10 Fascinating Museums in Antigua: From Mayan Civilisations to Spanish Colonisation

Discover the top exhibitions in Antigua, from fun attractions and art galleries to Colonial and Mayan museums.

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Visiting a museum might be one of the best things to do in Antigua on a rainy day, but you don’t need to wait until the weather goes sour to pop into one of the city’s fascinating exhibits and boutique galleries. Beyond the cobblestone streets and pastel-painted façades, Antigua has a rich history that many travellers don’t bother to uncover.

While Antigua’s history is evident on every street corner, with colonial churches and crumbling convents scattered across the city, the best way to really learn about them is to visit one of the many museums. From traditional artworks and restored houses to sacred relics of the Maya civilisation and culinary tours, each collection and exhibition offers a glimpse into Antigua’s layered past – plus, many of these museums are completely free! Discover the museums in Antigua, from chocolate and coffee exhibitions to art galleries and ancient ruins, in this complete guide.

Which museums to visit in Antigua (and which to skip)

Deciding which museums to visit in Antigua really depends on your interests – whether you’re drawn to art, history, or hands-on cultural experiences is up to you and how you like to spend your time.

If you love learning through interaction, there are plenty of museums that offer workshops or live demonstrations, like chocolate-making or textile weaving, rather than those that simply display artefacts behind glass.

History buffs will enjoy the colonial and archaeological collections housed in grand old buildings, while art lovers might prefer smaller galleries and cultural centres that host rotating exhibitions by Guatemalan artists in leafy courtyards.

On the other hand, some museums can feel repetitive, very small, or dare I say boring, especially those with minimal English signage or limited curation – they might be worth a peek if you have extra time, but can be skipped if you’ve got a tighter Antigua itinerary.

Map of museums in Antigua, Guatemala

We’ve pinned all our recommended museums to visit in Antigua on the map below.

The best museums in Antigua

Here are all the top and lesser-known museums in Antigua.

1. Chocolate Museum

Did you know Guatemala is named the ‘birthplace of chocolate‘? The production of cocoa dates back to the ancient Maya, who considered cacao a sacred gift from the gods. One of the most fun and interactive museums in Antigua, the ChocoMuseo (Chocolate Museum) celebrates Guatemala’s deep connection to cacao.

Inside, you can learn how chocolate is made from bean to bar, browse tasty souvenirs, and even join a chocolate-making workshop where you roast and grind your own cacao beans.

Small exhibits explain how the ancient Maya used cacao for rituals and as currency long before it became a sweet treat. There’s also a café serving delicious hot chocolate, brownies, ice cream, and chocolate-infused coffee.

Located in the heart of town, right on Parque Central, it’s free to enter, with workshops costing from $15-$25 USD.

2. National Museum of Guatemalan Art

Housed in the beautifully restored Royal Palace of the Captains General (Palacio de los Capitanes Generales), the National Museum of Guatemalan Art (Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala), known as MUNAG, showcases centuries of Guatemalan creativity.

Inside, you’ll find a stunning collection of paintings, sculptures, and religious art that trace the country’s evolution from pre-Columbian times to the modern era. It features a mix of traditional art and Mayan relics, alongside interactive displays and multimedia installations.

The building itself is a piece of art, with arched corridors, a balcony that overlooks the central square, and a courtyard, which offers amazing views of the city’s rooftops and volcanoes.

Also located on Parque Central, opposite the ChocoMuseo, the National Museum of Guatemalan Art is completely free to enter.

3. Museum of Santiago of the Knights

The Museum of Santiago of the Knights (Museo Santiago de los Caballeros) brings Antigua’s past to life through a fascinating collection of artefacts, furniture, and architectural remnants from the colonial era. It’s named after Antigua’s old Spanish name, Santiago de los Caballeros, from when the city served as the capital of the Spanish Kingdom of Guatemala.

Just like MUNAG, it’s housed inside the Royal Palace of the Captains General and is free (bring a photo of your passport or a copy of the page to get a ticket), but entry is through the main square, not down the side street. As you wander through its restored halls, you can admire original stone columns, carved wooden doors, and elegant courtyards that once hosted Spanish governors.

Through maps, models, and historical displays, you can trace how the city was designed and later devastated by earthquakes, which led to the relocation of the capital city to what is present-day Guatemala City. The museum also explores daily life in colonial times, from trade and religion to architecture and education. You can also pick up a radio, which provides audio commentary that explains more about what you’re looking at.

4. Santiago Cathedral Ruins

Adjacent to both the Royal Palace of the Captains General and the ChocoMuseo, sits San José Cathedral, one of the most impressive churches in Antigua. With its white-washed, Baroque-style façade, this is the city’s main functioning church, but it hides a fascinating museum: the ruins of Santiago Cathedral.

The original 16th-century cathedral, the Santiago ruins are a result of the 1773 earthquake, which devastated many of the city’s buildings. While you can enter the San José Cathedral for free, it’s worth paying the small fee of 20Q (~$2.60 USD) to enter the ruins behind it. Here, you can wander through tall archways that once held up the domed roof, crumbling chapels, and two underground crypts.

While it’s less a traditional museum and more an open-air exhibition of the preservation of Antigua’s ecclesiastical heritage, the ruins are worth visiting if you’re interested in history and are a popular backdrop for photographs.

5. Casa Santo Domingo

A museum complex turned luxury hotel, Casa Santo Domingo was built on the site of a former Dominican monastery, beautifully preserved with ancient ruins. Inside, you’ll find 6 museums and 3 art galleries showcasing colonial art, archaeology, sculpture, and contemporary works, all connected by candlelit corridors and landscaped gardens, including a:

You don’t need to be a guest at Casa Santo Domingo Spa Hotel to visit (although it does give you free entry) – you can explore a large portion of the ruins for free, while entry to the museums and private areas costs 50Q (~$6.50 USD).

Highlights include pre-Columbian artefacts and stunning religious paintings, as well as colonial sculptures, antique furniture, and archaeological remnants from the original monastery. It’s one of the most popular museums in Antigua, as well as being one of Antigua’s top hotels.

6. Jade Maya

Guatemala’s ancient civilisations prized jade above gold, and the Jade Museum (Museo del Jade), also called Jade Maya, offers a fascinating glimpse into its spiritual and cultural roots. The museum displays beautifully carved jade masks, jewellery, and artefacts, many inspired by Mayan burial customs and symbolism, as well as insight into a working jade factory.

Inside, you can learn about how jade was mined, shaped, and used as a sacred stone connected to the gods. You can even take a jade workshop, where you can design, cut and carve your own piece of jade to take home with you, which is something that popular shop Casa del Jade also offers.

The onsite shop also sells high-quality jade pieces crafted by local artisans and sourced in alignment with the Maya Conservancy and Fair Trade guidelines, so it’s a great place to do some meaningful souvenir shopping in Antigua. The staff explain how to distinguish genuine jade from imitations, which is helpful if you plan to buy.

Jade Maya is located a couple of blocks east of Parque Central, with a workshop costing about $50 USD.

7. Museum of Colonial Art

If you’ve noticed the many church ruins scattered throughout the city, you might be interested in learning more about the city’s past. Discover the story of its golden age – and downfall – at the Museum of Colonial Art (Museo de Arte Colonial).

The building’s arched corridors and courtyards are as impressive as the art itself, and inside you can stroll through rooms filled with antique furniture, silverwork, and devotional pieces that reflect the city’s Spanish heritage. You’ll find a carefully curated collection of colonial-era paintings, sculptures, and religious relics from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Located down the street from Parque Central, it occupies the former San Carlos University, one of the oldest universities in the Americas, and entrance is completely free!

8. Museum of Saint Hermano Pedro

The Museum of Hermano Pedro (Museo Del Hermano Pedro) tells the story of Saint Hermano Pedro de San José Betancur, Guatemala’s first saint. It is located inside the grand San Francisco Church, which houses his tomb, making it a significant pilgrimage site for those wishing to see his final resting place.

Saint Hermano Pedro was known for his compassion and charity, founding a hospital for the poor close to where his tomb now rests. Inside the small museum, you’ll find personal items, letters, and relics that reveal his deep faith and humanitarian work. It’s 40Q (~$5.20 USD) to enter, and it’s important to note that photography is prohibited inside.

9. Museum of the Old Weaving House

You’ve probably seen Guatemala’s vibrantly coloured textiles in souvenir shops, but if you’re curious to learn more about them, head to the Museum of the Old Weaving House (Museo Casa del Tejido Antiguo). A small but fascinating museum in Antigua, it celebrates traditional Mayan weaving and clothing from different regions of the country.

You can see live demonstrations of backstrap loom weaving and learn about the symbolism behind colours and patterns that are chosen for each piece. Exhibits showcase ceremonial garments, headdresses, and intricate embroidery techniques passed down through generations, while local guides explain everything in detail for only 20Q (~$2.60 USD) per person.

The museum also supports indigenous women artisans by selling handmade textiles in its shop. You can even take a weaving workshop, where you can learn the techniques of the backstrap loom.

It’s located about 20 mintues’ drive from Antigua, so it is more commonly visited as a day trip from Antigua.

10. Casa Popenoe

A beautifully restored 17th-century home, Casa Popenoe is one of the best examples of colonial domestic architecture in Antigua. The house was saved from ruin in the 1930s by Wilson Popenoe and his wife, who meticulously restored it with period furnishings and local craftsmanship. It now functions as a museum showcasing antique furniture, art, and architecture.

You can take a 90-minute guided tour for 100Q (~$12 USD) per person to uncover details about daily life during Antigua’s colonial heyday, from the elegant courtyard to the rustic kitchen. It also has a rooftop with panoramic views of the city and its volcanoes. Visits are by appointment, so it’s worth booking ahead.

Other Museums in Antigua

Antigua has lots of museums, and you probably won’t be able to visit them all. Here are some that didn’t make our list:

Planning a trip to Antigua?

Prepare for your trip to Antigua with our comprehensive travel guides! They include lots of handy tips like how to get to the city and get around, as well as the best things to do, tours, accommodation, restaurants, and more.

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