Antigua Walking Tour: Discover Historical Monuments and Local Crafts in a Half Day Adventure

Embark on a half-day walking tour of Antigua, a beautifully preserved colonial city. Discover historical monuments, stately homes, and local crafts while immersing yourself in the rich history and culture of this 500-year-old city.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Antigua - We will pick you up at your hotel lobby and begin the walking tour.
  • The Plaza Central Park - In Antigua Guatemala, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Marvel at the stunning Water Volcano in the city’s backdrop, the ancient cobblestone streets, and over 500 years of architecture. Our walking tour starts at the Central Park of Antigua Guatemala, the city’s heart, surrounded by its most significant buildings.
  • Cathedral de Santiago - This Roman Catholic church in Antigua Guatemala was originally built around 1541 but has endured several earthquakes over the years. The first church was demolished in 1669, and the cathedral was rebuilt and consecrated in 1680. By 1743, it was one of the largest cathedrals in Central America. However, the 1773 earthquake caused severe damage, though the two front towers remained mostly intact. These have been restored, and the cathedral has been partially rebuilt.

Entrance to the ruins is not included.

  • Arco de Santa Catalina - Next, we’ll visit the most iconic spot in Antigua Guatemala: Arch Street, home to the Santa Catalina Arch. This arch has become a symbol of Antigua and is featured on most postcards. Originally built by the Santa Catarina Mártir Convent in 1693, it holds a secret you’ll discover on this top-notch tour. Get ready for some breathtaking photos!

  • Iglesia de La Merced - You’ll have the opportunity to admire this yellow and white church, built in 1749, which is the finest example of Guatemalan baroque architecture.

  • Real Palacio - The Palace of the General Captains, or Royal Palace, is a colonial building in Antigua Guatemala. It houses the offices of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism, the Guild of Tourism of Antigua, the National Civil Police, and the Departmental Government, among others.

  • ChocoMuseo La Antigua - Here, visitors can learn about the history of chocolate and purchase chocolates and various other cacao products.

  • Iglesia del Carmen - The history of El Carmen Church dates back to 1683 when the city council authorized the construction of a temple dedicated to Our Lady of Carmen.

This church suffered significant damage from the earthquakes of 1717, 1728, and 1773. Eventually, the building was abandoned due to its ruined state.

  • Casa Santo Domingo - The largest monastery in Antigua Guatemala, Casa Santo Domingo, was originally the mainstay of one of the most important convents in the Americas. The monastery, which dates back to 1538, was a grand building with two towers and ten bells, filled with riches and relics. It served as a sanctuary for those following the order of Santo Domingo de Guzmán.

The 1773 Santa Marta earthquake partially destroyed the monastery, but what remains now serves as a monument preserving the baroque architecture and treasures of the period. The ancient walls, brick archways, and tile corridors tell the story of the original Casa Santo Domingo. Part of the ruins has been converted into a five-star hotel, which opened in 1989.

We will visit the monastery but not the museum.

  • Antigua - At the end of the tour, we will return you to your hotel. A professional history guide will lead this tour, making you feel as if you’ve traveled back to the colonial era of this magnificent city.
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Certified Tour Guide
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Visit this magnificent colonial city of almost 500 years old, beautifully preserved with its convents and churches, stately homes, and gardens that evoke the tranquility and splendor of past epochs. Antigua is today a center of much activity. It hosts many cultural gatherings, seminars, congresses, weddings, and also is the center where crafts from all over the country meet.

This walking tour of half-day will take you to the most important and iconic places and tell you all the history behind it. There´s no doubt that you will enjoy every moment of it.

  • This is a walking tour. Make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes.
Location
Antigua
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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(2 Ratings)
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Troy_s
Mar 1, 2023
Best value I have spent on a tour so far. - This tour was extremely informative and worth every penny we spent. I could do this tour again, because there was so much I probably didn't absorb the first time around.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_r
Mar 20, 2022
Fine, if you like indoor museum tours. - Our 1/2 day tour started at our hotel at 9 am and we walked through the square, heard about the buildings there, and then on to a huge old monastery/hotel/convention center/wedding venue/museum. Most of the tour was spent there as it was so big. We didn't get a tour of Le Merced, which I had expected and we spent a great deal of our time in museums. I would have liked more of a tour of the city and explored museums on my own.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
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September 2024
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