Ruta de las Flores — A scenic road through the coffee-growing western highlands, connecting a string of small towns known for their weekend food markets, handicrafts, and colonial churches. Juayúa, Apaneca, and Ataco are the main stops. Weekends are best, when the towns come alive with food stalls.
Santa Ana Volcano — At 2,381 metres, this is the country's highest peak and most impressive hike. The summit rewards with views of a turquoise crater lake and, on clear days, much of western El Salvador. Access is from Cerro Verde National Park, where rangers lead guided hikes on weekends.
Joya de Cerén — A UNESCO World Heritage Site, sometimes called the Pompeii of the Americas. A Maya farming village was buried under volcanic ash around 600 AD and excavated with remarkable completeness — pots, tools, and food stores still in place. Located about 35 km west of San Salvador.
Tazumal — The most significant Maya archaeological site in El Salvador, near the city of Chalchuapa. The pyramid complex dates back to around 100 AD. The attached museum has good context. Often combined with a visit to Santa Ana.
La Libertad and El Tunco — The country's surf coast. El Tunco is a small beach town about 40 km southwest of San Salvador with reliable waves, a backpacker scene, and plenty of cheap seafood. La Libertad has the best fish market and seafood restaurants on the coast.
Suchitoto — A well-preserved colonial town on the northern shore of Lake Suchitlán. The whitewashed church, cobblestone streets, and good restaurants make it a popular weekend destination for San Salvador residents. A relaxed place to base yourself for a day or two.
Izalco Volcano — Known as the Lighthouse of the Pacific for its near-constant eruptions in the 18th and 19th centuries. Now dormant but still dramatic, accessible from Cerro Verde alongside Santa Ana Volcano.