Guatemala is a country of fire and water—smoldering volcanoes and mirror-bright lakes—with cities that blend Spanish colonial grandeur and living Maya traditions. The former capital, Antigua, dazzles with cobblestone streets, pastel facades, and three hulking volcanoes on the skyline. Lake Atitlán, a volcanic caldera ringed by 12 villages, offers sunrise paddles, artisan cooperatives, and the kind of blue hour that lingers in memory.

History lives loudly here. From the K’iche’, Kaqchikel, and Tz’utujil peoples around Atitlán to the Classic-era Maya cities like Tikal, Guatemala’s past is ever-present—spoken in over 20 Mayan languages and woven into textiles dyed with local plants. Antigua’s baroque ruins and convents tell another story: an 18th-century earthquake that shifted the capital but couldn’t shake the city’s spirit.

Practicalities: the local currency is the quetzal (Q); Spanish is widely spoken alongside Mayan languages, and English is common in tourist areas. Dry season (roughly November–April) brings sunny volcano views, while the green season means lush trails. As in any destination, keep valuables discreet, use registered shuttles, and check current advisories before hiking active volcanoes.

Antigua Guatemala

Antigua is Guatemala’s crown jewel: a UNESCO-listed city where ruins and roses share the same courtyards, and where the morning’s first church bells echo off Agua Volcano. It’s the launchpad for two bucket-list experiences: the overnight Acatenango trek and the lava fields of Pacaya.

Top sights include the Santa Catalina Arch, La Merced Church, San Francisco Church, and the hilltop lookout Cerro de la Cruz. Food and coffee culture run deep—third-wave roasters pour exquisite cups from Antigua’s volcanic soils, and kitchens reinterpret beloved classics like pepián and kak’ik.

• Where to stay (Antigua): Search a range of homes and hotels on VRBO and Hotels.com. Favorites include Casa Santo Domingo (museum-hotel with a spa and ruins), Hotel Mesón del Valle (great value a block from the arch), and Hotel Soleil La Antigua (pools and volcano views).
• Getting in: Fly into Guatemala City (GUA). Compare fares on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. Private/shared shuttles take ~1–1.5 hours to Antigua depending on traffic; expect ~$90–120 private per vehicle or ~$20–25 shared per person.
• Eat & drink: Coffee at Fat Cat Coffee House or Fernando’s Kaffee; rooftop brunch at Café Sky; market-style roast chicken at Rincón Típico; modern Guatemalan at Los Tres Tiempos; refined bistro plates at Hector’s; nightcaps at Antigua Brewing Company’s rooftop.

Lake Atitlán

Deep and blue, Lake Atitlán is a highland mirror framed by Tolimán, Atitlán, and San Pedro volcanoes. Each village has a personality: Panajachel for logistics and live music, San Juan for weaving and natural dyes, Santa Cruz for lakefront lodges and kayaking, and San Marcos for wellness and yoga.

Come for boat-hopping between villages, artisan workshops, and sunrise paddles when the lake is glassy. Lanchas (public boats) are the lake’s taxis—rides typically cost Q10–25 depending on distance, and the captains run frequent routes until sunset.

• Where to stay (Atitlán): Base in Panajachel for easy transport and dining. Browse options on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Getting there from Antigua: Plan a morning departure by shared shuttle (~Q200–275 / $25–35, 2.5–3.5 hours) or private car ($90–120). Roads are winding; motion-sickness remedies help.
• Eat & drink: Espresso at Crossroads Café (legendary micro-roaster); breakfasts at Deli Jasmin’s garden; lakeside lunches at CECAP’s Café Sabor Cruceño in Santa Cruz (a community culinary program); pizza and live music at Circus Bar; grilled meats at Guajimbo’s.

Day 1: Arrive Guatemala City → Antigua

Afternoon: Land at GUA and transfer to Antigua (about 1–1.5 hours). Check in and shake off the flight with a gentle stroll: Santa Catalina Arch, Calle del Arco, and La Merced Church’s yellow-and-white facade. Pop into Fat Cat Coffee House for a flat white or iced cascara.

Evening: Sunset at Cerro de la Cruz for a postcard view of the city and Agua Volcano. Dinner at Rincón Típico for smoky, wood-fired chicken with tortillas hot off the comal; or book Hector’s for steak au poivre and a solid wine list. Nightcap at Antigua Brewing Company’s rooftop with volcano silhouettes in the dark.

Days 2–3: Acatenango Overnight Volcano Trek (Antigua base)

Leave your big bag at the hotel and pack layers—nights can dip near freezing at camp. Depart Antigua late morning, ascend through farmland and cloud forest to your campsite facing Fuego, and watch fiery eruptions after dusk. Sunrise brings a sea of clouds and a 360-degree volcano panorama before you descend and return to town around late morning or midday on Day 3.

Book: Acatenango Volcano Tour with Overnight from Antigua

Post-hike (Day 3 afternoon/evening): Treat yourself. Soak in the pool or spa at Casa Santo Domingo (day passes available; inquire on arrival). Early dinner at Los Tres Tiempos—order pepián (a rich, toasted-seed stew) or subanik (a celebratory, chili-scented dish). For dessert, try Doña María Gordillo’s classic Guatemalan candies.

Day 4: Antigua → Lake Atitlán (Panajachel base)

Morning: Depart after breakfast for Panajachel by shuttle (2.5–3.5 hours). Settle in and grab lunch at Deli Jasmin—fresh juices, house-made breads, and garden seating that invites a second lemonade.

Afternoon: Learn the lake by water. Take a public lancha to Santa Cruz for swimming or kayaking in jade-green coves, or to San Juan La Laguna to visit women’s weaving cooperatives that use natural dyes (indigo, cochineal, avocado pits) and backstrap looms.

Evening: Return to Pana. Dinner at Circus Bar for wood-fired pizza and live music, or Guajimbo’s for Uruguayan-style grilled meats. Stroll Santander Street for textiles and artisan stalls.

Day 5: Village-Hopping Adventure at Lake Atitlán

Spend a full day exploring the shoreline, viewpoints, and villages—by ATV with a guide, or by boat and tuk-tuk if you prefer a gentler pace. Expect frequent photo stops: painted murals, coffee terraces, and sweeping miradors above the lake.

Book: Lake Atitlán Villages Tour on ATV

Dinner: Back in Pana, try José Pinguino’s for Mayan-influenced dishes (ask about kak’ik, a fragrant turkey soup) or Il Giardino’s courtyard for pasta and salads. If you want a quiet night, claim a lakeside table and watch distant lightning dance over the volcanoes.

Day 6: Fly to the Maya City of Tikal (Day Trip by Air) → Return to Antigua

This is a big, unforgettable day. Pre-dawn shuttle from Antigua to GUA for an early flight to Flores, then a guided tour of Tikal’s grand plazas, sky-piercing temples, and howler-monkey-filled jungle. Lunch is included; you’ll fly back in the evening and shuttle to Antigua to sleep.

Book: Tikal Day Trip by Air from Guatemala City with Lunch

Note: You can compare international flights and add overnights if desired via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights; otherwise, this curated day trip handles the domestic flights and logistics.

Late dinner: Back in Antigua, keep it simple: tacos al pastor at Ta’Cool Tacos or a bowl of caldo de res at La Cuevita de los Urquizú if you want something homey.

Day 7: Hands-on Flavors of Guatemala → Departure

Morning: Dive into a market-to-table cooking class in nearby Jocotenango, learning to make classics like pepián, tortillas from nixtamalized masa, and rellenitos (sweet plantain fritters). It’s convivial, culturally rich, and delicious—plus you’ll leave with recipes.

Book: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua

Afternoon: Souvenir sweep along 5a Avenida: textiles from San Juan cooperatives, jade from reputable workshops, and Antigua coffee beans. Shuttle to GUA for your afternoon flight—check fares or add a stopover via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Optional swaps and extras (time/energy permitting)

• Pacaya Volcano day hike: A shorter, lava-field adventure closer to Antigua with roasted marshmallows on warm rock.
• Jade carving mini-workshop: Design a small pendant and learn why jadeite was prized by the Maya.
• Coffee immersion: Visit a working finca to follow the bean from cherry to cup; tastings highlight Antigua’s chocolate and citrus notes.

Four featured experiences in this itinerary:

• Acatenango Volcano Tour with Overnight from Antigua (above)
• Lake Atitlán Villages Tour on ATV (above)
• Tikal Day Trip by Air from Guatemala City with Lunch (above)
• Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua (above)

In seven days, you’ll taste Guatemala’s best: the cobbled grace of Antigua, the mirror-blue calm of Lake Atitlán, and the jungle majesty of Tikal. With thoughtful travel days, great coffee, and time with local artisans, this itinerary balances adventure and culture in a way that lingers long after you’ve flown home.