All citiesGuatemala City Things to do and walking itinerary
Guatemala Guatemala City travel guide
8 things to do in Guatemala City, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Guatemala City
- Kaminaljuyu — archaeological site (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Cathedral of Guatemala City — metropolitan cathedral in Guatemala City (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología — national museum ofpre-columbian art and mesoamerican archaeology and ethnology in Salón City, Guatemala (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno "Carlos Mérida" — art museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Da'wah Mosque of Guatemala — mosque in Guatemala City, Guatemala (visit ≈ 30 min)
- La Aurora Zoo — zoo in Guatemala (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Santo Domingo Church in Guatemala City — church building in Guatemala City, Guatemala (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Museum of the Holocaust (Guatemala) (visit ≈ 120 min)
1-day Guatemala City walking itinerary
Starting point: Zona 10 / Zona Viva. The top 4 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 7.3 km · 9,900 steps · 1 h 37 min on the way): Da'wah Mosque of Guatemala → La Aurora Zoo → Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología → Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno "Carlos Mérida"
Where to stay in Guatemala City
- Zona 10 / Zona Viva: The safest area, packed with hotels, restaurants and bars.
- Zona 4 / 4 Grados Norte: Cafés and art spaces on regenerated streets.
- Zona 1 (Historic Centre): Cathedral and National Palace are here; visit by day, take a taxi at night.
- Zona 14: Calm and leafy, with big hotels and restaurants.
Getting from the airport to Guatemala City
- La Aurora (GUA): The airport is inside the city; official taxi or Uber to Zona 10 ≈ 15–20 min.
Getting around
Transmetro buses serve the centre, but Uber is the easiest and safest option for visitors. At night call a car rather than walk.
Classic places to eat
- Bar El Portal: In Zona 1 since 1932; an old bar once visited by Che Guevara.
- Fu Lu Sho: Decades-old Chinese-Guatemalan diner on Sexta Avenida.
- Arrin Cuan: Since 1983; famous for kak’ik, the turkey soup from Cobán.
- Kacao: Traditional Guatemalan food under a thatched roof in Zona 10.
- Mercado Central: Behind the cathedral; local lunch at the lower-level stalls.
- Altuna: Decades-old Basque restaurant; seafood and paella.
Romantic views
- Cerrito del Carmen (Sunset): From the little hill with its old church you see the city and volcanoes.
- Paseo de la Sexta (Evening): The historic pedestrian avenue is lively with lights and street music at night.
- Plaza de la Constitución (Evening): Framed by the cathedral and National Palace, the square is lovely when lit.
Football stadiums in Guatemala City
- Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores: Home of Comunicaciones F.C.
- Estadio Cementos Progreso: Home of Comunicaciones F.C.
Good to know before visiting Guatemala City
- Fine: Drug offences carry severe penalties.
- Warning: Crime is high in some areas; avoid walking at night and don't show valuables.
- Warning: Hike volcanoes only with a guide.
- Warning: Local "chicken buses" carry high theft and accident risks.
- The currency is the quetzal.
- Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often; check official government sources before you travel.
- Emergency: police 110, ambulance 128, fire 122
- Plugs: A/B, 120V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Guatemala, Wikivoyage — Guatemala, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Guatemala City travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Guatemala City?
- The top 4 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
- What are the top things to do in Guatemala City?
- Highlights: Kaminaljuyu, Cathedral of Guatemala City, Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología, Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno "Carlos Mérida" and Da'wah Mosque of Guatemala. The map has 8 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Guatemala City?
- Zona 10 / Zona Viva: The safest area, packed with hotels, restaurants and bars. Other options: Zona 4 / 4 Grados Norte, Zona 1 (Historic Centre) and Zona 14.
- How do you get from the airport to Guatemala City city centre?
- La Aurora (GUA): The airport is inside the city; official taxi or Uber to Zona 10 ≈ 15–20 min.
- How do you get around Guatemala City?
- Transmetro buses serve the centre, but Uber is the easiest and safest option for visitors. At night call a car rather than walk.
- What is the emergency number in Guatemala City?
- Emergency: police 110, ambulance 128, fire 122.
- Do you tip in Guatemala City?
- About 10% is customary.
Nearby cities
San Salvador · Belmopan · Tegucigalpa · Managua · Oaxaca de Juárez · Cancun · San José · Mexico City
All cities