Quetzaltenango: Top 5 Art & Culture Hotspots (2025)

Quetzaltenango, so often called Xela (pronounced “Shay-la”) by pretty much everyone, is that second-largest city in Guatemala, and it’s absolutely bubbling with that history, it’s soaked in it too it’s almost dripping. Very unlike Antigua’s sometimes-overwhelming tourist vibe, Xela shows a way deeper, more authentic look into Guatemalan ways of doing things. We’re not just looking at old buildings, we’re getting up close and personal with that soul of the place – with pretty much an amazing mixture of contemporary creative ideas and traditions handed down.

I got it into my head some time ago that I was ready to spend a bit hitting up some galleries, museums, and generally drinking in as much Guatemalan heart as I could. Ready to see what makes this area actually tick? Come with me as we check out some seriously not to be missed spots for that art and culture nutcase visiting Xela! Read our full review: Quetzaltenango Art Culture Full Review and Details.

1. Templo de Minerva: A very Grand Entrance into Xela’s Story

That Templo de Minerva is a little unusual in that, just a bit outside the city center, it stands as this proud statement from way back at the start of the 1900s when dictator Manuel Estrada Cabrera was in charge. So, basically what happened, he was rather a fan of anything Greek or Roman and thought every department in Guatemala should just so happen to have its very own Temple to Minerva, that’s the goddess of wisdom, alright.

What do you see as you’re going? Honestly? It’s more or less some grand old theater than your very conventional temple. The whole shebang is this huge open-air place that’s seen its fair share of plays, big political events, and pretty much any kind of town celebration you can possibly conjure up. Today, is that area, in some respects, showing its years? Well definitely. Does that almost falling-apart feel actually make it just a little cooler to check out? It just could, arguably. This is way beyond your average tourist trap – very seriously soak up this Guatemalan story from a front-row seat!

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2. Museo Ixkik’: Basically Guatemalan Dress-Up Through the Times

Interested in clothing, you know, as wearable art? That Museo Ixkik’ in Xela basically shows off some truly amazing collection of Indigenous threads from basically all over Guatemala. If you’re willing to see the story sewn up in any shawl or skirt – pretty much that history of what those Maya people went through is completely right here.

What does it look like in practice? We’re looking at clothes and jewelry with deep family importance; just some stories handed down through many generations, woven, basically, into every thread. And also? This ain’t really just a ‘look but don’t touch’ type place. You can just try the pieces on and kind of see what it looks like! The owner, Carmelita, actually wants everyone getting involved with culture, really. It is like a very serious invitation to try it out yourself and feel how it is that culture almost comes alive. Really, don’t just be shy!

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3. Centro Intercultural de Quetzaltenango: More or Less a Living, Breathing Art Project

Very situated in the very heart of Xela, Centro Intercultural is that place where that culture never stops bubbling, I mean truly never. Just go into any corner, and chances are that something totally amazing will be going on, it will be, alright! We are talking art showings, theater that has no rules, movie get-togethers – if there’s really something creative occurring in Xela, this is where it hangs out, that is for certain.

Actually pop in and see what’s what during that trip, and, who knows, just maybe you’ll find any underground filmmaker’s showing, any dancing thing that will leave that jaw just dropped open, basically anything that could actually become your favorite travel memory! Are you just getting around town for some days? Very many activities take place throughout, you see? Also? I’m just telling you – don’t just even skip taking some selfies inside because those building are as picturesque. Now, isn’t that nice?

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4. Pasaje Enriquez: Pretty much Step Back into Very Old Xela

More or less that Pasaje Enriquez takes you back when the town got its start as some major place. Just picture any turn-of-the-century shopping center here! Its very architecture does reflect any elegance from yesteryear; those pretty archways and complicated details – any photographer here will just live for it. Yet, it’s just not really old brick, mind!

What should be on your radar there right now? Besides just walking down to take photographs? Actually see if those unique little shops have any handicrafts which tell stories themselves. Maybe just linger over any latte at that very local café so that one just gets a feeling for that Xela routine? More or less that Pasaje manages, somehow, to sit in time which gives you any perfect space when it’s needed so one can both take breather as you’re travelling as one appreciates whatever things are that you’ve seen so far. Don’t just rush through!

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5. Cemetery: Very Not Creepy, a bit Amazing

Alright, so hear me. I do fully understand if it’s that case one sees just cemeteries showing up within any tourist guides with kind of lifted eyebrows. I’m being for real, alright, those central burial grounds are almost Xela must-see! What makes it rather unique? Think way above gravestones. Many plots, it is as such, turn completely, nearly, into any personal display. Families really decorate a lot with tons of things like any tiles, paints, showing bits regarding someone.

Wandering here means not just only thinking about past folks rather it just becomes any real investigation right into local folk plus one view with kind regarding afterlife here is to appreciate plus give love! Does this perhaps feel as though just touching thing especially upon perhaps that one already had some losses? Just can. Now can it perhaps even provide, in some respects, more comfort to do just celebrate any mark what one keeps leaving across our spaces instead feeling grim? Indeed seems as can too.
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Read our full review: Quetzaltenango Art Culture Full Review and Details