Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala was the capital of Spanish Central America from 1543 to 1776 before earthquakes destroyed much of the city and the capital moved to Guatemala City.

The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its preserved Spanish Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and colourful colonial buildings painted in soft pastels.

Antigua sits in a valley surrounded by three volcanic peaks—Volcán Agua, Volcán Fuego, and Volcán Acatenango—making it one of the most dramatically positioned colonial cities in the Americas.

The city's name changed from Santiago de los Caballeros to Antigua Guatemala only after the capital relocated, literally meaning 'Old Guatemala' to distinguish it from the new capital.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) celebrations in Antigua are among the most elaborate in Latin America, featuring processions with purple-robed penitents and elaborate flower carpets laid across cobblestone streets.

Antigua was home to Central America's first printed book, university, and printing press, established in the 16th and 17th centuries.