Antigua's Long History
Before you embark on your Guatemala vacation, take a few moments to learn the history of Antigua. Namely, it was the capital of colonial Guatemala from shortly after its founding (initially as Santiago) in the 16th century all the way until 1773. During that fateful year, a massive earthquake destroyed the city, which caused the Spanish-controlled government to relocate the capital to what is now modern Guatemala City.
In this story lies the first interesting bit of trivia about Antigua. It's called Antigua (which means "ancient" in Spanish) not simply because it happens to be so beautifully weathered. Rather, its full name is Guatemala Antigua, or "Old Guatemala City." In a very literal way, you can say that Antigua was Guatemala City before Guatemala City was Guatemala City!
The earthquake destroyed the original versions of many of the current things to do in Antigua and led many residents at the time to relocate to the new capital. Sadly, although some remained, Antigua was basically a ghost town until the mid-19th century, when farmers took advantage of the rich, volcanic soil outside the city to grow coffee, grains and other crops.
In spite of renewed economic activity, Antigua's historic center remained largely in disrepair until the mid-20th century, when a massive reconstruction effort led to the UNESCO World Heritage inscription in 1979. In 2019, more than 2.5 million tourists visited Guatemala, the majority of which were no doubt drawn in by the reputation Antigua Guatemala landmarks have built up over the years.
Top Places To Visit in Antigua
While visiting Antigua is not a prerequisite for travel to Guatemala, many of the country's most notable attractions are located in the city. The most iconic one is the pale yellow Santa Catalina Arch, a restored 17th-century monument that stands at the northern end of the town's own "Fifth Avenue." The arch ties together not only the candy-colored buildings on either side of the cobbled street but perfectly frames Aqua, the volcano that towers over the entire landscape just to the south.
Many tourists simply admire the volcano from here, or from one of the cafes or restaurants located within the town center. If you want to get more up close and personal, however, you can join a tour that takes you up the side of the volcano. Some travelers prefer to take the easy(ish) way and ascend on horseback, while others join overnight hiking expeditions. You can also hike the Acatenango volcano, which is not visible from Antigua's town center but is just as accessible.
Not surprisingly, many of the best things to do in Antigua besides this are visiting historical sites, although most are reconstructed, having been destroyed during the earthquake hundreds of years ago. The 18th-century Iglesia de la Merced church is painted the same sunny color as Santa Catalina Arch, while Santa Clara Convent boasts a more neutral stone color. Recoleccion and La Merced Convents, on the other hand, remain in the same ruined state the earthquake left them.
Once you get your fill of historical attractions in the city center, which also include the fairytale-looking Sanctuary of San Felipe de Jesus, horse-drawn-carriage-filled Plaza Mayor, and Museo de Arte Colonial, you can head out of town. Choose Cerro de la Cruz to enjoy a stunning panorama just south of the town center, or get on a bus and travel westward to Lake Atitlán, which, aside from Antigua, is probably the most scenic spot in Guatemala (and also, notably, has its own volcano).
Other Guatemala Destinations
Alternatively, you could move east from Antigua to the current Guatemala City, which is home to a number of interesting attractions. Architectural marvels like the National Palace of Culture and Cathedral of Guatemala City dominate the historic district, which dates back to the late-18th century when the capital was first moved, while La Aurora Zoo is a popular spot for families with kids.
Tikal is another place to go when you visit Guatemala, although it's pretty far north of Antigua. In order to access its Mayan temples, which sit amid lush jungles that evoke Mexico's Yucatan, you'll need to ride an overnight bus or hop on a domestic flight. Tikal is not far from Flores, a colorful town whose center is entirely contained on a small island that juts out into Lake Petén Itzá.
Izabal Department, meanwhile, sits on a lake of the same name, although the lush landscaping of its resort hotels and the shallow waters that lap at them will have you feeling like you're at the beach. At the northeastern tip of Lake Izabal, where the mouth of Rio Dulce empties into it, you'll find 17th-century Castillo San Felipe de Lara, which in spite of being off the beaten path is one of Guatemala's best cultural tourism exemplars.
No matter how many Guatemala landmarks you visit on your trip to Antigua, you'll never be the same after traipsing down its colorful, cobbled streets, with mountains looming in the distance. Antigua has a way of enchanting every kind of traveler, whether you prefer to take selfies under the buttercup-colored Santa Catalina Arch or ride horses up to the precipice of the Agua or Acatenango volcanoes.
