In a nutshell
- Quito is the capital of Ecuador and sits in the highlands at an elevation of 2,850 meters. A visit to this stunning colonial city is a must on any Ecuador vacation.
- Here we show you the 10 best things to do in Quito, plus the top day trip destinations in the surrounding area.
- We also share practical advice on getting there, getting around, staying safe, and our personal hotel recommendations for the city.
- Ready? Let’s dive into our favorite Quito attractions and tips — everything you need to make the most of your visit.
Orientation: Our Quito Sights Map
Quito is the capital of Ecuador and usually the first stop on a trip through the country. It’s located in the north, stretching about 60 kilometers long and only about four kilometers wide.
To give you a better overview of the city, we’ve marked all our recommended spots in Quito — plus the best day trip destinations — on a map below.
What are the must-sees in Quito?
In our opinion, a city trip to Quito is absolutely worth it — the city is genuinely beautiful. These are the 10 most important things to do in Quito, all of which you can cover within three days.
- Old Town
- El Panecillo
- Basilica del Voto Nacional
- St. Francis Church
- Plaza Grande
- Mercado Central
- Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
- Parque La Carolina
- TelefériQo
- Mitad del Mundo
Quito also makes a fantastic base for day trips into the surrounding area — there’s an incredible amount to discover nearby. We’ll get to those in a moment, but first let’s take a closer look at the top ten highlights in the city itself.
Guided Tours of Quito
A guided tour is always a great way to get your bearings in a new city. These are the Quito city tours we’d recommend:
Quito Old Town Highlights & Food Tour
Old Town of Quito
The first stop on any trip to Quito is almost always the Old Town — and rightly so. Unlike many other major cities in South America, Quito’s historic center has a serious amount to offer culturally.
The Old Town is packed with impressive churches, charming alleyways, and beautiful squares. The central hub is Plaza Grande, with the magnificent Iglesia la Compañía, the Teatro Nacional Sucre, and the St. Francis Church all close by.
Our advice? Just wander through the Old Town without a fixed plan. You can explore the entire Centro on foot.
Note: At night, stick to busy streets — the Old Town can be dangerous after dark in many areas.
El Panecillo Viewpoint
From almost anywhere in downtown Quito, you can spot the hill El Panecillo with the Virgen del Panecillo statue perched on top.
It’s the city’s most popular vantage point, and the panoramic view from the top is stunning. There are steps leading up from the city center, but avoid them — they’re very deserted and muggings happen there regularly.
Take a taxi up instead. The viewpoint itself is safe, with plenty of tourists around.
Basilica del Voto Nacional
The largest and most impressive church in Quito is the Basilica del Voto Nacional. It sits a little outside the city center but is still within walking distance.
Known as the largest neo-Gothic church in the Americas, it’s seriously impressive from the outside. Honestly, the interior didn’t blow us away quite as much — but the exterior alone makes it worth the trip.
The real highlight is the two towers, which you can climb for $2 USD. Take the elevator if you want to take it easy, or hike up for the full experience. The views from the top are great, and there are some lovely cafés inside the towers too.
Plaza Grande
Plaza Grande is the main square and the beating heart of the Old Town. You’ll find the Catedral Metropolitana de Quito and the Presidential Palace right here, along with a small park with plenty of benches — perfect for people-watching.
Running along Plaza Grande is García Moreno, one of Quito’s oldest streets, lined with charming coffee shops. It intersects with the shopping street Chile at the plaza, where you’ll find plenty of stores worth browsing.
St. Francis Church
Rounding out the historic center highlights is the St. Francis Church — one of the oldest and best-preserved churches in Quito.
It dates back to the 16th century and is part of the Franciscan monastery. It’s absolutely worth going inside, as the interior is just as impressive as the exterior.
If you can’t get enough of Quito’s great overlooks, do the tower climb here too. Admission to the Basilica San Francisco and the towers is $2 USD.
Mercado Central
The Mercado Central is our top lunch recommendation in Quito, full stop. You’ll find loads of typical dishes and freshly squeezed juices, all in excellent quality. We ate here almost every day and were never disappointed.
Don’t miss the Ceviche de Camarón and Encebollada (fish soup) — both are seriously delicious.
Beyond the food stalls, the market also sells fresh fruits and vegetables if you want to pick up supplies.
Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
Another really worthwhile market in Quito is the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal. La Mariscal is Quito’s new town, located about three kilometers north of the historic center.
At the artisan market you’ll find a huge selection of textiles, jewelry, and much more — it’s the perfect place to pick up souvenirs or a traditional Ecuadorian poncho.
Note: Always negotiate the prices a little, otherwise you’ll end up overpaying quickly.
Parque La Carolina
Parque La Carolina is a beautiful, sprawling green space just north of La Mariscal. It’s one of the city’s largest parks and perfect for escaping the urban buzz for a few hours.
Beyond a leisurely stroll, there are plenty of fun things to do here — including paddle boating and a great selection of playgrounds for kids.
The park is especially popular with sports enthusiasts. There’s a running track, lots of outdoor fitness equipment, and various sports courts. And if you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to exercise at over 2,500 meters above sea level, now’s your chance to find out.
TelefériQo
Right next to Quito rises the Pichincha volcano, topping out at around 4,800 meters. You can ride up on the TelefériQo cable car — the trip takes 18 minutes and the views from the gondola itself are already pretty spectacular.
At the top station, you can soak in the incredible panorama from a great café, or push on and hike all the way to the summit of the volcano. Only attempt the summit if you have mountain experience — the weather can change fast and the altitude makes it seriously strenuous.
The easiest way to reach the cable car station from downtown is by taxi. A ride on the TelefériQo costs $9 USD per person.
Mitad del Mundo
The equator runs just 25 kilometers north of Quito — and that’s exactly where the Mitad del Mundo monument was built. “Equator” in Spanish is Ecuador, which is also how the country got its name.
The big draw here is getting a photo of yourself standing half in the Southern Hemisphere and half in the Northern Hemisphere. There’s also a spot where you can balance an egg on a nail without it falling over — pretty cool, right?
Around the monument you’ll also find a planetarium and several museums to explore.
Admission to Mitad del Mundo is $5 USD.
Guided tour to Mitad del Mundo including admission
Day Trips from Quito
Quito is a great base for day trips into the surrounding area — there’s an incredible amount to discover. You can check out these highlights in Ecuador on a day trip from Quito, or stay overnight for a night or two.
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is Ecuador’s most famous volcano. It sits about 50 kilometers south of Quito, is very active, and rises to an elevation of 5,897 meters. You have several options for visiting.
The most convenient is a day trip from Quito. You’ll drive up to the base of Cotopaxi and hike a short distance to the mountain refuge, then head back to the capital in the afternoon.
If you want to soak in those breathtaking views for longer, you can also spend a night at the refuge. For experienced hikers, it’s possible to summit Cotopaxi — the view from the top is incredible, but you’ll need excellent fitness and stamina.
Note: The summit hike is often not possible because Cotopaxi is very active. Always check current conditions beforehand. An alternative for active travelers is the ascent of Chimborazo.
Cotopaxi day tour to the refuge from Quito
Laguna Quilotoa
The Quilotoa lagoon is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Ecuador for us, and it’s only 150 kilometers south of Quito.
The lagoon sits inside a volcanic crater, on the rim of which lies the namesake village of Quilotoa, with several accommodations to choose from.
If you spend a night in Quilotoa, don’t miss the 10-kilometer hike around the crater lake — you can take stunning photos from every angle along the way.
On a day trip from Quito, you won’t have time for the full loop. Instead, hike down from the village to a small beach on the lagoon and back up in the afternoon.
Our hotel tip for Quilotoa: Runa Wasi Quilotoa
Day trip to Laguna Quilotoa from Quito
Otavalo Market and Laguna Cuicocha
About 90 kilometers north of Quito lies the city of Otavalo, world-famous for its artisan market. Here you’ll find high-quality textiles that are sold all over the world.
The market runs daily on the Plaza de Ponchos, but the real highlight is Saturday, when it spreads throughout the entire city.
Just about 20 kilometers outside Otavalo is the crater lake Laguna Cuicocha, with a loop trail around it that clocks in at a very manageable 12 kilometers. If you stay overnight in Otavalo, dedicate one day to the lagoon and one to the market.
On a day trip from Quito, you can hit both highlights in a single day — just know you won’t have time for the full loop around the lagoon.
Our hotel tip for Otavalo: Hostal La Rosa Otavalo
Guided tour to Laguna Cuicocha and Otavalo
Mindo Cloud Forest
If you want to escape the city and dive into pure nature, the Mindo Cloud Forest is your best bet. It’s only three hours away, and the landscape feels like a completely different world — no trace of big-city energy.
Lush forests, rivers, and waterfalls: Mindo is perfect for nature lovers. Popular activities include visiting a butterfly garden, cycling tours, and rafting.
We’d recommend spending a night here — there are some really great nature lodges to choose from. If you’re short on time, a day trip from Quito into the cloud forest is also doable.
Our hotel tip for Mindo: Terrabambu Lodge
Day trip to the Mindo Cloud Forest from Quito
Papallacta Hot Springs
The many volcanoes around Quito come with an unexpected bonus beyond the incredible views — and that bonus is: hot springs.
About 70 kilometers east of Quito lies the small town of Papallacta, home to wonderful thermal baths. Admission to the Balneario costs $10 USD and you can stay all day.
There’s also a wellness hotel right at the hot springs. If you’re after the full relaxation package, we’d suggest spending a night here.
Day trip to the Papallacta hot springs
Hotel Tips for Quito
We recommend staying in Quito’s Old Town — this is where most of the city’s top attractions are located. Just keep in mind that the Old Town is not safe at night. After dark, always take a taxi.
Our hotel tips for the Old Town in Quito
A great alternative is the La Mariscal neighborhood. This district has a wider selection of bars and nightlife options and is a bit safer after dark.
Our hotel tips for La Mariscal in Quito
Safety in Quito
The safety situation in Quito is challenging. The city puts a lot of effort into making it as safe as possible for visitors, which is why you’ll see a heavy police presence on the streets.
In our experience, you can visit Quito without any problems as long as you follow a few basic safety rules. Personally, we had no issues and felt safe the whole time.
That said, calling Quito a safe city would be a stretch — we met several tourists who had been robbed during their stay.
Also read our travel tips for Ecuador
The most important safety rules for Quito
During the day, both the Old Town and La Mariscal are relatively safe. You can explore on foot just fine — the key is to keep your valuables on your person and not in your backpack. Leave your passport at the hotel.
Avoid non-tourist and deserted areas at all times of day. At night, don’t walk anywhere or take the bus — always get around by taxi after dark. It’s much safer and taxis are cheap.
Getting to and Around Quito
Here’s everything you need to know about getting to Quito and getting around once you’re there.
Getting to Quito by plane
Flights into Quito land at Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO). There are currently no direct flights to Quito from most international hubs — you’ll need to connect, for example through Madrid or Bogotá.
From the airport, the best option is to take a taxi or a private transfer to your accommodation.
Transfer from Quito Airport to your hotel
Getting to Quito by bus
If you’re arriving by bus from Colombia, Peru, or another Ecuadorian city, you’ll pull into one of two bus terminals in Quito.
Coming from the north (e.g., from Colombia or Otavalo)? You’ll arrive at Terminal Carcelén in northern Quito. Coming from the south (Peru, Cuenca, Baños, the beaches of Ecuador, etc.)? You’ll arrive at Terminal Quitumbe in the south.
From both terminals, you can take a taxi or bus into the center of Quito.
Taxi and Uber in Quito
Ride-sharing apps like Uber are technically illegal in Ecuador, though Uber does work in Quito. To get around legally, it’s better to use a taxi — just make sure to always use an official provider.
Buses in Quito
The bus system in Quito works well but can be a little tricky to navigate, since timetables and route maps aren’t posted anywhere obvious.
The main network is the Metrobus system, which runs along dedicated lanes on Quito’s main roads. A ride costs 35 cents, paid in cash at the stations. Once you’re in the Metrobus network, you can transfer as many times as you like at no extra cost.
Google Maps does show bus connections, but the information isn’t always accurate — it’s best to ask at the stations how to get where you’re going. From both terminals, Carcelén and Quitumbe, you can take the Metrobus directly to the city center.
Beyond the Metrobus, there are also regular city buses where you pay the 35 cents directly to the driver at the front.
