TrekUnity
When
April
Attendance
hundreds of thousands
Admission
Free
Setting
Outdoor
Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua Guatemala is one of the most spectacular Easter celebrations in the world — a week of solemn, incense-filled processions carrying enormous ornate floats (andas) over intricate, brilliantly colored "alfombras" (carpets) of dyed sawdust, flowers, and fruit laid across the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO colonial city.
Set beneath volcanoes and ruined baroque churches, the devotion, artistry, and scale make it a profound and unforgettable cultural experience.
Want to go? Turn Semana Santa in Antigua into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Holy Week (March or April), peaking Good Friday
Admission
Free to witness
Parking
Streets close for processions and carpets — Antigua is walkable; base in town and explore on foot.
Nearest airport
Guatemala City (GUA) — ~1 hr
Typical weather
Warm, dry highland spring — 70s °F days, cool evenings; comfortable for long processions.
Official website
Location
Antigua, Guatemala
Where to stay
Casa Santo Domingo
A hotel in a restored colonial monastery.
Pensativo House Hotel
Charming boutique stay in the center.
Antigua guesthouses
Colonial courtyards near the processions.
Where to eat & drink
Pepián & Guatemalan fare
The rich national stew and Holy Week specialties.
Antigua coffee
Some of the world's finest, grown on the slopes around town.
Mercado & street food
Local market eats and Semana Santa treats.
Nearby attractions
Santa Catalina Arch
The iconic yellow arch framing Volcán de Agua.
Colonial church ruins
Baroque ruins across the earthquake-shaped city.
Volcano hikes (Pacaya/Acatenango)
Active-volcano adventures nearby.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + old town
- •Fly into GUA
- •Afternoon: Santa Catalina Arch + church ruins
- •Evening: Guatemalan dinner + coffee
2Alfombras + procession
- •Dawn: watch families build sawdust carpets
- •Day: a Holy Week procession over the alfombras
3Volcano + depart
- •Morning: a volcano hike or coffee farm
- •Head to GUA
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Wake early to watch families build the sawdust alfombras.
- Book accommodation months in advance for Holy Week.
- Add a volcano hike and an Antigua coffee tour.
Frequently asked questions
When is Semana Santa in Antigua?
Holy Week — the week before Easter (March or April) — peaking on Good Friday.
What are the alfombras?
Elaborate "carpets" of dyed sawdust, flowers, and fruit that families lay across the streets for the processions to pass over.
How busy does it get?
Very — book lodging months ahead, as Antigua fills for Holy Week.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Semana Santa in Antigua or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.