Activity #1: Cook Your Lunch on Pacaya Volcano

One of the absolute highlights in Antigua was the quad (ATV) tour to Pacaya Volcano. First, you drive through stunning landscapes with views that will stay with you long after, until you reach the volcano.

Riding through this lava terrain feels truly otherworldly, like you’re on a different planet.

Once at the volcano, you take a short hike to one of the viewpoints, where you pull out your (pre-ordered) lunch from your backpack. Then comes the best part: your sandwich is placed between hot lava stones, baking your lunch using the volcano’s natural heat. A unique and unforgettable experience!

Fancy a bit more exercise? You can also hike up the volcano instead of taking the quad.

👉 Book the quad tour

👉 Book the hike

Activity #2: Visit Hobbitenango

Hobbitenango is a charming park just outside Antigua, still relatively unknown to most tourists. It’s set in a stunning location with panoramic views of the Agua, Acatenango, and Fuego volcanoes. At the park, you can enjoy a mix of nature, relaxation, and fun activities like frisbee, archery, and a giant swing. Of course, a visit to the iconic hobbit houses is a must, along with the giant hand sculpture—perfect for that Instagram shot.

Tip: Want to make it extra special? Stay overnight in one of the three hobbit houses. We celebrated my birthday there, and it was an amazing experience. Waking up to views of multiple volcanoes from a cosy hobbit house? Even if you’re not a Lord of the Rings fan, it’s a magical experience you won’t forget anytime soon. Read all about my Hobbitenango experience here.

Activity #3: Sip Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar During Sunset

Want to end your day in Antigua with a cocktail in hand and a view of the volcano? Yes, please. The city has plenty of rooftop bars offering stunning views of the Agua volcano. The sunset views are especially magical—unless the clouds decide to spoil the fun.

Here are a few great spots to check out:

• Cafe Sky
• Agua Antigua
• Cafe Estudio

Activity #4: Hike Acatenango Volcano with Views of Fuego

Yes, everyone does it—but for good reason. The Acatenango hike is one of the most popular multi-day treks in Guatemala, and rightly so. From the base camp, you get clear views of the active Fuego volcano, which usually erupts lava every 20 minutes. Spectacular!

But here’s a quick reality check: in January 2025, Fuego temporarily stopped erupting, and when I was there, it was unfortunately quiet. Since 9 March 2025, the volcano has been active again, but eruptions are less frequent than before. So whether you actually see Fuego in action still comes down to luck.

That said, this hike was still one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. You trek up in about 5 hours with a group to the base camp, where you spend the night. You camp on the volcano’s slope, with a campfire, plenty of blankets, a starry sky, and views of Fuego.

Want to reach the real summit and see the volcano up close? Then you can do the summit sunset hike, but beware: you need to be in good shape, as it’s a tough extra climb. The normal hike to base camp requires basic fitness and is doable for most people.

There are dozens of providers for this hike—from basic to luxury. I chose Wicho & Charlie’s, one of the pricier options, but it was well worth it. They provide clothing to borrow, walking sticks, a daypack, water bottles, and they carry most of your big backpack for you. You get a hearty lunch, a full dinner, breakfast, snacks, and a hut with plenty of blankets. For the final stretch up, you can also hire a porter if you want.

Tip: The cheaper the provider, the more you’ll have to carry or bring yourself. So compare carefully and choose what suits you best!

Activity #5: Enjoy Local Beer in a Beer Garden

Fancy a cold pint in a great spot? Then Antigua Cerveza is the place to be. This local brewery serves craft beers full of character—brewed right in the heart of Antigua. Their range goes from light blondes to richer amber ales.

You can find their beers at various places around town, but it’s way nicer to taste them in their own beer garden: El Bosque. Think tables under the trees, cosy lights, evening campfires, and sometimes even live music.

A perfect spot to escape the city buzz for a while!

👉 Find El Bosque here

Activity #6: Visit Altamira

Altamira is close to Hobbitenango and the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of Antigua. The park offers beautiful walking trails, breathtaking views of the volcanoes and mountains, and a chance to discover local flora and fauna. You can also try activities like ziplining there.

Unfortunately, we didn’t make it there ourselves, but it sounds like a great place to explore!

Activity #7: Wander Through One of the Outlying Neighbourhoods

From the viewpoint at the cross (see tip 9), we decided to walk a bit further away from the centre—and suddenly the whole vibe changed. While Antigua’s heart is full of colourful colonial buildings, here you find neighbourhoods that feel rougher and more real.

We walked with our cameras through streets that could easily be described as slums, and for a moment I wondered if it was safe. But honestly? We never felt unsafe for a second. Everyone we met was genuinely friendly and welcoming. No pushy vendors, no suspicious looks—just warm smiles and curious kids.

This is where I really fell in love with Guatemala. It’s the people who make the country.

Activity #8: Visit the Maya Temple Iximche

If you’re not heading all the way to Flores to see the most impressive Maya temples, Iximche is a great alternative. This former Maya capital is about a 90-minute drive from Antigua and perfect for a day trip.

Here you can wander among ancient ruins surrounded by greenery and get a first glimpse of the fascinating Maya culture. The site is peaceful and smaller-scale compared to the more famous temples up north. You might even catch a Maya ceremony taking place—these still happen regularly.

👉 Book the tour

Activity #9: Visit the Cross

Cerro de La Cruz offers fantastic views of the Agua volcano and the city of Antigua. You can reach it via a short walk of about 20 minutes from Antigua’s centre, following a peaceful uphill path.

It’s a lovely spot and definitely worth the effort for a short but rewarding walk!

Where to Stay in Antigua?

That’s it—my ten tips for beautiful Antigua, Guatemala. Now the question remains: where’s the best place to stay in town?

We stayed at two different places but picked one hostel as our favourite.

The Yellow House Hostel B&B is perfectly located in the centre but away from the busiest areas. They offer dorms with bunk beds as well as private rooms with (or without) en-suite bathrooms.

The hostel also has several lovely courtyards where you can relax or enjoy a cold beer.