The Perfect 3-day Itinerary for Antigua

Antigua, Guatemala is a gorgeous colonial city with so much to see and do. You’ll want to spend at least 3 days in Antigua but you could easily fill 5-7 days if you have more time.

I stayed for 3 weeks and loved every minute of it and I would go back again in a heartbeat!

In this post, you’ll find the best ways to spend 3 days in Antigua so you can make the most of your time in the city!

Day 1 in Antigua

Morning

• Start your morning visiting the iconic Santa Catalina Arch. You’ll want to get there bright and early (around 8am) while the views are clear and the street is quiet.
• Check out one of the local coffee shops and cafes in the city. Whether you want a rooftop patio with incredible views or a quaint garden, there are plenty of great options.

Afternoon

• Sign up for a walking tour of the city in the afternoon. It’s a great way to get to know the city and since Antigua is fairly small, you will hit most of the highlights in a few hours!

Evening

• Enjoy a nice dinner at one of Antigua’s best restaurants. If you are a foodie like me, you will absolutely love the restaurant scene in Antigua. No matter what your budget is, you can find a restaurant with delicious food and unique vibes.
• Get drinks and watch the sunset from a rooftop bar. My personal favourite is Rooftop Antigua, which has jaw-dropping views of the volcanoes surrounding the city.

Day 2 in Antigua

Morning

• Spend your morning exploring some of the historic buildings and ruins in the city. If you already did a walking tour in Antigua, you likely saw some of them from the outside. There are many monasteries that are open to tourists for small tours so you can learn about life inside.
• Fuel up for your hike at another restaurant in the city.

Afternoon/Evening

• Hike the incredible Pacaya Volcano at sunset. Pacaya is an active volcano that is a perfect half-day trip from Antigua. Tours typically leave the city around 2pm and return in the evening.
• If you only have a short time in Antigua, this is the perfect hike to give you a taste of what the surrounding volcanoes are like! You’ll get an incredible view of Antigua valley during sunset from the summit of Pacaya and you’ll get to roast marshmallows on the hot volcanic rock.

Day 3 in Antigua

Morning

• Walk to the top of Cerro De La Cruz. Right on the edge of Antigua is the start of a trail taking you up 330 steps to the best viewpoint in the city. You’ll want to visit in the morning when the views are the best and it’s not as crowded.
• Go for brunch at a cafe or restaurant in the city. My personal recommendation would be Luna de Miel, which is a very popular spot in Antigua that is known for its sweet and savoury crepes.

Afternoon

• Go shopping at some of the local markets and shops. On every street in Antigua, you will come across markets with cool souvenirs, treats, clothing, bags, and more.
• Take a chocolate workshop at Ek Chua Chocolateria. You will have the chance to learn all about the process of making chocolate, sample lots of treats, and even make your own batch of chocolates to take home with you!

Evening

• Another evening in Antigua means another delicious dinner! Spend your last night at one of the best restaurants or bars in the city. If you haven’t been to the famous Restaurante Fridas yet, now is your chance 🙂

4+ days in Antigua

Do you have 4 or more days in Antigua?! If you have extra time and are up for a challenge, I would recommend the Acatenango Volcano overnight hike. You will hike up to Acatenango base camp and spend the night there watching lava erupt from the neighbouring Volcan Fuego. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience with insanely cool views!

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For more details on each of the activities above, make sure to check out my post about the top 10 things to do in Antigua!

As always, feel free to drop any questions below 👇