Visiting the Arch is a must-do. The views from here capture the city's charm along with the impressiveness of the surrounding volcanoes. We recommend coming here first thing in the morning on your way to grab a cup of coffee. By brunch time you'll encounter lots of tourists trying to snag a photo under the Arch.

This is one of Michael's favorite spots in the city. An underground, speakeasy bar that makes custom cocktails and mocktails based on your favorite flavor profiles (Kat's order is "smoky and spicy"). Walk in through the red telephone booth!

Or simply, el Parque Central, you won't want to miss this. Right in the center of the city, you'll find that this park is a bustling market full of local handmade trinkets and delicious street food.

We love starting our day with coffee and a quick bite from 12 Onzas. Coffee is symbolic of Antigua's culture, and makes up about 40% of the country's exports.

12 Onzas is one of dozens of coffee shops in the city that serves some incredible classic and specialty coffee drinks. It's also a sweet looking spot. Here is a link for a few more places that you'll love:

https://www.baristamagazine.com/coffee-tourism-in-antigua-guatemala-part-two/

Antigua has done a fantastic job of preserving the various convents and churches post earthquake (in the 18th century). Many of the ruins are captivating and absolutely worth a visit.

Here is a link with a detailed list and description of the ruins:

https://growingupbilingual.com/best-colonial-ruins-in-antigua-guatemala/

If the mood strikes, here is a link to a self-guided tour:

https://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/ancient-ruins-of-antigua-4154.html

Perfect for local cuisine. Saberico is a market/chocolatery/restaurant triple threat. This is a great place to grab some local items to take home to loved ones while having a fantastic meal in a secret garden.

If you're in the mood for a swanky and romantic Italian dinner-time spot, this is it.

ig handle: santospiritoantigua

Antigua Mountain Trail and Hill of the Cross are Kat approved "hikes." These are easy guideless hikes (walks) that get you to some great views of the city and mountain range.

For some Michael approved (real) hikes:

https://www.alltrails.com/guatemala/sacatepequez/antigua-guatemala

Old Town Outfitters is a fantastic guide service that will take you through three different moderate to hard day hikes. You can book them here:

https://adventureguatemala.com/tour/antigua-valley-day-hikes

If you have the time (and gumption), definitely check out the Pacaya Volcano hike. It's a moderate hike up a gorgeous active volcano located about 2 hours away from Antigua proper. Here are some tours to choose from:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g295366-d306964-Pacaya_Volcano-Antigua_Sacatepequez_Department.html

If you find yourself at Ulew, this is a great two-for-one moment. Head up to the rooftop for some local craft beers and awesome views of the city!

Absolutely zero (and we do mean zero) frills spot that serves awesome mezcal drinks.

This is a spot that serves traditional Guatemalan food where you may be the only tourist seated. So. Good.

French fare with a view. We wouldn't be "us" without finding a great French restaurant no where near France.

It cannot be overstated - Lake Atitlan is gorgeous. While this lake isn't in Antigua, it's close enough that you can day trip over. We spent our Memorial Day hiking and swimming here last year and fell so in love with the food, culture, views, and hospitality that we felt the need to get married in nearby Antigua. If you can spend a night here, we recommend staying at La Casa Del Mundo Hotel. Otherwise, this day trip is a great and highly recommended option.

If you do make it out to Lake Atitlan, text Michael or Kat for some recommendations!