Antigua, Guatemala is one of the best travel destinations for travelers looking for a Central American destination for comfort and relaxation, with the comfort and tranquility of a quiet country town. You’ll fall in love with that Antiguan charm during your stay here, and you’ll be able to spend your time in Antigua relaxing and enjoying its many historic buildings, tranquil lakes, and majestic volcanoes.
Must-See & Do Activities
Antigua
Antigua Cultural Walking Tour
It has a lot of beautiful architecture from the Spanish colonial era.
Hill of the Cross (Cerro de la Cruz)
If you climb up the hill, you’ll find a viewpoint and a large cross from which you can see the entire city of Antigua.
The air is great and you’ll feel like you’re looking down from above.
You’ll see colorful houses and the many volcanoes that surround them.
Santa Catalina Arch (El Arco de Santa Catalina)
This is Antigua’s landmark in the city center.
It’s an Instagrammable photo spot.
Santo Domingo del Cerro
Santo Domingo del Cerro is a museum and cafe in one. It’s built on top of a mountain, so it’s a 10-20 minute drive up a mountain road, which is definitely not something you can do on foot. The layout of Santo Domingo del Cerro is such that you can go inside to look at the art and then come out to the outside, where you can see the Volcán de Agua in the distance with panoramic views, and the view is the art.
Antigua Guatemala Cathedral
Few of the buildings that line Antigua Guatemala’s Centro are intact. This is the Cathedral of Antigua Guatemala, which is visible from the center of the city and is still standing, showing no signs of the earthquake.
Built in 1541, it was the largest cathedral in Central America until 1743. During the great earthquake of 1773, the interior of the cathedral was so badly damaged that when the capital was relocated, it was collected and moved to the cathedral in Guatemala City.
Monastery of St. Clara
Today, the monastery is no longer a monastery, but an observatory and tourist attraction. Unlike the manicured gardens, many parts of the building were left in ruins, and it’s these signs of the earthquake that add to its appeal as a tourist destination.
The most beautiful McDonald’s in the world
The McDonald’s in Antigua, Guatemala was voted the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world.
The McDonald’s in Antigua is located about two blocks from the main square.
The exact location is Poniente 21, Antigua Guatemala.
One of Antigua’s greatest charms is the coexistence of the past and present, and this McDonald’s seems to be a part of it. You can feel the irony of the McDonald’s letter “M” emblazoned in the crisp air, volcano-centered scenery, and beautifully landscaped gardens of this pioneer of modern capitalism.
Pacaya Volcano Tour
Pacaya Volcano Tour
Pacaya Volcano, near Guatemala City and Antigua, is an active volcano standing at 2,552 meters (8,373 feet). It offers a moderate hike suitable for many fitness levels, with guided treks through forests and lava fields, and the chance to see active lava flows. The tour provides scenic views of surrounding volcanoes and landscapes.
Acatenango Trekking
Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure from Guatemala City
Acatenango Volcano, at 3,976 meters (13,045 feet), is one of Guatemala’s highest and most challenging volcano hikes. Located near Antigua, the trek includes a strenuous ascent to a base camp for an overnight stay, followed by a summit hike at dawn to catch the sunrise. The trek offers views of the active Fuego Volcano and diverse ecosystems. Proper preparation and guided tours are recommended for safety due to the altitude and challenging conditions.
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan Day Tour From Antigua
Lake Atitlan is a caldera lake, a type of volcanic landscape. When a volcano erupts, the magma chamber, the place where the magma pools inside the volcano, empties and collapses into a crater. The enlarged crater is called a caldera, and the water that collects in the caldera to form a lake is called a caldera lake.
Lake Atitlan is said to be the place in Guatemala where the Mayans settled after leaving Tikal.
So, if you’re traveling to Guatemala and want to experience the traditional customs and way of life of the Maya, we recommend visiting the various Mayan villages near Lake Atitlan!
