Iximché
The ancient capital of the Kaqchikel Maya kingdom; in 1524 the Spanish founded Guatemala's first capital nearby.
Iximché was built around 1470 and served as the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya during the Postclassic period. In 1524 the Kaqchikel allied with the Spanish conquistadors, and that same year the Spanish founded Guatemala's first capital nearby. The alliance later broke down and the city was burned. The site sits on a pine-covered highland and includes a ballcourt, temple platforms and a palace plaza. Maya priests still hold ceremonies at the altars, so please be respectful. Admission is about 50 quetzales, and there is a small museum at the entrance. It is about 60 km from Antigua, roughly 1.5 hours by car.
Opening hours
08:00–16:30
Nearby sights
- Chichicastenango Market
- Acatenango Volcano
- San Antonio Aguas Calientes
- Finca Filadelfia
- Ruinas de La Recolección
- Mercado de Antigua
- Iglesia de La Merced
- Cerro de la Cruz