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Cerro de la Cruz, or Hill of the Cross, is one of Antigua's most famous points of interest. The city's views that you can enjoy from the top of the hill are just one reason to take a climb here. In addition to the city, you will also have an excellent view of the volcano.

The walk to the top of the hill takes about ten minutes. Several noteworthy landmarks are within sight from the top of the hill, including Antigua Guatemala Cathedral. You'll also enjoy the cross that rises over the summit that gives this hill its name.

Although there are steps set into the hill's side, the hike might seem a bit strenuous. As an alternative to walking, you might consider having a local guide with a car take you to the top. You'll enjoy the same outstanding view while taking less time to get there.

One of the finest examples of an 18th-century convent in Guatemala, the Convent of the Capuchins was consecrated in 1736. In fact, it was the last convent to be built in the city, and the first one that stopped asking for a donation to the new nuns, allowing then poor ladies to embrace religious life. Daily routine for the nuns was ruled by strict regulations, which included, for some, maximum discipline on poverty, penance and fasting. Drinking chocolate was strictly forbidden and the requirement that they should survive on the tithing only.

Like the rest of the city, the building complex suffered damage during the 1751 and 1773 earthquakes, and was abandoned by order of the Captain-General at the time. Today, the monastery's well-preserved cells, gardens, and courtyards are open for public viewing and provide excellent photo-ops. Each twist and turn presents a view your camera will ache to capture! It's also interesting to see how small the cloisters were, and how the nuns lived during colonial times.

Tip:
The only guide is the map in the first room, so study it carefully! Don't miss the round room beneath the Nun's tower: sing quietly and be rewarded – the acoustics are incredible. The 2nd-floor art display is new and very nice, as well.

El Carmen Church (La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen) stands as a historic relic in Antigua, embodying centuries of cultural and architectural heritage. Initially granted construction permission in 1638 by the city council of Santiago de los Caballeros, the church was intended to serve the Carmelite nuns displaced by the catastrophic earthquakes of 1773.

The original structure of El Carmen Church was significantly damaged by an earthquake in 1651. Subsequently, a more robust church was constructed in 1686, only to be destroyed again by another earthquake in 1717. A third iteration, completed in 1728, was renowned for its elaborate design and cultural significance, hosting prestigious events and becoming a key religious site in the region.

However, the resilience of El Carmen Church was continuously tested by seismic activity. The church suffered extensive damage during the earthquakes of 1773, which destroyed the dome, vaults, and bell tower, and later in 1976, which damaged the effigy of Our Lady of Carmen. Despite ongoing efforts to stabilize the ruins, much of the church remains in disrepair.

Today, El Carmen Church is inactive, no longer hosting regular religious services, but its facade, adorned with ornate stonework and majestic columns, still stands as a testament to the Guatemalan seismic Baroque style. The facade has weathered multiple earthquakes and retains its architectural splendor, making it a prominent feature in the cityscape of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala.

Visitors to Antigua cannot enter the church but can admire its exterior and intricate details from the street, peering through protective bars. Adjacent to the church is a vibrant handicrafts market, offering a range of local artisanal products. This market provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to engage with the local culture and shop for unique gifts, though bargaining may be necessary to secure the best prices.

El Carmen Church, with its rich history and stunning facade, remains a must-visit landmark in Antigua Guatemala, offering a glimpse into the past and a cultural experience through its neighboring market.

Tip:
Also across the street is the excellent EPICURE restaurant inspired by European cuisine, and next to it is the amazing home that Antoine de Saint-Exupéry lived in when he wrote 'The Little Prince'. If you crave a vegetarian/vegan meal, do not miss LA BRUJA, tucked into the back corner of an off-street courtyard surrounded by plants. The food is simply amazing!

La Merced Church in Antigua stands out for its Baroque-style architecture. The building has a beautiful facade with ornamental elements set in relief and a striking yellow color of the main walls complemented by white plaster sculptures. The church has its origins in a monastery that existed from the 17th century. After an earthquake in 1773, important statuary moved to a new congregation. However, La Merced Church's community moved back to the original building in the mid-19th century.

One of the unique things about the church is the low height of its two bell towers - it is designed to withstand the frequent tremors in Guatemala. San Pedro Nolasco, who founded the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy appears in an effigy form on top of the church building. The crest for his order, as was as images of two friars from this order, appear on either side of San Pedro Nolasco's image.

The facade's central niche contains an image of Our Lady of Mercedes. On the left side of this image, visitors can see effigies of San Pedro Arinengol and San Raymundo Nonnatus. Images that visitors can see on the right include depictions of San Pedro Pascual and Santa Maria de Cervellón.

After more than three centuries, the building is still standing and remains in good shape. Today the church is popular with locals and tourists alike.

The Santa Catalina Arch is the most iconic landmark in Antigua Guatemala. Built in 1694 and located on 5th Avenue North, it originally connected the Santa Catalina Convent to a school on the other side of the street. At the time the cloistered nuns lived in the Santa Catalina Convent while they taught at the school during the day.

However there was a dilemma. The cloistered nuns had to avoid all contact with the outside world so they could not simply walk across a busy street to reach the school. To solve the problem, an arch above the street was built to connect the convent and the school. Within the arch there is a hidden passageway enabling the nuns to cross the street without being seen in public. It was an ingenious idea that worked perfectly!

The arch has suffered damage over the years, especially during the catastrophic earthquake of 1773. But miraculously, it has survived and it is now a symbol of the city’s resilience. A clock was added to the top of the arch in the era of the Central American Federation in the 1830s and it needs to be wound every three days.

Today, the Santa Catalina Arch is the most famous city monument and easily the most photographed.

One of the reasons so many visitors enjoy visiting Parque Central is because of its popularity as a gathering place. There are plenty of trees that provide shade, as well as benches that encourage enjoyment of this space. There is a central fountain featuring a mermaid, a replica of a fountain from 1738.

This park stands out as part of Antigua's central square area. The Colonial-era buildings that line the park help add to its Old World charm. Some of the nearby landmarks you'll be able to spot include The Museum of Santiago de los Caballeros and Palacio de los Capitanes.

If you enjoy handcrafted items, there are local artisans who set up along the walkway areas every day. Marimba bands also regularly play at night, providing a lively backdrop for activity in the area. Regardless of whether you're sightseeing, shopping for crafts, enjoying the music, or people-watching, you're sure to have a great time.

The first cathedral on this site was begun in 1545; construction was so poor, however, that the structure was in a constant state of disrepair, and an earthquake in 1583 brought down much of the roof. In 1670 work started on a new cathedral worthy of the town's role as a capital city.

For 11 years the town watched as conscripted Maya labored and the most spectacular colonial building in Central America took shape. The scale of the new cathedral was astounding: a vast dome, five naves, eighteen chapels, and a central chamber measuring 90m by 20m. Its altar was inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ivory and silver, and carvings of saints and paintings by the most revered of European and colonial artists covered the walls.

The new cathedral held out the 1689/1717 quakes, but its walls were weakened and the 1773 upheaval sent them tumbling to the ground. Today, two of the chapels have been restored as the Church of San José, which opens off the Parque Central; inside is a figure of Christ by the colonial sculptor Quirio Cataño, who also carved the famous Black Christ of Esquipulas.

Behind the church, entered from 5 Calle Oriente, are the ruins of the rest of the structure; a mass of fallen masonry, broken arches and hefty pillars, cracked and moss-covered, the great original cupola now a window to the sky. At the very rear of the original nave, steps lead down to a burial vault, blackened by candle smoke, that's regularly used for Maya religious ceremonies – an example of the coexistence of pagan and Catholic beliefs, so characteristic of Guatemala.

The Union Water Tank in Antigua holds significant historical and cultural importance. Originally inaugurated as Plaza de la Union in 1853 under the command of Jose Maria Palomo, this site reflects the social dynamics of the era when only the wealthiest had private laundries and baths. Initially a practical venue, it was where the local community gathered to wash clothes and collect water, fundamental daily activities at the time.

Over the years, the plaza was transformed and renamed the "Union Water Tank" to reflect its primary use. Today, while no longer serving as a communal laundry site, it has been repurposed into a charming fountain, becoming a focal point for tourists. Visitors to the Union Water Tank can enjoy the surrounding park adorned with tall palm trees, providing a scenic spot to relax and admire the breathtaking views of the Volcan de Agua, often picturesque with its peak shrouded in clouds.

This location not only offers a glimpse into the historical lifestyle of Antigua but also serves as a tranquil retreat where one can appreciate the natural beauty and architectural heritage of Guatemala.

The convent and church, founded in 1699 by nuns from Puebla in Mexico, became a popular place for well-to-do young ladies to take the veil, as the hardships were none too hard, and the nuns quickly earned a reputation by selling bread to high society. The original convent was totally wiped out in 1717, as was the second in 1773, but the current building was spared in 1976 and its amazingly beautiful ornate facade remains intact.

You walk into a smaller garden, wonderfully kept with beautiful plants and flowers, and can have a good look at the place where they had the bread oven originally, walk past the embedded pila (wash house) to the amazing courtyard with its fountain in the middle, then continue to the church with its underground tombs.

Buy a drink, take a picnic, relax and enjoy the beautiful settings inside this convent. The arches, openings, fountain, layers of exposed walls, and volcano in the background are beautiful to photograph.

Tickets cost Q40 for non-nationals and are good value. A tour of the site takes about an hour.