Antigua is a small town located in Southern Guatemala and is a traveler’s paradise! This UNESCO World Heritage town and former capital of Guatemala is filled with charm on every corner. Cobblestone streets, brightly colored buildings, vibrant culture, and rich history await. The town is incredibly walkable and has so much to explore. If you only have one full day to spend in Antigua, it’s possible to see the highlights and take it all in. Here is how to spend one day in Antigua Guatemala!
Sunrise photos at the Santa Catalina Arch
The Santa Catalina Arch is not only the most photographed spot in Antigua, but in all of Guatemala! If you’re looking for *the shot* without a ton of other people, arriving at sunrise is key! Stand on the north side of the arch and look through for incredible views. The Volcán de Agua is perfectly aligned through the arch and you’ll have the cobblestone streets and brightly colored buildings lining it up. Chef’s kiss!
Morning coffee and pastries
Spend the morning strolling the cobblestone streets and enjoying the peace before the rest of the world wakes up! There are no shortage of cute “mom and pop” type cafes, most opening for the day around 8:00 am. Some that came highly recommended to me were Cafe Sol, Fernando’s Kaffee, and Fat Cat. Wherever you go though, you won’t be disappointed: Guatemala is famous for its coffee! Most places will even have an outdoor courtyard with plants, trees, and a place to enjoy fresh air while sipping your coffee!
Stroll the Convento Santa Clara
The Convento Santa Clara was one of my favorite places to visit during my one day in Antigua Guatemala! A former nunnery built in 1700, it was then later destroyed by an earthquake in 1717, and then again by another in 1773. It was then abandoned but is now open for self-guided tours (and even weddings- they were setting up for one during my visit!). Arrive right as they open at 9:00 am for a peaceful stroll without a lot of other visitors. The open air grounds are fun to wander and explore, and there is even a small museum to learn more about the history.
Chocolate workshop at ChocoMuseo
Guatemala is famous for many things, one of them being chocolate! Going back over 3,000 years, the Mayans would use cacao for drinks, food, and even currency. ChocoMuseo, located right on Parque Central, offers a daily Bean to Bar Workshop where you can learn all about the history and all of the steps that go into making the chocolate we all know and love. We tasted raw cacao, roasted and ground the beans, and even made our own cacao tea and xocolatl drinks. You’ll also make your own chocolate bar that you can take home with you. So sweet!
Lunch at Café Condesa
When it’s time for lunch, no better place than Café Condesa! This adorable cafe is located right on Parque Central and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is an incredible courtyard to sit in with lots of trees and even a central fountain. It was such a great place to rest, fuel up, and escape the hustle of the city. The food was fresh and delicious, and the portion sizes were huge! Right at the entrance to the cafe, you’ll also find a few artisan shops selling souvenirs, which was fun to stroll after my meal while digesting.
Parque Central
After lunch, pop just across the street and explore the heart of the city: Parque Central! This square comes to life every day and is filled with people enjoying this little center of the city. The park has a beautiful central fountain and is filled with mature Jacaranda trees. Take time to sit on a bench and enjoy live music and people watching. Bordering the park, don’t miss popping in to the San Jose Cathedral and the Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala (MUNAG).
Hike to Cerro de la Cruz
For the absolute best views of Antigua, Cerro de la Cruz is the place! Make your way through town to the start of the trail, located here. The hike to the viewpoint isn’t long, but is up about 300 stairs to the viewpoint. I broke a bit of a sweat and had to stop a few times to catch my breath, but overall it only took about fifteen minutes to get to the top. You’ll then be rewarded with incredible views of Antigua and Volcán Agua. I loved admiring all the red roofs and spotting out iconic landmarks like Parque Central and the Iglesia de la Merced from above!
Stay at Camino Real Antigua
When it’s time to settle in for the night, I can think of no place better than Camino Real Antigua. Located just a few blocks walk from the central square, this five star resort is the perfect retreat. Sit for dinner in their on-site restaurant, grab a drink and enjoy the rooftop views, or take a dip in their pool (that is actually a giant heated jacuzzi!). The rooms are enormous and comfortable, and the grounds are perfectly manicured and maintained. I absolutely loved everything about my stay here, but especially the many courtyards where you can hear the birds chirping. It was also very safe and secure, which was great for this solo female traveler!
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