Guatemala City Historic Center

The capital was moved to its present site in 1776 after earthquakes destroyed Antigua, and the historic centre in Zone 1 is laid out around the Plaza de la Constitucion with the metropolitan cathedral on one side and the National Palace of Culture, a heavy green-tinted building of the 1940s, on another. Around the plaza run arcaded commercial streets, the central market below ground behind the cathedral, and a pedestrianised sixth avenue with cinemas and shops. The palace is visited on guided tours through its halls and courtyards.

What you'll find

• The Plaza de la Constitucion - the square the city was laid out around.
• The National Palace of Culture - guided tours of its halls and courtyards.
• The metropolitan cathedral - on the east side of the plaza.
• The central market - the underground market behind the cathedral.

When to go

November to April in the dry season. Half a day. The palace runs guided tours at set times. Sundays bring people onto the plaza and the pedestrian avenue.

Things to know

Zone 1 requires normal city caution and is best visited in daylight with little carried; take taxis or ride-hailing rather than walking between zones. Traffic and noise are heavy. Some streets a few blocks from the plaza are not advisable.

Nearby

The archaeology museum is in Zone 13; the Mapa en Relieve lies in Zone 2.