Walking through the city, Antigua Guatemala

11 Reviews

  By the Parque La Union
by toonsarah
  • By the Parque La Union
      By the Parque La Union
    by toonsarah
  • North side of the Parque La Union
      North side of the Parque La Union
    by toonsarah
  • Streets of Antigua
      Streets of Antigua
    by HasTowelWillTravel
  • If you get tired of walking...
      If you get tired of walking...
    by tlcstork
  • watching the procession under the full moon
      watching the procession under the full...
    by La_Viajera
  •   Walking through the city
    by RAZOR-REN
  •   Walking through the city
    by RAZOR-REN
  •   Walking through the city
    by RAZOR-REN
  •   Walking through the city
    by RAZOR-REN
  • toonsarah's Profile Photo

    Parque La Union

    by toonsarah Updated Dec 11, 2010 2985 reviews

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    North side of the Parque La Union
    1 more image

    While Parque Central is the undisputed hub of the city, Parque Union, lying a few blocks to the south-east, is also worth a visit. This is much more of a locals’ hang out than tourists’, although plenty of the latter come here to visit nearby churches - San Pedro and ruined Santa Clara. The square itself though deserves a little of your time. At the eastern end is a large public laundry, still used by local women in the early mornings and late afternoons. (see my Guatemala Local Customs tips for more about public laundries and their use here). In the centre of the square is a cross dedicated to St. James, aka Santiago, a gift to the people of Antigua from its sister city in Spain, Santiago de Compostela.

    This is also a good spot for photos. On the north side especially are some characterful buildings that make a good backdrop for people shots, and in the square itself local women sell fruit and snacks, but the atmosphere is less commercial and more relaxed than in the Parque Central.

    Related to:
    • Historical Travel
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  • HasTowelWillTravel's Profile Photo

    Architecture

    by HasTowelWillTravel Written Jun 24, 2008 368 reviews

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    Streets of Antigua

    The architecture of Antigua is simply incredible. It is heavily influenced by the Spanish colonial era, when Spain controlled the area. The cathedrals and churches are prime examples of the flourishes of this time period. The city is vibrant in its variety and color, even garage doors are painted a variety of colors. Walking around is a feast for the eyes even in an empty street.

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    • Architecture
    • Photography
    • Archeology
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    Enjoy the Pastel Colored Houses

    by calcaf38 Updated Dec 27, 2006 499 reviews

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    Truly, the most pleasurable activity in Antigua is walking and admiring the way the dramatic light plays on the pastel colored facades. You can find some very quiet streets with no boutiques and no tourists.

    I'm adding only one photo to this tip, and putting the rest in a travelogue below.

    Related to:
    • Archeology
    • Budget Travel
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  • RAZOR-REN's Profile Photo

    A LUSH LITTLE TOWN

    by RAZOR-REN Updated Dec 27, 2006 70 reviews

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    4 more images

    ANTIGUA IS A VERY PLEASANT LITTLE TOWN FULL OF COLONIAL BUILDINGS AND COBBLESTONE STREETS. THOUGH THE BUILDINGS LOOK OLD FROM THE OUTSIDE MANY OF THEM ARE MODERN ON THE INSIDE.

    THERE ARE VIEWS OF THE AGUA, ACATENANGO, AND FUEGO VOLCANOES IN THE AREA. ALSO BE SURE TO GO TO CERRO DE LA CRUZ, A HILLSIDE WITH A BIG CROSS ON IT. FOR A SPECTACULAR VIEW OF THE TOWN AND LANDSCAPE.

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  • La_Viajera's Profile Photo

    Semana Santa

    by La_Viajera Updated May 1, 2006 4 reviews
    watching the procession under the full moon

    During Holy week the devoted Catholics of Guatemala celebrate with a series of processions....a must see!!!! The town fills up with people from all over. There are processsions throughout the day and into the night on Thursday and Friday of holy week. Different church groups march through the streets carrying images of Jesus and Mary. The last procession on Friday is the most spectacular.

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    Lush oasis

    by Sue08080 Updated Apr 9, 2006 140 reviews

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    lunch with a marimba band

    Stop into the lush courtyard of the Posada Don Rodrigo to listen to the marimba band while you have lunch or just a limonada. It's hard to keep from dancing although they probably wouldn't mind if you did.

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    • Music
    • Archeology
    • Architecture
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  • Enjoy the view

    by funkaddict Written Mar 20, 2006 12 reviews

    When you arrive to Antigua it is a beautiful cobblestone city near a hurge volcano.. The views are just beautiful..All I recommend is just to walk around and just enjoy.. That is all I did.. Had great food, great beer, great coffee.. everything great..

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    A walk through the lovely streets of Antigua...

    by bellatrix Written Apr 18, 2003 176 reviews

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    A street in Antigua

    If you go to Antigua, don't pass up the chance to take a stroll through the city and take in the lovely architecture. They say it's one of the most well-planned colonial cities in the Americas (in fact, I think I read somewhere that it was the first planned city in the Americas). I can see how that is true. The city is overwhelminly linear and consists completely of streets running north-south and east-west. They have a huge volcano directly to the south, and a high hill with a cross overlooking the city to the north. It's impossible to get lost!

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  • euzkadi's Profile Photo

    Antigua by night

    by euzkadi Updated Jun 15, 2008 1847 reviews

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    Its nice and safe to walk around Antigua by night, sometimes during the week-ends the city is crowded, full of people from Guatemala city, its better to explore the city during the week days.

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  • behind the walls

    by tlcstork Written Jun 17, 2007 4 reviews
    If you get tired of walking...

    When walking through Antigua, and you do LOTS of that, be sure and look in every door and behind every wall. Most of the city is hidden from view and you never know what you will find.

    Related to:
    • Budget Travel
    • Jungle and Rain Forest
    • Mountain Climbing
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Comments

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