Planning 3 days in Antigua? This detailed, Guatemala travel itinerary provides the top tips you need to know when visiting Guatemala’s second-largest city!
Picture yourself walking through cobblestone streets, surrounded by vibrant colonial buildings, and gazing up at the majestic volcanoes that frame the sky.
I spent spring break in Guatemala last year and absolutely loved my trip! I’m so excited to share my top travel tips with you.
Antigua, Guatemala is a small city with a big past. Once the colonial capital of Central America, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its cobblestone streets, baroque ruins, and volcano views.
Three days is enough to hit the highlights, learn the history, and enjoy the local atmosphere without rushing.
Ready to make Antigua your next travel destination?
Day 1: Classic Antigua
1. Santa Catalina Arch
The Santa Catalina Arch is one of Antigua’s most photographed landmarks. Built in the 17th century, it originally connected a convent to a school across the street, allowing cloistered nuns to cross unseen.
Today, visitors walk beneath the arch, often stopping to capture the view of Volcán de Agua perfectly framed in the background.
It’s located on 5a Avenida Norte, right in the heart of the city’s historic center. The surrounding area is lined with shops, cafés, and colonial architecture, making it a good starting point for exploring on foot.
For the best experience, visit the arch before 10:00am. The soft glow of sunrise illuminates the arch beautifully.
Pro tip: Keep in mind that you might not always have volcano views. During most of my March visit, the volcano was completely covered by clouds.. even in the dry season!
The volcano only made one appearance during my final night in town (…and it was amazing).
2. Cerro De La Cruz
Hike, Uber, or Tuktuk to one of the best viewpoints in town, Cerro De La Cruz!
The cross at Cerro de la Cruz was originally built in the 17th century to overlook the city of Antigua Guatemala, serving as a symbol of protection and faith.
It offers spectacular panoramic views of Antigua Guatemala and its surrounding volcanoes, including Volcán de Agua, Volcán de Fuego, and Acatenango.
There is no entrance fee.
3. Ruins
Antigua is full of earthquake-damaged ruins from the colonial era, most dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Some of the most popular include Santa Clara Convent, San Francisco Church, and La Merced Church.
These sites give a clear sense of Antigua’s history with natural disasters, especially the 1773 earthquake that led to the capital being moved to Guatemala City.
Most ruins charge a small entrance fee and are open daily.
⭐Popular Antigua Hotels
4. Free Walking Tour
It’s also possible to see all of these monuments and more on a free walking tour.
This is one of my favorite things to do when I visit any new city! It helps get my bearings set.
I joined a walking tour specific to Semana Santa because the holiday and processions were taking place when I was in town.
Day 2: Volcano Hike
1. Rooftop Coffee
Begin the day with coffee with a view. I absolutely loved my Acai bowl and coffee to start the day at Cafe Boheme.
The narrow, quaint, rooftop had a lovely view of the volcano and was a beautiful way to start the day!
Some of the best restaurants in Antigua are:
- Cafe Condesa
- Once Once
- Click here for more of the best cafes in Antigua
2. Pacaya Volcano
Experience the thrill of an active volcano under your feet!
Pacaya Volcano, one of the few active volcanoes in Guatemala, makes an unforgettable day trip from Antigua.
Hiking Pacaya Volcano is considered the top alternative to the more demanding, two-day Acatenango Volcano hike (which arguably has better views).
Pacaya Volcano offers views and even roast marshmallows over volcanic vents, providing a truly immersive volcanic experience.
There are two tour start times: 5:00am or 2:00pm. Most of my visit to Antigua was cloudy, so I’m not sure which time of day has the best chance of views.
During my 2:00pm tour in March 2024, there were zero views at the top. Like, entirely clouds. But I researched tremendously and had a feeling this would be the case going into it! I still enjoyed my hike and went for the experience.
If you only want to go if you know there will be views (which I totally respect), do your research on the weather forecast ahead of time and plan accordingly.
Ask locals and long-term travelers what the odds are you are going to see a great viewpoint from the top.
Other travelers I know who visited years ago also had total cloud coverage, so this might just be common for this volcano.
Day 3: Antigua Finale
I recommend spending your final day in Antigua exploring places you missed on day one, or that you wish to re-visit!
1. Mercado de Artesenias
Check out one of the biggest craft markets in town!
Featuring local, hand-made goods, it is a wonderful spot to purchase local souvenirs from your trip. However, the sellers were quite pushy and continued to ask questions when I said I was just looking.
I was also one of the only customers in the market at this time. I found the prices to be cheaper in Panajachel.
⭐Sustainable tourism note:
Do not argue with local sellers while bargaining. It’s rude! It is often expected to bargain, but many of the items already have set prices and cannot be bargained on.
Most of the items were entirely hand-made. Think about all of the time that goes into hand-stitching immaculate patterns onto purses, blouses, and more. Arguing is rude. If you don’t like the price, respectfully walk away.
2. Hobbitanengo
Nestled in the majestic mountains near Antigua, Hobbitenango offers an environmentally friendly and utterly unique experience.
Explore the beautifully crafted hobbit homes, immerse yourself in nature, and enjoy mountainous views!
With eco-friendly activities, such as archery and hiking, and mesmerizing panoramic views, your visit to Hobbitenango will be unforgettable.
Tip: Hobbitanengo can alternately be visited as a full-day trip, or in replacement to Pacaya Volcano on day 2! It depends how much time you want here.
If this isn’t your jam, you can alternatively skip it all together and replace it with a tour of local villages on a local chicken bus, or more time wandering and exploring the beautiful cobblestone features of Antigua.
⭐Popular Day Trips from Antigua
Conclusion
Antigua packs centuries of history, architecture, and culture into a walkable city center.
In three days, visitors can see the city’s iconic landmarks, explore colonial ruins, and experience daily life against the backdrop of volcanoes.
It’s an easy destination to navigate, with plenty of local food, markets, and day trips nearby.
Whether you’re here for the history or the views, Antigua delivers!
