15 Things to do in Antigua Guatemala: My Ranking from Best to Worst

I spent one week in Antigua and that was enough for me to be taken in by the charm of this city. But not everything I did here was amazing. Which is why I’m ranking all the things to do in Antigua Guatemala from best to worst. At least, all of the things I did while visiting with my friend.

15 Things to do in Antigua Guatemala (ranked from best to worst)

Obviously, some of my least favorite things might be in someone else’s top three must-dos in Antigua (especially number 15). This is simply a breakdown according to my personal preferences.

1. Experience the thrill of an ATV coffee tour

Woman wearing a black helmet and sunglasses smiles while sitting on an ATV in Antigua Guatemala. Another rider waits behind her with a large volcano rising in the background.

I had never driven an ATV before this tour and was feeling a little nervous. But the nerves disappeared almost as soon as we hit the road. It was so fun! The ATV driving alone gave me a thrill, but this tour as a whole was also fantastic.

It went well beyond a coffee tour. You can read about my full experience and everything this tour included. But for now, just know that when I think back on my time in Antigua this stands out as the best experience we had there.

Check availability for this ATV Coffee Tour on your travel dates

2. Witness a purple sunset from SNUG Antigua

Purple and pink sunset over Antigua Guatemala with tall palm trees silhouetted against the colorful sky. A volcano rises in the distance beyond red rooftops as evening falls over the city.

Guatemala has plenty of pretty views, and surprisingly my most memorable was the one we saw from the rooftop of an Irish pub. We wandered over to SNUG Antigua one night looking for a snack after a disappointing dinner.

Think good music, delicious fries, volcano views against a purple sky. It was undeniably stunning.

I cannot promise you the same purple sunset, but I’ll bet the vibes stay high here.

3. Make friends at a traditional cooking class

Overhead view of a Guatemalan cooking class setup with fresh tomatoes and onions. Bananas and traditional ingredients sit alongside colorful woven textiles and wooden cutting boards on a rustic table.

I’ve taken a cooking class in almost every country I’ve visited. It’s such a fun way to learn more about a destination through a hands-on, cultural experience. Plus, as a frequent solo traveler it’s a low-pressure way to make new friends.

We had such a good group at this authentic Guatemalan cooking class. The chef/teacher did a great job of encouraging interactions without making it awkward.

I also liked that we cooked a bit, sat to eat and socialize, then got up to cook more. The opportunity to sit and get to know each other midway through further helped build connection within the group.

This cooking class takes place on a rooftop, a little bit outside of the city center, which also means we were surrounded by beautiful views.

They even picked us up from where we were staying, and dropped us all back off at our accommodations at the end of the night. Seamless.

Click here to book the authentic Guatemalan cooking class

4. Explore the Ruins of Santa Clara convent

Woman wearing a white blouse and light blue jeans poses on a stone balcony overlooking historic convent ruins in Antigua Guatemala. Crumbling stone arches and green mountains stretch behind her beneath dramatic clouds.

The Santa Clara convent has unfortunately been affected by earthquakes and subsequently restored multiple times. From the outside, it looks unassuming. But all of its beauty is inside.

We arrived one hour after opening and it was very uncrowded and peaceful inside. The ruins are stunning. It’s even a popular wedding destination. Well worth visit.

5. Look up at the sky from Catedral de San Jose

Interior courtyard of historic church ruins in Antigua Guatemala with towering brick arches and weathered stone walls open to the cloudy sky. Purple flowers bloom beside the crumbling architecture.

Also affected by earthquakes and somehow left awe-inspiring as a result is the Catedral de San Jose, right on the edge of Antigua’s central plaza.

Walking through this large structure, engulfed by surrounding walls and looking up right at blue skies or fluffy white clouds feels surreal.

6. Wander map-less around the city

Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua Guatemala with its yellow facade and clock tower spanning a cobblestone street. Pedestrians walk beneath the historic landmark under a bright blue sky.

Before I went on this trip, I challenged myself to spend at least some time without relying on Google maps. I wanted to reclaim the spirit of discovery that I felt often in my earlier travels, a decade ago.

So, on my first full day in Antigua before my friend had arrived to the city I did just that. I went map-less. I wandered freely and aimlessly around the center of Antigua, and I recommend you do the same.

It’s a good place to lose yourself safely, without actually losing yourself. There are people everywhere. Simply follow your gut, turn right or left where you feel called to turn. See what you stumble upon without looking for it.

Ornate yellow and white facade of La Merced Church in Antigua Guatemala featuring intricate stucco carvings and religious statues. Decorative hanging lanterns stretch across the courtyard beneath a partly cloudy sky.

And keep your camera handy.

A few of the most iconic sights you should make sure to see if your wandering somehow doesn’t get you there are: Santa Catalina arch, Tanque de la Union, Iglesia de la Merced.

7. People watch at Parque Central

The buzzing, central hub of Antigua is Parque Central. At the center, a fountain from which everything extends outwards. There are benches all around, people sitting and relaxing while kids and pigeons flit about.

Some vendors may approach you, but nothing too aggressive. The park is surrounded by shops or impressive buildings on every side. It’s the perfect place to simply sit and exist for a moment.

While we were doing exactly that one afternoon, there was some extra hubbub. It turned out to be a famous Youtuber who was in town, passing by the park. Do you know who iShowSpeed is? I didn’t have a clue at the time!

8. Coffee-shop hop

Guatemalan breakfast of a folded tortilla dish with green salsa served on a black plate beside a glass latte with heart shaped foam art. The meal sits on a colorful patterned tile table at a cafe.

If not for the altitude sickness I experienced on this trip, no doubt partly triggered by my over-caffeination and under-hydration, this would be much higher on my list of things to do in Antigua.

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to try the local coffee beans and bring some home as souvenirs for myself and my sister.

I wasted no time at all trying multiple coffee shops each day. One day, I tried FIVE. The day before ascending Acatenango, at that.

I don’t recommend such an aggressive approach, but I do recommend trying as many of the local specialty cafes as you can reasonably stomach.

My favorite one, where I ended up buying coffee to bring home, was Coffea Cafés Especiales. In fact, it looks like they’ve been awarded onto the list of World’s 100 Best Coffee shops for 2026! In my opinion, very well deserved.

Probably the quirkiest and most interesting vibe of all the coffee shops we visited was at El Alquimista.

9. See the whole city from Cerro de la Cruz

Woman dressed in white poses at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the red rooftops of Antigua Guatemala. The massive cone shaped Agua Volcano rises behind the city beneath a partly cloudy sky.

While wandering through Antigua will give you plenty of charming views, it’s definitely worthwhile to also head up to Cerro de la Cruz for panoramic views over the city from above.

It’s a bit of a hike to get up there, so you could take a taxi if you’re not up to it. Or, even better, drive an ATV up there!

The ATV coffee tour we booked that I mentioned above included this as the very first stop. It was a perfect way to get up there, plus it meant we had a guide with us who could explain a bit about Antigua’s grid system and what we were looking at in more detail.

We then had some time to enjoy the view and take photos before continuing the tour. Another reason I’d say this tour is a must-book.

10. Support local artisans

If you like to shop, Guatemala is a great place for it. You’ll walk away with quality, handmade items if you take the time to look. Plus, you’ll be able to support local shops and artisans as a result.

In Antigua, there are a couple artisan markets but I found these mostly had mass-produced copies. A good alternative is Nim Po’t, which is an artisan co-op.

Hecho con Las Manos is another great, local shop that specifically supports young women.

11. Taste-test and buy chocolates at Fernando’s Kaffee

I originally went here on my coffee-hunt, just to try yet another flat white. But when I entered I realized this is also a chocolate shop. Because it was a bit less busy when we visited, we ended up getting a full-on chocolate tasting in the moment.

I picked up several bars to bring back as gifts. It turns out, they also run chocolate workshops here. If that’s something you’re interested in, I recommend swinging by in person to learn more about how to sign up.

Go early on in your trip, in case they don’t have same day availability, so that you can schedule it and return at the later date.

12. Try Guatemala’s national dish

Pepián is a delicious stew with chicken and vegetables. It’s the national dish of Guatemala, so it’s definitely worth trying at least once. We had it for dinner on our first evening at the restaurant, El Criollo.

13. Visit Mercado Central

Whether you’re looking for souvenirs or are just curious about the market scene, take some time to walk through the Mercado Central.

Honestly, I wish I’d actually booked a tour like this one to be able to move through the market’s chaos with more confidence and direction.

There were a lot of interesting looking fruits I was tempted to try, but I decided not to risk it. Though with a local guide I may have felt bolder.

14. Check out the artisan markets

The Mercado de Artesanias wasn’t one of my favorite stops in Antigua, but it doesn’t hurt to take a stroll through it and see if maybe something catches your eye that missed mine.

15. Stay overnight on Acatenango

Fuego Volcano in Guatemala erupting at dusk with glowing red lava and a dark plume of ash rising from its summit. The volcano forms a dramatic silhouette against the fading orange and purple sky.

Yes, the Acatenango experience is intentionally ranked last on my personal list of things to do in Antigua Guatemala.

I had a pretty rough experience, but that means that the things I learned the hard way can be useful tips for you as you prepare your own visit (if it’s something you decide to do).

So, go ahead and read about my Acatenango experience and why it was so miserable.

A few tips for first timers in Antigua

Getting around in Guatemala

I booked private drivers to get around in Guatemala, beginning with my journey from Guatemala City airport to Antigua. Then, between Antigua, Lake Atitlan and Guatemala City as well. I used and can recommend RelaxiCab.

Where to stay in Antigua

The city is pretty walkable, so if you stay close to the center you won’t experience much of a hassle.

For my first couple nights, before my friend arrived, I stayed at Cacao Boutique Hotel. The room was just okay, but the rest of the property and the breakfast were perfect.

Traditional Guatemalan breakfast with scrambled eggs and tomatoes. Bread and beans sit alongside the eggs on a white plate at an outdoor patio surrounded by tropical plants and wicker furniture.

Altitude preparedness

Altitude might get to you, take basic precautions and know what the symptoms are. I walked around nursing a headache for a couple days in Antigua and just assumed I was dehydrated.

Take it easy, hydrate well, take breaks at your hotel, avoid eating super heavy meals and avoid alcohol for at least your first couple days so your body can acclimatize with ease.