Around Antigua: Ciudad Vieja - Other Activity Antigua - Guatemala

Just four kilometres south west of Antigua and a pleasant walk or bike ride away, Ciudad Vieja is a peaceful and stress-free little village in which to while-away a few hours. The pretty, tree-framed town square has plenty of sturdy park benches. Around the square, you will find the white-washed 16th-century church and the bright-yellow clock tower of the municipal town hall, on which, tellingly, the clock hands never move!

On the south side of the square you will find the typical Comedor Doña Alís and also the café Casa de Veronica offering basic burgers ($1.10), almuerzos ($1.80) and licuados ($1.20). Off the square, you can find the Real Antigua Café at 4a Calle and 1a Avenida, and Restaurante Los Volcanes, a newly-opened family restaurant run by chef-owner Nicolás. Formerly the head chef at Mono Loco in Antigua, Nicolás whips up some tasty Tex-Mex delights while you relax in the garden-café watching over the kids playing in the large children’s area. Tel: (502) 4323-0830. 4a Ca. Zona 4. Open Monday – Wednesday and Friday – Sunday 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. Closed Thursdays. For a quicker, cheaper bite, try the take-out from Pizza Mia ($0.55 a slice) at 4a Calle and 5a Avenida.

Internet is available at La Plazuela, next to Doña Alís, as well as at Cyber Conexion and Intercom on 3a Calle, west of the square's southwest corner. Payphones are located on the west side of the plaza. There are some public toilets opposite the church entrance by the sports courts east of the square.

The dental surgery office of Dra. Karla Flores Villalta, (Tel: 502-5388-5201, open Monday – Friday 8.30a.m. – 12p.m. and 2p.m. – 5p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 12p.m.) and an optician’s practice are located on 3a Calle, and the Farnacia la Comunidad can be found at the corner of 4a Calle and 5a Avenida.

The BAM bank is opposite the Real Antigua Café at 4a Calle and 1a Avenida. It does not have a ATM, but it will exchange money (open Monday – Friday 8.30a.m. – 6p.m., Saturday 8.30a.m. – 1p.m.).

Being so close to Antigua there is no need to stay overnight. However, you can make a reservation at the town's hotel, Santa Valentina, by calling (502) 7831-5044.

Location:
Antigua, Guatemala

Other Activity

Getting There

To reach Ciudad Vieja take the bus south for five minutes from the local bus terminal near the market, or walk, cycle, jog!

Relative price: Free

Travel Skills: None

Currencies accepted
Guatemalan quetzal

About this Page

By Joanne Sykes

Born and raised in Yorkshire, England, Jo is currently working as a freelance travel writer in Latin America. With degrees in...

Updated: 23 Nov 2009