Searching for the perfect Antigua itinerary? This post details the perfect itinerary for Antigua, Guatemala, including information about when to visit, what to do, where to stay, and fantastic food spots!

Sitting in a valley surrounded by volcanos is Antigua, a charming UNESCO town known for its colorful colonial architecture. Dotted with eateries and adventure tour operators, I fell in love with Antigua’s slow pace and relaxed atmosphere during my month-long journey through Guatemala. I’ve curated this 4-day itinerary to capture the magic of Antigua so you can plan your perfect trip.

Antigua is arguably Guatemala’s most beloved little town. It sits perfectly at a crossroads between an escape into escape and an exciting city stopover. This itinerary includes all the information you need to plan the perfect four days in Antigua, including where to stay, when to visit, what to do, and fantastic food spots you need to know about!

When to visit Antigua, Guatemala ↴

Guatemala has two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season runs from November through April. This time of year treats travelers to blue skies and warm temperatures. It’s the most popular time to visit, for obvious reasons, so plan for crowds at major attractions, price inflation (primarily where accommodation is concerned), and tours booking out in advance.

The wet season, May through October, is often rainy and gray, but prices are lower and there are fewer crowds (if any) to contend with. The mornings during the wet season are usually dry, so if you’re an early riser and a budget traveler you may be in luck!

How many days to spend in Antigua, Guatemala ↴

I could easily have spent a month wandering the cobblestone streets of Antigua, and many people do. Antigua is known as a hub for travelers eager to learn Spanish at one of the town’s many immersion schools. If you can’t swing staying for the long term (or aren’t looking to enroll in Spanish school), I recommend spending 3 to 4 days in Antigua to explore without feeling rushed.

How to get to Antigua, Guatemala ↴

Antigua is the perfect jumping-off point for your Guatemala travels. It’s a quick 1.5-hour drive from La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City, where most international travelers arrive. You can book a shuttle service in advance, which takes groups of visitors to Antigua via a transport van. Public buses are an even more affordable option. These are sometimes referred to as "chicken buses”. While they are cheaper, they are also much less comfortable than shuttles. If you have cash, a taxi service can be arranged upon your arrival at the airport.

One of the charms of Antigua is how easy it is to get around on foot. Wandering around the cobblestone streets of Antigua is the best way to discover the beauty of the town.

Where to stay in Antigua, Guatemala ↴

Travelers are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in Antigua. No matter your budget, hotels, guesthouses, and hostels all typically have views of the volcano valley that encompasses the city. One thing to look out for is air-conditioning. Many budget hostels don’t offer AC in their dorm rooms. Often, they’ll have standing or ceiling fans in common spaces. Read reviews and descriptions before you book!

I loved my stay at Casa Sofia, a cozy homestyle hotel with a sunny terrace. The family arranged our transfer to Lake Atitlan, and the location was ideal. We were only a few blocks from the iconic Santa Catarina Arch and had unencumbered views of the volcanos from the rooftop!

Post-Acatenango hike, we treated ourselves to the Ojalá Hostel, a beautiful stay for design lovers. The interiors are decorated with homewares made by local artisans, and the attention to detail is stunning.

Other recommended accommodation in Antigua:

Mesón Panza Verde | A serene retreat with an outdoor pool.
San Rafael Hotel | A contemporary reimagining of a Guatemalan heritage property.
Maya Papaya Hostel | A laidback hostel with dorms and private rooms.
Good Hotel Antigua | Stunning eco-friendly lodging for conscious travelers.
Selina Antigua | A global chain of boutique properties with shared and private rooms.

We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.

4-Day Antigua itinerary ↴

Day 1| arrival, breakfast at Café Bohemé, Nim Po’t Mercado, Santa Catarina Arch, ruins, + dinner at Samsara

If you are arriving in Guatemala City (let’s say for the sake of this itinerary that you are), you’ll likely shuttle to Antigua. This takes approximately 1.5 hours, though it can take longer with traffic. Check into your hotel or hostel and hit the town! You’ll want to make use of every minute in Antigua. I recommend grabbing brunch at Café Boheme for views of the surrounding volcanos. The smoothie bowls are made fresh and the coffee is fantastic. If Café Boheme’s menu doesn’t suit you, don’t worry! There are plenty of amazing cafés in Antigua for you to pick from.

After fueling up, walk to Nim Po’t Mercado, one of the city’s largest textile and handicraft markets. The market is a cooperative for artisans, and it’s a wonderful place to grab carefully crafted souvenirs. It sits steps away from the Santa Catarina Arch.

Once you’ve finished shopping for souvenirs, walk further down the road to the famous yellow arch (Santa Catarina Arch). On a clear day, you can see Agua volcano looming in the background of the Santa Catarina Arch. Take a photo (or a few thousand) before heading under the arch to the city’s central park, Parque Central.

Restaurants and shops surround Parque Central, a beloved and busy third space for locals. Be warned: vendors selling plastic toys and selfie sticks are relentless. I found that kindly saying no was enough to get them to leave me alone to enjoy the fountain and people-watch.

Spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the church ruins sprinkled throughout the town, walking from Parque Central. During colonial times, Antigua was the capital of the “Spanish Kingdom of Guatemala”. Its capital status Some of these ruins are free and others cost 40 QTZL, which must be paid in cash.

Can’t-miss ruins in Antigua include:

Ruinas de La Recolección |These ruins, sitting behind Mercado Central Antigua, are my favorite. They are almost undetectable, off the beaten path in Antigua. Because of their out-of-the-way location, the ruins are quiet and uncrowded. There have been no restorations made to the ruins, so visiting offers a unique photo opportunity. Entrance is 40 QZL per person.
Cathedral of Antigua/Catedral San José | The historic Cathedral of Antigua, also known as Catedral San José, is one of the most important religious sites in the city. It was repeatedly damaged and then rebuilt until the 1773 earthquake and its subsequent fires caused it to fall into disrepair. Remarkably, the original facade has remained intact, and a new church has been built behind it. You can also visit the crypt. Entrance is 20QZL per person.
Church of Candelaria Ruins | The Church of Candelaria was built in 1548. At the time, it was Antigua’s largest and widely regarded as its most important. Before it collapsed in an earthquake, the church had a magnificent dome with ornate interiors. Visiting the ruins allows travelers to explore the remains of the nave, the altar, and the cloister.
Church of San Francisco Ruins | This church was the burial place of Central America’s first saint, Saint Hermano Pedro. The church was rebuilt several times until it was abandoned after the earthquake in 1976.
Santa Clara Convent | This convent was established by Mexican nuns. Before the earthquake, this site was home to a courtyard with a spacious fountain, and a bakery. Though severely damaged by the earthquake, the convent has been partially restored. You can still see original oil paintings and sculptures here. Entrance is 40 QZL per person, and there is an enforced photography fee.

In the evening, enjoy one of Antigua’s fantastic restaurants for dinner. I recommend Samsara, a vegetarian and vegan-friendly eatery whose intimate setting gives itself a cozy atmosphere. Alternatively, head to a rooftop spot like Las Tartines, a French restaurant that, while not at all cultural, serves decent paninis, soups, and pasta.

Day 2 | Acatenango Volcano (overnight hike) or Pacaya Volcano hike

A volcano hike is a must-do for thrill-seekers visiting Antigua. I recommend the Acatenango Volcano overnight hike. It was one of the best things we did in Antigua. Waking up in the early morning hours to lava spewing out of the nearby Fuego volcano is something I’ll never forget.

If you choose the Acatenango hike, I highly recommend booking the V Hiking Tour. They are a Guatemalan-owned tour company run by a family local to the Acatenango area. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to the trailhead. It’s a long, steep slog up to base camp, where you’ll have dinner with views of Fuego (if the weather is on your side). After a short night’s sleep, you’ll wake up at 4 AM to hike to the Acatenango Crater for sunrise. It’s impossibly cold at the top, but, I promise, the views are worth the early start and the low temperatures. From the summit crater, you’ll return to base camp for a quick breakfast before continuing your descent to the very bottom where a van will shuttle you back to Antigua.

If the Acatenango hike feels too physically demanding, consider hiking Pacaya instead. You can hike Pacaya on a half-day tour with a reputable local guide. Pacaya hiking tours typically include transportation to and from your hotel, lunch, and entrance fees. This is a great way to experience Antigua’s surrounding volcanos without committing to the challenge of the overnight Acatenango hike. It gives you a taste of adventure, even if you’re short on time in Antigua.

Here are some of the most highly rated and best-reviewed hiking tours of Pacaya to book:

The Acatenango and Pacaya hikes are relatively safe, but trekking volcanos involves some risk. Pacaya erupted as recently as May 2021. Hiking Pacaya takes only a half day, so you have the rest of the afternoon to relax after the hike and enjoy a big dinner.

Read more | Acatenango Hike (coming soon)

Day 3 | return to Antigua, coffee at Alegría, massage, + la Tortilla cooking class

After an early morning Acatenango summit on your third day in Guatemala, you’ll be shuttled back to your hotel. Today, you’ll take it easy and enjoy Antigua at a relaxed pace. Shower off and head for a post-hike coffee at one of the city’s gorgeous cafés. I’d recommend Alegría for specialty coffee and pastries or AM BKFST for all-day breakfast.

Once properly refueled, a massage is in order! Casa Santo Domingo Hotel. This museum and spa was once a convent, reflected by its colonial architecture. The hotel opens to reveal a gorgeous courtyard. I treated myself to an 80-minute Cacao massage at Casa Santo Domingo, which is every bit as luxurious as it sounds. After your massage, I recommend taking advantage of the hotel’s amenities, including its sauna, gym, and pool. I steamed in the sauna post-massage; exactly what I needed after the Acatenango hike and before our bus ride to Lake Atitlán.

To cap off your third day in Antigua, cook dinner at La Tortilla Cooking School. Cooking classes are one of my favorite things to do while traveling, as they give you so much context for the food you consume and the traditions attached to it. The La Tortilla Cooking School aims to educate visitors about how Mayan culture and Spanish colonial influence blended to create what we now identify as Guatemalan cuisine. A local, homestyle cook will teach you how to prepare 5-6 Guatemalan dishes using traditional techniques. The beauty of taking a cooking class is that you’ll bring the recipes back home, ensuring you have a lasting taste of Guatemala. There is plenty of food left over at the end of the class, so consider this day three’s late lunch/early dinner.

Day 4 | breakfast at Artista de Café, hike Cerro de la Cruz, chocolate-making class, Salsa Dreams dance lesson, dinner at once once

Kickstart your final day in Antigua with breakfast at Artista de Café. The Dirty French Toast and their manual brew coffee are scrumptious. You’ll likely see remote workers tapping away on laptops here, and I can understand why. The airy café is quiet and un-distracting without feeling sterile.

Cerro de la Cruz is a short hike that offers panoramic views of Antigua and its surrounding volcanos. The hike is one of the most popular things for tourists to do in Antigua, in part because it’s not excessively challenging. It takes approximately 30 minutes to traverse the 1.5-kilometer, though the altitude and heat exposure require slight preparation. Do not forget to pack sun protection and plenty of water.

If you don’t feel up for a hike, you can take a tuk-tuk to the viewpoint. Be sure to negotiate your price before you get a ride, and include a lift back to the city center. If you decide to walk, start strolling from the end of 1A Avenida Norte and follow the trail. The trail is paved and signposted.

In the afternoon, I recommend booking a chocolate-making class. Antigua is known for its chocolate, and the city’s ChocoMuseum offers 2-hour workshops for visitors to learn about the chocolate-making process and the tradition of cocoa in Guatemala. You can take home your own chocolate creations as a tasty souvenir.

As a special ending to your four days in Antigua, take a salsa dance class with Salsa Dreams. Salsa Dreams hosts free classes on Mondays and Tuesdays at 5 PM. We took a Tuesday class and, while we weren’t very good, it was a fun, free thing to do in Antigua. You’ll work up an appetite before heading to dinner.

There is only one place for your final dinner in Antigua: Once Once. Whether you are vegan or not, Once Once serves mouthwatering plant-based food in a stunning garden courtyard

Where to eat in Anitigua, Guatemala ↴

There is so much good food in Antigua. The city has a thriving coffee scene, a wealth of local eateries, and several delicious vegetarian options.

Tartines Antigua | a fine dining experience with views of the surrounding volcanos and city ruins.
Restaurante Frida’s | a contemporary restaurant and cocktail bar with live music
Antigua Brewing Company | the city’s first brewery, opened in 2015, serving craft beer and burgers
Samsara | atmospheric vegan and vegetarian restaurant with great value for money
Once Once | incredible ambiance to match the incredible food
Ta’Cool Taco Shop | Mexican cuisine
Quiltro | widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in Guatemala, owned by renowned chef Rodrigo Salvo Figueroa
Toko Baru | Indian and Indonesian-inspired food
Rincón Antigüeño | a restaurant serving traditional Guatemalan cuisine
Caoba Organic Farms | a farm-to-table dining experience located just outside of Antigua
Saberico Delicatessen | healthy, homemade food served in a garden setting