you’re not booking an uncomfortable shuttle the entire way. Otherwise, it’s easy to book an Uber to Antigua or book a separate shuttle from Guatemala City to Antigua, including hotel pick up and drop off. 

• 🌈 From Lake Atitlan: if you’re coming from the lake, you can travel to Antigua by shuttle from either Panajachel (the main transport hub on the lake) or San Pedro La Laguna (a more popular place for backpackers to stay). It’s possible to travel from Lake Atitlan to Antigua by chicken bus, but it will require 3 – 4 changes. Although the overall trip is quite short, so if you want to use a chicken bus at some point, I’d suggest this route. 

• 🌿 From Semuc Champey (Lanquin): you should absolutely book a tourist shuttle for this 8 – 10 hour trip. You can book the shuttle online, but I’d actually suggest booking via your accommodation in Semuc/Lanquin. If you’re staying at one of the more remote lodges near Semuc Champey, you’ll need a 4×4 truck ride back to Lanquin town, and most places will only include this for free if you book the shuttle with them. 

• 🏄🏼 From El Paredon: Guatemala’s most popular surf town is less than 3 hours from Antigua. A handful of shuttles run every day, mostly leaving El Paredon once in the morning and once in the afternoon, you can book online. You can also opt for the chicken bus if you really want to save some money. The journey may require a short tuk-tuk ride and at least one change in Escuintla. 

🚐 We used Bookaway to book our tourist shuttles all over Guatemala, you can get 5% off with our code SALLY5

From Honduras

If you’re coming from Honduras, there are two ways you can enter Guatemala. From the far east via Rio Dulce, which is great if you’re coming from La Ceiba (for the Bay Islands). Shuttles for this route only run a few days per week, so make sure you check the schedule against your itinerary. You can book via Bookaway.

Or if you’re finishing up in Copan Ruinas, you’re not too far from Antigua. Shuttles run most days of the week from Copan Ruinas to Antigua and take 6 – 7 hours. You can book the route online. 

From El Salvador

One of the most common travel routes through Central America is El Tunco in El Salvador to Antigua Guatemala or vice versa. The shuttles will also pick up from neighbouring beaches like El Zonte. 

I don’t think this is a great route though. If you’re travelling northbound, there is so much more of El Salvador to see than just El Tunco and the Pacific Coast.

Instead, travel around the central and northern areas of the country, visiting the Ruta de las Flores and the Santa Ana region before taking a shuttle from Santa Ana to Antigua. 

From Nicaragua

The amount of travellers that are willing to travel for 18+ hours in order to get from Guatemala to Nicaragua without stopping in El Salvador or Honduras is astounding to me! 

El Salvador and Honduras are both incredible countries that you should NOT skip! El Salvador used to have a bad reputation for safety but this totally changed, and Honduras, although slightly more elevated in terms of risk, is a beautiful country that we loved and felt no more or less safe in than anywhere else in the region.

So please don’t be one of those people who travels from Leon, Nicaragua to Antigua, Guatemala in one go. You’re missing so much, plus it’s a hellish journey. 

Getting around Antigua Guatemala

• 👣 Walk: Antigua is a very walkable city and this is the easiest way to get around! We stayed about 20 minutes away from the centre of the city and loved walking in and out every day. The city is mostly flat, there are a lot of sidewalks (although not everywhere) and it’s the best way to see the sights. Although do be prepared for cobblestones, so comfy shoes only! 

• 🚗 Uber: if you’ve got luggage, it’s late or you’re just feeling lazy, Uber is plentiful and cheap in Antigua. It’s great for destinations on the outskirts of the city and as long as you’re not going too far away (e.g. Hobbitenango) you should be able to pick up a driver for your return journey too. 

• 🛺 Tuk-tuk: if Ubers are surging or you can’t get a driver for some reason, there are tuk-tuks zooming all over the city. They’re generally more expensive and the rides on the cobblestone streets are very bumpy, but they’re always available. Same goes for normal car taxis. Always agree on a price before you set off. 

• 🚐 Tour: a lot of the best activities to do on the outskirts of the city (e.g. coffee farm tours, volcano hikes) will include transport, so you don’t really need to think too much about navigating chicken buses or other public transport, you’ll probably be in a shuttle van. 

Where to stay in Antigua

The hotels in Antigua Guatemala are seriously next level. The city is oozing with incredible accommodation options, housed in restored historic mansions with colonial architecture and stunning interiors. If you’re a design lover, choosing where to stay is TOUGH! 

Staying in a charming boutique hostel or hotel is part of the experience of Antigua, so don’t just look for a clinical hotel room.

Accommodation is slightly more expensive in Antigua compared to the rest of the country so take that into consideration in your Guatemala budget. The quality and style are so good it’s worth it.

I wrote a post dedicated to the best design-forward boutique hostels and hotels in Antigua Guatemala, but these are some of my highlights:

BUDGET 💰

Ojala
Hostelworld | Booking.com

Casi Casa
Hostelworld | Booking.com

Barbara’s Boutique Hostel
Hostelworld | Booking.com

MID-RANGE 💰💰

Cacao Boutique Hotel
Booking.com | Expedia

Villas de la Ermita
Booking.com | Expedia

Good Hotel
Booking.com | Expedia

LUXURY 💰💰💰

El Convento Boutique Hotel
Booking.com | Expedia

Posada del Angel
Booking.com | Expedia

Casa Santo Domingo
Booking.com | Expedia

Things to do in Antigua

Antigua has the perfect mix of city sightseeing and adventurous activities in nature. One day you’re wandering around the cobblestone streets looking at historic buildings, the next you might be climbing an active volcano!

I’ve got a post dedicated to the 28 best things to do in Antigua Guatemala that I’d suggest checking out, but here are some of the top things you can’t miss:

• 🌋 Hike Volcan Acatenango: Antigua is the jump-off point for one of Guatemala’s most popular activities. A 2-day 1-night experience, the hike up Acatenango Volcano is not for the faint-hearted. You’ll spend a night at base camp in a tent or hut, with uninterrupted views of Fuego, one of the country’s most active volcanoes that spews out a constant stream of smoke, ash and lava. If you’re fit enough, you can hike an extra 4 – 5 hours onto Fuego itself. This tour is highly rated.

• ⛪️ Sightsee around Antigua: Antigua is hands down one of the most beautiful colonial cities in all of Central America. Cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, ornate churches and leafy rooftop terraces overlooking volcanoes – what could be better? The earthquakes of 1773 left piles of ruined churches, monasteries and other buildings that are fun to explore and a dream for photographers. We spent days exploring every inch of the historic centre and I would recommend setting aside at least two days to stroll around and go inside the main sights. I’ve got an Antigua Sightseeing section on my Guatemala Google Map to create your own walking tour.

• ☕️ Visit a coffee farm: Guatemala produces some of the best coffee in the world, and Antigua’s high altitude and volcanic soil make it a particularly fertile coffee-growing region. All around the city are small villages dotted with coffee fincas. Taking a tour to learn all about the coffee-making process from plant to cup is a great way to learn more about typical life in rural Guatemala and engage with local farmers and their families. We did a tour with a local non-profit De La Gente and highly recommend it. 

• 🥾 Toast marshmallows at Pacaya Volcano: far less intense, but still pretty damn cool, Pacaya Volcano is another active volcano around Antigua. It only takes 1 – 2 hours to reach the summit, where you will toast marshmallows on hot rocks, get an incredible view of the three volcanoes surrounding Antigua and enjoy the sunset. Check out our complete guide to the Pacaya Volcano hike or book our recommended sunset tour here.

• 🧙🏻‍♂️ Live out your Lord of The Rings fantasies at Hobbitenango: probably not what you were expecting to find in Guatemala, Hobbitenango is a fun Lord of The Rings-themed eco-park in the hills around the city. It’s got excellent views of the volcanoes and the lush green Panchoy Valley and it’s a nice escape from the city. You can try your hand at archery or axe throwing, swing on their giant tree swing, get some great photos and breathe in the fresh mountain air! Check out our Hobbitenango guide for info on how to get there. 

Where to eat in Antigua

The food scene in Antigua is mind-blowing! It’s one of the reasons we love this city so much. 

Their cafe culture is on point, with excellent barista coffee and aesthetic cafes. As for restaurants, you can eat pretty much any cuisine here and the food is very high quality. Their bars and breweries are top notch too – who doesn’t want a cocktail or a craft beer on a rooftop with a volcano erupting right in front of you? 

I had so much to say about the food and drinks in Antigua I wrote a whole post about the best restaurants in Antigua, but here are some of our favourites: 

BREAKFAST AND COFFEE

• 🫘 Artista de Café: vibey coffee house
• 🧇 AM BKFST: build your own breakfast
• 🍨 12 Onzas: very nice speciality coffees
• 🍳 Union Café: cute café with good breaky options

LUNCH AND DINNER

• 🍗 Rincón Antigüeño: typical Guatemalan
• 🍛 Toko Baru: Indian and Indonesian curries
• 🌮 Fridas: fancy Mexican with excellent cocktails
• 🥞 Luna de Miel: sweet and savoury crepes
• 🇻🇳 Mi Vietnamese Kitchen: bahn mi, vermicelli bowls, pho
• 🍝 La Pasta Nostra: pizza and pasta

BARS AND BREWERIES

• 🍻 Antigua Brewing Company: rooftop brewery
• 🍹 Ulew Cocktail Bar: a hidden speakeasy
• 🌲 Antigua Cerveza El Bosque: a brewery in a forest
• 🍷 Tabacos y Vino: wine that gets cheaper by the glass 

Antigua Guatemala itinerary

We ended up spending almost two weeks in Antigua over the course of a few visits. It’s a great hub to branch out from and most Guatemala itineraries will include at least two stops in the city to break up transport. 

So how many days do you need in Antigua Guatemala? I think you need 7 days if you’re planning to hike Acatenango Volcano or 5 days if not, to really see the highlights.  

We like to explore slowly and soak up the atmosphere of a place. Antigua is such a fantastic city, and the architecture and dining scene alone can absorb 3 – 4 days of your itinerary if you want it to. 

I think the sample itinerary below is a perfect balance of seeing the city properly, not just rushing through it in a day, but also participating in the top tours and activities outside of Antigua. If you’re skipping Acatenango, just shift days 6 and 7 up. 

Antigua travel tips

🇬🇹 Get more travel tips in Guatemala travel guide

• 🌤️ Best time to visit: Antigua and the Western Highlands of Guatemala are known as ‘the land of eternal spring’ with a lovely temperate climate year-round. That said, Antigua does still experience a wet and dry season, although the wet seasons are far less severe than in the jungly, tropical areas of the country.
  
  November – April are generally the dry months and the best time to visit. You can expect cool temperatures in the mornings and evenings (do not underestimate this, you need a jacket and pants!), and warm, sunny days. These months also give you the best chance of clear views of Volcan Fuego after hiking up Acatanengo, but there’s never a guarantee!
  
  Although there is a strange climatic phenomenon that occurs in July or August some years, where there is a pause in the rainy season with a few weeks of hot and dry weather. It’s known as the ‘canícula’, look it up!

• 🫶🏼 Safety: is Antigua Guatemala safe? Yes! Antigua is a super safe city and that’s part of the reason it’s such a popular tourist destination. It’s much more polished and tourist-friendly than the gritty capital, Guatemala City, and we felt safe day and night in Antigua. Of course, always take the usual safety precautions and taking Ubers at night is good practice, but I’m sure you’ll feel comfortable in Antigua as we did. 

• 🗣️ Language: like everywhere in Guatemala, Spanish is the official language in Antigua, however, a lot of people do speak English as it is such a cosmopolitan tourist town. Never assume though, and basic Spanish skills will not go astray here!

• 💰 Currency: Guatemala uses the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ or Q for short). Although some tourism companies will price and accept USD for expensive things, it’s not very common, and the Quetzal is the primary form of payment. We were able to pay for most things in Antigua with card. It’s a modern city and most restaurants, hotels, tour companies etc. offer card payment without any fees. 

• 🏧 ATMs: there are plentiful ATMs all over Antigua. We couldn’t find anywhere in the country that had free withdrawals though, and we were charged a 44.99 Q fee at multiple banks. 5B, BI and BAC are the most common and have a few different cajeros (ATMs) around the city.

• 📱 Phone & SIM Cards: if Antigua is your first stop in Guatemala, you can organise a SIM card at the Tigo or Claro store. Usually I’d say going directly to the store is easier than trying to set it up at a little tienda or minimart, but the customer service at the phone stores in Antigua is woeful. There is a small shop called ‘Tienda, claro, tigo y sim card’ with a very friendly owner who sells SIM cards and will get you set up on the right pre-paid plan.
  
  If you’re only visiting Guatemala for a short trip and you can’t be bothered mucking around with a local SIM card, we recommend Nomad eSIMs. Their plans are pretty reasonably priced with a generous amount of data included.

• 🥑 Groceries: if you want to cook in Antigua or stock up on snacks for hikes, the biggest supermarkets are La Bodegona and Dispensa Familiar. Both are located together on the western side of the city, near the Mercado Central. The market is the best place for fresh produce.

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Antigua Guatemala travel guide: Final thoughts

Ahh Antigua, you beauty, you. Seriously, I think it was the best colonial city we visited in Central America and I hope this Antigua Guatemala travel guide has you excited and inspired to explore every inch of it!

No Guatemala itinerary is complete without some time in this charming city, whether you’re hiking volcanoes or strolling the cobblestone streets. 

It’s also a major transit hub and most other destinations in Guatemala are accessible from Antigua. Depending on whether you’re starting or ending your trip in Guatemala, you might be travelling onwards to the magical Lake Atitlan, down to the coast in El Paredon or taking the epically long shuttle to Semuc Champey. 

It’s also a great place to finish your time in Guatemala and travel onwards to neighbouring countries. There are easy connections to Copan Ruinas in Honduras or various towns in El Salvador. 

MORE ANTIGUA POSTS

• Where to Stay in Antigua Guatemala: Best Boutique Stays
• Best Restaurants in Antigua Guatemala: Our Top 20 Spots
• 28 Best Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala
• Everything You Need to Know About the Pacaya Volcano Hike
• How to Visit Hobbitenango: Lord of The Rings in Guatemala