Take a tour from Guatemala City that showcases the mix of Spanish and Mayan traditions that have influenced this incredible nation. Journey into the Iximche ruins—one of Guatemala’s most famous archeological sites—and then make your way to the iconic Spanish colonial town of Antigua. Follow your expert guide to all of the local sites, including churches, plazas and shops—before making your way back to Guatemala City after this exciting day trip.

Tour to Iximché and Antigua from Guatemala City
Visit the archeological site of Iximché, the first capital of Guatemala
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Spanish colonial city of Antigua
Hear about the city’s history from your expert guide as you visit La Merced Church, Calle del Arco, Central Plaza, San Francisco Church and more
Hotel pickup and drop-off and all entrance fees are included

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional guide

Food and drinks
Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

07:00 am

Pickup details

We offer pick up from centrally located hotels in Guatemala City

What To Expect

Experience the beauty and history of Guatemala on this Iximche Ruins and Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City. Your jam-packed daytrip will highlight the best of this diverse nation by showcasing the country’s Spanish and Mayan influences.

Your friendly guide will meet you at your Guatemala City hotel and transport you northwest of the city, where you’ll stop at Iximche—Mayan ruins located in the dusty town of Tecpan. You’ll explore the famous archeological site with your knowledgeable guide, who will take you past ceremonial plazas, towering temples and ancient ball courts. Many of the sites you’ll see date back as far as 1400 BC.

Spend a couple of hours exploring the grounds before heading to Antigua, about an hour away. You’ll drive in air-conditioned comfort through scenic countryside and arrive at this incredible colonial city lined with picturesque cobblestone streets. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) and then walk to Central Plaza with your guide. Hear stories about San Francisco Church, where the shrine of Peter of St Joseph Betancur is located. Explore the stunning ruins of Santo Domingo Monastery—one of the most picturesque sites in town.

Follow your guide to the arch of Santa Catalina—one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks—and learn about the Santa Catalina Convent that was once stationed here. After you’ve wandered the cobblestone streets near this iconic tour stop, head to the Baroque-style La Merced Church and then make your way to the Jade Museum, where you’ll find local craftsmen carving this beautiful green stone.

Once you’ve had your fill of history and culture, make your way back to your Guatemala City hotel in air-conditioned comfort.

Iximche

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

The Plaza Central Park

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Iglesia de La Merced

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Arco de Santa Catalina

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Casa del Jade

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Reviews

4.5

30 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 30 reviews

Mirko was an excellent...

Karolanne_K, Apr 2023

Mirko was an excellent tour guide! We had a great time. We had a yummy breakfast and lunch with his recommendations!

A great way to spend the day

Chandra_G, Jan 2023

We had a great time! Carmen was an amazing tour guide. She picked us up in Guatemala City then we picked up the other group in Antigua. She was very flexible in terms of giving us time for quick stop (restroom and snack) before we got to Iximche. She is incredibly knowledgeable about the site and the history and culture. She also brought us to see a coffee growing operation and then the restaurant where we had lunch was amazing. The tour of Antigua was also really informative and really fun. Carmen in particular was very friendly, fun, and gave us great advice for the rest of our trip. I highly recommend this tour as a great way to see Iximche and Antigua, especially if you are staying in Guatemala city.

Excellent day tour with Merko to Iximché Ruins and Antigua City

Judith_P, Dec 2022

This was an excellent tour with lots of great information given with humor and great patience. The Iximché Ruins were an eye opener. The Antigua City tour revealed many unexpected visuals. We would highly recommend our guide, Merko.

Anniversary Trip

Dan_N, Sept 2022

Mirko was an excellent guide. His story telling of the sites we visited was excellent. His lunch recommendation was spot on and the food was delicious as he said. We enjoyed our day.

Mirko is the Best!

Rafael_O, Sept 2022

Our tour guide was Mirko he was so knowledgeable and friendly! He was our photographer, chofer and friend. We invited him to eat lunch with us! This gentleman was so kind that I would come back and ask for him again. Anything we asked he answered or gave us a solution. Wish Mirko the best!

The Guide Carnen was the...

jpj_j, July 2022

The Guide Carnen was the most expetacular. Very kind and helpfull. Trully unique experience Brought us lots of history.

Great experience with an amazing guide!

Blaire_B, Feb 2022

Our guide, Davis, was incredible!! So knowledgeable and fun to be around. He really brought life to the ruins and Antigua. What a great experience!

Great day

Marcus_G, Mar 2020

My trip was well worth the money. Great experience and even more of an amazing tour guide. If you are big into religion this is the trip for you.

Day trip to Iximche and Antigua

staralaniz, Jan 2020

Basilario, our guide was awesome! As it turned out we were the only ones on the tour. He was informative and we were very lucky to visit Iximche on the Mayan New Year’s and got to observe several ceremonies. Iximche us small compared to other Mayan sites but it was very peaceful and the drive out there was interesting. Antigua was fine but crowded and we did a lot of walking from where the van was parked. The churches were interesting, stops to the Chocolate Museum and Jade Factory were okay but I would have enjoyed some time to shop. Basilerio took us to a restaurant where the food was delicious. All in all a good but long day...

Trip was good but the side trips to...

Douglas_H, Feb 2018

Trip was good but the side trips to Jade store, craft market, macadamia nut farm, ... took time I'd rather have spent just walking around Antigua

a facinating insight into the mayan...

Anthony F, Feb 2017

a facinating insight into the mayan way of life and the beauty of Antigua city, reastaurant was charming iff a little expensive

I got a private tour! The day is...

Song H, May 2016

I got a private tour! The day is packed with activities and plenty of chances to shop and taking photos. Highly recommended if you want the best of two worlds Mayan ruins and Spanish history in one short period of time. I had only one day and this tour is ideal.

Mirko was an excellent guide, and we...

Jim B, June 2015

Mirko was an excellent guide, and we thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The Mayan ruins were pretty cool, and this kind of whet my appetite for maybe a visit to Tikal if we ever get an opportunity to return to Guatemala.

A very interesting tour made even...

Bernadette G, Aug 2014

A very interesting tour made even more enjoyable by the very knowledgeable driver/guide. He patiently answered all the questions we posed and never once did he rush us through the tour. Well done Belisario!

Very nice trip with stop in local...

Klaus P, June 2013

Very nice trip with stop in local coffee-plantage. Same nice guide as in Copan.

the ruims were excellent guided and...

rony d, Feb 2013

the ruims were excellent guided and explained ,the antigua city tourhowever went completely in the mist

very pleasant and professional...

sylvaine p, June 2012

very pleasant and professional staff,the day was perfect l

Descubriendo Guatemala con Gustavo

Nacel_R, Apr 2023

Primero que todo nuestro guía Gustavo una estrella, mi madre y yo estábamos muy felices con todo el conocimiento y la pasión que ponía en su trabajo, de verdad nos hizo enamorarnos de Guatemala e inspirarnos a volver. La experiencia fue hermosa y más que fuimos en Semana Santa. Definitivamente muy recomendado.

Definitivamente regreso a visitar Guatemala.

Onica_M, Apr 2022

Carmen, la Guia Turística, fue maravillosa en su atención desde el momento de la recogida. No perdimos ningún detalle de la experiencia gracias a la experiencia de ella sobre los lugares de visita. Gracias Carmen. Nos vemos pronto.

Un tour sin mucha gracia... El guía...

cjimenez2581, Apr 2017

Un tour sin mucha gracia... El guía explicaba lo mínimo y como sin ganas de hacerlo