Oh Antigua you wonderful wonderful gem. If you’ve been following any of my social media you’ll know just how much I adore this amazing town. In fact, I ended up going there four times over my trip to Central America, and spending a combined three and a half weeks there. So obviously, I have a lot to recommend for anyone visiting. To be honest, I simply can’t fit close to everything here without dragging it our so I’ve put together my “top 15” things to do. In this article I’ll be keeping it basic, but stay tuned (AKA Subscribed) so that you won’t miss when I release guides to each of the activities.

Happy reading!

Hike up Acatenango

The experience that brings people to Antigua. Conquering a mountain the magnitude of Acatenango and watching Volcan Fuego erupt through the night, practically in touching distance, was one of, if not the best experience from my entire time in Central America! 

To hike Acatenango means to sleep there overnight. In short, you’ll be hiking 4-6 hours to your base camp, then you’ll have the option (usually for an added fee) to climb further to Volcan Fuego itself. This second hike is very challenging, especially after the first segment, but will allow you to get super close to one of nature’s behemoths as it spews lava right up to you!! (nearly). You can also choose to get up early and take the very challenging hike to the summit of Acatenango for sunrise. All in all it’s a tiring but extremely rewarding experience and I can’t recommend it enough. 

Get a picture at Santa Catalina Arch:

The most recognizable and iconic spot in Antigua itself has to be the pretty yellow arch framing the hulking Volcan del Agua. The colonial architecture, old cobblestone street, colourful stores, and mountainous background all come together in a picture perfect sunny yellow frame to perfectly capture this wonderful city.

Peruse the markets for souvenirs:

Antigua is one of the best places to get your Central American souvenirs. Head to the artisan market on Avenida 5a (opposite the plaza) for a large collection of locals handcrafted work. Besides this main market, there are many smaller (smaller, not small) markets ready to surprise you behind stores, hotels, and alleys. That’s a running theme in Antigua: Nothing is what appears. Any small cafe could very well have an art gallery, museum, or market hiding behind it. 

Check out the Choco Museum:

Here’s a museum which isn’t hiding. This chocolate lovers paradise is in the main square, and it’s a free way to learn the history of everyone’s favourite treat (which btw, originates from Central America and Mexico). If you want to do more than learn the history, you can take a bean to bar workshop where you’ll actively make your own chocolate! 

Roast marshmallows on Pacaya:

Another of Antigua’s rumbling neighbours, Pacaya has been constantly active in recent years, though mostly only smoke, making it possible to actually roast marshmallows in the volcanic rock! Go with a guide who can teach you more about the history of the volcano, as well as finding the best places to roast your marshmallows. 

Watch Fuego erupt from the safety of a city terrace

Can’t wait until you take on the hike to see the eruptions? Can’t climb the mountain due to the physicality? Hiked up the mountain but need some more? Fear not! Many of Antigua’s cafe’s, restaurants, and bars have terraces facing the volcano where on a clear day/night you can watch the eruptions while sipping a drink or eating your dinner. One place I absolutely recommend for great is views is Cafe Boheme on 5A Calle Poiniente.

Check out the unique McDonalds and Starbucks stores

Yeah this is not something you’ll ever catch me saying again. But as with so many of Antigua’s buildings and stores, there is so much hidden beneath the surfaces. For these two, I’ll leave it a surprise.

People watch at Plaza Mayor:

Antigua’s main square, the plaza is constantly alive with vibrant music, smells, and sounds. You can spend hours upon hours here basking in this little culture cauldron. (why does that sound like an annoying twitter account?)

Take a free walking tour:

What better way to learn about a city than to get shown around by a local? A walking tour will take you around the town’s many sites, including the colonial churches, important ruins, and much much more.  All coming with commentary from you local guide. You pay based on your experience and how you feel the guide does (it’s tip based). It’s really a win-win situation.  

Visit the Cero de la Cruz viewpoint

A great evening activity in Antigua is to go up to this local viewpoint for sunset. It’s entirely walkable from wherever you are in town, or you can get a cheap taxi/tuk-tuk. Bear in mind that it can get quite busy here for sunset.

Climb Volcán de Agua

For a fun hike a lot closer to the city than Acatenango you can climb the volcano that makes the backdrop of Antigua. The hike is tough but not as tough as Acatenango. It takes around five hours up and back and it’s highly recommended to take a guide with you, you can find them at any of the tourist kiosks in Antigua.

Get a free tour of a Jade Museum

Something you may not even notice while walking past, but if you go into the big jade stores on Poniente (the “main” street) they’ll offer you a guided tour of their displays, teaching you the history of jade as a gem and commodity.

Meet Gandalf at Hobbitenango

You don’t need to be a LOTR fan to enjoy Hobbitenango. This hilltop spot is full of cool things to do all for a nominal price and looking over some top notch view points. And of course; THE hand.

Learn something new

Antigua is a great spot to learn something from the awesome locals. Improve your Spanish at a local Spanish school or at a homestay, learn to make your own chocolate (as mentioned above), and try dancing salsa at one of the local bars (Las Palmas is a good one).

Well folks, that’s all for my list, but don’t leave just yet. From Antigua (or maybe before Antigua) you’ll probably be visiting the heavenly Lake Atitlan. Well, I have a proposition; instead of taking a bus or minivan to get there, why not walk there?

Yup, trek to Lake Atitlan. Curious? Don’t be. It’s all, right, here: