What to do in Antigua Guatemala at a glance
Antigua is a small colonial city at about 1,500 m (4,900 ft), and its center works on foot. The first five entries are viewpoints and big landmarks that you can combine in a morning. Entries 6 to 10 are monuments and museums with one shared ticket scheme. The last five are a historic site, a coffee farm and three outings beyond the grid, including two volcano trips.
The list is an editorial selection, not an official ranking. Fees are for foreign adults and were published as of October 2026. Check the current price on arrival, because monuments and operators can change their rates.
Landmarks and viewpoints (1 to 5)
Start in the center. Entries 1 to 4 are landmarks and viewpoints, and entry 5 is a ticketed monument.
1. See the Santa Catalina Arch
The yellow arch on Calle del Arco was built in 1693 to join two parts of a convent over the street. On a clear day the classic view through it shows the Volcán de Agua, not Fuego or Acatenango. The cathedral, La Merced and the Tanque La Unión are all nearby.
Santa Catalina Arch →2. Climb to the Cerro de la Cruz
A public viewpoint with a view of Antigua and the Volcán de Agua. The tourism board gives a walk of 20 to 30 minutes from the historic center. The Ministry of Culture describes ramps, footpaths, toilets and a viewing deck. Go during the day and ask your hotel about current conditions.
Cerro de la Cruz →3. Look at La Merced
The church has a yellow Baroque facade and stands close to the arch. UNESCO names it as one of the main parts of the colonial ensemble. Hours and fees for the cloister and any roof terrace are set by the church, so check at the door.
4. Walk around the cathedral and the Parque Central
The white facade of the Catedral de San José faces the central square, where visitors and pigeons gather. UNESCO also names the cathedral as a main part of the ensemble. The ruins behind the facade have their own opening rules, so ask on site before you plan to enter.
5. Visit the Convento de las Capuchinas
A state-run monument with a cloister and a fountain. Foreign adults pay Q40 (2026). It is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and closes on 1 January, 1 November, 24 December, 25 December and 31 December.
Our picks: things to do
Walk the old town, ride an ATV on a coffee tour or make your own chocolate.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Antigua ATV coffee tour
Three hours with coffee and/or tea, and all fees and taxes included. Lunch and alcohol are not included.
Check availability →
Chocolate workshop in Antigua
Materials and tastings are included, and so are the chocolate bars you make yourself.
Check availability →
Antigua highlights walking tour
Two and a half hours with a certified English- and Spanish-speaking guide. The meeting point depends on the option you pick, and food, drinks and tips are not included.
Check availability →Antigua Guatemala tours and experiences
Volcano hikes, coffee tours and day trips from Antigua, with live prices and availability.
Monuments and museums (6 to 10)
These six sites, including Capuchinas above, are open to visitors through the state heritage body and share one set of rules.
| Visitor | Entry per person in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Guatemalan | Q5 |
| Central American | Q15 |
| Foreign student | Q20 |
| Other foreign visitor | Q40 |
6. Santa Clara
One of the six monuments open to tourists. Entry is Q40 for foreign adults, with the same opening hours as Capuchinas: daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
7. Colegio de San Jerónimo
Also on the list of open monuments, with the same fee and hours. Check the current rates at the entrance before you plan a day of several sites.
8. La Recolección
Open to visitors on the same terms. Rules apply at all six sites: no alcohol, no pets and no firearms or knives.
9. Santa Teresa de Jesús
Open on the same terms as the other five. The state body says it does not currently grant fee waivers. A formal photo session inside a monument costs Q1,000 and is arranged for a set day, so it is a separate product from an ordinary visit.
10. Museo de la Semana Santa
The museum belongs to the same group and shares its fee and hours. It fits well before a visit in Holy Week. Easter Sunday 2027 is on 28 March.
Semana Santa →A ruin, a farm and three outings (11 to 15)
These need more time or a separate ticket.
11. Explore the Casa Santo Domingo ruins
The archaeological area of the Santo Domingo monastery includes the nave, the main cloister, a cemetery and crypts. It is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, and it can close earlier without notice. The address is 3a Calle Oriente 28 A. A Guatemalan museum directory lists Q55 for the museum route, so confirm the price at the ticket desk.
12. Take a coffee tour at La Azotea
The coffee tour costs Q100 for adults and Q70 for children and takes 1 hour. Tours start at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Basic entry to the farm is Q20 for adults and Q10 for children and is paid in addition, so a coffee tour comes to Q120 per adult. The farm is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and is about 10 minutes from the Parque Central according to the operator.
Tours compared →13. Join an Acatenango overnight tour
The summit is 3,976 m (13,045 ft). The usual format is 2 days and 1 night, with a drive of 1 to 1.5 hours from Antigua to La Soledad. Foreign visitors pay Q100 community entry. Access depends on volcanic activity, so confirm it before you pay.
Acatenango guide →14. Hike Pacaya
The park fee published by a local guide service is Q100 for foreign adults, and a day guide is Q300 per group of up to 10. Allow 5 to 7 hours for the whole trip from Antigua, with about 1.5 to 2 hours of that on the climb. You walk over old lava fields, so do not expect to see flowing lava.
Pacaya guide →15. Spend a day at Hobbitenango
The mountain park is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and is about 25 minutes by road. The day pass costs $8 for adults and $6 for children aged 4 to 10. The shuttle from Antigua is another $8 per person.
Hobbitenango guide →
Planning the days
The state-run monuments and the center fill a relaxed day or two. Keep the volcano trips for separate days, because Acatenango takes a night and Pacaya takes most of a day. Chichicastenango is 2.5 to 3.5 hours each way, so it is a full day trip.
Antigua also has markets and craft shops, and the tourism board mentions textiles, jade, ceramics and coffee. Ask before you photograph people. Lake Atitlán is a separate trip with its own guide elsewhere. For where to sleep, see where to stay, and for the transfer from the airport, see Guatemala City to Antigua. The market town Chichicastenango has its own page.
Things to do in Antigua Guatemala: frequently asked questions
What should I do first in Antigua Guatemala?
For a first visit, walk to the Santa Catalina Arch and the Parque Central, then pick one viewpoint or monument. Most visitors add one volcano day or a coffee tour. The entries above are in a sensible order, not a ranking.
How much do the ruins and museums cost?
Six state-run sites, including Capuchinas, charge Q40 for foreign adults, Q20 for foreign students, Q15 for Central Americans and Q5 for Guatemalans (2026). They are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Do not assume the same fees apply at La Merced, the cathedral or Casa Santo Domingo.
Can I climb a volcano from Antigua?
Yes. Acatenango is an overnight trip and Pacaya is a half-day trip. Access follows volcanic activity, and the authorities have blocked tourist ascents during eruptive phases, such as on 4 August 2026 at Acatenango. Confirm the status with your operator.
How much time do I need in Antigua?
The center and its monuments fill one to two days. Add a night for Acatenango, half a day for Pacaya and a day each for Hobbitenango or Chichicastenango if you want them.
Is Antigua walkable?
Yes, the center follows a rectangular grid and is explored on foot. The cobblestones can be hard going with limited mobility. Read the safety page for tips on getting around.