Holiday in Antigua Guatemala

About Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage site of enchanting beauty. The former capital of Guatemala is located in a valley surrounded by three mighty volcanoes — Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango — and captivates with its cobblestone streets, baroque church ruins, and an atmosphere that is both historic and vibrant. The city was destroyed in 1773 by a devastating earthquake and was never fully rebuilt. The result is a unique cityscape: magnificent monastery ruins stand open to the sky, their arches framing the snow-capped volcanoes in the background. The ruins of the cathedral, the Santa Clara monastery, and the Convento de Capuchinas are architectural highlights that unfold an almost surreal beauty in the warm afternoon light. The Arco de Santa Catalina — a yellow arch spanning the street, with the Agua volcano in the background — is the most photographed motif in Guatemala and the city's landmark. The surrounding streets are lined with restaurants, language schools, cafés, and boutiques housed in former colonial buildings with blooming courtyards. Antigua is Central America's Mecca for Spanish language students. Dozens of schools offer private lessons for often less than €10 per hour, and the combination of morning classes and afternoon volcano hikes attracts thousands of learners from all over the world each year. The volcano climbs are the adventure highlight. The Acatenango (3,976 m) offers a spectacular view of the neighboring Fuego volcano, which regularly erupts lava and ash — a natural spectacle from a safe distance — when you spend the night at the crater's edge. The Pacaya volcano is easier to climb and rewards with cooled lava fields and occasionally glowing lava.