Central America
Guatemala
Sacatepequez Department
Antigua
Things to do in Antigua
Arco de Santa Catalina
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Arco de Santa Catalina

See all things to do
See all things to do
Arco de Santa Catalina
4.5
#8 of 78 things to do in Antigua
Ancient Ruins
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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About
This monumental arch was built as a passageway between the monastery and adjoining school. The buildings were constructed to accommodate an increase in religious followers during the 17th century.
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The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
425 within 5 kms
El Criollo
216
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Grill • Guatemalan
FRIDAS
1,285
28 m$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Latin • Bar
Fernando's Kaffee
742
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • International • Guatemalan
Hector's Deli
147
0.5 km$ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Epicure Restaurant
1,046
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • European • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
La Bruja
633
0.5 km$$$$ • Healthy • Central American • Vegetarian Friendly
Restaurante Las Antorchas
749
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • International • Barbecue • Grill
Hector's Bistro
1,609
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Once Once
107
0.5 km$ • Healthy • Guatemalan • Vegetarian Friendly
Sobremesa
614
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • International • Contemporary • Fusion
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Attractions
58 within 10 kms
Iglesia de La Merced
1,090
0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals
ChocoMuseo La Antigua
2,448
0.2 kmSpeciality Museums
Belfinart
6
0.1 kmArt Galleries
Maximo Nivel Guatemala
3
0.2 kmUniversities & Schools
The Plaza Central Park
1,977
0.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Convento de las Capuchinas
560
0.3 kmAncient Ruins
Mercado el Carmen
49
0.2 kmFlea & Street Markets
Centro de Formacion de la Cooperacion Espanola en La Antigua Guatemala
33
0.3 kmOperas
Museo de Arte Colonial
68
0.3 kmArt Museums
Catedral de San Jose
82
0.4 kmChurches & Cathedrals
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,723 reviews
Excellent
1,000
Very good
536
Average
175
Poor
8
Terrible
4
Robbert L
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,647 contributions
Just an arc but in a unique setting
Aug. 2023 • Family
It s just an arc but its composition, structure, color and background make it quite a unique phenomenon. Worth the look but do not stumble over the photographers.
Written August 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G A
Silver Spring, MD170 contributions
Arch for great pictures
May 2023
Go early before the crowds gather. Take a picture with Volcan de Agua as the background of the arch. Also, take a pic with Iglesia La Merced as the background. Just watch out for cars.
Written May 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cara F
Philadelphia, PA19 contributions
Go first thing in the morning to avoid crowds!
Mar. 2023 • Couples
I recommend going first thing in the morning to avoid crowds and vendors. We went at 7:30am and there was no one else there. It was awesome!
Written March 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brix510
San Jose, CA976 contributions
Obligatory place you have to go to while in Antigua
Feb. 2023
The arch is very beautiful and the history behind the fact that nuns had to walk thru there since they werent to be seen in public makes this thing even more significant. You sort of HAVE to visit here - and it is pretty.
Written March 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
professormike2017
21 contributions
Must see in in Antigua!
Feb. 2023
You are going to be walking around Antigua -- you can't miss the arch! -- we enjoyed poking in the small local shops and saw a woman with dozens of hats stacked on her head -- just like the Caps for Sale book!
Written February 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim
Escazu, Costa Rica40 contributions
really beautiful spot
Jan. 2023
Antigua is a wonderful trip and this Arco is a beautiful spot to take a photo. Iconic place to visit. There are great shops and restaurants there, too.
Written February 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
regis k
Arcadia, CA1,491 contributions
Highlight of our Antigua visit
Jan. 2023 • Couples
This iconic Arch is the reason you come to visit Antigua in Guatemala. More instagram pictures of the Arch then any other land marks in Guatemala. Few years ago it was granted UNESCO Heritage site.

This place is easy to find as it’s located just a few blocks from the Park and one block from Starbucks.

To capture the iconic photo with the view of the water Volcano with the orange ring at the peak through the Arch, you would have to come 15 mi before sunrise. At this hour, there would be no tourists and cars.

Another spot to take a gorgeous picture is just north of the Arch at the end of the street. With this angle, you would have a photo of the beautiful water volcano with orange water vapor ring in the background of the Arch.
Written February 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuateLover
Vicksburg, MI22 contributions
THIS Is The Place!
Jan. 2023
This is the most photographed spot in Antigua and with good reasons. It's beautiful. If you look north the dome of La Merced church can be nicely framed under the arch. If you look south you can position a volcano directly under it. Now imagine getting ready to take a photo and positioning your buddy in just the right spot. It's magical. But it takes a bit of time to find just the right angel, especially if you are a bit of a photographer.
The popularity of this iconic spot is becoming its own undoing. When I saw the Arc for the first time about 13 years ago it was a busy spot. But now it is so busy they set up red cones in the road in an attempt to route people into the right spot for a photo. You must wait your turn. Hurry. the police are there, presumable to help keep the traffic flowing. Here's my best advice: go at first light while the rest of the world is sleeping it off after partying the night before. You will save yourself time and hassle. And, this might be the best part, you will get better photos because the streets are less crowded.
THIS is the place!
Written January 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen L
Cambridge, UK502 contributions
A must do in Antigua
Nov. 2022 • Solo
Headed here on arrival to view the Arch and take the obligatory photo of Volcano Agua. It’s definitely framed better for photos early morning or late afternoon
Written November 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan H
Cairns, Australia1,353 contributions
Obligatory photo stop in antigua
Sep. 2022 • Couples
The Arco de Santa Catalina is a famous arch that was built in 1694 over 5a avenda Norte. It’s original purpose was to allow nuns from the Santa Catalina convent to cross the street without being seen (thus the name).

These days it’s a famous photo opportunity/postcard of your stay in antigua.

Being on the Main Street it doesn’t cost anything to ‘visit’.

You’ll only need two minutes here to take a photo and then continue on.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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