By air
La Aurora International (GUA), ~1 h by road
North America · Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
A colonial city ringed by volcanoes
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to April — dry and sunny
Don't miss
The Santa Catalina Arch
La Merced church
Cerro de la Cruz
The Antigua Cathedral ruins
Things to do
Walking the cobbled streets
Spanish lessons
Coffee-farm tours
Volcano hikes
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Adalberto H. Vega, derivative work by MrPanyGoff · CC BY 3.0
What to pack
Comfortable shoes, warm layers for evenings, a rain jacket
A quieter corner
An overnight hike on Acatenango to watch Volcán de Fuego erupt
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Antigua Guatemala?
November to April — dry and sunny. What to pack: Comfortable shoes, warm layers for evenings, a rain jacket.
How do I get to Antigua Guatemala?
Fly into La Aurora International (GUA), ~1 h by road.
What is there to do in Antigua Guatemala?
Walking the cobbled streets, Spanish lessons, coffee-farm tours, volcano hikes. A quieter find: An overnight hike on Acatenango to watch Volcán de Fuego erupt.
What should I eat in Antigua Guatemala?
Pepián stew, jocón, tamales, hot chocolate and highland coffee.
About Antigua Guatemala
- Mountains
Where it is
Antigua Guatemala is a colonial city in the central highlands of Guatemala, set in a valley overlooked by the volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango.
History
Founded in 1543, the city was for more than two centuries the capital of the Spanish colony that stretched across much of Central America. After the Santa Marta earthquakes of 1773 the capital was moved to the site of today's Guatemala City, leaving many churches and convents in ruins. The city was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1979.
People
Antigua's people speak Spanish and Kaqchikel Maya communities live in villages around the valley, while the city draws students from around the world to its language schools.
Known for
- Baroque churches and convent ruins
- Volcano views
- Holy Week processions
- Spanish-language schools
Did you know?
During Holy Week the streets are covered with carpets of coloured sawdust, flowers and fruit, which are trampled by the processions that pass over them.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.