The question of the best places to visit in Quito, Ecuador , begins to be answered by dividing the city into three key zones. The north is the modern hub that concentrates economic activity , the south is the residential area, and the Historic Center , declared a World Heritage Site, preserves the city's architectural and historical wonders.
Quito rises to 2,850 meters above sea level on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, making it the second highest capital city in South America. This defines its mountain climate, but also its urban layout: the city stretches along a narrow Andean valley almost 50 kilometers long, flanked by the eastern and western mountain ranges.
In this article, we'll detail what to do in Quito's Historic Center and its pedestrian routes among plazas and churches . We'll also cover the most interesting activities and excursions around the city's political and cultural heart , such as the Middle of the World monument, the Otavalo market, and the surrounding volcanoes. And you'll find alternatives for exploring the area surrounding the capital , where unmissable natural attractions await.
If you want to make the most of your trip, we recommend checking out our excursions and tours in Quito . You'll discover the best of the city with a specialized local guide at the best price.
Now then, let's begin!
Things to do in Quito's historic center: Squares and churches
Quito's Historic Center covers 320 hectares and boasts over 130 buildings and dozens of churches constructed between the 16th and 20th centuries . The best way to explore it is on foot, although it's recommended to walk slowly on the first day to avoid altitude sickness.
The best place to start is Independence Square . Known locally as Plaza Grande, this esplanade serves as the political center of the country. Surrounding it are four key buildings that represent historical power: the Carondelet Palace , the seat of the national government; the Archbishop's Palace ; the Municipal Palace ; and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito .
Just two blocks west, walking along Sucre Street, you'll reach the immense Plaza de San Francisco . The architectural complex that dominates this space is the Church and Convent of San Francisco , the largest religious building in the Americas, covering almost three hectares. Its construction began in 1535 and it combines Mudéjar, Mannerist, and Baroque styles.
The best way to explore this extensive heritage is with the Secrets of Quito Experience . This half-day city tour includes hotel pickup and a guided tour of the churches of San Francisco and La Compañía . The itinerary also includes a visit to the El Panecillo hill viewpoint , home to the statue of the Winged Virgin and offering an excellent panoramic view of the city. Finally, you'll enjoy a tasting of Ecuadorian chocolate in the historic center.
The Society of Jesus and La Ronda Street
Continuing our walk towards the city center, on García Moreno Street, we find the Church of the Society of Jesus . This church is considered the pinnacle of Baroque architecture in South America. Its façade was carved entirely from volcanic andesite stone, but its true allure lies within: the central vault, the altarpieces, and the columns are covered with 23-karat gold leaf .
South of the old town, descending Venezuela Street, you'll find La Ronda . This cobblestone pedestrian alley is the city's bohemian heart . Its adobe houses with wrought-iron balconies house artisan workshops, art galleries, and small eateries . It's the perfect place to try "canelazo" in the evening, a traditional hot drink made with cinnamon water, naranjilla (lulo), and sugarcane liquor.
The Basilica of the National Vow
At the northern edge of the historic center stands the Basilica of the National Vow , the largest neo-Gothic church on the continent. Unlike European cathedrals, the gargoyles on its facade have been replaced by sculptures of animals endemic to Ecuador , such as Galápagos tortoises, armadillos, and condors. Metal staircases lead to the main towers, offering panoramic views of the entire old city.
High-altitude viewpoints: the Quito cable car
Due to its location in a valley, the city boasts excellent natural viewpoints. The most spectacular option is the Quito Cable Car, commercially known as TelefériQo . The cabins depart from the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, at an altitude of 2,950 meters, and in just 18 minutes ascend to the Cruz Loma station, located at 3,945 meters above sea level .
The view from this point encompasses the entire length of the capital. On clear days, it allows you to see the Avenue of the Volcanoes , where the snow-capped peaks of Cotopaxi, Cayambe, and Antisana , among others, rise .
At the top station, you'll find cafes like Cruz Loma Café and giant swings suspended over the precipice . Additionally, the 5-kilometer trekking trail to the summit of Rucu Pichincha volcano begins here.
Day trips from Quito: the Middle of the World
Looking for things to do in Quito inevitably means venturing north from the city limits. 26 kilometers from the historic center along Avenida Manuel Córdova Galarza lies the parish of San Antonio de Pichincha , home to the equator that divides the planet into two hemispheres.
The Middle of the World City complex features a 30-meter-high pyramidal monument topped with a globe . A yellow line painted on the ground marks latitude 0°0'0''. Two hundred meters away is the Intiñán Site Museum , which claims to be located on the true equator, calculated using GPS. In this interactive museum, guides conduct physical demonstrations of water rotation in different hemispheres and balance experiments that would only be possible on the equator.
To solve the logistics of transport to this area, the Middle of the World Tour We organize the tour as a half-day excursion. The package includes hotel pickup, safe road transfer, and admission with a guided tour of the monument complex and the Intiñán Museum.
Tourist attractions near Quito
The capital's central location makes it the perfect base for exploring the northern Andes . Among the most popular excursions from Quito , the trip to Imbabura province stands out for its rich culture. But that's not all. Let's look at other getaways and ideal plans to complete your visit.
The Otavalo and Cuicocha Market
Located 90 kilometers north of Quito is the city of Otavalo. It can be reached in about two hours via the Pan-American Highway E35. Its main attraction is the Plaza de los Ponchos, home to the largest open-air indigenous market in South America . There, the Otavalo Kichwa community dazzles locals and tourists alike with their textile skills. The market sells alpaca wool tapestries, ponchos, hats, and Andean musical instruments .
The Otavalo Market and Surroundings Tour offers a full-day itinerary to explore this region. The excursion departs early from Quito, making a brief stop in the town of Cayambe. After visiting the Otavalo market, the tour continues to the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve to see Cuicocha Lagoon, an inactive volcanic crater with two islets in its center. Finally, the tour includes a visit to leather workshops in the town of Cotacachi.
Excursions from Quito to the Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Volcanoes
Can you imagine hiking trails above 4,000 meters in altitude , through endless high-altitude grasslands, and just a few hours later finding yourself before a turquoise lagoon, hidden in the crater of a volcano? The "Avenue of the Volcanoes" is the main natural attraction of the Ecuadorian highlands. Exploring these peaks requires planning transportation to high-altitude areas.
Cotopaxi National Park
Located 60 kilometers south of Quito along the Pan-American Highway, the main entrance to Cotopaxi National Park is a natural gem among Quito's tourist attractions. Cotopaxi Volcano is one of the world's highest active volcanoes, distinguished by its perfectly snow-capped cone at 5,897 meters .
The road within the park ascends to the Limpiopungo lagoon and ends at a parking lot at 4,500 meters, from where mountaineers begin the hike to the high mountain refuge.
The perfect plan for active tourism enthusiasts is a bike tour to Cotopaxi Volcano . After the transfer from Quito and the drive up to the upper parking area, the guides distribute mountain bikes and protective gear. The descent by bike along the volcanic ash trails covers several kilometers until reaching Limpiopungo Lagoon , amidst the flora of the Andean páramo and herds of wild horses.
The Quilotoa Lagoon
Further southwest, 170 kilometers from Quito, lies the Quilotoa Lagoon. It is an immense volcanic caldera, 3 kilometers in diameter, whose crater filled with water after the volcano collapsed 800 years ago . These processes resulted in its intense emerald-green color due to the dissolved minerals.
The Quilotoa Lagoon Tour This tour combines the extensive transfer into a full-day program. The itinerary includes stops at viewpoints overlooking the Toachi River Canyon before reaching the crater rim . There is also free time to hike down to the lagoon's edge and have lunch in the local community before returning to Quito.
For those who wish to experience both geological wonders in a single day, the Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Volcano Tour is the perfect option. The first stop is at Cotopaxi National Park to observe the snow-capped cone from Limpiopungo Lagoon . Then, the tour continues south to the upper viewpoints of Quilotoa .
Beaches near Quito, Ecuador
A common question from tourists visiting the Andean capital is whether there's a way to get to the beach. Therefore, there are many inquiries about the distance from Quito to Los Frailes beach . It's located in Machalilla National Park, in the province of Manabí, almost 480 kilometers away. The overland trip takes more than 9 hours.
To access this area of the coast, the best option is to take a 45-minute domestic flight from Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) to the city of Manta (MEC), and from there travel by vehicle for an hour and a half south.
Due to its location in the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of 2,850 meters, Quito does not have ocean beaches near the city. However, there are ways to reach Ecuador's beaches for the day without disrupting your itinerary in the capital.
The closest beaches to Quito are Tonsupa and Atacames, in the province of Esmeraldas . This part of the Pacific coast is located about 320 kilometers northwest of the Ecuadorian capital, which involves a bus trip of approximately 6 to 7 hours descending the mountain range .