Location: Guatemala City
Top Things to do in Guatemala City
Top Restaurants in Guatemala City
Countries
10 Things to do in Guatemala City That You Shouldn't Miss
Guatemala City draws visitors whose interests range from Maya history to contemporary culture. Two museums house Maya artifacts, some of which were discovered on a nearby archaeological site. Other museums exhibit indigenous and modern art. In Mercado Central, an underground market, shoppers bargain with vendors selling local handicrafts. Additional attractions include a botanical garden and a scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. A night out in bustling Zona Viva caps off a day of sightseeing.
Restaurants in Guatemala City
1. Mercado Central
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
For really good deals on Guatemalan handicrafts, especially leather goods, woolen blankets and masks, check out the underground stalls here, where fresh produce is also available.
Reviewed By tg0mide - Westbury, United States
Right behind the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Mercado Central is a must. You can get lost in it. Wonderful crafts to delight your eyes and a great place to shop. Prices are incredible, but never pay what the sellers are asking for. Bargain, bargain and bargain. Things are much cheaper than Antigua. If you don't intend to shop, do not skip it. It is a wonderful experience!
2. Museo Ixchel del Traje Indigena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Textiles and clothing of the Mayan people, Guatemala's indigenous community, are displayed at this outstanding museum, which also contains paintings, interactive weaving exhibits, a bookstore and gift shop.
Reviewed By Suwatss - Bangkok, Thailand
While small, this museum is really worth your time to visit given its comprehensive exhibits about Mayan textile, festivals, and their presences in Guatemala. The presentations include videos, exhibits, and figures. We learnt a lot about the Mayan textiles more than anywhere we visited in Mexico.
3. Museo Popol Vuh
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
This is one of Central America's most famous Maya art museums. Its collection is renown due to its large number of funerary urns. It also includes unique Maya pottery pieces and other artifacts spanning from 2000 B.C. through colonial times.
Reviewed By Suwatss - Bangkok, Thailand
This small museum is truly a gem in Guatemala and should be in anyone’s list while in town. While it is small containing only less than 10 rooms its exhibits and the way to tell the story is superb, organized chronologically in five segments starting from pre-columbian period (before 1500s BC) down classic and colonial period (1600s-1800s). There are many interesting pieces exhibited and related to many tribes including Mayan in Guatemala. Tip. Don’t miss the twin museum of Ixchel showcasing Mayan textiles. Tip. It is a bit difficult to come here and we recommend to take Uber here.
4. La Aurora Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,266 reviews
The Zoo la Aurora is located just in the heart of Guatemala City, is one of the largest gardens in the city with 287 species and more than 2100 animals in the entire collection The Zoo has different areas that show to the visitors the collections divided by continents The Zoo was founded in 1924 by José Maria Orellana Government. The Zoo La Aurora receive more tan 1 5 millions of visitors yearly All the efforts are focus on the education innovation and renovation of the park The Zoo covers over an área of 15 hectares with animals from around the world some species like Humboldt Penguins chimpanzees big cats Asian elephant giraffes and the new project “El Reino Kan y sus Reptiles” that is the biggest project of the zoo history with an herpetary with more than 50 species divided by reptiles, amphibians and spiders, all of them with the ideal conditions of living.
Reviewed By Qasem_N - Halifax, Canada
Very nice zoo! Most animals are there, and it's well organized. It's very close to the airport and shopping areas. I recommend
5. Catedral Metropolitana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 519 reviews
Built between 1782 and 1868 on the edge of Plaza Mayor, this Baroque-styled church contains ornate altars, statues and colonial artwork.
Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada
Really "quite awesome" once stepped inside this cathedral was seeing its main aisle which I would just describe as one "packed with grandness" where along its both sides are not small but "quite sizeable" paintings depicting the life events of Christ (and with brief descriptions of the artists below from which can be determined the "historic ages" of the paintings themselves!) and also a "unique sight" (as such had been seen in no other cathedral before) which is that of "super-sized" medals likely kind of bigger versions of the medals awarded in this country for exceptional services & such. So yes, a big cathedral with quite plentiful to see inside where apart from those along the main aisle are also shrines & secondary altars (along the two length-side aisles) also with their own displays of interesting sculptures & such, this cathedral actually is one reminiscent for me of those in South America (with grand & ornate interiors in many of the "main cathedrals" of the cities) than in Central America (with just generally plain cathedral interiors from Panama & up with a few exceptions such as the Cathedral of Leon in Nicaragua & the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City). And with the entrance from a "pedestrian street" located on the south side, very conveniently right beside that entrance is Mercado Central (a great place for all kinds of Guatemala souvenirs & also like a food court down below for some delicious "local meals"). And yes, also definitely to stop by while at this area are the 2 sites at just a very short walk from this cathedral (to the right after coming out): the city's "main plaza" Plaza Mayor de la Constitucion (with really quite a bit of space to walk around where at about its center are a big national flag & a fountain and yes where the "west face" of this cathedral is on the Plaza's east side) and the "long building" of Palacio Nacional de la Cultura on the Plaza's north side (with 2 levels of a "fairly impressive" interior to see on an hourly-or-so "guided tour").
6. Mundo Petapa Irtra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 705 reviews
Reviewed By gilbertg835 - Guatemala City, Guatemala
Many options for everyone to enjoy a great family day. Children and teens will see that there is always something to do and to see. A good amussement park for the whole family. The zoo is a great walk experience. There are many food options and the personnel are nice people.
7. Paseo Cayala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,102 reviews
The heart of Cayala City, 63 acres of land that combine housing, dining, shopping, entertainment and business districts. With over 90 commercial concepts from coffes, shops and restaurants, a special place to share with a cultural agenda and activities all year round.
Reviewed By tomil423
Lots of shopping and eating choices. Beautiful and safe. All types of things to eat and people selling cotton candy beautiful statue in fountain.
8. Plaza Fontabella
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If you are visiting Ciudad de Guatemala, make sure to do not miss its high-end "Plaza Fontabella" mall, right at the heart of its affluent "Zona Rosa". With an attractive architectural project, which even includes a very Spanish "Plaza Mayor", you'll be able to shop and eat at a modern, comfortable and safe mall. Enjoy!
9. Oakland Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
Focused in providing a unique shopping experience from the moment you enter the mall, its 4 floors of retail, convenience parking with two thousand spaces, unique stores, fast food, cafes and restaurants make Oakland Mall a unique, surprising and different place.
Reviewed By holagato1 - Sterling, United States
Contemporary mall in the center of the city. Lots of well known brand name shops and boutiques. Major restaurant and big food court. There is a movie theater Cinépolis but didn’t check it out. From the entrance to the individual stores they take extra precautions for sanitation. They take ur temperature as u come in, then sanitizer stations through out the mall. I felt very safe.
10. Zona Viva
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 333 reviews
A swinging nightlife kicks in when the sun goes down in this cosmopolitan part of town, which by day is filled with business crowds.
Reviewed By wepineda - Pembroke Pines, United States
United states kentucky fried chicken, pizza hut, McDonalds, DQ, are in Zone 10, zona viva, Los proceres shopping plaza has all you need for souveniers, cell phone stores, tec, you name it. Beautiful hotels and apartment rentals. 24 La torre store on Reforma near obelisco for all your tour needs, what else can you ask as a foreigner on a tour.
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