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15 Best Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador

Quito is a South American city nearly the size of Paris, dangling from the Ecuadorian Andean mountains at a staggering 9,350 feet above the sea. It was the first city to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rests on the equator, and is included in the Ring of Fire. Plus, it’s steeped in art and culture, boasting more than 60 museums and two dozen historical churches. And one thing is for sure, you definitely don’t want to bypass Quito on your way to the Galapagos Islands .

Instead, dedicate a few days to this iconic city. You just might find yourself standing on the equator, riding a gondola to a volcano, climbing an ancient church, riding a trolley, and so much more.

Stand on the Equator at La Mitadad del Mundo

Quito is an equatorial city famous for its interpretation of the center of the earth. The Mitatad del Mundo hovers on the outskirts of the city and is a science center, historical monument, and geographical pride-sake bundled into one. It’s where you’ll have the unique opportunity to set your compass to 00°00’00. Or, to hold hands with someone in another hemisphere. You can even spend hours in the park doing scientific experiments, gazing at the planetarium, and viewing pre-Columbian art museums. Plus, you can eat, drink, and shop without ever leaving. And don’t forget to snag that coveted passport stamp, proving you stood on the equator.

Ride the TeleferiQo Up the Pichincha Volcano

The capital of Ecuador is one of many major cities located along the Ring of Fire, aptly mixing volcano life and downtown chaos into a dazzling juxtaposition. In Quito, the epicenter of adventure begins at the TeleferiQo , a glass gondola that takes you from downtown Quito to the wilds of the Andean mountains in just 10 minutes. Once on top of the active, but currently sleeping volcano, you can embark on a full-fledged five-hour high-altitude trek to the Ruca, one of three peaks on the volcano. Or, you can simply soak up the epic views of one of the world’s highest metropolitan areas.

Play in the Park at Parque Metropolitano del Sur

If you’re one for green spaces, Quito is sure to please. The city has more than a dozen designated parks offering miles after mile of trails and forests big enough to get lost in.

The biggest is Parque Metropolitano del Sur, located on the south side of the city and harboring an astounding 1,400 acres of mountaintop splendor. It includes meandering meadows and eucalyptus groves brimming with native orchids and wildflowers plus 80-plus species of birds. Laced into that are several wooden playgrounds, rugged workout stations, and 7 miles of rugged trails.

Other Quito parks worth exploring include Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua, La Carolina Park, and La Alameda Park.

Climb the Stairs of Basilica del Voto Nacional

Start exploring Quito’s UNESCO heritage with the highlight of the skyline, Basilica del Voto Nacional. It’s the largest neo-Gothic church in South America, protruding 377 feet into the air from the historic center. The eternally incomplete architectural masterpiece is best admired from the inside, where you’ll find 24 distinct chapels, intricate stain glasswork, and unique gargoyles inspired by Ecuadorian animals. And if you’re not afraid of heights, it’s certainly worth the $2 to ascend the towers and witness Quito from the rooftop.

But don’t stop there. There are at least two dozen historic churches and convents in the ancient city. A few more worth seeing include Quito’s own take on the Sistine Chapel at  La Compañia de Jesús, and the San Francisco Convent and Monastery , the oldest monastery in South America.

Meet the Angel Overlooking Quito at La Virgen del Panecillo

The Virgen of Panecillo , or Bread Virgin, is a massive winged homage to Mary, mother of Jesus, that showers Quito with her blessing. Named for the loaf-like hill she occupies and standing at an astounding 135 feet—taller than Rio’s Christ the Redeemer—the Virgin of Pancillo is the world’s largest aluminum statue and the largest statue of Mary.

It’s an iconic experience to climb the hill and gawk at her patchwork aluminum construction. While you’re there, be sure to step into the towers that line the inside of the statue. That’s where you’ll gather fascinating pieces of her 125-year story of inception, construction, and modern-day relevance.

Gander at the La Floresta's Street Art

If art’s your thing, you can’t skip through Quito without experiencing the 21st-century influence on the city. Like many other urban centers around the globe, Quito has a special section cloaked in street art. But, in contrast to the Bohemian vibe of La Ronda, La Floresta has more of a chic, upscale ambiance emphasizing conceptual rather than traditional art. And if you ask a local, you might hear them call this ‘the area of the snobby artists.’ It’s where you’ll find walls, entire buildings, and even light poles etched in the signature art of graffiti murals. But perhaps it’s the brightly painted historic mansions and tree-lined streets wrapping around avant-garde art studios that really give this street its edge.

Stumble Through the Plaza de Independencia

Plaza de Independencia is the pocket of Quito responsible for gaining this Inca city the UNESCO stamp of approval. The agency calls it “the best-preserved, least altered historic center in Latin America.”

It’s best to save at least half a day to explore Independence Plaza, starting with a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral followed by some shopping at Palacio Arzobispal. If you’re there on Monday, be sure to pause for the 11 a.m. changing of the guards at the presidential palace, Palacio de Carondelet. Afterward, take a tour of the palace and meet the current president, Guillermo Lasso.

Go Bohemian on Calle La Ronda

Calle La Ronda offers a must-see insight into modern-day Quito, where the ancient city collides with an urban metropolis. Originally constructed by the Inca as a gateway between Quito and Cusco, a colonial neighborhood was gradually built up and around it.

Over the years, it inadvertently became a pole star for artisans, musicians, priests, poets, and travelers. And today, it retains its identity as the Bohemian center of Quito. It’s a spot where you can wander down cobblestone streets, peruse quaint galleries, and peek at artisans deep in their craft. Yet, it is also where you’ll find an array of micropubs, fine-dining establishments, and charming little chapels.

Shop for Colorful Andean Textiles

When it comes to souvenir shopping in Quito, there’s no better place to beeline than towards the artisanal markets. This is where you’ll find vibrant alpaca wool ponchos, woven tapestries, intricate pottery, Andean paintings, Panama hats, beautiful beadwork, and so much more. Start at the main artisanal market, Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal, where you’ll undoubtedly find everything you’re looking for all days of the week.

But, don’t miss the smaller, niche markets to find unique or specialty items. For those, take some time to peruse the pop-up stalls in Parque El Ejido every weekend. And the Tianguez street market in Old Town—known for its fair trade product.

Take a Sunday Bike Ride on Quito Ciclopaseo

To experience an entirely different perspective of the Andean city, immerse in a little something called the Ciclopaseo. It’s a rather inspiring effort to keep Quiteños active; a tradition of closing the main north and southbound streets from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday. The result is a casual, car-free biking route passing 17 miles through the normally congested city center. It’s the perfect way to mingle with the locals and experience the distinct culture of Quito. Just grab a bike, your skates, or even a stroller and jump into this Sunday ritual nearly 20 years in the making.

Eat Eclectic Ecuadorian Street Food

Quito has some very unique foods to try, and the best way to get an authentic version is on the street. Simply wait for the weekends and spill out into the open-air markets, just like the locals do.

If it’s tripa mishki (grilled cow intestines) or gautita (cow stomach and peanut soup) you’re after, head to Parque Genaro Larrea or Parque José Navarro. For Ecuadorian fish and chips, Mercado Santa Clara is the spot. For everything else, every day around the clock, Mercado Central has all the classics like empanadas, llapingachos (potato pancakes), chicarrón (fried pork), and salchipapas (French fries with hot dogs), and so much more.

Wander Through the Botanical Garden of Quito

Some call it the Eden of Quito, and perhaps it’s a worthy testament to the 200,000 square feet dedicated to four ecosystems and 1,200 species of orchids. It’s the perfect place to spend a rainy day and gawk at the majestic world of plants. The Botanical Garden of Quito is located within Parque La Carolina and has special exhibits dedicated to the Ecuadorian roses and regional medicinal plants. Depending on how much you love greenery, you could spend an hour or half a day here.

Ride the Historic Quito Trolley

An unforgettable way to see all of the major sites in the city is via the 1914 Quito City Trolley Tour. In a nod to city transport a hundred years ago, guests are picked up on the front stoop of their hotel and boarded onto a charming, red trolley. The guided tour is offered in English and shuttles passengers all around the city in about four hours. It’s a truly iconic way to visit and photograph the most iconic sites, even if you only have 24 hours in the city.

Embrace Art & Culture at Quito's Museums

If you’re one for museums, Quito is a paradise for art and culture lovers. Boasting more than 60 museums , you could literally spend weeks ducking in and out of galleries. You’ll find everything from quaint, hole-in-wall collections to sprawling, world-class establishments. But, start with one of Quito’s beloved, La Capilla Del Hombre . It’s a museum dedicated to architecture, art, and history inspired by local, contemporary artist Oswaldo Guayasamín.

Other must-see museums include the National Museum of Ecuador , the Museum of the City , the Astronomical Observatory of Quito , and the Numismatic Museum of the Central Bank of Ecuador .

Cheer at the Atahualpa Olympic Stadium

Soccer is a major pride point of the Ecuadorian culture, and there’s no better way to immerse in it than with a game at the historic Atahualpa Olympic Stadium. It was opened in 1951 and has served a key role in city and national games, including FIFA World Club qualifying matches. Be sure to wear the Ecuadorian colors of yellow, red, and blue—and plan to pay between $30 and $65 per ticket. Expect lots of noise, a rowdy crowd, flowing beer, and oodles of Ecuadorian street food.

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38 Best Things to Do in Quito: A Local’s Guide [2024]

Ecuador might be a bit overshadowed by its larger neighbors of Colombia and Peru – and best known for the Galapagos! – but mainland Ecuador and its capital of Quito have so much to offer visitors. From South America’s largest and best-preserved historic Old Town to a cool culinary scene and out-of-this-world mountain viewpoints, Quito truly has it all.

After living in Quito for two years, we’ve truly tried all the things to do in Quito – from the most well-known Quito attractions to the hidden gems we’ve discovered along the way. Read on for all the things to do in Quito that you just can’t miss, as well as our off-the-beaten-path Quito things to do and popular day trips from Quito .

This post contains affiliate links that may reward me monetarily or otherwise when you use them to make qualifying purchases – at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please read our  disclosure policy .

Best Things To Do in Quito

Visitors could easily spend a week exploring Quito and still have so much left to see and do. Even after living in Quito for two years, we still have numerous things to do in Quito that we haven’t scratched off our list.

Looking for the absolute best things to do in Quito that you can’t leave off your Quito itinerary? Here are our top recommendations:

• Explore Quito’s historic Old Town
• Ride the TelefériQo cable car
• Take in the view from Quito’s Basilica
• Shop at the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
• Visit Mitad del Mundo – the Equator!

Doing all these best things to do in Quito will take about two days in Quito , but there are so many more things to see and do that you won’t want to miss. We really recommend at least four days to explore Quito well – if you can fit it into your Ecuador itinerary ! Read on for how to enjoy these top attractions, and much more in Quito, Ecuador.

Plan a Trip to Quito

• Where to Stay in Quito, Ecuador
• Old Town Quito: Ultimate Visitor’s Guide
• 9 Best Day Trips from Quito

Things to Do in Quito

1. explore quito’s historic center.

Easily one of the best things to do in Quito is to visit the city’s beautiful historic center ; in fact, it’s a must. Quito has the largest and most well-preserved historic center in Latin America , and there is plenty to see and do here.

You’ll want to spend a few hours exploring this neighborhood and all it has to offer , popping into museums, ornate churches, restaurants, and cultural centers along the way. Among the must-visit destinations in the area are churches like the Iglesia de San Francisco and Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, the historic La Ronda, the Presidential Palace, and the Centro Cultural Metropolitano.

Read More: Old Town Quito: Ultimate Traveler’s Guide

Best Hotels & Hostels in Quito

• The Secret Garden, Quito ($)
• Selina Quito ($ – $$)
• Vista del Angel Boutique Hotel ($$)
• Hotel Carlota ($$ – $$$)
• Casa Gangotena ($$$)

2. Take in the View from the Basilica

Located on the edge of Quito’s historic center is the Basilica de Voto Nacional, one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Visiting this dramatic church and climbing its spires is one of the best things to do in Quito: not only is the building impressive, but it also provides some of the best panoramic views of the city.

Visitors can choose from a ticket to visit the interior of the church (accessible from the side), a ticket to visit the clock towers and spire (accessible from the front), or a combined ticket to access both. I’d highly recommend just visiting the clock tower and spire, as this ticket will also give you a fantastic view of the church interior as well .

Views from the clock towers are unmissable, but make sure you head to the spire for the best views. To access the spire in the back of the church, you’ll need to navigate some very steep steps and a steel ladder that you’ll probably want to avoid if you’re afraid of heights . However, the view of the city with the church’s clock towers is truly one of the most beautiful you’ll ever see, so put your fear of heights aside if you can.

3. Ride to the Top of a Volcano on the TelefériQo

Riding the TelefériQo cable car is the ultimate way to take in the city of Quito. This cable car whisks you up to the (almost) top of the Rucu Pichincha volcano for a breathtaking view of the city with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.

Try to plan your visit for a sunny morning for the best chance of getting a great view . On the clearest and sunniest days, you can see up to five snow-capped mountains and volcanos all around the city from the viewpoint. Plus, lines to ride the TelefériQo tend to form later in the day, so coming early is the easiest way to ensure you don’t have to wait.

Be aware that the elevation is HIGH here – you will likely feel winded and out of breath just walking around on the even surface at the top. Make sure to bring both your photo ID (a passport or driver’s license will work) and a warm jacket – it gets incredibly windy and cold at such a high altitude!

Reviews and Bookings: Private Quito City Tour and TelefériQo Ride

4. Stroll on La Ronda

Located in the heart of Quito’s historic center, the street known as “La Ronda” is a great place to experience some of the best of Old Town Quito ’s charm. Here you’ll find small artisan shops, restaurants selling traditional foods, and more , alongside charming colonial architecture.

Come in the evening and try an empanada de viento and canelazo – this combination of a sweet, flaky empanada with a warm (sometimes spiked) fruit beverage will warm you up on Quito’s cold nights. Don’t miss the view up the hill to El Panecillo from the corner of La Ronda and Calle Guayaquil – it’s particularly lovely illuminated at night but gorgeous any time of the day.

What To Pack for Ecuador

Check out our  Ultimate Ecuador Packing List   to help you pack for your trip – we’re sharing exactly what to bring to Ecuador and what we never travel without.

5. Take a Free Walking Tour of Quito

If you’re looking for an excellent, budget-friendly way to explore the city and see the very best of the sites, consider joining on a free walking tour of Quito. Civitatis offers two different free walking tours of Quito. These free walking tours are quite extensive, and the local guides are engaging . While the tour is free, consider leaving a tip if you can.

Make sure to sign up online with Civitatis before the tour to secure a spot for the free walking tours:

• Quito Historic Center Free Walking Tour
• Quito Markets and Shopping Free Walking Tour

6. Take in the View from El Panecillo

El Panecillo – Spanish for “the little bread roll” – is a large, rounded hill in the center of Quito that offers a great view over the city . El Panecillo is visible throughout the city thanks to the recognizable Virgen de Quito Virgin Mary statue that looks out over the city. Take a taxi or city bus to the top (do NOT walk – this can be dangerous!) of El Panecillo for the views; you’ll find a few food and handicraft vendors at the top, too.

You’ll find many lists of the best things to do in Quito that consider a trip to the top of El Panecillo as one of the best things to do in the city. Honestly, don’t think it’s that necessary of a stop – the view you’ll see from the spire of the Basilica del Voto Nacional is much, much more beautiful , as is the view from other Quito spots like Parque Itchimbia.

7. Shop at the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal

If you’re looking for handicrafts or souvenirs of any kind in Quito, the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal, in the La Mariscal neighborhood, is the place to find them. This covered market occupies an entire city block and has rows of stalls selling every artisan handicraft imaginable, including sweaters and ponchos, jewelry, hammocks, and so much more.

Come prepared to bargain, and look for at least a 30% discount off the initial asking price for most items!

If you don’t have the opportunity to head to the Otavalo market just two hours north of Quito – absolutely worth the journey! – this is where to buy your souvenirs during your time in Ecuador. If you are headed to Otavalo after your time in Quito, this is a destination you can skip.

Read More : Otavalo, Ecuador: Ultimate Traveler’s Guide

8. Visit the Home of Ecuador’s Most Famous Artist

Ecuador’s most famous painter, Oswaldo Guayasamín, left behind an incredible home and museum to the care of the city of Quito, which is now one of the top attractions in Quito for art and history lovers.

A visit to what is now known as the Casa Museo Guayasamín includes a tour of his home with a guide, as well as a visit to the Capilla del Hombre (Chapel of Man) next door, where his greatest large-scale works are on display; you’ll definitely want to see both! Visitors can book their tickets online with Civitatis in advance, though they are usually available at the door.

Even if you’re not a big art fan, Casa Guayasamín boasts easily some of the best views over the city . After your visit, head about half a block down the hill to get coffee and a pastry at Omama Coffee Shop – it’s the perfect way to finish the afternoon.

9. Marvel at the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús

If you have time to see just one single historic building in Quito, make the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús in the heart of Quito’s historic center be it. This dramatic chapel is unlike any other church I’ve seen throughout all my travels in Latin America . It seems to be completely bathed in gold – it will take your breath away.

Tickets cost $5 per person; while visiting most other churches in Quito is free, this is absolutely worth the ticket price! You can book your ticket online with Civitatis .

Best Quito Tours and Experiences

• Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito
• Quito City Tour, Including Teleférico and Mitad del Mundo
• Cotopaxi & Quilotoa Day Trip From Quito
• Quito Cooking Class + Market Tour

10. Tour the Presidential Palace (for Free!)

A visit to Ecuador’s presidential palace – the most impressive building in the city’s Plaza Grande, is a fantastic look into Quito’s history, past, and present. You’ll see the formal salons and meeting rooms used for entertaining dignitaries and heads of state and even lavish gifts from famous past visitors.

You can take a free walking tour of the palace, offered every hour throughout the week (except when the Palace is closed on Mondays) . You’ll just need to sign up in advance at a ticket booth to the left of the building, between the palace and the Centro Cultural Metropolitano; make sure you have a photo ID on you for the tour to get through security.

Read More: Old Town Quito: Ultimate Guide

11. Straddle Hemispheres at Mitad del Mundo

Mitad del Mundo, or “Center of the Earth,” is where the Equator line passes across the country just a few miles north of Quito. You can’t come all the way to Ecuador without visiting the Equator, so visiting Mitad del Mundo is one of the best things to do in Ecuador.

The true equator line can be found within the Intiñan Museum ; the monument to the Equator was built on a site calculated in the 1700s before GPS correctly calculated the true equatorial line. Both sites are worth a visit – the monument is impressive and a great photo opportunity, but if you just have time to visit just one, visit the Intiñan Museum .

At the Intiñan Museum, you can try fun experiments that only work on the Equator, like balancing an egg on a nail, seeing water run through a sink in different directions north and south of the Equator, and more.

Booking a group tour of Mitad del Mundo (super affordable!) or even a tour of the Historic Center and Mitad del Mundo is one of the best ways to visit Mitad del Mundo. Slightly outside the city of Quito, public transportation takes a long time to get you here, and taxis can get more expensive, so a group tour here is definitely worth it.

If you book one excursion during your time in Quito, this one should be it! You’ll save time (and probably money on transportation, too!) and learn a lot more about these fascinating sites.

• Mitad del Mundo Tour – Monument to the Equator
• Mitad del Mundo Tour – Inti Ñan Equator Experience
• Mitad del Mundo and Quito Historical Center Tour

12. Hike to Condor Machay Waterfall

If you’re looking for an escape from Quito, head outside of the city to the neighboring Valle de los Chillos for an unforgettable day trip to the soaring Condor Machay waterfall. This off-the-beaten-path excursion takes about an hour and a half drive to reach, but it’s well worth it.

You can find excursions from Quito or travel here on your own (though you’ll need a taxi to get to the entrance of the falls) – check out our guide to Valle de los Chillos for all the details about how to get here.

You’ll hike along rocky but mostly flat areas for about 45 minutes to reach the stunning waterfall, which has carved out a large canyon, the perfect place for a picnic at the bottom of the falls , or a swim if you come prepared with a towel. Just as stunning as the waterfall is the mountainous landscape you’ll drive through to get here – it’s a stunning corner of Ecuador.

Travel Essential

Don’t think about traveling without a good  VPN (Virtual Private Network) . Using a VPN while connecting to the internet is an easy way to keep your personal information safe from hackers and trackers.  We’ve used  NordVPN  for years and couldn’t recommend it more – it’s a must for safety online, at home or abroad. 

13. Explore Sangolquí Market

Sangolquí is a town just 45 minutes outside Quito, easily accessible by public buses from the city for just a few dollars. This is a lovely escape from bustling Quito and can easily accompany a visit to the waterfall hikes to Molinuco or Condor Machay close to Sangolquí.

Other than the exciting opportunities for hikes and excursions near Sangolquí, the Sunday morning market is the real reason to visit this hidden gem of a destination. While there is a covered indoor marketplace in town, come Sunday morning, the fresh and prepared food stalls flow out into the streets. You’ll find everything from live chickens and souvenirs to Ecuador’s best street food here, making the trip well worth it!

Read More: Guide to Sangolqui and the Valle de Los Chillos

14. Explore Quito’s Most Beautiful Park

Quito has many lovely parks, but Parque Itchimbia is a hidden gem among more famous neighbors like Parque Carolina or Parque El Ejido. It may not make it onto some lists of the top things to do in Quito, but I’m out to change that!

By far my favorite park in Quito, Parque Itchimbia covers the top of a hill near Quito’s historic center and has a ton of space to explore. It has plenty of running and cycling trails that stroll up and down the hill facing Quito and the opposite valley as well. There’s also a lovely mixed-use art and event space that looks like a glass-walled palace in the heart of the park.

Don’t head out on your adventure without comprehensive travel insurance! Good travel insurance may cover lost or stolen gear, medical emergencies, delayed or canceled flights, and more.  Check out the policies available from  SafetyWing or compare plans using  Visitors Coverage .

15. Have a Beer With a View

Perched above the hillside overlooking Quito’s historic center, Secret Garden Hostel is more than just a hostel: it offers one of the city’s loveliest views from its rooftop bar, making it well worth a visit for a drink even if you’re not staying here.

Secret Garden’s rooftop bar and restaurant offers the perfect vantage point over the city’s most beautiful neighborhood, including Quito’s dramatic Basilica and El Panecillo. Come prepared to hike up a few flights of stairs to reach the terrace, however.

If you haven’t decided where to stay in Quito , Secret Garden is also my top recommendation for a fantastic place to stay in Quito on a budget . There’s nothing like starting the morning by eating breakfast on the rooftop or relaxing here after a long day of exploring the city. Rooms are comfortable, and dorm beds are inexpensive.

Read More: Where to Stay in Quito, Ecuador (On Any Budget)

16. Visit Skull Donuts

Located within walking distance of the La Mariscal neighborhood and Casa de la Cultura, Skull Donuts isn’t just any spot for a sweet treat. This fun donut shop and cafe sells delicious, handmade donuts.

Many of the unique donut flavors are special to Ecuador , including tart passionfruit (maracuyá) or blackberry (mora) flavors, along with a frequently-rotating menu of seasonal specialties. There are a few tables in the back, plus other cafe staples like sweet and savory breads , treats, and of course, coffee.

17. Enjoy Dinner With a View at Vista Hermosa

Clinging to the edge of the hillside overlooking Quito, Vista Hermosa offers one of the most incredible views at any time of day. However, evening views from this magical cliffside spot of the illuminated city and El Panecillo as the sun sets over the mountains are truly impressive. While it is a bit pricier than most standard restaurants in Quito, the food is excellent, and the experience is memorable.

If you’re planning to spend an afternoon enjoying Parque Itchimbia, dining at Vista Hermosa is the perfect way to end the day. Call ahead for a reservation on the terrace to enjoy the view – it’s the most requested area of the restaurant to enjoy, for obvious reasons.

18. Explore Casa de la Cultura

Located next to Parque El Ejido, Quito’s Casa de la Cultura offers one of the best permanent exhibits of Ecuador’s archeological and colonial history that visitors could imagine. Only have time for one museum while visiting Quito? This is the one you should add to your Quito itinerary .

Beyond just the permanent collection of treasures, Casa de la Cultura has much more to offer curious visitors. Regular events, including workshops, music and dance performances, and movie festivals held here are usually low-cost or free to visitors and are well worth looking into (check out the events listings for more details).

When we lived in Quito, we loved taking advantage of movie festivals to see brand-new Latin American movies and even were able to meet some of the directors in person. While they sometimes host English-language movies with subtitles, most movies are in Spanish. However, dance performances and concerts by Ecuadorian and Latin American groups don’t need to be translated to be enjoyed!

19. Relax With Locals at Parque La Carolina

Located in the heart of Quito and surrounded by highrises and shopping centers, Parque La Carolina is easily one of the most popular parks in Quito for locals. On weekends, the park is filled with families strolling, street food vendors, pick-up sports teams, and everything in between.

Inside this sprawling park, you’ll also find Quito’s lovely Botanical Garden, numerous sports courts, activities like horseback riding for kids, and more. It’s a great place for a picnic or people-watching, and the surrounding neighborhoods have plenty of great restaurants and cafes worth checking out.

20. Marvel at the Iglesia de San Francisco

Another one of the Old Town’s most beautiful churches, Iglesia de San Francisco has a dramatic and beautiful façade in one of the city’s largest plazas. You can visit the inside for free or take a tour, including a visit to the convent and courtyards, as well as the balcony, for a small ticket price.

Make sure not to miss the fresco on the wall near the entrance on the right side of the church – you’ll see a gruesome yet fascinating portrayal of the supposed punishments for different types of sinners.

21. Enjoy Rooftop Views and Art Exhibits at Centro Cultural Metropolitano

Located adjacent to Carondelet Palace – Ecuador’s Presidential Palace – the Centro Cultural Metropolitano is an excellent place to explore as you’re wandering through the Historic Center. This mixed-used building houses everything from an academic library and offices to restaurants and art exhibits. The free exhibits located in the salons closest to the Presidential Palace are always worth exploring and are free to visit.

For a favorite – secret! – thing to do in Quito, take in a memorable rooftop view over Old Quito and El Panecillo from the roof of the building.

Head up the main staircase to the rooftop and head to the southwest corner of the building. The building is usually quiet, and you’ll pass by offices to get there , but don’t worry – it’s fine to visit! You’ll have a lovely view over an interior patio, the domes of colonial churches, and the mountainside around Quito.

22. Take a Street Food Tour

While the culinary delights of Ecuador aren’t nearly as famous as those of neighboring Colombia or Peru, they’re nothing to be scoffed at. Rich food from the Andes Mountain region includes dishes with hundreds of varieties of potatoes and meat, while coastal cuisine highlights coconuts, plantains, and seafood.

The best way to try it all is by taking a street food tour in Quito with a local who can show you the best spots for all the Ecuadorian dishes you won’t want to miss . Looking for an even more hands-on introduction? Take a cooking class and a chef-led market tour !

23. Try Ecuadorian Food at Quito’s Markets

Mercado Central, located in the heart of Quito’s historic center, tends to be the spot most visitors head to when looking for local eats in Quito. However, Mercado Santa Clara in La Mariscal is my favorite of Quito’s markets, with everything you could be looking for and more.

It’s a bit smaller and more relaxed than Mercado Central but even more authentic. At the entrance, you’ll find vendors with some of the most colorful and artfully displayed fruit you’ll ever see.

24. Try Ecuadorian Coffee at Traviesa

While Ecuadorian coffee is often overshadowed by the beans produced by its northern neighbor of Colombia, Ecuador has some of the best ecosystems on the planet for coffee production . Quito’s burgeoning cafe scene has increased ten times in the past several years, and more local places than ever are starting to show off the richness of Ecuadorian coffee.

Cafe Traviesa is faithful to only using Ecuadorian coffee roasted and prepared in-house and highlighting its incredible diversity of flavors. It’s very modern yet still inviting, and if you’re looking for a place to get some work done, you’ll find people set up with their laptops here. Come back in the evening for local craft beer options, too.

25. Try Ecuadorian Craft Beer at Bandido

It’s no longer a secret in Quito that the craft brewery scene is growing rapidly. Craft beer-making and breweries have become so popular that they’ve begun to take hold even in smaller cities in Ecuador as a result.

By far my favorite brewery in Quito, Bandido Brewing is a small and friendly spot founded several years ago by expats from the United States. Located near the historic center, Bandido has several types of beer on rotation at all times and has great deals on flights.

Bandido also has delicious pizza and other small plates to accompany your beers and will entice you to stay with board games like Cards Against Humanity. They occasionally have live music as well!

26. Ride a Chiva to Celebrate Fiestas de Quito

If your travel coincides with the Fiestas de Quito , held each year in early December to celebrate the city’s founding, you’re in for an incredible celebration and tons of cultural events to enjoy. The city celebrates its history by hosting bullfighting events, parades, and cultural events around the city .

A popular way to celebrate includes getting on one of the city’s party buses – called chivas – which have live music and dancing as they travel through the city. Even if a party bus doesn’t sound like your style, making the most of these cultural events is one of the best ways to enjoy the city.

27. Celebrate Carnival in Amaguaña

Carnival is an important holiday around the world, but it is celebrated in many special and unique ways in Ecuador – check out our complete guide to celebrating Carnival in Ecuador for more details ! Carnival usually falls in mid to late February or March and falls the day before Ash Wednesday. However, Ecuadorians usually celebrate Carnival for about a week or more leading up to Carnival.

Head just outside of Quito to Amaguaña for traditional Carnival “games” like throwing water, foam, and colored powder during parades and performances. It’s a dirty game but fantastic fun and a great way to get involved.

Quito also has several parades in the historic center on the weekend before Carnival, which are well worth a visit for the chance to traditional Ecuadorian dances, dress, and concerts.

Quito Day Trip Destinations

• Baños, Ecuador Travel Guide
• Otavalo, Ecuador Travel Guide
• Tena, Ecuador Travel Guide
• Cotopaxi Volcano Travel Guide

28. Explore La Floresta

Often overlooked by its more touristed neighbor, La Mariscal, the La Floresta neighborhood could easily make its own appearance on this list itself for the countless things to discover here, like cozy cafes, street art, galleries, and more.

Here are some of the things to discover in Quito’s cool La Floresta neighborhood:

• Bahn Mi , a mid-range Vietnamese restaurant with delicious options;
• Ocho y Medio cafe and movie theater , which plays Ecuadorian and Latin American indie movies;
• Botanica is one of my favorite little cafes in Quito – this lovely spot has tons of delicious pastry and coffee options, as well as small plates of more substantial food. They put a real emphasis on their coffee here and showcase it well.
• Jervis Cafe is my other favorite La Floresta spot for coffee and treats.

29. Take a Day Trip to Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi Volcano is an unforgettable sight to behold. As one of South America’s most impressive volcanoes and one of the most beautiful destinations Ecuador has to offer, it’s a must on your Ecuador itinerary and makes for an easy day trip from Quito.

Reliable tour companies ( click through this link for the one I’ve used! ) offer day trips to Cotopaxi from Quito , including private transportation and guides. Booking a tour with these components included is the only way to easily get to and from Cotopaxi and navigate the national park in just one day.

If you’re looking to spend a bit more time enjoying Cotopaxi, the best way to visit is by booking a stay at The Secret Garden Cotopaxi . This retreat-like hotel (also with hostel rooms!) is situated in the heart of Cotopaxi National Park and offers visits to the volcano’s refuge and glacier line , fun excursions like horseback riding and biking down the side of the volcano, and hikes at other nearby volcanoes.

You can also book a day trip to Cotopaxi and Quilotoa for a whirlwind day at some of Ecuador’s most beautiful natural sites.

Read More: Cotopaxi Day Trip From Quito: A Local’s Guide

30. Visit the Cloud Forest

Located in the cloud forest of Ecuador, the small town of Mindo is a beautiful, warm escape from Quito, nestled in Ecuador’s Cloud Forest just about 2 hours north of the city.

In Mindo, you’ll get the chance to try adventure sports like ziplining and repelling down waterfalls, tubing, and much more. It’s one of my personal favorite day trips from Quito!

Mindo is also renowned as one of the best birdwatching spots in the world. Excellent guides like the renowned Richard Hernandez and Marcelo Arias are the best options for experts, though you’ll find excellent excursions even for beginners.

You can catch a bus in the morning from La Ofelia bus station in the north of Quito, but for a day trip, I recommend booking private transport or a day trip excursion to Mindo . You’ll save time navigating public transport and have a much more relaxing day in this beautiful spot!

Plan a Trip to Mindo

• Mindo, Ecuador: Ultimate Travel Guide
• 8 Best Things To Do in Mindo, Ecuador

31. Party in Plaza Foch

The heart of the La Mariscal neighborhood in the center of Quito, Plaza Foch is a buzzy plaza filled with bars and restaurants , quiet in the mornings but alive at night. While I’d advise looking elsewhere for restaurants – the ones you’ll find in Plaza Foch are overpriced and not that great – this is a great place to start bar hopping and see where the night takes you.

The vibe here has long been more geared towards college students studying abroad and backpackers – head elsewhere for a more upscale party – but fun clubs, bars, and restaurants with international staples still make it a popular destination that most travelers won’t want to skip.

Read More: A Backpacker’s Guide to Quito, Ecuador

32. Visit the Market in Otavalo

A must-visit destination in Ecuador , Otavalo is a small town in the north of Ecuador best known for its market; at just two hours north of Quito, it is a perfect day trip destination. Otavalo has the largest market in all of South America and easily tops the list of best markets in Latin America as a whole.

Market day is Saturday, so try to plan a visit on Saturday morning if you can! On Saturdays, you’ll find what seems like the whole town filled with market stalls. However, if your itinerary won’t allow it, the market is open in a smaller capacity throughout the week.

You can catch a bus to Otavalo at the Carcelén bus station in the north of Quito , as buses leave for Otavalo frequently on the two-hour route. Or if you’re on a tighter itinerary (or want to skip the bus!) there are very affordable day trips to Otavalo and its beautiful market.

Read More: Otavalo, Ecuador: Ultimate Travel Guide

33. Hike and Bike in Parque Metropolitano

Located on a hillside away from the hustle and bustle of central Quito, Parque Metropolitano feels like it’s a world away from the rest of the city. With meandering trails for hiking, biking, and easy walks through forests of eucalyptus trees, it’s an excellent escape from the city.

As you plan your visit, make sure to explore the east side of the park, where you’ll get stunning views overlooking the neighboring valleys below.

34. Take a Day Trip (or Overnight!) to Quilotoa

Truly a sight to behold, the Quilotoa Crater Lake will take your breath away. This volcanic crater is wedged among stunning landscapes in a remote corner of the Andes, a popular destination for visitors and trekkers who make the journey here to start the 3-day or 4-day Quilotoa Loop trek.

Located about 4 hours away from Quito, Quilotoa can be challenging to get to. Most visitors have to take at least (!) two buses to get here, meaning that the best way to visit as a day trip from Quito is by booking an excursion with private transportation . You’ll get to travel comfortably and have plenty of time to hike around Quilotoa during your visit.

Alternatively, you can book a day trip to Quilotoa and Cotopaxi from Quito for double the incredible scenery.

Read More: Quilotoa, Ecuador: Ultimate Traveler’s Guide

35. Try Authentic Shwarma at El Árabe

Quito has a strange love for shwarma, and you’ll find plenty of places selling these cheap, filling sandwiches all around the city. The love is particularly strong in the La Mariscal neighborhood, where the massive, sizzling rotating meats draw in drunk partygoers and backpackers on a budget. However, if you’re looking for authentic Middle Eastern food in Quito, a visit to El Árabe is a must.

Founded decades ago by a refugee from Syria (he’s the nicest man in Quito, I can personally attest to that!) El Árabe sells juicy, flavorful, and authentic shwarmas fresh all day, plus delicious Middle Eastern food.

The food here is so good that the president of Ecuador has even eaten here . Plus, it’s quite affordable. You won’t find a better spot to eat in La Mariscal at this price range.

36. Horseback Ride in a Volcanic Crater at Pululahua

Just past Mitad del Mundo heading north of Quito, Pululahua is a long-extinct volcanic crater, now a beautiful, lust valley surrounded by the soaring sides of the volcano. This is a great excursion and a beautiful place to enjoy nature near Quito, with places to hike in the crater and plenty of viewpoints from above.

Many take an excursion to Pululahua as an add-on to a visit to the Equator which is the easiest way to visit , though visiting the park for a longer hike and visit is great if you have time – horseback riding through Pululahua is a popular activity!

37. Climb Rucu Pichincha Volcano

Ride the TelefériQo and you’ve already made it halfway up the Pichincha Volcano! Since the TelefériQo was built, hiking Rucu Pichincha – one of the volcano’s three peaks – has become one of the most popular hikes near Quito , and a perfect activity for the adventurous.

Considered a moderately difficulty trek, Rucu Pichincha has some sections with loose rock, but it is mostly a doable hike, even for beginners. The high altitude is the most challenging aspect for most – its summit is 15,696 feet (4,784 meters).

For more details about how to get to Rucu Pichincha and details of the hike, plus guide recommendations, check out our guide to day trips from Quito . The hike takes a few hours, so while it’s technically in Quito, it’s a popular choice for a “day trip.”

38. Explore Guápulo

The tiny yet charming neighborhood of Guápulo is one of the must-see parts of Quito that few visitors actually make it to. Tucked just down the hillside from the rest of the city, it boasts a gorgeous colonial church and sprawling park with gorgeous lagoons and waterfalls.

Even if you don’t want to head down the hillside to Guápulo itself, make sure to check out the Mirador de Guápulo (the Guápulo Lookout), which offers sweeping views of the valley below – it’s quite impressive. Located just behind the Hotel Quito in La Mariscal, it’s an impressive (and free!) thing to do in Quito that you’ll love.

The walk down the hillside from the neighborhoods of La Floresta and La Mariscal is quite lovely, but you’ll certainly want to grab a taxi when you’re headed back up!

Plan a Trip to Ecuador

• 10 Best Beaches in Ecuador
• Baños, Ecuador: Ultimate Travel Guide
• Ultimate Guide to Tena, Ecuador – Gateway to the Amazon
• A Guide to Mindo: Ecuador’s Cloud Forest Paradise

Carley Rojas Avila

Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual New York-based travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Explorers Away and Home to Havana. Carley is an expert on all things Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, having lived and worked in four different countries in the region. Her writing has appeared on the Associated Press wires and in Travel + Leisure, Yahoo, MSN, Euronews, The Weather Channel, and more. When she's not writing about her travels, find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.

Discovering Quito: 10 Must-Do Activities in Ecuadors Cultural Capital

As a seasoned traveler, I can attest that Quito, Ecuador, is one of the most captivating destinations in South America. Nestled in the Andean Mountains, this vibrant city boasts an exquisite blend of colonial and modern architecture, a rich cultural heritage, and a plethora of outdoor adventures.

The old town, better known as ‘El Centro Histórico,’ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a true gem. You’ll be mesmerized by the majestic churches, such as the stunning La Compañía de Jesús, adorned with dazzling gold leaf, and the magnificent Basilica del Voto Nacional, with its intricate Gothic architecture. The city is also home to many art galleries, museums, and craft markets, making it the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll and soak up the local atmosphere.

If you’re an adventurer at heart, Quito offers an abundance of activities suitable for all ages. Hiking, trekking, and rock climbing are popular, and the views from the top are nothing short of breathtaking. Additionally, you can explore the nearby cloud forests and nature reserves, home to an array of wildlife and exotic plants.

Overall, Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, has everything a traveler could want: stunning scenery, a rich cultural heritage, and a wealth of outdoor activities. It’s no wonder it’s becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists from all over the world.

Table of Contents

Best time to travel to Quito.

As far as travel destinations go, Quito, Ecuador is an amazing place to visit. This city is rich in history and culture, and there is always something new to discover around every corner. But when is the best time to visit Quito? As an avid traveler, I think that the best time to visit this city is during the dry season, which runs from June to September.

During the dry season, the weather in Quito is temperate and pleasant. The city is less likely to experience sudden downpours, which can put a damper on your sightseeing plans. Additionally, during the dry season, there are many festivals and events happening in the city, including the Fiestas de Quito, which celebrates the city’s founding. The streets come alive with colorful parades, fireworks, and traditional dances, making for an unforgettable experience.

Of course, traveling during the dry season does come with some downsides. Prices for flights and accommodations can be higher during peak season, so it’s important to plan ahead and budget accordingly. But overall, I think that the dry season is the best time to travel to Quito if you want to experience the city at its best. So, pack your bags, book your tickets, and get ready for an adventure you won’t soon forget!

Is Quito safe?

As international travel becomes more accessible, tourists are often left wondering whether or not their chosen destination is safe. When it comes to Quito, Ecuador, the answer is yes – but with some caveats. While Quito boasts stunning colonial architecture, picturesque mountains, and vibrant culture, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing, is common, particularly in crowded areas like the Old Town and the Mitad del Mundo.

But don’t let that deter you from exploring all that Quito has to offer. The key is to be prepared. Keep your valuables close and avoid walking alone at night. Opt for licensed taxis and avoid hailing them on the street. While it may be tempting to flaunt your camera or cellphone for the perfect shot, be aware of your surroundings and keep them discreet.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to take responsibility for your safety while traveling. With common sense and a bit of caution, you can experience all the vibrant beauty that Quito, Ecuador has to offer.

How to travel to Quito

We all know that traveling to a new place can be intimidating, especially if it’s a foreign country. But trust me when I say this, traveling to Quito, Ecuador is worth all the effort. The city offers a unique blend of history, culture, and nature, making it one of the most diverse places in South America.

If you plan to fly to Quito, you will be landing at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport, which is located around 18 km east of the city. From there, you can easily take a taxi or a bus to get to your hotel. Make sure to have local currency beforehand, as most of the taxis in Quito do not accept credit cards.

But let me tell you, the real beauty of Quito lies in its old town, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. The narrow streets and colonial architecture will transport you back in time. Visit the famous Plaza Grande or climb the Basilica del Voto Nacional for a breathtaking view of the city. And don’t forget to try out the local delicacies – ceviche and empanadas are a must-try!

In conclusion, traveling to Quito, Ecuador can be a culturally enriching experience for anyone looking to have an unforgettable vacation. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and delicious food, it’s no wonder why this city is a top destination for travelers from all around the world. So go ahead, book your tickets, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

Where to stay in Quito

When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay in Quito, Ecuador, there are a multitude of options to choose from. From luxurious hotels to cozy hostels, the city has it all. However, finding the ideal spot can be quite the challenge.

For those looking for a taste of culture and tradition, staying in the Old Town of Quito is a must. With its narrow, cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, visitors can transport themselves back in time and experience the true heart of the city. From here, you’ll have easy access to top tourist attractions, such as the Presidential Palace and the Basilica del Voto Nacional.

For those seeking a more modern and lively atmosphere, La Mariscal is the place to be. Known as the city’s nightlife hub, this neighborhood offers a variety of restaurants, bars, and clubs to keep you entertained well into the late hours of the night. However, be warned – this area can get quite loud and crowded, so it may not be the best choice for those seeking a quieter stay.

How to get around in Quito

We understand how tough it can be to explore a new city without proper information and guidance. However, if you’re planning to visit Quito, let us assure you that getting around in the city won’t be a challenge at all. In fact, it’s quite easy to navigate through the bustling streets of Quito and explore all the hidden gems it has to offer.

One of the best ways to get around in Quito is by using public transportation. The city is well-connected by buses, trolleys and taxis, which run through all the major areas of the city. The trolley, in particular, is a great way to explore Quito’s historic center and is quite affordable too. If you’re looking for a more private mode of transportation, taxis are readily available and can be hired on the go.

Another great way to explore Quito is by walking. Yes, walking! Quito is a hilly city and the best way to fully experience its vibrant culture and breathtaking views is by taking a stroll through the narrow streets. You’ll stumble upon colorful markets, hidden plazas and stunning colonial architecture that you would never have discovered otherwise. The key is to wear comfortable shoes and be ready to take on some steep hills.

In conclusion, Quito is a beautiful city that offers a lot to explore and discover. By using public transportation, walking around and even cycling if you’re up for it, you’ll be able to experience all that this city has to offer. So go ahead, put on your explorer’s hat and get ready to fall in love with Quito!

Places to eat in Quito

Bandido brewing.

We recently visited the popular restaurant “Bandido Brewing” in Quito, Ecuador and I must say, I wasn’t disappointed. The ambiance was just right and the service was impeccable. But what really stood out were the delicious dishes on their menu. From the mouthwatering burgers to the perfectly seasoned steaks, Bandido Brewing exceeded my expectations. The best part? The food is all locally sourced, supporting the community and providing customers with a unique dining experience. If you’re ever in Quito, I highly recommend this restaurant.

Tierras Del Sol

After enjoying a meal at Tierras Del Sol in Quito, it’s safe to say that this restaurant lives up to its name. With breathtaking views of the city from its rooftop terrace and a menu brimming with local ingredients and flavors, Tierras Del Sol is a true gastronomical delight. Their ceviche mixto, a fusion of fresh seafood and tangy citrus, is a must-try, as is their succulent grilled octopus. And with excellent service and a cozy ambiance, Tierras Del Sol is the perfect spot for a romantic date night or a celebratory dinner.

Cafeteria Modelo

We have had the chance to dine at various restaurants in Quito, but none have come close to the experience we had at Cafeteria Modelo. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and attentive service. The menu, full of Ecuadorian classics, was extensive and presented with mouth-watering photos. Our meals were not only beautifully presented but exceeded our expectations in both taste and portion size. The ambiance was cozy and welcoming, making us feel right at home. Without a doubt, Cafeteria Modelo is a must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic and satisfying dining experience in Quito.

Things to do in Quito

Visiting the historic center of quito..

We simply cannot stress enough about how important it is to visit the historic center of Quito when traveling to Ecuador. The cultural and historical significance of this location is enough to warrant a visit, but the atmosphere and energy of the place makes it impossible to miss. The streets are bustling with locals and tourists alike, all eager to explore and appreciate the beauty of the colonial architecture and breathtaking views.

As someone who’s visited Quito several times, I can say with confidence that the historic center is the best place to immerse oneself in Ecuadorian culture. From the vibrant street art to the authentic food vendors, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to engage with the locals and sample the best cuisine the country has to offer. And if you’re a history enthusiast, the cathedrals, plazas, and museums are sure to keep you engaged for hours on end.

In short, if you’re visiting Quito and you don’t make it a point to explore the historic center, you’re missing out on an integral part of the Ecuadorian experience. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Hiking up the Pichincha volcano.

We highly recommend that anyone traveling to Quito, Ecuador tries hiking up the Pichincha volcano. This activity is not for the faint of heart, but it’s worth it for those who can handle the intensity.

The journey up the Pichincha volcano is one of the most exhilarating hikes you will ever experience. The power of nature is all around you as you climb towards the peak. This is where you will find your spirit renewed and your soul refreshed.

The Pichincha volcano hike is a perfect way to get exercise while being surrounded by breathtaking views. The trail is well-maintained, but it is also a true challenge, not for the weak of mind or body. We cannot emphasize enough how much this unique and exciting activity should not be missed when visiting Quito, Ecuador.

Exploring the Mitad del Mundo monument.

We had the most incredible experience exploring the Mitad del Mundo monument in Quito, Ecuador. This iconic landmark commemorates the equatorial line, marking the place where the northern and southern hemispheres meet. As we stood at the center of the earth, we couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of connection to the planet we call home.

During our visit, we were awed by the sheer size and intricate design of the monument. The attention to detail on the structure was incredible, and we couldn’t help but marvel at the hard work and dedication that went into its construction. As we took in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside, we were reminded of the natural beauty that surrounds us and the responsibility we have to protect and preserve it for generations to come.

Overall, exploring the Mitad del Mundo monument was an unforgettable experience that left us feeling inspired and connected to the world around us. We highly recommend this activity to anyone visiting Quito, and we can’t wait to return and experience it all over again.

Taking a cable car ride over the city.

When you visit Quito in Ecuador, one of the activities that you shouldn’t miss is taking a cable car ride over the city. This experience is one of the most exciting and thrilling things that you can do in Quito. From your elevated vantage point, you can see many of the city’s amazing landmarks and breathtaking views.

As you ride the cable car, you get a glimpse of Quito’s colonial and modern architecture, contrasting the old and the new. The ride is smooth, but the feeling of being suspended high above the city is simply awe-inspiring. You’ll be captivated by the stunning landscape that stretches out before you, and the panoramic views will stay with you long after the ride is over.

So if you’re looking for an exhilarating experience and want to see the beauty of Quito from a different perspective, then a cable car ride is a must-do activity. It’s an unforgettable way to experience the city’s magnificence, and you’re guaranteed to come away with a newfound appreciation for this incredible destination.

Checking out the street art in the Guapulo neighborhood.

We couldn’t resist the temptation of exploring the Guapulo neighborhood when we heard of the colorful street art adorning its walls. We were not disappointed as the place had an edgy, artistic vibe that was hard to miss. The murals ranged from the political to the whimsical, capturing the essence of the Quito city’s street art scene.

One of the highlights of our stroll was the detail in each piece of art. The murals were carefully crafted, with every stroke of the brush and every color choice adding to the overall effect. We found ourselves constantly stopping to take in the intricate details of each piece, marveling at the skill of the artists.

Overall, we would highly recommend exploring the street art scene in Guapulo. It’s a vibrant and exciting way to experience Quito’s artistic culture and a great way to spend an afternoon wandering around the quirky streets of the neighborhood. The combination of the art and the lively atmosphere made for an unforgettable experience.

Shopping at the Otavalo Market.

We all love shopping, but have you ever heard of the Otavalo Market in Quito, Ecuador? If not, you’re missing out on a one-of-a-kind experience. Not only is it one of the largest markets in South America, but it’s also been around for centuries, with its roots dating back to the ancient Incas.

The Otavalo Market is a treasure trove of vibrant and unique goods, ranging from intricate textiles and handcrafted jewelry to delicious, locally-sourced food. But it’s not just the products themselves that make this market so special, it’s the people behind them. You’ll meet artisans and farmers with incredible stories to tell, all while taking in the breathtaking Andes mountain range.

In short, shopping at the Otavalo Market is a must-do for anyone visiting Quito. Not only will you leave with incredible souvenirs and memories, but you’ll have supported the local economy and experienced the true essence of Ecuadorian culture.

Bar-hopping in the Mariscal area.

We love a good night out, but when it comes to bar-hopping in the Mariscal area of Quito, Ecuador, we have mixed emotions. On the one hand, the lively atmosphere is contagious, with bars lining the streets, beckoning patrons in with brightly lit signs and thumping music. On the other hand, the level of safety can be concerning, particularly for foreign travelers.

While we can’t deny the fun factor, we urge caution when venturing out in this area. Pickpocketing and other forms of theft are not uncommon, and drunken altercations can quickly spiral out of control. That being said, if you do decide to partake in the Mariscal nightlife, we recommend sticking together in a group, keeping an eye on your belongings, and, of course, enjoying the unique experience that Quito has to offer.

Visiting the Capilla del Hombre art museum.

As someone who has recently visited the Capilla del Hombre art museum in Quito, Ecuador, I can confidently say that this is one activity that should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list. Not only is this museum one of the most visually stunning places you will ever visit, but it also has a rich history and cultural significance that is impossible to ignore.

The museum itself is a work of art, with its unique architecture and beautiful design. Everywhere you turn, you will be greeted with breathtaking works of art that are sure to leave you in awe. But more than just being a stunning visual experience, the Capilla del Hombre provides an opportunity to learn about the struggle and triumph of the Ecuadorian people.

But what really sets the Capilla del Hombre apart is its commitment to showcasing art that reflects the experiences and struggles of Latin America. From the brutal history of colonialism to the ongoing fight for justice and equality, this museum offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of a people who have fought against incredible odds to emerge as a proud and resilient community. For anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the rich culture and history of Latin America, a visit to the Capilla del Hombre art museum is an absolute must.

Trying local street food.

If you’re visiting Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, make sure you try the local street food. This activity isn’t just about satisfying your hunger; it’s about getting to know the essence of the city. You can’t fully experience a place until you’ve tried its food, and in Quito, the street food scene is second to none.

From empanadas to ceviche, there’s something to satisfy every palate. You’ll find food vendors on every street corner selling mouth-watering treats. And the best part is that the food won’t break the bank. You can enjoy a delicious meal for just a few dollars. So, forget about fancy restaurants and Michelin-starred chefs – the real foodie experience is on the streets of Quito.

Trying local street food in Quito is a must-do activity for any traveler. It’s a fun and affordable way to explore the city’s culture and cuisine. So, grab a fork and join the locals in indulging in delicious food. Your taste buds will thank you for it, and you’ll leave Quito with unforgettable memories.

We’re all searching for a unique travel experience. Something exotic, something out of the ordinary, something that will leave a lasting impression on our minds. Well, let me tell you – Quito, Ecuador, will definitely deliver!

There’s something magical about this hidden gem, nestled high in the Andean foothills. The majestic city, with its charming Spanish colonial architecture, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Wandering through Quito’s winding cobbled streets, with views of snow-capped peaks in the distance, is an experience straight out of a fairy tale.

But it’s not just the picturesque cityscape that makes Quito an unforgettable destination. The people – warm, welcoming, and fiercely proud of their heritage – are what truly make the city shine. From the delectable local cuisine to the vibrant street festivals, Quito embodies the spirit of South America. In short, I cannot recommend this captivating city enough – if you’re looking for a travel experience that will stay with you forever, add Quito to your bucket list!

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21 Best Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador In 2024

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: March 25, 2024

Most people fly into Quito, Ecuador, when traveling to the Galapagos and barely give it a second glance. It wasn’t long ago that people booking a Galapagos cruise skipped the city completely and only explored the tiny archipelago off the coast of South America, but luckily, things have changed.

Quito is a wonderful city to explore. There are so many things to do in Quito that it’s no wonder that it was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1978 (along with the Galapagos Islands). Thanks to its untouched cultural and historic center, it is the best-preserved old city in Latin America. If you are planning a visit to Ecuador, make sure to spend a few days in the capital city to enjoy its beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and welcoming culture.

Table of Contents

About Quito, Ecuador

Quito has many unique qualities besides being the capital of Ecuador. It is the second-highest capital city in the world, sitting at an altitude of 2850 meters and the closest capital city to the equator. Surrounded by 14 volcanoes, one of which is the only snowcapped location on the entire Equator, Quito’s stunning natural beauty will take your breath away. In our humble opinion, Quito is also one of the most beautiful cities on earth.

We visited Quito before and after our HX Hurtigruten Cruise to the Galapagos. Right now they are offering huge discounts up to 50% off for Galapagos Cruises and other destinations worldwide. See more details here.

Quito may be close to the Equator, but with its high altitude in the Andes mountains, it feels cool and comfortable year-round. Known as the city of Eternal Spring, Quito offers travelers a chance to immerse in the history and culture of South America while offering plenty of adventures in the mountains and jungle.

With its strategic location, Quito is the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, the cloud forests, and the Galápagos Islands, making it a hub for nature lovers and eco-tourists. So, are you ready to enjoy Quito, Ecuador?

We toured Quito with Metropolitan Touring, which has seven decades of experience leading tours in Ecuador. Led by local guides, we gained firsthand knowledge about local life, culture, and cuisine.

Best Things to do in Quito, Ecuador

We have had the good fortune to visit Quito three times, and each time, we enjoy the city more than the last. In this guide, we will help you decide whether you should stop in for a day or two before or after your Latin America adventure or if you should stay in the city for a few days and make it a base to explore the surrounding area.

1. Tour the Historic Centre

During our last trip to Quito, we stayed right in the heart of the city center overlooking Plaza de San Francisco. Being in the heart of all the action helped us to truly immerse in the city’s heartbeat. We started with a walking tour of Quito’s Old Town with our local guide from Metropolitan Touring, who took us through the historic center where we tasted local food and enjoyed the Old Town with its stunning colonial buildings, highlighting Plaza de la Independencia, La Compañía de Jesús (with its stunning gold-leaf interior), and the gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional.

2. Take a Free Walking Tour

If you want a guided tour but don’t want to splurge on a private guide, free walking tours are offered in the Old Town. You can choose from a Spanish or English local guide to take you through the historical center of Quito’s colorful streets and Colonial district.

The free walking tour is put on by GuruWalk, and you can visit the Presidential Palace, Plaza Grande, Plaza de San Francisco, and other top attractions in the city center. It’s a great way to spend a few hours and get acquainted with the city before exploring independently. Even though the tour is free, we recommend giving your guide a few dollars each for their time.

3. Plaza de San Francisco

The iconic Plaza de San Francisco is a pivotal site nestled in the heart of Ecuador’s capital. It is also where we had the privilege to stay at the opulent Casa Gangotena .

This sprawling square, framed by the majestic San Francisco Church and Convent, offers a deep dive into the architectural and cultural legacy of the city. It is at this square that you will also find the oldest market in Quito, Ecuador. We saw people lining up first thing in the morning to grab their fresh produce at the Saturday Market.

As one of the largest and oldest historical plazas in Quito, Plaza de San Francisco serves as a lively gathering spot where the past and present converge. Visitors can explore the impressive complex, marvel at the intricate art and religious artifacts inside, or simply soak up the bustling atmosphere, where locals and travelers alike mingle.

4. Convento Maria de Santiago

Located at the same square, we had the chance to step into the serene and sacred grounds of Convento Maria de Santiago. This hidden gem dates back to 1573 and offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city. This historic convent provides a unique glimpse into the spiritual and architectural heritage of Quito.

Visitors to Convento Maria de Santiago are greeted by an atmosphere of peace and reverence, with its beautifully preserved cloisters, Moorish arches, stunning religious art, and intricately carved woodwork. A man played the pipe organ as we took in the beautiful architecture.

You will also find paintings by Miguel de Santiago, a famous 17th century painter of religious art.

Visiting this convent promises a profound and introspective experience for those looking to explore Quito’s less-trodden paths. It’s a perfect spot for history buffs, art lovers, and spiritual seekers alike.

5. Casa Gangotena

Speaking of our accommodation, we overlooked the plaza from our luxurious room at Casa Gangotena. With two terraces overlooking the square, we had a bird’s eye view of all the hustle and bustle below.

It was amazing to be in the heart of Ecuador. Many tours stop at Casa Gangotena for lunch, but if you can spend a night or two, we highly recommend it.

The plaza is surrounded by quaint cafes and shops, offering the perfect opportunity to sample traditional Ecuadorian cuisine or pick up unique souvenirs.

Sunset at Casa Gangotena

This may be a hotel, but it is also an attraction unto itself. Set in the former home of one of Quito’s richest families, this casa is like stepping back in time. Inside, there is a beautifully decorated courtyard that takes you back in time.

There is a rooftop bar at Casa Gangotena and this was the perfect place to go for sunset overlooking the Old City. Quito is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and to see it from above is spectacular.

If you can’t access the rooftop bar, consider visiting the chocolate factory next door. It, too, has a terrace overlooking the square.

Dinner at Casa Gangotena – Perfect Bite

One of the best dinners we had in Ecuador was at Casa Gangotena. Each dish is a work of art, and the chef prepares the perfect bite. Serving staff bring out dishes and add sauces before your eyes. They then describe how best to eat them and mix the infusion of tastes together to create the perfect bite.

If you do go to Casa Gangotena for lunch or dinner, make sure to order one of their Fiesta Cocktails. These, too, are a work of art with cocktails inspired by the great festivals of Ecuador.

6. Relax at Plaza Grande – Independence Square

When stepping into Plaza Grande, you will feel the heart of Quito, Ecuador. Also known as Plaza de la Independencia (or Independence Plaza), Plaza Grande is the bustling epicenter of Quito.

As the main square in the city’s historic center, this UNESCO World Heritage site is surrounded by iconic landmarks, including the Presidential Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s Palace.

The plaza is a living museum where centuries of Ecuadorian history come to life. Visitors can bask in the lively atmosphere, where political, social, and cultural events frequently unfold, or relax in one of the many nearby cafes to people-watch and soak up the local ambiance.

7. Changing of the Guards at Presidential Palace

When we last visited Quito, the Presidential Palace was closed to tourists due to the State of Emergency. That has now passed, and things should be back to normal. One of the top things to do in Quito is to experience a vibrant display of Ecuadorian tradition and patriotism with the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Presidential Palace.

This spectacular event takes place every Monday at 11:00 am in the historic Plaza Grande, drawing both locals and tourists to witness the precision and pomp of the guards as they perform their duties.

The ceremony is a unique opportunity to see Ecuador’s rich military traditions up close, complete with marching bands, horse-mounted cavalry, and perhaps even the chance to catch a glimpse of the President of Ecuador, who often appears on the palace balcony.

This free event is a must-see for anyone visiting Quito. Visitors are advised to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot, as the plaza fills quickly with spectators eager to partake in this weekly spectacle.

8. San Francisco Church

San Francisco Church is one of the earliest religious structures established in the New World and lies just a short walk from the Plaza de la Independencia.

Visitors can enter the church free of charge, though donations are appreciated. Inside, you’ll be greeted by a rich display of Baroque art, including lavish gold altars, captivating religious paintings, and detailed wood carvings that reflect a harmonious blend of Spanish and indigenous influences.

The complex also houses a museum showcasing religious artifacts, a peaceful convent, and serene courtyards that provide a quiet retreat from the bustling city streets.

Other notable attractions are nearby, such as La Compañía de Jesús Church, known for its gold-laden interior, and the bustling La Ronda Street, where visitors can enjoy traditional Ecuadorian cuisine and crafts.

9. Church of the Order of Jesus – Jesuit Church

One of the most ornate churches in Quito is the Jesuit Church. Located in the old city, this church is decorated with gold. No photographs were allowed inside, but it is worth witnessing its beautiful Baroque architecture.

Nestled in the heart of Quito’s bustling historic center, you will be blown away by its breathtaking interior, adorned with lavish gold leaf, intricate wood carvings, and vibrant paintings.

As one of Quito’s most impressive landmarks, the Jesuit Church offers visitors a unique glimpse into the religious and artistic traditions of Ecuador, making it an essential addition to any “best things to do in Quito” list. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or simply seeking to experience the beauty of Quito’s colonial past, the Church of the Order of Jesus promises an unforgettable experience that encapsulates the spirit and splendor of this UNESCO World Heritage city.

10. Calle de La Ronda

Take a stroll down Calle de La Ronda, a narrow street in the historic center lined with colonial buildings, art galleries, shops, and cafes.

This picturesque cobblestone lane offers visitors a taste of authentic Ecuadorian culture, with street performers and an array of artisanal shops offering handmade jewelry to colorful textiles, you’ll want to walk along this street.

The street is also home to some of Quito’s most delightful cafes and bars, where you can enjoy a cup of the country’s finest coffee or a refreshing canelazo, a traditional spiced fruit drink often shared amongst friends.

As the sun sets, Calle de La Ronda transforms into a vibrant hub of music and festivities. This is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the local nightlife and engage with friendly locals, making your visit truly unforgettable.

11. Chocolate Workshop

Ecuador is known for its rich chocolate, and one of our best experiences in Quito was visiting Chez Tiff Artizinal , where we learned all about chocolate production and watched demonstrations about how these artisans make chocolate by hand.

The process was fascinating, but more importantly, we could sample dark chocolates, milk chocolates, and bonbons. Of course, we had to purchase some chocolate to take home, although it never made it on the plane. We dove into the rich and delicious treat that evening!

12. Quito El Panecillo

One of the best views in Quito is at Quito el Panecillo. This is a beautiful lookout with the Winged Virgin Mary standing tall overhead. This is a great place to go for sunset or early in the morning.

Quito el Paneciloo means the Little Bread Roll. I didn’t understand what that meant until I was strolling in the city center and looked up to see the hill. It looks like a little bread roll rolling out over the city.

You can hike up to the top or take a tour. Either way, make sure to go to the top for a panoramic view of the beautiful city of Quito, Ecuador.

13. Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano

Take a Ride on the TelefériQo to experience one of South America’s highest aerial lifts. TelefériQo cable car to the slopes of Pichincha Volcano is one of the city’s most exhilarating attractions. Starting from the city’s edge, the cable car lifts you over stunning landscapes, providing a panoramic spectacle of Quito below and the Andean horizon beyond.

At the top, standing over 4,000 meters above sea level, visitors are treated to awe-inspiring views of the volcano and the opportunity to hike or simply soak in the natural beauty. The cost for this unforgettable experience is approximately $8.50 for adults, with reduced rates for children and seniors, making it an affordable must-do for tourists.

14. the Basilica del Voto Nacional

As the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas, this imposing structure is noteworthy for its stunning stained glass windows and detailed gargoyles representing Ecuadorian animals. Visitors can climb the towers for a panoramic view of the city, adding a unique adventure to the experience.

The basilica is not only an architectural marvel but also offers panoramic vistas of the city and the surrounding Andean landscape. The intricate gargoyles, inspired by Ecuadorian animals, add a unique touch to the building’s facade, making it a photographer’s delight.

15. Discover the Churches of Quito

Dave and I always say that we become religious when traveling. It is because the churches of cities have so much history and beauty. Quito is famous for its beautiful and ornate churches.

We have already mentioned the gold-laden La Compañía de Jesús, one of the most stunning baroque churches in Latin America, and the Basilica del Voto Nacional, known for its gothic architecture. Let’s check out a few other churches that are worth visiting.

Catedral Metropolitana de Quito (Quito Cathedral): Located on the south side of Plaza de la Independencia, the Quito Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in South America.

Santo Domingo Church (Iglesia de Santo Domingo): This church stands out for its beautiful interior, highlighted by the ornate gold altarpiece and the ceiling’s Moorish design. It’s also home to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, showcasing exquisite wood carvings and paintings.

La Merced Church (Iglesia de La Merced): Known for its beautiful Baroque architecture and the iconic Virgin of Mercy painting, La Merced is steeped in history and religious tradition. The church also features an impressive bell tower and offers a tranquil respite from the bustling city.

El Sagrario Church (Iglesia El Sagrario): Adjacent to the Cathedral, El Sagrario is renowned for its beautiful Baroque façade and interior that houses significant religious art. It originally served as the Cathedral’s baptistery and has its own historical charm.

16. Central Market – Mercado Central

Dive into the heart of Quito’s culinary scene at the bustling Mercado Central, a vibrant hub with no entrance fee. Visitors can wander through aisles brimming with exotic fruits, vegetables, fresh seafood, meats, and a wide array of local specialties.

Beyond the produce, the market is famed for its affordable and authentic food stalls, where you can indulge in traditional Ecuadorian dishes such as ceviche, locro de papa (potato soup), and hornado (roasted pork) for just a few dollars.

17. Taste Ecuadorian Cuisine

If you want to indulge further in Ecuadorian Cuisine, Quito is a great place to explore Ecuadorian gastronomy. At markets and restaurants throughout the city, you can try local specialties like locro de papa (potato soup), empanadas, and ceviche.

One of the best places to eat is at Heladeria San Agustin. This restaurant was so popular that they locked the doors and didn’t let anyone in until a table left.

Quito offers its own versions of food, such as Ceviche. This beloved seafood dish, made with fresh fish marinated in lime juice, onions, and cilantro, has its own Quito flair, feeling far heavier than the usually light-tasting ceviche. Dishes to try in Quito are Ceviche.

Locor de Papa is a hearty potato soup served with avocado, cheese, and hot sauce. Ajiaco is a soup that contains chicken, corn, potatoes, and a herb called guascas, offering a comforting and aromatic experience. It’s a hearty meal perfect for Quito’s cooler evenings.

We already mentioned Canelazo: While not a food, this traditional hot alcoholic beverage made with aguardiente (sugar cane alcohol), cinnamon, and naranjilla (a local fruit) juice is a must-try, especially in the cooler Andean climate.

18. Casa Del Alabado

We spent a good chunk of our morning in the Casa del Alabado museum, one of the newest and best museums in Quito. Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich pre-Columbian history of Ecuador, located in the heart of Quito’s historic center.

Housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century colonial building, just steps away from the iconic Plaza San Francisco, Casa Del Alabado offers visitors a unique glimpse into the ancient civilizations that once thrived in the region.

With an impressive collection of over 5,000 archaeological pieces, including ceramics, textiles, and gold artifacts, the museum skillfully narrates the stories and beliefs of Ecuador’s indigenous cultures through its thoughtfully curated exhibits. The tranquil atmosphere, combined with the depth of the collection, makes Casa Del Alabado a fascinating destination for history buffs, art lovers, and anyone interested in understanding the roots of Ecuadorian heritage.

19. Visit Other City Museums

Like many other cities in Latin America, Quito’s museums are fascinating, and you could spend days enjoying them. Ecuador’s capital is brimming with cultural treasures, and its museums are gateways to exploring the city’s rich history, art, and indigenous cultures.

Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum): Located in the historic Old Town, the Museo de la Ciudad occupies a former hospital building that dates back to the 16th century tracing Quito’s history, from its pre-Hispanic origins to the present day, highlighting the social, cultural, and urban development of the city.

Capilla del Hombre (Chapel of Man): This art museum is dedicated to the work of Oswaldo Guayasamín, Ecuador’s most renowned contemporary artist.

Museo Nacional del Ecuador (National Museum of Ecuador): As the country’s largest museum, it offers an extensive overview of Ecuadorian art, culture, and history. The exhibitions showcase various artifacts, including pre-Columbian ceramics, colonial art, and contemporary works.

Museo Fundación Guayasamín: This museum showcases the private collection of Oswaldo Guayasamín, including his paintings, sculptures, and archaeological pieces.

Yaku Water Museum: An interactive museum dedicated to educating visitors about the importance of water in urban and rural environments. Located on a hillside overlooking Quito, Yaku offers engaging exhibits and stunning city views, making it both educational and visually captivating.

Museo Mindalae: This ethnographic museum offers a fascinating look at the diverse cultures of Ecuador through its extensive collection of handicrafts, textiles, and artifacts.

20. La Floresta

La Floresta is an eclectic neighborhood known for its unique blend of traditional charm and contemporary culture. This area stands out as a hub for artists, filmmakers, and musicians, making it a lively spot that draws a creative and youthful crowd.

La Floresta is famous for its array of street art that adorns the walls of its buildings. The art showcases the work of local and international artists and adds a colorful and dynamic visual aspect to the neighborhood.

The neighborhood also boasts a number of independent movie theaters, cultural centers, and galleries, providing spaces for cultural expression and engagement with the arts. Events such as film festivals, art exhibitions, and live music performances are regularly held in La Floresta, contributing to its reputation as a cultural hotspot in Quito.

21. Parque Carolina 

If you are looking for a little outdoor action in Quito, Parque Carolina is a sprawling urban park located in the heart of the city.

Spanning over 67 hectares (approximately 165 acres), it features meticulously landscaped gardens, large open green spaces, and several ponds, making it a perfect spot for picnics, leisurely walks, and relaxation.

One of the park’s highlights is the Botanical Garden, which houses an impressive collection of Ecuador’s native flora, including orchids, cacti, and medicinal plants, arranged in thematic gardens. We always love walking through a park to get a glimpse of local life in its most relaxing form.

Day Trips from Quito

Old town Quito is worth visiting in its own right, but it is what lies beyond the city limits that will really make your Ecuador itinerary pop.

La Mitad del Mundo Monument

The most popular day trip from Quito is a visit to Mitad del Mundo. Visit the monument and museum marking the equatorial line, where you can stand with one foot in each in the northern and southern hemispheres. Located just a short drive from Quito, the Middle of the World City (Ciudad Mitad del Mundo) marks location of the equator.

It’s not surprising that Ecuador was named for its prime geographical feature—the equator and when you visit Quito, the Equator is a place that you simply can not miss.

Who doesn’t love straddling the midpoint of the world? But here’s a quirky twist: Mitad del Mundo is the “fake” equator. Yes, you heard that right. The towering 30-meter-tall Mitad del Mundo monument was erected in the late 1970s, which, thanks to the precision of modern GPS, turns out to be a little off the mark.

The site includes a monument, a museum, and several experiments demonstrating the peculiarities of being at the equator. It’s a fun and educational experience for all ages.

The Intiñan Solar Museum

Modern GPS has told us that the real Equator line is now just a stone’s throw away, the real equator lies at The Intiñan Solar Museum. Here, you get to do that iconic straddle across hemispheres, a bucket-list moment if there ever was one.

But it’s not just about geographical bragging rights; the museum is a heartfelt nod to the rich indigenous Ecuadorian culture and history. And for a bit of fun, they’ve got some mind-bending science experiments that really bring the magic of the equator to life. Only here can you see water drain straight down with no swirl, balance an egg on a nail, and witness firsthand the reduced gravitational pull.

Quitsato Sundial

We also visited the Quitsato Sundial, which is the most accurate place to stand on the Equator. If that is your bucket list, make sure to go here! Tours are offered where guides will give you insight and information about the Equator. For example, did you know that the equator is the only place you can see the entire Milky Way? And when straddling the equator, you can see the stars in both the north and south hemispheres. Imagine seeing the Southern Cross and the Big Dipper all at once!

The Quitsato Sundial itself has an impressive 52-meter diameter. On sunny days, the central pole, standing 10 meters high, projects a shadow that reveals the current time. Remarkably, at noon, with the sun at its zenith, the pole casts no shadow.

Cotopaxi National Park

Another popular day trip from Quito is Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is home to one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. Just a short drive from Ecuador’s capital, this natural wonder offers adventure seekers and nature lovers alike the chance to explore its stunning landscapes, from vast plains dotted with wild horses to the snow-capped peak of Cotopaxi itself.

Ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, the park provides a variety of trails that cater to all levels of fitness and experience. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for the park’s diverse wildlife, including Andean condors and foxes.

Whether you’re looking to summit the volcano (which is temporarily closed at the moment), enjoy a leisurely walk around Limpiopungo Lake, or simply soak in the awe-inspiring views, Cotopaxi National Park is a must-visit destination that promises an exhilarating escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Remember to pack layers, as the weather can change quickly, and always check the park’s conditions before heading out to ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Explore the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve

Venture into one of the only inhabited volcanic craters in the world, just a short trip from Quito. It’s a great spot for hiking, horseback riding, and enjoying stunning views of the Andean landscape.

Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve is just a short journey from Quito. This unique destination offers a serene and lush landscape brimming with diverse flora and fauna. It is an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers seeking a tranquil retreat from the city.

The Reserve’s rich volcanic soil supports a vibrant ecosystem, where you can explore walking trails that meander through verdant forests and past scenic viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of the crater and its surrounding peaks. Pululahua also boasts a fascinating history and culture, with small communities living within its boundaries.

Visit the Cloud Forest

Located a few hours outside of Quito, the Cloud Forest is more than a day trip. We spent three days at Mashpi Lodge in the heart of the Mashpi Reserve. Located just three hours from Quito, the cloud forest can be visited on a day trip, but we highly recommend making it more.

This biodiversity hotspot is home to a stunning array of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and orchids. Hike through the lush cloud forest, soar above the canopy on a sky bike, and refresh yourself under cascading waterfalls. It’s a true immersion in Ecuador’s natural wonders.

Quito, with its rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and natural attractions, offers an endless array of experiences for travelers. Whether you’re wandering through its colonial streets, sampling its flavorful cuisine, or exploring its surrounding natural beauty, Quito invites you to discover its many layers.

Papallacta Hot Springs

We didn’t make it to the hot springs. Still, if you want to soak your muscles after trekking in the jungle or cruising through the Galapagos, the Papallacta Hot Springs are renowned for its thermal baths, fed by volcanic hot springs, which are rich in minerals and renowned for their healing properties.

Visitors to Papallacta can indulge in various experiences, from soaking in the soothing, naturally heated pools to exploring the surrounding cloud forests, home to an abundance of unique wildlife and lush vegetation. The area also boasts luxury spa treatments, traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, and comfortable accommodations, making it a must-visit for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation amidst the beauty of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Where to Stay in Quito

Casa Congatena – located in the heart of the old town, this is the best place to stay in Quito. Read reviews and check rates on Booking.com. This boutique Hotel blends luxury, history, and cultural heritage. Located in the historic Plaza San Francisco, it is a beautifully restored mansion that dates back to the early 20th century. Casa Gangotena’s prime location allows visitors easy access to Quito’s stunning array of historical landmarks, museums, and the famed cobblestone streets of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

JW Marriott Hotel Quito – We also stayed at the JW Marriott Hotel in Quito , which was spectacular. At a JW Marriott, you can always count on unparalleled luxury and comfort. This hotel is located in the financial and commercial district.

This premium hotel offers guests a lavish stay with its array of top-notch amenities, including a fully-equipped fitness center, a rejuvenating spa, and an outdoor pool that provides a serene oasis in the heart of the city. The hotel is not located in the old center. Still, its location offers easy access to the city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is near popular attractions such as Parque La Carolina and the TelefériQo cable car.

Tips for Quito

• Safety – Safety is a number one concern for people visiting Ecuador. We visited during its state of emergency and felt very safe in Ecuador as much of the unrest is due to cartels and internal conflicts. We have an entire article talking about Safety in Ecuador to help you decide if visiting is right for you.
• Transportation – Quito now has a new subway system, making it easier to get around from the Financial District to the Old Town. For safety, we highly recommend booking private drivers and organized tours.
• Currency – Ecuador uses USD for currency. Bring cash and small bills for tipping and markets
• Altitude – Quito is located at a high altitude, so drink plenty of water and take it easy as you settle in. Coca Tea is used to help ease the effects of high altitude.
• Pack good walking shoes – Heels are not a good idea for Quito, as the streets are uneven and cobblestoned, so make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes.
• Dress in Layers, as Quito’s weather can be quite variable since it is located at a high altitude. Bring a jacket or wrap for the evenings.

How to Get to Quito

Quito is serviced by the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), located about 30 minutes from the city center. Major airlines offer direct and connecting flights from North America, Europe, and other parts of South America.

We suggest booking a private transfer in advance for safety and comfort. Your driver will be waiting at the airport with your name upon arrival and you can enjoy a smooth transition from the airport to the heart of Quito’s historic charm and natural beauty.

And there you have it. All the reasons to visit Quito when you plan your South America travels. Quito is a fascinating city that is one of the best preserved old cities in the world. It will take you back in time as you enjoy its history, culture and stunning scenery. So what are you waiting for? Make sure to add a few days in Quito to your Ecuador travels.

Plan your trip to Ecuador with these valuable resources.

• Is Ecuador Safe To Visit – Travel Warnings and Safety Tips
• Unique Galapagos Islands Animals in Photos
• What to Expect on a Galapagos Cruise with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
• 26 Fun and Interesting Facts About South America
• 25 Best Things to Do in Lima, Peru
• 18 Amazing Reasons To Visit Peru
• 21 of the Best Things to Do in Peru

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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Travel Guides, Tips, and Tales

Best Things to Do in Quito Ecuador: Travel Guide & Tips

January 29, 2020 By John Widmer 69 Comments

There are so many awesome things to do in Quito, Ecuador !

Quito is an intriguing travel destination to consider. It’s one of the largest cities in the world to lie right next to the equator. And at an elevation of 2,850 meters (9,350 feet, or nearly 2 miles high), Quito is the highest constitutional capital city in the entire world.

This high-flung equatorial city dates way back to its founding, in 1534 . Some of the architecture from that century can still be found in Quito’s historic Old Town today!

But fast-forward to 2020 and visitors will realize that Quito is a fascinating mix of old-meets-new . Historic alleyways and baroque buildings are situated against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers with trendy eateries.

Quito is a land of beautiful contrasts. The city is indeed a busy and sprawling metropolis. Yet the looming volcanos and tranquil Andean mountain peaks surrounding Quito provide a stark reminder of the serene landscapes all around.

Home to the country’s largest international airport, Quito is frequently used as a gateway city to access the rest of Ecuador. Often travelers visit Quito as a quick one-day stopover on the way to the Galapagos. But there are so many great things to do in Quito to easily justify a longer stay. Ecuador’s capital can be an unexpected delight to travelers.

There are plenty of things to do in Quito itself to fill several days of a packed itinerary. Quito contains:

• dozens of historic buildings to discover in Old Town,
• the unique opportunity of visiting the equator line ,
• hiking trails to trek from right within the city,
• hundreds of ornate churches to admire,
• a ride from the city into the Andes one of the highest cable cars in the world,
• fantastic local cuisine to try, plus some interesting local drinks to tip back, and
• more than fifty museums to tour!

Yet those who enjoy adventure activities should budget extra time into their Ecuador itinerary, in order to pursue Quito’s awesome day trips. Quito acts as an excellent travel hub to organize excursions within a two-hour drive of the city. There’s an abundance of popular Quito day trips to consider, from summiting an icy volcano to river tubing through a cloud forest .

The many things to do listed within this detailed Quito travel guide have been carefully curated after doing several months of on-the-ground research in the city, reviewing Quito’s best attractions and activities.

It’s all in a grand effort to help travelers make the most of a visit here. So we hope this Best Things to Do in Quito Travel Guide proves helpful to anyone planning a trip to this great South American capital.

Welcome to Quito, Ecuador!

Best Things to Do in Quito Ecuador

The following lists our top 20 recommendations of things to do in Quito, with a handy map to help find these Quito attractions.

1) Wander Quito’s Historic Center

Quito’s Old Town acts as a show-stealer within Ecuador’s capital city. Wandering through the bustling streets among centuries-old architecture is not just something to see in Quito. The Old Town is something to experience.

Quito historic center is recognized as having the best-preserved, least altered historic center in all of Latin America. It’s this accolade that led Quito to become the first city in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (alongside Krakow, Poland) back in 1978. Read the full Quito UNESCO description .

Quito Old Town delivers not only cultural significance. Quito’s historic center exudes charm. Despite earthquakes and modernization, the baroque buildings throughout Quito’s Old Town remain largely intact. It can feel like another era wandering amongst the beautiful architecture that’s been here for nearly a half-millennium!

Where to Go in Quito Old Town:

To begin exploring Quito Old Town, head to its heart. That’s Plaza Grande .

All within a 10-minute walking radius of this centrally-located plaza are dozens of notable buildings and attractions to see within Quito’s historic center.

To help narrow down some points of interest, Quito’s Center of Touristic Services suggests the following six locations as the must-sees of Quito Old Town :

• Presidential Palace : also known as Carondelet Palace , this is where Ecuador’s president lives and works.
• Metropolitan Cathedral : Catholic church completed in 1565 and now the archdiocese. Has tour & museum ($3).
• La Compañía de Jesus : a 17th-century Jesuit church a few blocks away from Plaza Grande, known for its gold-covered interior.
• Plaza San Francisco : Quito plaza that contains the city’s oldest church (St Francis), street vendors, a chapel, a museum with religious art, and cafes. But it’s the Andes views here that provide a beautiful natural backdrop during a clear day.
• La Merced : White, domed Catholic Church (1736) that contains important artworks and library.
• San Agustin : Historical convent (1617), where Ecuador’s Independence Act was signed and houses many paintings from 17th-century artist Miguel de Santiago. Hourlong tours of the halls and interior courtyard are $2.
• City Museum : Learn all about the history of Quito through the chronological exhibits in this former hospital building.

For those interested in architecture, churches, and history, it’s easily possible to spend an entire day, or more, exploring Quito Old Town. Yet even those with a casual interest should still be fascinated for hours strolling through the historic center’s cobblestone alleyways.

Budget some time to take a break at one of the many cafes in order to simply watch life in Quito pass by. Consider ending a long day strolling through the historic center at Bandido Brewing for what we say is the best craft beer in Quito Old Town. (Note: it’s $3 pints during happy hour from 4:00-7:00).

🗺️ On your own : Quito’s tourism information center is right along Plaza Grande, opposite the Presidential Palace. They can provide a helpful city map (free). The map includes many points of interest, plus walking tour routes you can pursue on your own.

🚶 Quito Free Walking Tour : There is a free (tip-based) Quito walking tour every day, except Sundays, at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. It’s run by the Community Hostel . The 3½-hour tour provides an in-depth look into Old Town with interesting background about the city, Ecuadorian culture, and Quito travel tips. A $5-$10 tip per person is suggested. See: Free Walking Tour Ecuador .

2) Climb the Basilica del Voto Nacional for Views & Oddities

If a visitor were to only go to one of Quito’s numerous churches, our recommendation is to definitely visit the Basilica del Voto Nacional .

Quito’s Basilica is not just another church in South America.  Visit this church, even if you’re not into churches. It is actually the largest neo-Gothic church in all of the Americas.

But it’s not just the Basilica’s grandiosity that makes a trip here one of the best things to do in Quito. It can be such an adventurous experience to climb the towers ! The brave who make it to the top are rewarded with stunning views of Quito down below. Definitely make sure that climbing this rickety route is on your list of things to do in Quito. Yet below are three more great reasons of why the Quito Basilica deserves a visit.

See the Armadillos that Have Replaced Gargoyles

Ecuadorian iguanas, armadillos, and Andean condors can all be found lining the Basilica’s exterior. It’s such an interesting sight! Those who don’t know to look may miss it entirely.

Pursue the Harrowing Climb atop This Church

After ascending many steps midway up one of the Basilica’s towers, visitors can walk directly atop the enclosed church roof on a wooden plank walkway. Then the climb begins on a series of steep & stairs and even ladders. Children and adults regularly turn back out of nervousness. Those who are able to climb higher and higher will finally reach the top to enjoy incredible views of Quito.

It can all be a little nerve-wracking for those with even the slightest fear of heights. But it’s this adventure involved that helps to make a visit to the Basilica such a fun thing to do in Quito! The ladders are sturdy and there is railing.

Have a Beer in Church – Really!

Perhaps the most unique thing to do in the Quito Basilica is to have a  beer in this church! It’s a great way to calm your nerves after the climb, while also taking in those sweet Quito vistas.

Before exiting the other tower in the Basilica, walk up the spiral staircase to reach the Basilica’s somewhat hidden café. The views are great here too! So grab a table by the windows overlooking Quito Old Town and enjoy a cold cerveza from inside this place of worship. Doing so may be one of the more unusual things to do in Quito, Ecuador!

💲 Cost : $2 admission to climb the towers 🕒 Hours : 9:00 am-4:00 pm ⌚ Length of visit : About 1 hour, possibly longer if lingering for a beer. 📍 Location : About a 10-minute walk northeast of Plaza Grande, found here on Google Maps . 💡 Tip : If possible, go on a weekday when it’s less-trafficked to avoid waits that sometimes form at the ladders.

3)  Take the Quito TelefériQo High Into the Andes

The TelefériQo is Quito’s awesome cable car that flies passengers high up into the Andes. It’s pretty incredible to be able to go from the middle of this bustling capital city to then be transported to the peaceful mountaintops. This occurs all within an ultra-scenic 18-minute cable car ride. Personally, taking the teleferiQo is our favorite thing to do in Quito.

Quito’s TelefériQo is one of the highest cable car lifts in the world. It brings passengers up to an altitude of about 4,000 meters (about 2.5 miles high). The 2.5-kilometer ride on the aerial gondola itself is a lot of fun. Yet there are even more things to do once at the top of this beloved Quito attraction.

The upper TeleferiQo station is actually on the eastern slope of the Pichincha Volcano! After arriving to the upper station, there’s a lookout platform to soak in the views. You’ll also find hiking trails to trek, horseback riding ($10 per hour), a few cafes to relax at, a church, a swing soaring off the side of this mountain, and some touristic photo opportunities with resident llamas.

Gazing way back down towards the city, the lookout platform offers some of the best sweeping views of Quito. It gives perspective of just how big the city is, tucked into the mountain valley.

There’s also now a thrilling swing for adventurous souls to fly right over Quito! And it’s free.

Yet it’s the hiking trails way up here that make for a particularly awesome recreational pursuit.

For those who are well-acclimatized, it’s possible to trek the high altitude trail to summit Rucu Pichincha . It takes about 4-5 hours to complete the 10-kilometer roundtrip hike up this active volcano. The trail starts out fairly easy and well-defined. But it becomes a steep and strenuous climb in parts.

Patchy snow can even be encountered along the way. This makes it one of the few places in the world to find snow in the equatorial zone. There’s also a rock scramble towards the Rucu Pichincha summit. So this should only be pursued by experienced hikers.

💲 Cost : $8.50 for adults, roundtrip 🕒 Hours : Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm. Friday-Monday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm ⌚ Length of visit : Minimum of 1 hour. Best to allow for 2 hours. Plan 5-7 hours if attempting the cable car + hike up Rucu Pichincha. 📍 Location : Here on Google Maps , on the western fringes of central Quito. Take a taxi or Uber, which should cost about $3-$5 each way if coming from somewhere central in Quito. 💡 Tips : Pack a jacket, as it’s much cooler up here. Go on the TeleferiQo when the weather is clear. There are better odds in the mornings. If hiking, wait a few days in Quito to acclimatize before pursuing.

4) Go to the Equator and Its Quirky Attractions

La Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World) is one big tourist attraction near Quito. This is where the equator passes through Ecuador. It’s all at latitude zero, just north of Quito.

Is Going to the Equator Really Worth It?

Quito’s equator attractions are completely touristy and out of the way from central Quito. Also, the main monument isn’t even actually on the equator. Despite these downsides, visiting the equator can still be a quirky and fun thing to do in Quito. It’s a half-day diversion on the northern outskirts of the capital.

For those with only one day or two days in Quito, perhaps the equator attractions could be something to skip. But if you’re in Quito for more than a few days, it’s almost necessary to add it to your Quito itinerary. Come see what all the fuss is about and snap a few equator-selfies!

Understand there are two separate Quito equator attractions :

• Ciudad Mitad del Mundo,
• Museo Solar Intiñan

Quito Equator Attraction #1: Ciudad Mitad del Mundo

They haven’t changed the line, nor is there any mention of the inaccuracy at the famed monument. It’s close enough.

The monument here is the main attraction. But there’s an entire “equator city” that surrounds it. That’s known as the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City). Here, visitors will find loads of tourist shops, cafes, a planetarium, a train ride, and other little attractions.

💲 Cost : $5. Note: the ticket booth may try to upsell a more expensive combo ticket that includes many of the onsite attractions. But a $5 ticket grants access into the “Equator City” and the monument. 🕒 Hours : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. ⌚ Length of visit : 30 minutes or so. Longer if visiting many of the onsite attractions. 🔗 Official Website : Mitad del Mundo . 📍 Location : It’s a 40-60 minute drive from central Quito to Mitad del Mundo, found here on Google Maps . It can be approached by bus, taxi, or tour. More detail on how to get to the equator zone follows.

Quito Equator Attraction #2: Museo Solar Intiñan

The Museo Solar Intiñan is a smaller and lesser-visited attraction in Quito’s equator zone. Yet, it’s no less interesting. The Intiñan Museum is closer to where the equator passes through. Although our GPS showed their equator line was still 90 meters south of latitude 0.

Upon entering the open-air museum, guests are taken for an included 45-minute tour to see kitschy exhibits that have nothing to do with the equator. There’s a shrunken head, a preserved anaconda, and other Ecuadorian oddities.

Then it’s on to the main show: the equator.

On Intiñin’s equator line, a guide leads visitors through a few funny “experiments,” that many are skeptical of. For example, water is poured into sinks on each side of the equator to demonstrate the Coriolis Effect in which the rotation of the water purportedly changes on either side of the equator. (Watch closely at the direction the water was poured from and judge for yourself.)

It’s also possible to attempt walking a straight line on the equator. It’s supposedly more difficult since both hemispheres are tugging at you. We’re doubtful of this too. Yet the results of our attempt, captured on video, speaks for itself:

Despite our suspicions of scientific misrepresentations, the Museo Solar Intiñan is all good fun! Go there, have a laugh, and judge the experiments for yourself.

💲 Cost : $4 🕒 Hours : 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. ⌚ Length of visit : It’s a 45-minute tour. 🔗 Official Website : Museo Iniñan . 📍 Location : Museo Intiñan is located just around the corner from Mitad del Mundo, found here on Google Maps , about a 5-10 minute walk away. The equator area can be approached by bus, taxi, or tour. Complete directions on how to get to the equator zone are below.

Directions to Equator Attractions from Quito

So which of the two equator attractions to visit? We suggest to go to both . They are both inexpensive, don’t take much time, and are two completely different equator experiences. If you’ve taken the time to reach this area, visit the two attractions together.

🚕 Quito to the Equator by Taxi/Uber : The most convenient way to get to Mitad del Mundo is by taxi or Uber. Expect to pay about $15 each way by taxi. An Uber estimate from Old Town Quito to the equator attractions is $12-$18, each way.

5) Go to El Panecillo for Some of the Best Views of Quito

In a city surrounded by mountains, there are great miradors (viewpoints) all along the higher outskirts of Quito. Yet El Panecillo is one of the only lookout points that pops up right from the middle of the city. And it’s capped by a very notable statue.

El Panecillo translates to the “The Little Bread Loaf.” This hill in the middle of the city separates North and South Quito. While wandering around Quito Old Town, El Panecillo hill is usually somewhere looming in the background. Go here to get excellent views of Quito down below. On clear days, it’s also possible to see the region’s volcanos.

In addition to the great vistas, there’s also a big Virgin Mary statue. It’s one-of-a-kind because of her angelic wings. The statue is known as the La Virgen de Quito and is said to be the largest winged Virgin Mary statue in the world .

6) Check Out the  Guayasamín Collection and  Quito’s 50+ Museums

There are dozens of museums all throughout Quito. In fact, there is said to be more than 50 museums spread across Ecuador’s capital! Since these museums are all indoor, museums can be the perfect solution for things to do in Quito on a rainy day.

There is a museum for just about every interest in Quito, whether that’s art, culture, history, religion, and more. There are even more obscure museums like a water museum and even an artisan beer museum at the equator. Yet some of Quito’s most popular museums include :

• For Everything Ecuador: * Museo Nacional * – Ecuador’s expansive National Museum contains a large and impressive collection of Ecuadorian artwork, historical exhibits, and artifacts. It’s a great free museum – go!
• For Culture: Mindalae Museum – ethno-historical craft museum that explores Ecuador’s indigenous people. ($3)
• For Ancient Relics: Casa del Alabado – houses a large collection of well-preserved pre-Colombian artwork. ($4)
• For Quito’s History: Museo de la Ciudad – exhibits in a former hospital chronologically showcasing Quito’s history. ($3)

Guayasamín’s La Capilla Del Hombre Museum

Yet perhaps the most popular museum in Quito is the adjoining La Capilla Del Hombre and Museo Guayasamín ($8). If only visiting one museum in Quito, this is likely the best bet. And particularly so for art-lovers.

Oswaldo Guayasamín is arguably Ecuador’s most famous painter. Even for those who have never heard of this artist, there’s much to learn about Guayasamín at this museum. Most visitors depart with a newfound respect and fascination for Guayasamín.

“The Chapel of the Man” is his masterpiece building. Guayasamín personally designed it before his death (1999) to showcase his masterworks. The neighboring home/museum offers a peek into Guayasamín’s life. It also shows off the artist’s prized collections, his bedroom, his working art studio, and more of his art pieces.

7) Enjoy Quito’s Central Park and Botanical Gardens

For such a busy South American capital city, there’s a refreshing number of parks and green spaces throughout Quito. If the busy streets and bus exhaust become a bother, these parks are the perfect escape right within the city. In Quito’s parks, visitors can be greeted by hummingbirds in the fresh air amongst a forest of trees.

Our best Quito park suggestion is:   Parque Carolina.  This big park right in the middle of the city is somewhat reminiscent of New York’s Central Park. But Parque Carolina is distinctly and charmingly Ecuadorian.

Carolina Park can be best experienced on weekends. That’s when it seems all of Quito comes here for some outdoor fun. Lots of food vendors are set up to serve Ecuadorian favorites like fritada , ceviche de chocho , fresh juices, and more.

Quiteños come to Parque Carolina for a bit of recreation within the city. Or a fiesta. It’s never surprising to find a local festival or even a concert happening within this park.

Parque Carolina also holds more than just futbol fields, playgrounds, and running tracks. It also boasts the largest free skatepark that we’ve seen anywhere in the world. Additionally, there’s a man-made river, where park-goers can rent paddle boats for a leisurely float around the park ($4.50 per boat, per half hour).

Explore Quito’s Botanical Gardens

Perhaps most notable for travelers, within Parque Carolina there’s the really well-done  Quito Botanical Gardens . Visitors will find multiple greenhouses offering a glimpse into the different regions of Ecuador, from the high paromo (alpine) to lowland jungle environments. It’s an expansive and impressive garden, with meandering trails throughout.

Both the rose garden and orchid garden are highlights. There’s even a Japanese zen garden. But perhaps most interesting is the greenhouse showcasing carnivorous plants !

8) Climb the Steps to Itchimbía for Views and the Crystal Palace

It’s a healthy climb up the many flights of stairs on the eastern side of Quito’s Old Town to reach the area known as Itchimbía. Itchimbía is where that big orange Quito sign makes for great photo ops overlooking the city. So after catching your breath from climbing the stairs, go check out the sign and pose for a selfie.

Itchimbia is also home to Quito’s Crystal Palace . This massive structure of iron flanked with glass walls was shipped over from Germany over 100 years ago. It’s said to resemble the Las Halles market in Paris, and as such, has served as a market itself.

The Crystal Palace now functions as a cultural center that hosts events. Yet it often sits empty, making for a particularly pleasant chill-out spot in Quito that is complete with bean bag chairs.

A third great reason to make the trek up to Itchimbia is simply for more sweet views of this awesome city. For the best photos, visit Itchimbia during the morning. That’s when the eastern sun lights up the Old Town to the west.

While the afternoon sun isn’t favorable to taking pictures towards the west, there is a great reason to visit Itchimbia after 4:00 pm.

On the street just below Itchimbia Park, Manuel Samaniego , there are three restaurants directly next to one another. They each offer spectacular views of the city as you dine and are in the perfect position to watch the sunset over Quito. At the very least, consider popping in for a drink to reward yourself for climbing up all those steps. We enjoyed Cafe Mosaico . But you can also try Vista Hermosa and Pideme La Luna .

9)  Plaza Foch: It’s What to Do in Quito at Night

Plaza Foch is THE party place in Quito . All around this central plaza in New Town, there are many cafes, bars, and clubs. It’s in this area that young Quiteños mix with travelers who frequent the area, each looking for a good time. An evening partying around Plaza Foch is among the most fun things to do in Quito at night.

Plaza Foch is a place for celebrations and revelry. Grab a table outside. Plaza Foch can be equally as good for people watching as it is for drinking.

Celebrating in Plaza Foch also makes for a great thing to do in Quito on New Year’s Eve! Here’s a video to give an idea of what the scene is like in Plaza Foch on December 31.

But Plaza Foch is more than just loud clubs. Cozy bars and even a number of craft beer pubs are also found in this area. (More on the latter in section #12 of this Quito travel guide!)

10) Drink Canelazo on Calle La Ronda

Speaking of drinking in Quito, La Ronda street is another good place to do that. This quaint pedestrian walkway slices right through Quito Old Town. With its balcony-lined cobblestone street, La Ronda may just be one of the most scenic stretches of Quito’s historic center .

A few shops and many cafés line this picturesque cobblestone alleyway. These buildings actually date way back to the 1600s. So La Ronda makes for a particularly inviting setting in Quito to stop in for a drink. Find an empty table at any one of these second-level balconies and order the specialty here: a canelazo .

Canelazo is a warm alcoholic drink found throughout the Ecuadorian highlands. This distinctly Ecuadorian beverage is made from hot cinnamon-sugar water that’s usually flavored with local fruit, most commonly naranjilla . Aguardiente (sugarcane alcohol) is added to give canelazo its kick. Know that the strength of canelazo can vary drastically based on how much aguardiente is used.

Canelazo tends to be quite sweet, with lots of panela (raw sugar) added. But the spiciness of the cinnamon and the citrusy tang of the naranjilla fruit helps to balance it out.

Canelazo is a popular drink throughout Ecuador during December, particularly so for Fiestas del Quito and Christmas. But on La Ronda, canelazo is popular all year long. And we can’t think of a more perfect setting to sip canelazo than perched on a balcony in La Ronda.

11) Eat Your Way Around Quito: Try the Local Specialties

One of the best things to do in Quito is simply to eat! Ecuadorian food is delicious and there are some particularly tasty regional dishes to the Quito area to be on the lookout for.

Here are a few favorite local Quito dishes we recommend to try:

Eat Locro de Papa in Quito

This is a creamy and hearty soup that’s quite popular throughout the Ecuadorian Andes. But it is most iconic to Quito to the point that it’s sometimes even called Locro Quiteño . It’s a soup made with three of our favorite local i ngredients: potato, cheese, and avocado!

This rich & creamy soup is a perfect way to keep warm in these higher elevations. A white mozzarella-like cheese is what’s plunked into the milk-based broth. Locro de papa is further flavored with onion, garlic, cumin, and ground annatto seed (achiote). The soup is completed by being topped with freshly sliced avocado – yum! 🌱 It’s vegetarian-friendly too !

Locro de papa is commonly found throughout Quito. In Old Town, try the locro de papa in the historic courtyard surroundings of Hasta la Vuelta . At $8, it’s a bit pricey for this soup. But the atmosphere and quality helps to justify it.

Eat Empanadas de Viento in Quito

Translated to “wind empanadas” because of the airy interior that’s created when it’s fried. G ooey melted cheese is tucked inside the crispy fried dough and a bit of sugar is sprinkled on top. These snacks are often huge and sharable.

Empanadas de viento pair great to pair with a canelzao. They can be found throughout Quito. Empanadas de viento are most commonly found in La Ronda. Expect to pay $2-$4, depending on the size and location.

Eat Fritada in Quito

Fritada has many local Ecuadorian components, anchored by flavorful pork. That pork is boiled in spiced-up water until it evaporates, when the pork is then fried in its own fat.

This culminates in some tasty pork morsels that are good on their own merit. But one of the best aspects of fritada is the variety of sides it comes with. Here’s what you normally get: hominy, toasted corn, avocado, ripe plantain, and llapingachos .

What are Llapingachos? They’re fried potato pancakes stuffed with cheese. Often served as a side to many dishes in Quito. Be sure to try them too, whether with fritada or on their own!

Where to find good local food in Quito?

For lunch in Old Town, one of the best places to try local Quito cuisine is at the Mercado Central . An array of food stalls awaits to compete for your business. Prices are inexpensive and all of Quito’s classics can be found here. It’s also a great place to mix with the local Quiteño crowd.

For dinner in La Floresta, try the street food stalls in Parque Navarro , which similarly sports a charmingly local vibe amidst this neighborhood that’s better known for its upscale restaurants.

If you’re either a foodie who wants to explore Ecuadorian cuisine further or simply hesitant to approach unfamiliar street foods on your own, then definitely consider taking this Quito Food Tour . It’s a deal at only $25, including lots of nibbles. But it’s only offered on Friday nights.

12) Stumble onto a Quito Craft Beer Pub Crawl

There’s no better way to wash down Quito’s street food than the city’s delicious craft beer. Quito’s craft beer scene is exploding right now and there are great microbreweries scattered all throughout the capital. In traveling extensively in Ecuador, we can definitively say that Quito has the best craft beers and the most brewpubs anywhere in the country.

This makes for a fantastic opportunity to go on a craft beer pub-crawl in Quito. It’s possible to create your pub crawl or leave it to the professionals by joining an organized Quito Craft Beer Tour. Both options are a blast for any beer-lovers traveling to Quito.

Quito Craft Beer Tour

For an easy and fun way to discover the best craft beer places in Quito, book this Quito Craft Beer Tour . A designated driver conveniently takes drinkers around to three notable Quito brewpubs. The modest $44 price not only includes the transportation, but also beer at each brewery and a liquid welcome gift! Besides the convenience of a driver, guests also learn a lot about the flourishing Quito craft beer scene and potentially meet some of the brewers. Check the availability calendar and recent reviews here .

A DIY Craft Beer Pub Crawl

Or form a craft beer pub crawl of your own. Some Quito brewpubs are within close proximity of each other to walk. Uber and taxis make it easy getting to further-flung microbreweries. All in the name of research, we visited over a dozen craft breweries in Quito. Below are some of the favorites that we recommend, with happy hours noted to save you a few bucks while sampling Quito’s finest brews!

Best Quito Craft Breweries in Old Town :

🍺  Bandido Brewing is our favorite brewpub in Quito Old Town. During the weekday 4-7 happy hour pints are $3. 🍺  Santa Rosa Cerverza  recently opened this second location to now offer Old Town some of the best beers in Quito. 🍺 La Oficina brews up their own San Blas beers, which are decent and very well-priced. $4 pints drop to $2 during their generous 5:00-7:00 happy hour.

Best Quito Craft Breweries in New Town :

🍺 ABYSMO Brew Pub  has some high-quality brews in Quito. Great IPAs, but it’s the bourbon stout that is the best of its kind in Ecuador. Half-liters $5.50-$6.50. 🍺 Santa Rosa Cerverza Artesanal Bar  arguably has some of the best craft beer in Quito. The IPAs are excellent, particularly the Dark IPA. Pints: ~$6. A Tuesday-only happy hour drops select taps to $3.50 from 4:00-8:00. 🍺  Bandidos del Paramo :  This Quito brewpub is a taproom collaboration of two established Quito craft breweries: Bandidos and Paramo. Happy hour is 3×2 beers until 8:00. Now with two locations (1) Plaza Foch and (2) Whymper. 🍺 3 Monjes : La Floresta staple with some particularly strong and tasty brews. $5.50 half-liters.

Honorable Mentions in New Town

🍺  Cherusker Cerveceria : Cherusker goes for a German flair and it’s their German styles that shine the brightest. We recommend the Bavaria Wheat Beer. 5 beers on tap. $3.50-$3.90 per pint. 🍺  Indie Beer Company : 6 beers on tap (2 of their own, 4 guest taps.) $4.50 per pint, or 2 for $6. Pleasant atmosphere with okay beer. 🍺 Cervecería Camino del Sol : This is a fairly common craft beer brand in Ecuador and their Plaza Foch brewpub makes a convenient location. 5 beers on tap. $4.90 per half-liter. The beer is decent and the label artwork is awesome.

13) Admire La Floresta’s Street Art

La Floresta is a trendy Quito neighborhood in New Town with with historic hacienda-style houses that help to define this Quito enclave. There’s some great restaurants here too. Yet it’s the flourishing street art scene that’s really beginning to make La Floresta stand out.

Dozens of intricate murals and tasteful graffiti can be found all throughout the La Floresta neighborhood. It can be like walking through an outdoor art museum! But to see the best works, you must know where to look.

Thankfully there’s a great street art walking tour of La Floresta. The free (tip-based) walking tour hits all the most notable places in La Floresta, led by a passionate and knowledgable street artist. While street art is the focus of this La Floresta tour, it also takes in some of the neighborhood’s best viewpoints, a visit to an artist’s workshop, markets, and more.

This La Floresta waking tour makes an interesting exploration to discover a different side of Quito.

14) Join Quito’s Sunday Bike Ride: Quito Ciclopaseo

Every Sunday morning beginning at 8:00 am, a 30-kilometer stretch of Quito’s streets are closed off to vehicular traffic so that cyclists can enjoy a car-free ride around Quito. It’s a fantastic way to mix with locals and cover a lot of ground across Quito.

The Ciclopaseo has an interesting route that meanders from highways in New Town to the cobblestone streets of Old Town and even passes right through a few of Quito’s parks!

Many places in the city tend to be closed on Sunday. So the Ciclopaseo can be one of the best things to do in Quito on Sundays. Take to two wheels and explore Quito from behind the handlebars!

Here’s a glimpse into what that’s like.

15) Tour the Government Palace and Meet the President of Ecuador

How cool is this! Every Monday in Quito, there is a big changing of the guard ceremony outside of the Presidential Palace, also known as Carondelet Palace. During this procession, it’s a weekly tradition for the president to come out and wave to the crowd gathering on Plaza Grande down below.

It’s all quite the pomp and circumstance! A marching band parades through. Guards on horses have a choreographed moment. And then everyone in the plaza gets a chance to wave to the President of Ecuador.

If in Quito on a Monday, it’s highly recommended to squeeze this procession into your Quito itinerary. Greeting the President may be one of the most unique free things to do in Quito. Occasionally the president misses the weekly tradition, but the changing of the guards still takes place, regardless of his attendance or not. It all goes down in Plaza Grande every Monday at 11:00 am.

⚠️ Important tip : Be extra vigilant of pickpockets as the plaza gets crowded during the ceremony and many become distracted while sneaky pickpockets are out in force.

It’s also possible to tour Quito’s presidential palace! This is an interesting opportunity to be able to tour the Ecuadorian equivalent of the White House. And it’s yet another free thing to do in Quito. The grand tour can take up to two hours, visiting the stately interior of offices, banquet rooms, courtyards, and the balcony. Note, there is no longer a ticketing system as there once was. Now advanced reservations are required. Info below.

Best Quito Day Trips & Excursions

Perhaps one of Quito’s best attributes is its Andean location. This lends itself to so many awesome Quito day trips & excursions throughout the region. We attempted to explore the surrounding mountains at length so that we can give you our recommendations for the best Quito day trips.

Although each of these suggestions can most certainly be accomplished by day trips, those who have time should consider doing some of them as overnight excursions. You’ll get a chance to explore each place deeper. That said, each can still be accomplished on a day trip from Quito.

16) Go to the Mindo Cloud Forest for Birding and Adventure

The Mindo Cloud Forest is a fascinating environment located less than a two-hour drive from Quito. This cloud forest is similar to a rainforest. But the elevation and nearly constant low-lying cloud cover is what makes Mindo a cloud forest instead. People come to Mindo from all over the world for its biodiversity that boasts over 500 bird species!

Yet Mindo is highly recommended not only for its nature and birding, but also for adventure!

In Mindo, there are many recreation pursuits. Common outdoor activities in Mindo include hiking , canyoning , repelling down waterfalls , zip lining , hand-pull cable cars , rope bridges, and river tubing .

Additionally, Mindo may have some of the best value adventure activities we’ve seen anywhere in the world! To give an example, zip-lining starts at $10 for a half-course run through the cloud forest and tube rafting is $6!

In addition to the many adventures in Mindo, there’s also a worthwhile butterfly garden ($7.50), a chocolate factory   ($10), and quaint riverside cafes to relax at over a beer.

While it is possible to visit Mindo as a day trip, those who enjoy outdoor adventure should consider a minimum of staying one night. Personally, Mindo is one of our favorite places in Ecuador. If you also enjoy nature and adventure, then be sure to read our separate travel guide that details the: 10 Best Things To Do in Mindo Cloud Forest . And check out all the video highlights below:

17) Cotopaxi Day Trip: Hike Toward the Snowy Summit of an Active Volcano

A day trip from Quito to Cotopaxi is a must-do excursion for any travelers who enjoy adventure. This glacier-capped beauty is one of the tallest active volcanoes in the world and is the 2nd highest point in Ecuador . The summit is 5,897 meters (that’s an elevation of about 3.6 miles high)!

To reach the summit of Cotopaxi, it takes a grueling overnight ascent that is occasionally off-limits due to heightened volcanic activity. But during Cotopaxi day trips from Quito, it’s possible to trek as far up as base camp at an elevation of 4,864 meters! The journey begins after breakfast with a drive through the clouds and up the side of Cotopaxi. Wild horses can often be spotted in this area of Cotopaxi National Park.

The dirt road eventually ends and that’s when the hiking begins. It’s a steep yet short trek, a bit more than 1 km. But the lower oxygen levels at this altitude make it a more difficult trek up the volcanic terrain. Depending on weather conditions at the time, there’s a chance of snow towards the Cotopaxi base camp. It’s there that hikers can warm up with some hot chocolate or try the coca tea to help combat any potential altitude sickness.

Yet perhaps the most thrilling part of the Cotopaxi day tour is the descent! For those who have opted to take a Cotopaxi day tour, mountain bikes provide a bumpy ride down the side of this active volcano! It’s awesome, and the entire experience makes for one of the best Quito day trips.

❌🚕 Quito to Cotopaxi Taxi: It’s possible to find a taxi willing to drive to Cotopaxi for the day. Expect to pay ~$100 for the return trip. But without 4-wheel drive, the taxi likely won’t be able, or willing, to drive towards the top of Cotopaxi for the trek to base camp.

🚂 Quito to Cotopaxi Train:  There is a tourist train that runs from Quito to Cotopaxi. But it doesn’t let passengers off to hike up Cotopaxi. Instead, the train is more of a relaxing day that only goes near the base of the volcano for a short walk. Best for those not wanting to trek. Be forewarned the train only goes to view Cotopaxi, which may be obscured by clouds. The $39 trip runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, by Tren Ecuador .

✅🚐 Cotopaxi Day Tours:  A Cotopaxi Day tour is the best option for adventure travelers. It’s convenient, good value, and the hike-and-bike tour makes a great combo. Here are three options:

18) Take a Laguna Quilotoa Day Trip to this Scenic Crater Lake

A day trip to Laguna Quilotoa Crater is a very popular and worthwhile thing to do from Quito. This former volcano collapsed from an eruption that is estimated to have occurred about 600 years ago. Now the remaining crater lays filled with water, transformed as a deep crater lake. And it’s an awe-inspiring sight.

Pictures don’t even really do it justice. Quilotoa is simply one of those places that you have to see in person. It’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

There are some great views from the Quilotoa Crater rim. But it’s a fun hike down the steep path to the bottom. Along the way, there’s an awesome swing that flies over the edge of the crater. Amazing!

Once at the bottom of Laguna Quilotoa, there’s a chance to kayak around the crater lake ($2.50). It’s then a tough hike back up to the top. For those who don’t quite have the energy, some men with some mules are happy to offer their services.

While going to Laguna Quilotoa does make a good day trip from Quito, it’s also possible to pursue an awesome 3-day trek in around the crater and through Andean farming villages, with great hostel stays and filling meals. This is known as the Quilotoa Loop. It’s one of our favorite treks in South America.

For more info on that, see our separate post: How To Trek the Quilotoa Loop the Cheap & Easy Way .

🚐 Laguna Quilotoa Crater Day Trip from Quito : It’s recommended to travel to Quilotoa as part of a day tour from Quito. This makes for a long day but the impressive crater is so worth the journey. Most day trips help break apart the long drive by stopping at a local market or historic church on the way to Quilotoa. On the return, detours are made to a local home and Cañon del Rio Toachi. The Laguna Quilotoa day tours are good value, starting at $45 and some include lunch. Here’s where to book:

19) Day Trip from Quito to Otavalo for Crafts and Crater Lake

Otavalo is home to Ecuador’s most famous local market, which is one of the largest and most renown markets in all of South America. We recommend an Otavalo day trip for anyone who enjoys shopping for local crafts, as you’ll find the best craft shopping in all of Ecuador here.

The Otavalo market tradition goes back hundreds of years all the way to pre-Incan times. The craft market is a particular highlight with so many colorful items on display. This famous Otavalo market really expands on Saturdays, and to a lesser extent, on Wednesdays.

On Saturday the market sprawls out across dozens of blocks of Otavalo’s streets. The market runs from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Although we notice people begin to start packing up after 4:00 pm. While Saturday and Wednesday are best, it is possible to visit the craft market any day of the week.

On Saturdays, there’s also an animal market. It may seem like a novelty, but we suggest passing on that. There’s really not much to it, other than disturbing animal conditions.

More things to do around Otavalo

There’s an impressive condor rehabilitation center, Parque Condor , which can be reached by taxi from Otavalo for $4. Near there is a beautiful waterfall, Waterfall Peguche , accessible by a short hike.  Also nearby are many stunning Andean lakes, such as Laguna Cuicocha (below).

It’s so worth it to take a day tour to Otavalo since they easily include stops at many additional locations. Due to timing and connections, it would be impossible to visit them all on your own during a single day. The highlight of a day tour in the Otavalo area is the stunning crater lake known as Laguna Cuicocha ! If going to Otavalo, ensure this is a stop on your day tour.

20) Lagunas de Mojanda is a Hiking Utopia on a Clear Day

This area just outside of Otavalo is a hiker’s paradise on a clear day. What looks like picturesque green foothills are actually high-altitude alpine volcanoes! In between them, scenic crater lakes abound. It can be a magical place to visit when the weather cooperates.

There are dozens of treks to pursue at Lagunas de Mojanda, but the summit of Fuya Fuya is the most popular. It’s a great (and steep) hike to the summit of Fuya Fuya (4,263 meters) that offers some specular views of the lakes below and the many volcanoes that surround. 💡 Pro tip: pack some cardboard to slide down this volcano on the descent!

While it may be among the most beautiful places in the region, it does take a bit more effort to reach from Quito than the aforementioned day trip suggestions. Unfortunately there are no organized day tours go to Lagunas de Mojanda.

🚌 Quito to Lagunas de Mojanda bus + taxi : It’s not possible to get all the way Lagunas de Mojanda by bus. It can be accessed from Otavalo (see bus directions in Otavalo section above). From Otavalo, it’s a $15 taxi to Lagunas de Mojanda, each way. Consider paying the taxi to wait or to return (particularly so on a weekday), as taxis are not frequent here.

Quito Ecuador: Travel Tips

Before pursuing all the fun things to do in Quito, there are other logistics and travel tips to be aware of. We’ve scouted out the cheapest flights to get to Quito, the best places to stay in Quito, and important travel tips you need to know.

Getting to Quito Ecuador & Inexpensive Flight Routes

🇺🇸 Flights from  US to Quito

There are many flight routes from US to Quito. Direct flights can be found from Atlanta, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.

The best-priced airfares from the US to Quito are typically found from Florida; either Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Each of those locations regularly have airfare to Quito under $250 each way.

To secure and inexpensive fare, try to book at least three weeks in advance. There’s a nonstop JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale to Quito that we’ve even seen priced less than $100 each way !

Other flights from the US to Quito can cost upwards of $1,000. So i t’s worth considering booking a separate flight to Florida first in order to save several hundred dollars in airfare. New York City also tends to have competitive rates to Quito, with a layover is involved.

We’ve found the best rates from US to Quito by searching Skyscanner .

🇪🇺 Flights from Europe to Quito

Direct flights from Europe to Quito exist from Paris, Amsterdam, and Madrid.

Yet the most inexpensive ticket from Europe to Quito tends to be through Spain. As of 2o2o, we’ve regularly seen direct flights between Madrid and Quito listed around $330, one-way .

So if flying from Europe, it can be worth considering flying to Madrid first, then onward to Quito. Elsewhere in Europe, you may be spending well upwards of $1,500 on a round-trip ticket to Quito. You can flights these cheap flights from Madrid to Quito using three different airlines that serve this route: Iberia, Air Europa, and Plus Ultra Lineas Aereas.

Again, we’ve found the best rates from Europe to Quito by searching Skyscanner

Where to Stay in Quito Ecuador

Although it’s a very large city, there are two main areas most Quito visitors stay in:

• New Town: La Mariscal & La Floresta

So which should you choose? It’s a tough call and there’s no right answer. Yet we’d suggest a stay in Old Town, particularly so for shorter stays. In Old Town, you’ll be right in the heart Quito’s historic center to more easily experience some of the capital’s cultural highlights, just outside your doorstep.

Yet for those who are in Quito for a longer stay, New Town may prove a better option. New Town enjoys a location with more modern conveniences. There are lots of restaurants, malls, supermarkets, and bars. There’s also more of a nightlife scene around Plaza Foch compared to Old Town. So those looking to party may also be better situated in New Town. And it can be a bit safer at night.

Either way, it really doesn’t make too much of a difference, as these two locations are only separated by a few stops on the Ecovia or a $2-$3 Uber/taxi.

Hostels in Quito Are Best for Solo Travelers ⭐

Great Deals for Private Budget Rooms in Quito ⭐⭐

You can actually find some very decent private rooms in Quito for under $20 per night! They may be fairly basic, but they’re clean & comfy crash pads. 🏨 Hotel Yumbo Imperial : You can’t beat the location, smack in the middle of the historic center just two blocks form Plaza Grande. Hotel Yumbo boasts small but colorful rooms, at an incredible bargain, with a great location. 🏨 Hotel Margarita 2 : This hotel has very nice rooms for under $20 price. Thus, it may be one of the best values in Quito that includes private bathrooms (rather than shared). It’s next to a park and only about a 10-minute walk to the historic center. 🏨 L’Auberge Inn :  While not located in Mariscal nor in the historic center, the hotel’s location in between the two, making either area accessible. With great reviews and a great value, this is certainly a place to consider staying in Quito.

Excellent Value Quito Hotels ⭐⭐⭐

There are a few 3 & 4-star hotels with excellent reviews, yet with prices at only around $50 per night! Both of the steals even include breakfast, and can be found in La Mariscal, close to Plaza Foch: 🏨 Embassy Quito : This must be the most modern and stylish hotel you can find in Quito for under $50 and includes breakfast. 🏨 Sierra Madre :  This is another great option near Plaza Foch, with breakfast, and rooms under $50 per night.

Enjoy Luxury for Less ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For a little luxury, Quito has some fantastic value 5-star hotels to consider. Each of these can be booked for around $100 per night, which is a steal for the high-quality accommodation they deliver. Even if it’s out of your price range, just take a look at some of these elegant properties in Quito. 🏨 Casa San Marcos Hotel Boutique : If looking for a classy place in Quito Old Town that retains the area’s historic charm, look no further. This boutique hotel offers all the modern conveniences amongst gorgeous antiques and old-world charm. This intimate space boasts an excellent location in Old Town. If we were to splurge in Quito, this would be our #1 choice. 🏨 GHL Hotel Le Parc : Add some elegance to your stay in Quito with this swanky hotel in the financial district right next to Parque Carolina. 🏨 NH Collection Royal Quito :  This modern hotel is all class in the trendy La Floresta neighborhood.

For Long-Term Stays in Quito: Airbnb 🏢

For longer stays in Quito, Airbnb can be a great option to have the conveniences of a kitchen, laundry, etc. There are plenty of Airbnb throughout the city. We stayed in a modern one-bedroom furnished Airbnb apartment for as low as $400 for the month (28 days) including utilities. $600/month can be a good price range to shoot for in a centrally located area.

Of course, shorter stays are possible too. But we find that quick stays in Quito can be better served by a hotel or hostel, which are similarly inexpensive. If interested in Airbnb and have never used it before, feel free to use our referral link to save up to $40+ on your first Airbnb booking .

More Quito Travel Tips:

🌩️  don’t check the weather in quito.

Seriously, don’t bother. It’s usually wrong. The weather in Quito is very unpredictable. The forecasted temperatures can be somewhat trusted. But Quito’s sun/cloud/rain forecasts have proven to be consistently wrong.

☔  Always bring a rain jacket with you

Or a compact travel umbrella like this . Weather changes in an instant in Quito. A beautiful sunny day can turn into a torrential downpour with almost no transition. Always take a rain jacket or umbrella with you even if it appears to be a bright sunshiny day. June through August are the driest months in Quito. But it still rains then too.

🍽️  Get to know the “almuerzos”

The Spanish word for lunch is almuerzo . But in Quito, it takes on a slightly different meaning. Restaurants offering almuerzos are generally dishing out a set 3-course set menu of soup, a main w/ sides, dessert, and juice.

Almuerzo prices typically range $2.00-$3.50, so they are great options for budget travelers to eat amongst the local crowd in Quito. The incredible values are very common. Simply look for the sandwich boards or a handwritten sign outside of restaurants during lunchtime.

⛰️  Beware of Quito’s altitude

Quito is one of the highest capital cities in the world, with an altitude of 3,000 meters. That’s about two miles high!  Altitude sickness can occur at altitudes higher than 2,400 meters. Quito is 600 meters beyond that.

Some people visiting Quito from sea level experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Allow a few days to acclimatize before pursuing physical activities like hiking Cotopaxi and Quilotoa.

For those who are particularly prone to altitude sickness, consider taking this natural medication . It’s well worth it, as evidence from these great reviews it gets on Amazon . Avoid that throbbing headache and instead enjoy your trip to Quito!

☀️  Use lots of sunscreen.

In Quito, visitors are hit with a double-whammy of the equatorial sun and altitude. The sun in Quito is no joke. Visitors manage to get burned even on cloudy days.

Pack sunscreen with you. It tends to be much more expensive in Quito compared to US prices. Use at least SPF 50. We like this Banana Boat sunscreen that Amazon sells at a good price.

🚱 Don’t drink the water in Quito

The tap water in Quito is regarded as generally not safe to drink. Use bottled water only.

Also, consider traveling with this compact LifeStraw . We have one and it really came in handy a few times when we realized we were out of bottled water at night after all the stores were closed.

💸 Cash is king

Ecuador uses the US dollar as its currency. While some businesses in Quito do accept credit card, most don’t. Some places that do accept credit cards may add a fee. ATMs are frequent, so it’s best to use those and have cash.

💵  Use small bills

Most businesses generally won’t accept $50 or $100 bills. Come with small change as you’ll otherwise have a very difficult time breaking a hundo spot. Even twenties can sometimes be tough to break. Carry small change if possible.

🆔  Carry your ID

It’s not only the law. Bars often ask to see your ID upon entry (even when you’re clearly of age). It is almost always required if you do make any credit card purchases. Some of Quito’s free attractions, such as museums, also require an ID upon entry.

🚇  Reconsider public transportation for short trips

We’re often advocates of public transportation as a cost-effective and more ecological means of transport. But in Quito, we often noticed the $0.25 Ecovia, Troles, and buses can become packed to the point that you can barely breathe. With all the people up against you and further threats of pickpockets, you may want to reconsider taking the $0.25 ride during busy times.

It can be worth it to spend a few extra quarters to take an Uber or taxi, which both have reasonable rates. Traveling a few kilometers across town is typically less than $2.

🚕  Use the meter for taxis in Quito.

Often a taxi driver will turn on his meter upon you entering the cab. If he does, go with it. It’s a good rate. If not, be sure to negotiate a price immediately or you could end up paying more than expected.

🚗 Better yet, Uber in Quito .

We found Uber rates tend to be about the same, or slightly cheaper than a taxi. Ubers in Quito are safe and reliable.

Uber is also a good option for non-Spanish speakers. The destination is input into the app, so there’s no need to explain directions.

As long as you have an international data connection, the same Uber app you use at home works in Quito.

👛  Watch out for pickpockets.

Keep very vigilant, particularly in crowded places frequented by tourists. We found Quito to be safe overall. But there is a real threat of pickpockets in touristic areas. This holds particularly true in Old Town and in crowded public transport.

Be very mindful if someone seems to be innocently bumping into you. Keep belongings close in these instances.

 ⚠️  Important: Be Sure to Have Travel Insurance in Quito.

You never know what could go wrong during a trip to Quito, from a minor incident like lost luggage or flight cancelation to a major disaster like an earthquake or a car accident. Travel insurance will not only come to your rescue. It will also cover those unexpected costs.

Whether you sprain an ankle while hiking Cotopaxi or become a pickpocketing victim in Plaza Grande, don’t let something like this ruin your trip to Quito. We always use travel insurance while roaming around Ecuador and recommend it. We like World Nomads , which has what we’ve found to have the best price and coverage combination (particularly for longer trips).  Enter the dates for your trip  to get a quick estimate.

💼  What to Pack for Quito

Pack for Quito as you would for any cool-weather destination. We recommend plenty of activewear and sun protection. Also, be sure to pack comfortable shoes for all the walking you’ll undoubtedly be doing. It’s wise to pack either a travel umbrella or a rain jacket too.

Of course, pack all of your regular travel gear that you’d pack for any international trip. Don’t forget the camera and your passport! Check out our Ultimate Travel Packing List for all our packing tips and travel gear ideas, which we wrote while based in Quito.

Traveling to Quito Ecuador?

We hope this Quito travel guide has helped to show what we’ve found are the best things to do in Quito. If you’ve used this guide to help plan a trip to Quito, please let us know in the comments. We always love to hear from people who may have stumbled across our posts.

Or if you have any questions while planning a trip to Quito, feel free to ask and we’ll try to answer. Finally, if you’ve been to Quito and have your own favorite thing to do in Quito, let us know so we can check it out next time.

And there will be a next time. Quito is way too fun not to return!

Lastly, if this post has helped you, please consider sticking with us to continue receiving travel tips and inspiration! Join thousands of other savvy travelers on our Facebook and/or Instagram to get more awesome travel ideas into your social feeds!

Where to Next in Ecuador?

If you found this Quito Travel Guide helpful, then you may be interested in other travel guides we’ve published about Ecuador.

 🇪🇨 For the most comprehensive round-up on traveling Ecuador, be sure to check out our article that sums up the best experiences and where to go.

Read : 20 Best Things to Do in Ecuador & Interesting Places to Visit

🐢 Did you know that you don’t have to take a pricey Galapagos tour? You can actually visit the Galapagos independently for cheap! This post reveals exactly how it’s possible.

Read :  How To Afford the Best of the Galapagos: Budget Travel Tips

⛪ Cuenca is Ecuador’s colonial gem and is another one of the country’s Unesco World Heritage Sites. It’s nicknamed the Athens of Ecuador for its historic center and being a cultural hub. Yet adventure abounds in the Andes that surround and our latest guide spills all the details.

Read: 20 Best Things To Do in Cuenca Ecuador: Travel Guide

🎡  Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city. In comparison to Quito, it’s so different. Guayaquil is near the coast with a warm and tropical vibe. There’s lots to do in Guayaquil to consider a stopover of a few days.

Read :  15 Best Things To Do in Guayaquil Ecuador: Travel Guide

🚣 We weren’t sure if it was possible to travel by boat from Ecuador to reach the Amazon River . So we set off on a rural adventure to find out. Read our tale to see how.

Read :  How to Travel the Napo River by Boat from Coca to Iquitos

🏔️ Riobamba  is a 3-4 hour bus ride from Quito further into the Andes. This city sits at the base of Ecuador’s tallest mountain , Chimborazo, and hence is an awesome gateway to numerous adventures that about in the area.

Read : Riobamba Travel Guide: Best Adventures & Things to Do

Publishing note: This article about the Best Things To Do in Quito is continually updated to best reflect the latest and up-to-date info. Last updated January 29, 2020.

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January 19, 2023 at 1:26 AM

Am about to embark on a trip to Quito and the Galapagos. Thanks for all the helpful information. Have taken note and altered my itinerary. On a Trip Advisor site I saw that there was a Hop On Hop Off bus in Quito but I have not seen mention of this anywhere else. Can you confirm if this still operating? Someone mentioned that it was called Wanderbus?

February 7, 2023 at 12:00 PM

Wanderbus is a bus transportation option that makes multiday trips across Ecuador, allowing passengers to hop-on and off at various destinations across the country. If you’re looking for a hop-on-hop-off tour of Quito, there is a 2.5-hr double-decker bus tour of Quito but the ability to hop-on/off is limited. For a thorough tour of Quito, we instead recommend the Original 1914 Trolley Tour .

November 25, 2022 at 9:07 PM

This is very detailed! Bravo! I love your little blue boxes with tips and specifics on each activity. This page was easy to navigate and had a lot of really good information. Having been to Quito myself, and enjoyed many of the same things, I can only say well done, and I agree!!

October 30, 2021 at 2:54 AM

Thank you so much for this very detailed blog. It is absolutely EXCELLENT. The best of any destination guide I have seen for any city! Keep up the great work.

We are looking forward to our visit in Jan. 2021

November 4, 2020 at 12:18 AM

We plan to trip to Ecuador. This post help a lot. Thank you for the post.

August 3, 2020 at 3:33 PM

Love your info. Need more guides like this.

February 23, 2020 at 7:03 PM

Just wanted to thank you for all the great info. I will be in Quito for 10 days in June for my 60th birthday. I have reserved a room at the Community Hostel and will be booking my trips through them. I loved all your links and videos. Job well done, thanks again.

February 26, 2020 at 2:58 PM

So great to hear – hope you have a fantastic trip! 🙂

December 20, 2019 at 1:26 PM

Wow, great information on this site! Thanks so much for taking time to write and update it. I have one question about the Sunday bike days – do we have to rent bikes to go on the roads or can we get them elsewhere? I’m planning to do the free city bike program with biciquito, so wondering if I can just use one of these. Thanks!

December 20, 2019 at 4:08 PM

So glad you found it helpful! 🙂 The Sunday bike ride is open to everyone regardless of where you get the bike from. Most people that do the bike ride are local to Quito, so just bring their own bikes. You bring grab a bike from wherever to join in the fun. I’d imagine the Biciquito bikes should work just fine, so long as you completed their registration process. Have a great trip!

August 15, 2019 at 7:01 AM

This article was SO HELPFUL!! Thank you 🙂

One question: as we won’t be in Quito on a Saturday or Wednesday but wanted to do a combined day tour of equator and Otavalo – do you know if the two can be done on public transport? i.e. is there a bus connecting the two?

Also, do you happen to have restaurant recommendations apart from the amazing markets?

August 20, 2019 at 11:49 AM

It could be possible, but time would be tight. The main equator monument, Mitad del Mundo, is located on a different highway than the road to Otavalo. They’re both accessed from the North side of Quito, so that may help. If trying to squeeze them both into one day, I’d suggest going to Otavalo first, early in the morning, then hitting the equator monuments if you have time once you return. From Terminal Carcelen, it’s about a 2-hour bus ride each way to Otavalo. Once you return back to Quito, if you still have time before it closes (6pm), then you could take a taxi/Uber from the terminal directly to the equator monument. Depending on traffic, it could take up to 30 minutes and cost $5-$8 to Uber from Carcelen to Mitad del Mundo. Also, just note that the Otavalo market isn’t as big on days other than Wed and Sat. Have a great trip!

August 5, 2019 at 10:27 PM

Thank you for this guide! I really like and appreciate the details and organization of information. We referred to it a few times during our one week stay in Quito, and it was very helpful. There were a couple of things that were different than what was described here, not sure if it was just our luck or maybe some things have changed since your last update. I’ll just mention them here in case it’s helpful for other travelers, feel free to fact-check them and reply if it’s not generally true (and just our random experience). 1) Bus to Mitad del Mundo: There is actually a direct bus that’s not too hard to get to from the Centro Historico, which doesn’t require the transfer at Ofelia and was pretty easy. We boarded at the El Tejar bus stop (although I imagine there are other stops along the route that people could get to), which was about a 15 min walk from Plaza Grande, along Meijia until it turns into El Tejar (rough coordinates here: -0.214157, -78.51636). It’s not the bus stop at the island in the middle, just the one on the closer side if you’re walking along Meijia from Plaza Grande and the bus companies are called Transporte Mitad del Mundo. The ones to Mitad del Mundo will have a yellow sign saying “Mitad del Mundo” or “Ciudad del Mundo” in front. It costs $0.40. We heard it runs every 30 mins or so, although we waited no more than 5 mins so we can’t verify that. 2) Guard Change: We were told by our walking tour guide that this happens 8am most Mondays, except the first Monday of the month, when it’s at 11am. Since we were here the first Monday, it was at 11am as you mentioned, so we can’t verify the other time mentioned by our guide, but maybe it’s worth looking into to confirm. 3) Bike rental for Ciclopaseo: We actually didn’t find any bike rentals at Plaza Grande and were told by the Tourist Info Office that there aren’t any in the Centro Historico (unless you made some sort of advance reservation or something). We were instructed to go to La Mariscal, where we also didn’t see many bike rentals on Av. Amazonas until we reached La Carolina Parque area, where we saw a few, but not as many as we expected. If we were to do it again, we would probably plan ahead and reserve bikes since it didn’t seem as easy to just walk around and get one the day of. 4) Not quite mentioned in your Quito guide but rather in your Galapagos post, we actually did find snorkel sets in Quito and they weren’t so expensive (not $60+). We found many in the ‘Casas de Deportes’ sports stores around the Centro Historico, many near the Santo Domingo bus stop/plaza, although we’ve seen some more stores elsewhere as well. They ranged from $10-35. Probably cheap unknown brands so we can’t vouch for the quality though. We already bought ours in Costa Rica as we thought we couldn’t find any cheap ones in Quito and we are traveling for a while so we can’t get them from the U.S. shipped to us. There was an ‘Aquatek’ brand one in Quito for $35, though we got the same thing in Costa Rica for about $30. 5) We found the bus travel in Quito to be relatively safe, not that uncomfortable (we only had a crowded bus a couple of times and most other times we could find a seat), very economical for budget/backpack travelers (.25 for most buses), and definitely more ecological than taking cars around all the time. We understand of course that many of your readers are probably coming straight from North America/Europe for only a short vacation so maybe Uber/taxi is just easier to deal with and much cheaper than back home, but we would like to advocate for buses a little because it’s much more environmentally friendly (less carbon footprint per passenger). Quito even has some electric buses, and the Trole bus/Ecovia stops are very established. Google Maps has pretty good transit information on Quito, and we used it to get around with no problem. The only thing that was confusing on Google Maps is that they use numbers for routes that aren’t really displayed on the buses (e.g. Google will show bus 112 or 78 but the buses will not have these signs), so it’s easier to go by the destination (e.g. if Google says Rio Cuca, then just watch for the label that says Rio Cuca on the bus windshields).

Anyway, sorry for the long comment. We really found your guide super helpful and just wanted to share a little of our experience in case it’s helpful for others too. Now we’re headed to Galapagos next and will be looking at your post as well 🙂

August 6, 2019 at 8:08 PM

Am glad to hear this was helpful! Thanks so much for taking the time for your thoughtful response and feedback. Pointing out differences you noticed will surely help other travelers and we’ll definitely make some upcoming edits to this post to reflect this.

1) Thanks so much for the added info about the direct bus to Mitad del Mundo. Great to hear about not having to do the transfer. And your details are awesome. Will incorporate this info into the directions when we make a quick update to this post again soon. 2) The guard change has been at 11:00, every Monday in the past. Thanks for the heads-up about a potential 8am change. Will research this a bit further to confirm if it’s changed other than the first Monday at 11:00. Glad you were still able to catch it! 🙂 3) The bike rentals on Av Rio Amazonas alongside Parque Carolina are probably more abundant. That’s actually where we always go to rent them. Yet when we were last in Quito a few months ago, there were bikes still available at Plaza Grande, even at mid-day. Perhaps the demand for bikes is much greater at the Plaza though and they get scooped up in advance. I’ll soon edit this to suggest going to Parque Carolina as more of a sure thing to actually get a bike. 4) Glad to hear that there are some cheap-er masks around somewhere in Quito. Due to taxation, all the imported masks, and any merch really (cars, electronics, everything) are all so much more expensive than if purchased back in North America, or even across the border in Colombia. We’ve only encountered very high prices for masks, among the sporting goods stores throughout EC. Other travelers have been surprised by this in what is otherwise an economical country to travel in. So we like to advise packing a mask to avoid the potential of overpaying once in EC. In Galapagos, we’ve seen mask & snorkel sets being sold closer to $100 (yikes!) 5) The public transport is certainly worth considering, particularly for the more environmentally-friendly mode of transportation you mention on Quito’s sometimes heavily trafficked roadways. It’s really such a responsible move to make as a traveler and we totally applaud that. Yet we have found the Ecovia, in particular, to get regularly packed with everyone pressed up against each other and we’ve even had friends living in Quito who’ve gotten pickpocketed in those conditions. So it’s tough to fully recommend. Perhaps it’s best for more seasoned travelers and when it’s not overly crowded. I’ll change that tip to reflect not ignoring the public transport entirely.

Anyhow, thanks again so much for all the feedback. I really like to keep these guides up-to-date, based on reader feedback and changing conditions. Most people rarely take the time to stop back by after their trip to note any differences or changes. So this is all so helpful to us! Muchas gracias! 🙂 Hope you have an excellent time exploring all the magic of the Galapagos that awaits you!

June 14, 2019 at 1:54 PM

Felicito por esta guia muy completa y fácil de utilizar. Recomiendo siempre a mis pasajeros Arbnb que la visiten y así aprovechen mejor su estadía en Quito. Solo una observación, requiere actualizar la foto de Visita al Presidente.

June 19, 2019 at 7:58 PM

Nos alegra saber que el artículo está completo y es fácil de seguir. Lamento haber usado la foto de cuando vimos a Correa en el palacio hace años. Tendremos que volver para capturar una foto del presidente Moreno. Tales cambios pueden ser difíciles de mantener actualizados.

March 22, 2019 at 10:40 AM

Truly an amazing guide- muchísimas gracias!! I just arrived to Quito this morning and will be using this guide as a bible to all things cool in Quito! I’m definitely booking my hostel and Mitad del Mundo tour through your guide/site. Thanks again for such an easy and detailed guide!!

March 22, 2019 at 7:38 PM

Welcome to Quito! 🙂 It’s so great to hear this because we actually just spent the past few days giving this post a major update, after having just returned to Quito ourselves earlier this month. So it’s nice to know this fresh info is getting out there. Have an awesome trip to Quito and Ecuador!

March 21, 2019 at 6:02 PM

I’m so glad I found your post just before we went to Quito on March 3! I literally wrote down my list of things to do (and eat!) from this post, and everything was right on! Especially appreciated were the notes on taxi prices and approximate distances/drive times to sights.

Thanks so much for all the time it took to put this together. Lisa

March 22, 2019 at 7:30 PM

So glad to hear this proved helpful! Thanks for taking the time to stop back by our blog to let us know. Always encouraging feedback to hear. 🙂 Hope you had a great time in Quito!

March 19, 2019 at 9:58 PM

Hi, Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive guide. Heading to Quito for a few days in coming months and this guide really helps us choose how to best spend that time. Any packing tips? –seems long pants and sleeves and a fleece would be wise…Cheers!

March 21, 2019 at 4:09 PM

De nada! 🙂 So glad to hear this has been helpful. In the last day or two, we actually just did a big major update to this guide for 2019. It’s largely the same recommendations, but some logistics had changed and a few new things in Quito we discovered had popped up. Regarding packing, yes definitely long pants and long sleeves. Some days it gets warm enough for short sleeves. But it tends to cool off quickly at night. Fleece would be ideal. No need for a thick winter jacket or anything. And be sure to pack stuff for the sun and the rain. Hope you have a great trip to Quito!

February 18, 2019 at 12:23 PM

I have literally refered back to this article throughout my entire 10 days in Quito. So helpful. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks for sharing. Alan, Ireland.

February 19, 2019 at 6:59 AM

Ah, that’s so great to hear! 🙂 Thanks so much for dropping by with the comment to let us know. We’re really looking forward to returning Quito later this month! Cheers!

January 26, 2019 at 10:35 AM

Awesome post….you have tons of helpful tips, with specific details which most posts are missing. We are going to Quito in March for a week. This helps me feel more prepared. Thank you!

January 28, 2019 at 9:11 AM

Thanks for the kind feedback and so glad this proved helpful! 🙂 Hope you have a great trip to Quito! We’re getting excited to be heading back there next month ourselves.

November 24, 2018 at 4:50 PM

This is a really awesome guide. Thank you for all of the work on this!

November 12, 2018 at 5:09 PM

That i call a Guide – amazing work!

May 19, 2018 at 3:21 PM

Great suggestions! I have some notes I will post about somethings that have changed in the past 12 months, just finished a great visit with my husband.

May 25, 2018 at 1:05 PM

So glad to hear you had a great visit! Yes, please do let us know any changes you’ve noticed as we’re just getting ready to update this article. 🙂

February 28, 2018 at 4:47 PM

Wow – this is an awesome itenery. I plan on my first travelling experience and start in Quito. There seems so much to do i might plan in a few extra days! Onto the galapagos islands blog next! Thank you for this – your time is appreciated

March 20, 2018 at 10:26 AM

Thanks Abby! There’s so much to do in Quito, I’m sure you’ll be happy if you build in a few extra days. Enjoy exploring Ecuador, you’ve picked an excellent country to kick off your travels!

January 23, 2018 at 7:35 PM

I agree with all the previous compliments on how great this article is! I have a quick question. Where did you stay the night for the 2 day trip to Mindo? I would love to do the 2 day trip exactly how you suggest in the article.

January 24, 2018 at 10:40 PM

Always glad to hear this is helpful! 🙂 We stayed at Bio Hostal Mindo Cloud Forest. I was very inexpensive, good enough (yet nothing amazing), good location, and had a great hot breakfast. We were satisfied but really, there are loads of great inexpensive places in Mindo! Have a great trip – buen viaje!

October 11, 2017 at 8:17 PM

Thank you very much for this great guide. I am staying in Quito right now and find it very useful

October 24, 2017 at 11:23 PM

So glad to hear this Quito travel guide is proving helpful! Thanks so much for stopping by with the positive feedback.

September 27, 2017 at 7:34 AM

Hi John! Wow, this is a really comprehensive post with lots of really useful information and tips. It makes me want to go back to Quito. It’s such a beautiful city. I loved the Quito Craft Beer Tour. It was really fun! I actually just wrote a blog post recently too about alternative things to do in Quito.

July 19, 2017 at 8:53 PM

I would suggest doing one of the Escape Rooms in Quito. The games are quite cheep in comparison to the US or other parts of the world and some of them are well themed and thoughtfull. I would recommend Escape 23 in the Mariscal Area. Some more are: Exit, Room Escape Ecuador and Reto Eureka.

PS: Great Bog! =)

July 27, 2017 at 1:47 PM

We’ve seen those escape rooms popping up all over the place and have always wanted to do it. With costs lower in Quito compared to other places in the world, sounds like it could be worth doing there. Definitely something to consider checking out – thanks for the idea!

May 5, 2017 at 6:33 PM

Hey! What a winderdul article so helpful thank you very much for your work and passion. Quick questioni eant to do otovalo tour tomorrow but i want to take my time and buy a lot of souvenirs… do you think it is a great idea to do it with a grouo or it s best on my own???

May 7, 2017 at 4:55 PM

Not sure if this has reached you in time, but I’d suggest that if your main priority in Otovalo is shopping, then just do it yourself. But if those other activities interest you, the tour would make for a more complete day. I’d imagine that it would give you enough time to shop. It’s a big market but most of the handicrafts are clustered together in one area. I would assume that you would have enough time on the tour to buy all that you wanted but it really depends on just how much shopping you’re planning to do. If in doubt, I’d say just go on your own and you’ll have all the time you want. 🙂

March 1, 2017 at 12:44 AM

This is so informative and helpful especially for us who is planning to visit quito ecuador. I’ll be saving this to my bookmarks. And by the way, this will be my first travel so I’m excited haha! But, thank you so much! I love this. 😀

March 3, 2017 at 1:12 PM

Hey Esther, thanks for the comment! We’re so happy to hear that you have found our guide to be useful when planning your trip. Enjoy beautiful Quito!

February 22, 2017 at 3:39 PM

Wow, that’s a very nice and comprehensive guide to Quito! I’m planning to visit Ecuador this year, so definitely bookmarking it.

February 23, 2017 at 1:40 PM

Hey Pedro, thanks for the comment. We have no doubt that you’ll enjoy Ecuador just as much as we are!

February 22, 2017 at 4:43 AM

Quito Ecuador is really pretty. You are really lucky! I really want to visit here now.

February 22, 2017 at 2:13 PM

Hey Karla, thanks for the comment. We feel very lucky to travel through such a beautiful country 🙂 Hoping that you’ll get to experience it too!

February 21, 2017 at 4:56 PM

Excellent comprehensive article. I’ll be forwarding it to others bookmarking for myself. Thank you.

February 22, 2017 at 2:10 PM

Hey Alicia, thanks for the comment. We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the article and thank you for sharing!

February 21, 2017 at 10:03 AM

We stayed the night at Casa San Marcos, and it was fabulous! We were only really in Quito for a day and a half (we went to Canar, Banos, and Otavalo) and it was very rainy, but the Centro Historico was beautiful!

February 21, 2017 at 4:36 PM

Hey Teresa, thanks for the comment and sharing your experience at Casa San Marcos. Sounds like you had some really full days during your visit! Glad to hear that you enjoyed the historic charm in Quito as much as we did 🙂

February 21, 2017 at 7:12 AM

Bookmarked. This is a really comprehensive guide. I bookmarked it because we have plans to visit Ecuador and Quito of course, and this will surely be an asset to us. Great work. 🙂

February 21, 2017 at 4:27 PM

Thanks for the comment! We have no doubt that you’ll have a wonderful time in Quito. Please let us know if you have any questions when planning your visit.

February 20, 2017 at 10:16 PM

Wow this is SUCH comprehensive guide to Quito. I have heard great things about this city, but I can see there is even more to do than I had heard of. Fabulous write up.

February 21, 2017 at 4:17 PM

Hi Skye, thanks for the comment and compliment. We were absolutely amazed with the amount of activities and sights to keep us busy, there’s certainly no shortage of things to do 🙂

February 19, 2017 at 11:26 PM

First of all kudos for writing such an extensive and detailed article. Most people are busy writing listicles and this is a perfect mixture of story telling and point wise details to help travelers. Ecuador and the neighboring countries is, for me, a completely different world that I am always fascinated with but never had the opportunity to explore. There’s obviously so much to do here and the architecture and the vibe seems to be very European. I love how you gave such a well rounded posts covering all aspects of the city and the country to an extent. Reading the article my feet are itchy to really get up and start exploring again.

February 20, 2017 at 4:11 PM

Hey, thank you so much for the compliment! As you can see, we think that Quito and the surrounding area is a perfect travel destination with endless activities to keep one busy. Glad to hear that you’re considering exploring again. Please let us know if you add Quito to your itinerary and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.

June 16, 2017 at 7:51 PM

Best travel article ever! I am curious if you know the scoop on easy to reach waterfalls or swimming holes? I know there are waterfalls in the mountains but are there any other spots? Leaving June 29th til July 2nd from Miami, I’ve gotta take a dip or dive there! Thank you for sharing your experience in such a remarkable way!

June 20, 2017 at 4:14 PM

Oh you’re making us blush. Thanks! 🙂 As for waterfalls, if you are planning to go to Mindo (and you should!), there are many many waterfalls all around there. Otovalo has some nice Falls around it too, such a Peguche. Closer to Quito, you could perhaps try the Rio Pita Waterfall that is about 1-hour South of the city and there are some excursions that go there, but it’s not a very common one. Hope that helps and have an awesome trip to Quito!!

February 19, 2017 at 6:07 PM

This is a fantastic guide to Quito!!! No need for any other guide just yours. Would love to get back over to South America some time and visit Quito – when I do I know were I will be heading for info 🙂

February 20, 2017 at 4:06 PM

Hey Melissa, thanks so much for the comment and kind words. I hope that you’ll be able to make it back to South America and add Quito to your itinerary 🙂

February 19, 2017 at 4:18 PM

What a fantastic article! We’re looking to visit Cuito early next year, and we’re definitely going to stay a few days, just so that we can fit in the craft beer crawl! Looks like there’s plenty going on there

February 20, 2017 at 4:04 PM

Hey Nicky, thanks for the comment. So happy to hear that you’ll be traveling to Quito. There’s so much here to do, and as you mentioned, the craft beer crawl is reason alone to stay. Please let us know if you have any questions when planning your trip to Quito.

February 19, 2017 at 2:57 PM

WOW. This is such a detailed post! You bet that I’m bookmarking your post now! After all, I aim to visit this part of the world sometime soon this year.

Thanks for this!

February 20, 2017 at 4:01 PM

Hey Aileen, thanks for the comment! I’m confident that you won’t regret adding Quito to your travel itinerary this year. Please let us know if you have any questions when planning your trip.

February 19, 2017 at 2:25 PM

By far, the most comprehensive guide to Quite I’ve read. I feel like you provided more information and detail than Lonely Planet does! Very impressed! I had no idea there was so many interesting things to do in Quito, because like you mention, most people I know who have been tend to just do an overnight before moving on. Interesting that it has a fun beer culture too, which is something I certainly would like to dive into!

February 20, 2017 at 3:59 PM

Hey Drew, thanks for the comment and kind words. Comparing this post to the Lonely Planet is quite the compliment 🙂 Quito is such an amazing city with loads to keep one busy, definitely deserves more than just a stopover. I hope you have an opportunity to check out the craft beer scene!

February 19, 2017 at 3:04 AM

Wow! What a super comprehensive guide. There are loads of things to do in Quito. We were just there last year and reading your post was fun! Great tips. 🙂

February 20, 2017 at 3:53 PM

Hey Anna, thanks for the comment! Glad to hear that you’ve been to Quito and reading this post brought back some memories for you.

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6 Best Things to do in Quito Ecuador (Plus 7-Stop Weekend Itinerary)

Planning a trip to Quito Ecuador is exciting. It’s a large city and there’s a lot to see. In this post, you’ll find the best things to do in Quito Ecuador as a tourist. These locations and activities will give you a taste of the culture and natural beauty of the city. Plus, we include a 7-stop weekend Quito itinerary.

Explore Quito Ecuador’s Attractions

These Quito Ecuador tourist attractions are something to get excited about. You’ll see what I mean as you watch this visual tour of Quito.

Visual Tour of Quito Ecuador

What a gorgeous city! Now, let’s look at specific locations so you can enjoy the best of what Quito has to offer.

Best Places To Visit In Quito Ecuador

All the locations covered in this post will be within walking distance or a short taxi ride from your Quito hotel.

There are some attractions outside the city that you probably won’t want to miss. Like the popular Otavalo market and Quilotoa Lake (a water-filled caldera) . But we’ll cover Quito day trips in another post.

Let’s get started with the 6 best attractions in Quito Ecuador.

Top 6 Quito Ecuador Tourist Attractions

Here’s a quick list of the top 6 places to visit in Quito:

• Quito’s Old Town:  Best preserved old town in the Americas
• Mitad del Mundo / Middle of the Earth:  Where the Northern and Southern hemispheres meet.
• TelefériQo (Cable Car up Pichincha Volcano):  A view of the city from 4,100 meters (13,500 feet)
• Museo de la Ciudad / City Museum of Quito: History of the city in a UNESCO world heritage site housed in a gorgeous 16th-century building
• Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal / Mariscal Artisan Market:  Largest artisan market in Quito with a wide variety of artisan products.
• Parque Itchimbia / Itchimbia Park:  Large park with wonderful views of the city and a Cultural center.

Now we’ll take a closer look at each location.

1. Visit Quito’s Old Town

This is a must if you want to see colonial architecture . Quito has the best-preserved old town in the Americas (at least that’s its reputation); the buildings are impressive and the plazas are gorgeous.

But if you stay in a modernized part of the city, you could miss this altogether.

La Ronda (in the old town) should be at the top of your list if you have limited time. La Ronda is said to be the oldest and best-preserved street in Quito . The streets decorated with flowerpots, flags and little balconies.

In this video, you’ll see what the atmosphere is like at this top Quito attraction.

The old town also includes beautiful plazas like  Plaza San  Francisco  and Plaza de la Independencia . You’ll also find the Artisan market Tianguez.

Address of La Ronda – Juan de Dios Morales, Quito 170150, Ecuador

2. Mitad del Mundo / Middle of the Earth

Mitad del Mundo is where the Northern and Southern hemispheres meet, it’s right on the Equator. Visitors love to straddle the yellow line which puts them in two hemispheres at the same time.

This is Mr. Popular when it comes to Quito Ecuador tourist attractions.

In the following video, you’ll see Mitad del Mundo and the surrounding area.

There is an interesting story that goes with this popular spot. The location in the above video is not the true middle of the earth . Geographically speaking it’s close, but latitude 0°0‘0’’ is actually a few hundred meters north of this monument at the Intiñan Museum.

Although some say neither location is exactly correct. At the Intiñan museum, you’ll be a little closer to the real thing.

Here is a little tour of the Intiñan museum (the real middle of the earth).

Address of Mitadad del Mundo – Autopista Manuel Cordova Galarza, San Antonio de Pichincha, Quito 170180, Ecuador.

Address of Intiñan Museum – Autopista Manuel Cordova Galarza, 200 meters from the roundabout at Mitad del Mundo  San Antonio de Pichincha, Quito 170180, Ecuador.  

3. TelefériQo: Cable Car Up Pichincha Volcano

This is the best way to “see” Quito. The cable car takes you to an elevation of 4,100 meters (13,500 feet).

This is South America’s highest gondola ride and one of the highest aerial lifts in the world. If the sky is clear, you’ll have breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

It’s best to go in the morning as fog usually rolls in later on in the day. Make sure to bring a sweater or jacket because it’s often windy and cold.

Read more about the TelefériQo . At the base of the TelefériQo is Vulqano Fun Park. If you’ve got kids schedule in some playtime after your gondola ride.

Address of El TelefériQo – Av. Occidental and Fulgencio Aruajo , Quito, Pichincha, 170120, Ecuador.

4. Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum of Quito)

When you visit the City Museum you’ll immerse yourself in the history of Quito.

Here you’ll see the story of the city – from an indigenous trading post, through the Incas, the conquistadors and up into the 19th century.

This museum is a UNESCO world heritage site and is in a gorgeous 16th-century building which was the former San Juan de Dias Hospital.

Address of the Museo de la Ciudad – García Moreno, Quito 170101, Ecuador

5. Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal/ Mariscal Artisan Market

This is the largest Artisan market in Quito . If you are looking for souvenirs at great prices then La Mariscal should definitely be on your list of Quito Ecuador tourist attractions. Some say it’s like a little Otavalo market.

Address of Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal –  Reina Victoria and Juan Leon Mera on Jorge Washington road , Quito 170150, Ecuador

6. Parque Itchimbia/Itchimbia Park

Quito has many beautiful parks, but if you only have time for one this should be it. Itchimbia park is situated on a hill and offers wonderful views of the city.

The main attraction in this park is the Itchimbia Cultural Center . This is a beautiful building make out of iron and glass.

At the Itchimbia Cultural Center, you can see art exhibits and cultural events. Watch this aerial video of Park Itchimbia, Quito.

If you’re planning on exploring more of the Andes you’ll want to read about the top 15 things to do in Ecuador’s Andes Mountains .

Address of Parque Itchimbia –  Iquique y Jose Maria Aguime , Quito 170150, Ecuador

Weekend in Quito Ecuador ( 7 Things to Do)

Here are 7 things to do in Quito on a quick weekend trip. This is trip suggestion is by Karissa Jobman of BucketPass.

When I arrived in Quito six years ago for the first time, I didn’t know what to expect. After all, it was my first time setting foot on foreign soil. My trip was short but I craved to understand as much of the country as possible.

Thankfully, I had a local to show me the magnificence of the country by whisking me around the city to the must-visit sites, in what she called her “Quiteño crash course” . Since then, I have been back several times, bringing friends and family members to the country to share a similar experience.

More reading: Where is Quito located?

Here is my crafted itinerary of things to do in Quito – so you can appreciate its history, culture, gastronomy, and scenery in as little as a weekend trip. We begin on Friday afternoon…

Friday in Quito

3PM: Teleférico Start your journey 500 meters above the city to enjoy the view of the sprawling metropolis. The Teleferico is a twenty-minute cable car ride that runs alongside the Pichincha Volcano. Afterward, you can grab snacks before making your way back down.

• First, a museum that the artist designed himself featuring solely his own work. Guayasamín’s collection goes through many stages, depicting the suffering of indigenous people and calls for peace and human rights.
• Second, the grounds also feature the home of the late artist. Here you can join a guided tour to understand his life and the history of the city.

Saturday in Quito

9AM: Quito Tour Bus Quito’s first and only double-decker bus starts at Boulevard Naciones Unidas to begin an action-packed day in the historic center.

This city tour allows you to see the city with convenient, reliable transportation, while exploring at your own pace.

Make your first stop at La Mariscal for some shopping in the artisan markets.

Stop six, the Basilica features the most iconic church in the city. For a small fee, you can climb the towers of church and lookout on the impressive downtown.

Reload the bus to head to the Historic District, where you can spend the afternoon visiting the Presidential Palace, admiring the gilded Iglesia de la Compañía, learning history at Museo de la Ciudad, and making chocolate at the Quinde Store.

A final ride on the tour bus will take you up to the Panecillo, the statue of the Virgen de Quito that watches over the city.

6PM: La Ronda After a trip to el Panecillo, the bus will take you back down to the base of the hill, where you can stop at La Ronda, a lively street known for live music, food and drinks.

Try a glass of Canelazo, a warm spiced cinnamon cocktail from the Andean region while listening to guitar players in the street.

Sunday in Quito

10AM: Mitad del Mundo On Sunday morning, head out of the city to the middle of the world, just north of Quito.

At this equatorial monument you can stand on two hemispheres at once, taking fun photos and learning the science behind the equator. The complex has nine ethnographic museums, an outlook at the top of the monument, exhibits, shopping and places to snack.

Read more about typical Ecuador food .

If you have more time to spend in Ecuador, leave Mitad del Mundo to Mindo, a town known as the cloud forest . Bucket Pass offers a bundled pass where you can enjoy a day of zip-lining, hiking to waterfalls, learning the production of chocolate , and much more.

Visiting Quito’s Parque La Carolina in Ecuador

Are you planning a trip to Quito?  Spending time at a park is a great way to relax and get a feel for the culture. It’s also a wonderful way to help the kids unwind after spending time exploring the city.

If you have kids you might also want to check out the fun park and the  TelefériQo .

Parque La Carolina in Quito:  When we arrived in Quito we were told we should check out Parque La Carolina and we are glad we did. This park is massive, and has a lot of wide-open green space!

Ecuadorian Families Enjoying Parque la Carolina

Parque la Carolina is a huge park right in the center of Quito. We always go there every time we visit Quito. Last month we enjoyed a day at Parque la Carolina in Quito Ecuador – and it was full. There were thousands of people – mostly families – playing, picnicking, and enjoying a Sunday off. Family time is highly valued by Ecuadorians.

The day had a feel of a carnival, with cotton candy, paddle boats and fried foods. We are sharing this video, to give other Gringos a glimpse into family life in Ecuador. And to show that life isn’t scary here – far from it, in fact.

Have you been to a park in Ecuador on a Sunday? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Parque El Ejido in Quito, Ecuador

Do your kids love playground equipment? Our daughter sure does! And we found lots of it at Parque El Ejido. Parque El Ejido in Quito:  If you have children aged 5-10 you’ll want to check out El Ejido Park (Parque El Ejido) in Quito.

We love to spend family time strolling around a park. So we were excited to find a park with a large area of playground equipment just a short walk from where we were staying.

The equipment was in really good shape, and there were always lots of kids around. That combination helped our daughter burn off a lot of that energy she gets from . . . ohhhhh, if only I knew!

While she played on the zip line (it was addictive) Bryan and I enjoyed chatting on a nearby bench, where we could keep a close eye on her.

After a while, we convinced her to take a break and check out the rest of the park. The park was very clean and well taken care of.

It has some nice wide open green spaces and a café!  So we had to stop for a coffee, being Canadian and all, it’s in our blood.

The café was comfy, with plush seats and a nice view of the surrounding park.  There was also a small art gallery attached to the café, and clean bathrooms with paper and soap!

What Will You Do in Quito?

I hope you’re even more excited about your upcoming trip to Quito now. Did you see anything that you’re adding to your travel plans? If so please tell us about it by commenting on this post.

If you feel we’ve missed anything that should be among the best places to visit in Quito please add it by commenting.

Traveler, Writer, Entrepreneur

Hi, I'm Dena Haines . And I'm co-founder of Storyteller Travel . I love to cover food, animals, and destinations around the world.

I also blog about photography at Storyteller Tech .

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Top Things You Must See and Do in Quito, Ecuador

As one of the first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites in the world, with the outskirts of the city extending about a kilometer away from the equator, Quito, Ecuador is a very special city.

As soon as you arrive, you’ll be captivated by this expansive capital city, built on the sides of dramatic mountains and plunging valleys.

Read on for the top things to see, do, and eat on your visit to Quito. 

Last updated: 2023 (and in 2020 with help from Deb Pati of The Visa Project ). Originally published: Spring 2016.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Table of Contents

Visiting Quito, Ecuador

On our first trip to Ecuador , we landed in Quito and stayed several nights with the family of Michelle’s former classmate. They were wonderful hosts, introducing us to some traditional Ecuadorian meals and helping us get acquainted with life and travel in Ecuador.

About the altitude in Quito

The red-eye flight may have played a role, but we certainly felt the elevation soon after arriving. Quito is 9,350 feet above sea level.

We are relatively fit but the first morning, we were unusually fatigued and occasionally a bit light-headed. We took it easy the first couple days and had no problem walking around town.

When we returned to fly out of Quito about seven weeks later, we felt great and were able to power walk up hills without losing our breath!

If you’re concerned about altitude sickness, read up on the CDC’s High Elevation recommendations , including medicine you can pack. Above all, stay hydrated and take it easy the first couple days.

What to See and Do in Quito

As promised, we’ll share some of our favorite parts of visiting Quito. We learned about these top things to do in Quito from our Ecuadorian hosts.

Quito’s Centro Historico

Visiting the historic center of Quito is an absolute must. This was one of the first World Heritage sites designated by UNESCO !

The main square is called Plaza de la Independencia (or Plaza Grande). It’s surrounded by well-preserved colonial architecture, dozens of churches, restaurants and more. You could spend several hours walking around and taking it in.

The basilica is an impressive edifice. You can get some nice views just walking around it.

Entry to the basilica is $2. There’s a $4 fee to climb the towers for an even better vantage point.

Calle la Ronda is a quaint, traditional street known for its bars and eateries. Open primarily on weekend evenings, it’s a place to try local foods (like empenada de viento ), buy artisan crafts, and experience Quito’s bohemian culture.

Almuerzos (set lunch) in Quito

Although almuerzos (Spanish for “lunch” but referring particularly to a set menu-of-the-day) are widely available across Ecuador, we first stumbled upon it in Quito.

When I asked to see a menu, the chef rattled off a menu of the day which included soup, juice, a main entree, and a small dessert. When I asked the price, I wasn’t sure if I was translating the numbers correctly in my head.

Our three-course meal was indeed $2.50!

If you’re in Centro, we highly recommend El Terruno on Garcia Moreno , between Jose Mejia and Jose Olmedo streets, just two blocks from Plaza Grande.

They had two options for their daily soup and entree. The food was always great, staff was friendly, and the atmosphere is pretty cool too. We went back a number of times and though it always got packed, we never saw another tourist there.

In case you’re wondering, we had lunch out almost every day for seven weeks in Ecuador, and we never got sick.

The Equator: Intiñan and Mitad del Mundo

After exploring the historic center of Quito, I’d put a visit to the equator pretty high on your To Do list. It’s about 16 miles from Quito’s center, so reserve at least half a day for it, especially if you’re traveling by public transit.

There are actually two different monuments at Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). This is because the first latitude zero was calculated by European colonists using their tools of navigation, which ended up being a smidge off from the actual location of latitude zero, calculated more recently by GPS.

The larger and more obvious monument (the one that’s technically not on the equator) has a $5 entrance fee for adults, $2.50 for kids. It has a touristy feel as well as inflated tourist prices.

If you’re short on time and only want to see one monument/museum, most people (including me) would recommend Museo Intiñan  next door.

The entrance is a little unassuming if you’re arriving on foot. Just continue along the main road, past the large parking lot for the other monument, and you’ll come across a long dirt road on your left with the museum sign (see below). Walk down the dirt road several hundred yards to the outdoor “museum.”

At Intiñan, you’ll get a 25-minute tour from a local guide, which is included in the $5 entrance fee. The tour walks you through aspects of Ecuador’s wildlife and native cultures, including replicas of tribal huts.

Then the guide will demonstrate some of the unique geological features of the equator as you’re standing at the exact location of latitude zero.

This is where you can see water swirling down a drain in opposite directions on different sides of the line. There are also some fun, interactive activities with balance that you can attempt.

We enjoyed it and felt like we learned quite a bit.

How to get to Mitad del Mundo by bus

Buses within the city of Quito are 25 cents per ride. From Quito, you’ll need to get yourself to La Ofelia bus station in the North. This can take about an hour from the center of town.

Once at La Ofelia, ask for the bus to Mitad del Mundo and wait in line if it hasn’t arrived. This bus is 40 cents and it’s a good idea to ask the bus staff to let you know where to get off, since the monuments are not at the end of the line.

On your way back to town, you should see a bus stop sign across the street from where you were let off. Wait there and check the front window of oncoming buses for an indication that it’s headed back to La Ofelia.

Don’t want to navigate public transit?

Visit Mitad del Mundo on this highly rated full-day Quito tour

Quito Markets

Quito is full of large markets of various kinds. It’s a great way to quickly immerse yourself in the local culture.

We took a walk through the closest one to where we were staying, a two-story indoor market for produce, household goods, and cookshop meals.

The most popular artisan market , according to TripAdvisor, is La Mariscal .

Sample local Ecuadorian food: What to eat in Quito

We mentioned almuerzos , but what specifically should you try to eat in Quito?

For starters, look for:

• ceviche (seafood and tomato)
• locro de papa (a traditional, savory potato-based soup with avocado)
• chifles (plantain chips)
• empenadas (savory stuffed pastry)
• fresh fruits like maracuya (passion fruit)
• cuy (a delicacy for the more adventurous: roast guinea pig)
• canelazo (a hot drink made with sugar cane alcohol, cinnamon, and sometimes fruit juice)

Where to Get a Good View in Quito

The hillside development in Quito is really a sight to behold. It’s pretty amazing that such a large city is planted in the midst of such a mountainous landscape. That’s why a bird’s eye view of Quito can be quite the sight.

We already mentioned the views that can be had at the Basilica.

Here are two more great spots for cityscapes:

La Virgen del Panecillo Overlook

We were lucky enough to get a ride up here with our hosts. We’ve heard the hike up is the not the safest area, so if you’re on your own, your best bet is a tour bus.

Perched high on a hill is El Panecillo, where a massive statue of the Virgin overlooks Quito. When it’s open, you can pay $2 to actually climb to the stop of the statue.

The views are fantastic, and there are little vendor booths where you can get your souvenirs, enjoy a meal, or warm up with a cup of hot canelazo.

Visit El Panecillo on a guided tour of Quito

Quito Teleferico

Although cloudy weather kept us from trying this tram, it was recommended to us by several people.

For $9 round trip, the teleferico  takes you on a 10 minute ride to a nice look out above the city. You do gain over 1000 meters in elevation, so this may not be the best thing to do if you’re sensitive to the altitude.

Jardin Botanico de Quito

Photo credit: C T Johansson – CC BY-SA 3.0 , Link

With a massive collection of South American plants, Japanese bonsai garden, roses, orchid greenhouses, Quito’s Botanical garden is a must for those who enjoy exploring the local flora and fauna of different types. And not to forget the beautiful butterfly garden.

You can visit on your own or opt for one of their guided visits. It’s easily accessible through taxi or a trolebus.

The entrance fees are pretty inexpensive- $3.50 for adults and $2 for children.

Plaza Foch is a vibrant neighborhood in the newer part of Quito with a lot of hostels, bars and restaurants.

You can find restaurants serving cuisines of many countries, and some trendy cafes in case you want to have a good cup of joe and access to WIFI. However, this place is best enjoyed after a long day of sightseeing. At night, the bars and clubs come into life.

Quito Tours to Try

Where to stay in quito.

This a huge, spread-out city. If you’re here for a short time, I’d aim to stay close to the historic center .

If you are a budget traveler, you can stay in a hostel that offers rooms in $5–15 range. There are many hostels in the La Foch area as well as close to the historic center of Quito.

I would recommend La Foch for its more backpacker-friendly vibes and easy connectivity. Younger backpackers may like the lively La Mariscal area . A lot of the hostels also provide complimentary breakfast.

Masaya hostel and Hostal Vagabundo in Quito are two favorites of fellow contributor, Deb, who has stayed in both of them for quite a while.

For a luxury hotel perfectly located in the historic center, the lovely Casa El Eden hotel consistently earns rave reviews.

Check rates and availability for Casa El Eden Quito hotel > Check rates and availability for Masay Hostel > Check rates and availability for Hostal Vagabundo >

Our Top Tips for Intentional Travel in Quito Ecuador

• Try to  make a local connection , whether it’s staying in a family homestay or hiring a local guide 
• Shop at family owned, independent businesses  and support local artisans when purchasing souvenirs
• Visit the historic during off-peak times , like early morning, to avoid crowds
• Take this article with you as your guide! Upload the article for free to your phone with the GPSmyCity app . (You can also upgrade to get an offline GPS map that guides you to each location we mention. Or subscribe to access all articles and maps for a full year.)
• For more guidance, see our  simple rules for intentional travel series
• Protect your Quito trip with insurance ✈️ We’ve started using Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing for affordable evacuation, international medical, and trip coverage.

What travel restrictions and rules are in place in Ecuador? Find post-pandemic travel updates for Ecuador here: What you need to know about Ecuador travel right now

There are certainly more things to see and do in Quito, but these are the highlights from our personal experience. Have you been to Quito? We’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below.

You might also like these other Ecuador travel destinations: – 6 Beautiful Places to Visit in the Ecuadorian Andes – What to See and Do in Cuenca, Ecuador (Plus Walking Tour Map) – What to See and Do in Banos, Ecuador – What to Do on a Day Trip to Otavalo, Ecuador

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20 BEST Quito Tours: Easiest & Safest Ways to Explore Quito

by Julie | Ecuador , Travel

Are you planning a trip to Ecuador and wondering what the best tours in Quito are?

Quito is one of the most beautiful and historic destinations in Ecuador. It is the best place in the country to explore its culture, history, and food. Just a short drive from the city, you can enjoy some of its most beautiful natural wonders

However, what’s the easiest and safest way to see all these amazing places? Of course, on a tour with a local guide!

In this article, I’m going to share with you the 20 best Quito tours. By taking these tours, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the history, culture, and food of Ecuador, experience the most beautiful volcanoes and lakes of the country, and see the best of Ecuador safely and comfortably.

So, let’s begin!

Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website’s  Disclosure  for more info.

Top 3 Picks: Best Quito Tours

#1 Top Tour Pick

Quito Street Food Tour

♥  6 Food Stops, 5 dishes, 4 drinks, coffee, chocolate, & lots of exotic fruit

♥ Visit the non-touristy side of Quito

#2 Top Tour Pick

Cultural Walking Tour with Food

♥  Major attractions in Old Town

♥ Chocolate tasting

♥ Try popular street food

#3 Top Tour Pick

Tour of Cotopaxi & Quilotoa

♥ 2 sites in one day

♥ Hotel pickup & drop-off

20 Best Quito Tours

1.      customized quito city tour.

DURATION: 8 hours | RATING: 5/5 (250/258 5-star reviews) | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator

Got only one day ? Then this tailor-made tour of all the Quito’s major attractions with a passionate local guide at your side is the PERFECT one for you.

The tour kicks off at a comfortable 9:00 am at the Teleférico cable car that takes you to the top of Volcano Pichincha . Here you’ll get bird’s-eye views of Quito. You can do some hiking, swing, or just take in the views.

Stop #2 is Quito’s Gothic Basilica . Climb to the top of its towers for the highest viewpoint in the city.

The passionate local guide then takes you to Old Town where you’ll take a walking tour of its many plazas, churches, museums, and colonial houses.

The tour wraps up at the equator in Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) .

You’ll also get to stop at a local market to try some fruit that is special to South America as well as attend a chocolate workshop and tasting at Yumbos.

Solo travelers don’t need to pay extra for this tour!

“This trip was worth EVERY PENNY!!! Don’t miss out on this tour. In ALL of my travels, this was best tour I’ve taken. Pato, my guide was so informative and that’s exactly what I was looking for. Fantastic tour from beginning to end.” Renee J ( Read More Reviews )

2. Cultural Walking Tour with Food

TOUR TIMES: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm | RATING : 5.0/5.0 (245/254 5-star reviews) | BOOK YOUR TOUR: VIATOR or GET YOUR GUIDE

For those with more than one day, start your Quito itinerary with a guided walking tour of the historic center . With a 5-star rating and rave reviews, this walking tour is definitely one of the best tours for culture, history, and food lovers. It combines the cultural highlights of Quito with the food of Ecuador .

You’ll get to taste some sweets, chocolate, empanadas , and one of Ecuador’s famous and tasty natural fruit juices . But it is NOT a food tour. If you want a tour that’s more about food, check out the next two Quito tours on this list.

The tour starts at the Basilica . Here, you can take an elevator to the top of its towers for some of the best panoramic views of Quito.

Next, you’ll visit an art gallery displaying indigenous art before heading to the main square of Quito, Plaza Grande .

On the way to the last stop, you’ll walk down the most important street in the city passing by some of the city’s most historic buildings. You’ll stop for empanadas and Quito’s famous natural fruit juices.

The tour ends at the massive Plaza de San Francisco and Yumbos Chocolateria for a chocolate tasting .

You can choose to either do a morning tour at 9:00 am or an afternoon tour at 2:00 pm .

Doing a walking tour of the historic center is one of the must things to do in Quito .

“It was an amazing and must do tour! We loved every second and got so much knowledge and interesting facts about Quito and Ecuador! Ivan, our guide, was fantastic, genuine and had an answer to all our questions! We loved tasting all the different things! Being around a local guide in a foreign city was really special! Thank you so, so much!” Ditte_M ( Read More R eviews )

3. City Highlights and Food Walking Tour

DURATION: 3.5 hours (10:00 am) | RATING: 4.9/5 | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Get Your Guide

Another tour that combines the cultural highlights of Quito with the food of Ecuador is this fabulous tour with Bondabu .

The tour does both the historic center and some off-the-beaten-path places in the city that tourists rarely visit. And it’s heavier on the food than the previous tour on this list.

The tour starts in the historic center where you’ll see some of the most important plazas and buildings and learn about the history of Quito.

Then the tour travels north and gets more off-the-beaten-path stopping at a local flea market .

Next, you’ll find yourself in local neighborhoods visiting food markets to sample some local fruit and trying some local dishes. You’ll also get to visit a cool street art spot.

The tour ends with a sample of the chocolate that Ecuador is famous for as well as a cocktail or coffee .

On this tour, you’ll do 4 food stops .

I didn’t do this exact tour, but I did another tour with the same company (Bondabu), stopping at some of the same stops. I loved the tour I did with Bondabu, so I’m sure this tour is just as good.

“We had a great time with Ernesto that proposed us a non common touristic tour by showing us the hidden face, but also the authenticity, of Quito. Street art, Street Food, architectural buildings (going from French to Arabic house style), markets used by local people. Everything authentic and nice to see for those who really want to know Quito.” Get Your Guide Traveler ( Read More Reviews )

You might be interested in these articles…

• 25 BEST places to stay in Quito
• Best Quito Food Tour
• Top 40 Foods to Eat in Ecuador

4. Quito Street Food Tour

TIME : 10:00 am (4 hours) | RATING: 5.0/5.0 (127/132 5-star reviews) | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator or Get Your Guide

Ready for the best tour in Quito?

This food tour was the best thing I did in Quito . It’s PERFECT for those who want to get to see a less touristy part of the city as well as delve into the street food of Ecuador .

The tour starts in the historic center where you’ll guide will entertain you with interesting stories of characters from Quito’s past.

You’re first food stop is at a flea market near the Basilica! You’ll get to taste one of Ecuador’s most popular dishes , fritada .

Next, you’ll head north to off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods stopping at a very local bakery that makes a cheese pastry called a quesadilla.

Your guide will then take you further into the neighborhood of America, stopping at a local market to try tortilla de yuca and Ecuador’s famous natural fruit juices.

The next stop is at a cultural center where you’ll see some of Quito’s street art before heading to a VERY local outdoor food court for some seafood soup.

After that, the tour stops at another market where you’ll sample exotic fruit from Ecuador . This was the highlight of the tour.

The tour ends with a chance to taste Ecuador’s world-famous chocolate and a cocktail or coffee .

There are a lot of stops on this food tour, making it one of the best food tours I’ve ever done.

Still not convinced? Read my complete review of this Quito food tour here for more details on this tour.

“Superb tour, one of my favourite things I did in Ecuador and I did it my first day so it gave me a great base for understanding food/culture as I moved through the country. Santi was a wonderful guide, lots of cultural and historical info as well as food stuff. There is SO MUCH food on this tour, don’t eat breakfast before you go! I would 100% recommend this to anyone in Quito.” Francesca ( Read More Reviews )

5. Chocolate Lovers Tour

TIME: 2:30 pm | RATING: 5/5 | BOOK YOUR TOUR HERE: Get Your Guide

No trip to Ecuador would be complete without delving into the world of chocolate.

But do you want just an “average” run-of-the-mill chocolate tour like you get in Costa Rica or Mindo?

Or do you want one that’s more special and that delves even more deeply into chocolate and the cuisine of Ecuador ?  

Then you MUST book this Chocolate Lovers Tour .

You’ll begin with a You’ll of course learn all about the cacao fruit and how it turns into the chocolate we eat today.

Then you’ll have a gourmet multi-course meal of 5 to 6 dishes using cacao is a main ingredient.

“Amazing experience! Not just a “normal” chocolate tasting, it’s without compare and high quality of food and knowledge. Each dollar worth it! Go for it, if you have the chance!” Get Your Guide Traveler ( Read More Reviews )

6. Cooking Class and Market Visit

TIME: 9:30 am, 11:00 am, and 1:30 pm | RATING: 5.0/5.0 (123/134 5-star reviews) | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator  

Immerse yourself in the cuisine of Ecuador with this nearly perfectly rated cooking class . The culinary workshop includes a visit to the main market of Quito as well as a hands-on cooking lesson on how to cook Ecuador’s 3 most popular dishes . At the end, you’ll get to feast on what you made.  

The cooking class begins with a tour of the Central Market in the historic center where you’ll buy the ingredients for that day’s lesson. The guide will introduce you to the best vendors selling the freshest fruits and vegetables, traditional medicine, flowers, and fruit juices. You’ll also get to try some Ecuadorian street food .

Next, you’ll start the cooking class at a historic villa in Old Town. You’ll make 3 dishes :

• Starter ( locra de papa soup or quinoa soup)
• Main dish (ceviche, a coconut fish soup, or empanadas)
• Dessert (fresh fruit in chocolate sauce or a traditional Quimbolito)

Finally, you’ll get to have an amazing feast of the dishes you made with your teacher and guide.

This highly-rated cooking class is a great way to dig deeply into the food and culture of Ecuador.

“Had a great experience, tried lots of fun new fruits and learned to make some traditional dishes. Definitely worth it.” Victoria ( READ MORE REVIEWS )

Looking for more Ecuador travel articles?

• 15 BEST places to visit in Ecuador
• How to Get to the Papallacta Hot Springs
• 25 BEST Books to Read on Ecuador

7. Middle of the World Tour

DURATION: 3 to 4 hours | RATING: 4.5/5 (150+ Reviews) | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Get Your Guide

Is standing on the equator on your travel bucket list?

Luckily, you can easily visit the equator with this inexpens i ve tour to La Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), a park located on the outskirts of Quito. The tour is US$19 AND the entrance fee is included in the tour price!

This park contains the Monument to the Equator which marks the exact (not quite) location of the equator can commemorates the eighteenth century Geodesic Expedition from France and Spain that identified the location of the equator. The mission’s measurements led to the creation of the metric system and proved that the Earth is not perfectly round and instead bulges at the equator.

The tour picks you up at specific locations throughout the city. You drive directly to La Mitad del Mundo where you get to freely walk around the park for around 2 hours.

You can climb to the top of the Monument to the Equator for panoramic views. Visit the Ethnographic Museum which exhibits the culture of the indigenous people of Ecuador. Stop by the many souvenir shops.

The most exciting thing to do here is to try to make an egg stand on a nail . Balancing an egg on its head is supposedly easier here than anywhere else because of the strength of the magnetic field at the equator.

Check out this AMAZING Quito itinerary guide for details on how to incorporate a trip to Mitad del Mundo into your visit to Quito.

“Perfect half day tour opportunity and it was the perfect timing. The pick up and drop off worked like a charm and our guide & driver, both made sure it was a comfortable & easy drive to and back from the monument. Was the perfect way to start our Ecuadorian adventures.” Vandy ( Read More Reviews )

8. Hop On and Hop Off Bus Tour of Quito

RATING: 4.5/5 (425 Reviews) | DURATION: As long as you want | BOOK YOUR TOUR : Get Your Guide or Viator

For those short on time , this hop-on hop-off bus tour is the perfect way to see as much of Quito as possible. It’s also a great way to begin your Quito itinerary as it gives you a good overview of the city.

There are 5 pickup spots throughout the city, making it easy for you to start your tour from wherever you’re staying in Quito : La Mariscal, La Carolina, and the Historic Center.

The bus tour starts at the largest park in Quito, Carolina Park . Then it travels through La Mariscal passing by Fochs Plaza, the entertainment district of Quito.

On its way to the heart of Old Town, it passes by the largest handicraft market in Quito , Mercado Artesanal. You can get off here and do your souvenir shopping .  Buses will come by every hour to pick you back up.  

Next, the tour stops at the Basilica in Old Town , one of the highest viewpoints in the city. You can stop here and climb to the top of the church’s tower for stunning panoramic views of the city.

After that, your bus will make its way to the heart of the historic center at San Francisco Plaza . Here you can get off and wander around the cobblestoned streets, grab a bite to eat, try some chocolate, visit the museums and historic churches and convents, and just people-watch.

The final stop is the hill overlooking Old Town and the statue of the Virgin Mary called Panecillo . Here you’ll find the best views of Quito.

“We loved being able to see many places in the city and being able to listen. About its excellent story to take advantage of time.” Esli_O ( Read More Reviews )

9. Exploring Quito by Bike

RATING: 5/5 (29/29 5-Star Reviews) | DURATION: 4 hours | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator

Want to see a side of Quito that travelers don’t get to?

On this amazing tour , you’ll get to explore the city’s culture by biking through its coolest but less touristy neighborhoods . During the tour, you’ll learn about Quito’s vibrant street art scene, try its street food, chocolate, and natural fruit juices, and pedal through its beautiful parks.

Stop #1 is a bike ride through La Floresta neighborhood —famous for its street art and trendy cafes . The area is a favorite hangout of Quiteños. You’ll get to experience one of Quito’s best cafes:  Ocho y Medio.

You’ll then bike up to Guapole district for stunning views of the city.

Next, the tour takes you to the oldest park in Quito, Parque Alameda . Along the way, your guide will share interesting stories about the people and events of Quito.

The final neighborhood of this cultural bike tour is La Mariscal . Here you’ll stop at the largest handicraft market in Quito where you’ll get to meet some of the artisans and at a local fruit and vegetable market where you’ll sample some of Ecuador’s exotic fruits. 

Don’t leave Quito without getting an authentic taste of local life by seeing a more off-the-beaten-path part of the city.

“Great way to see Quito Roberto and Milton made the experience great. They know a lot about history wildlife and they take you to city parks that you would never see on any other tour. A few hills. I had to stop and walk the bike but otherwise not difficult” Mbpjchouston ( Read More Reviews )

10. Night Street Food, Art & Bar Tour

RATING: 4.8/5 | DURATION: 2.5 hours | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Get Your Guide or Viator

Want to explore Quito at night but worried about safety?  Then book this fabulous street food and walking tour of one of Quito’s hippest neighborhoods.

You’ll kick off the tour with a visit to a local gallery where you’ll meet the artists and listen to them tell you about their art.

Next, enter Quito’s evening street food scene at a night market where locals stop for a bite to eat.

The evening ends with a visit to a local bar with a great vibe to try some local drinks.

The tour includes 3 food stops, a beer, and a local drink.

Travelers rave about the passionate and informative guide , Santiago. They love being able to see a side of Quito that tourists rarely visit as well as try delicious food and terrific art.

This tour is PERFECT for solo travelers who want a bit of nightlife but don’t want to go out by themselves.

“Santi was an incredible guide! We loved trying the different foods, visiting cafes/restaurants/and street vendors and learning about Quito along the way. The street art was also magnificent. The other families we met on the tour made it even more special.” Kathy ( Read More Reviews )

11. Otavalo Tour

TIME: Tu and Sa (All day tour) | RATING: 4.6/5  | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Get Your Guide

Located 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Quito, Otavalo is famous for its vibrant indigenous market. The stalls in the market are brimming with colorful textiles, handmade crafts, and traditional Andean souvenirs. Visiting Otavalo and its market as a day trip from Quito is a must on any Ecuador itinerary.

The easiest and safest way to visit Otavalo is on a guided tour. One of the best tours is this jampacked tour that not only visits Otavalo but also three other Ecuador destinations : Cayambe, Cotacachi, and Cuicocha .

First, the shuttle bus takes you to Cayambe for their famous and tasty bizcoch o. You get a little food demonstration on how bizcocho  is made and then you get some free samples. It is really delicious!

Next, you stop outside the artisan town of Cotacachi for views of Cotacahi Lake and Volcano .

Afterward, your tour heads to Otavalo where you get to wander amongst the artisan stalls and shop for souvenirs or just people-watch. The market is a hub of local activity with indigenous people from all over the region coming to sell their goods.

The fourth stop on this tour is the beautiful crater lake of Cuicocha . You’ll do a short hike up to the rim of the crater and then along it while learning about the Kichwa religion.

The tour ends back in Cotacahi where you can try some of the region’s famous dishes , carne colorada and cuy.

It’s a long day, but the tour guide is fabulous . She’s a wealth of information and the attractions are beautiful. You get to go to places that you couldn’t get to without a car and you get to learn about the culture and religion of the indigenous people of Ecuador. On the way to Otavalo, a Kichwa woman comes onto your bus to tell you about the traditional dress of the Kichwa women.

“Javi was great, super knowledgeable and was always talkative and teaching the group along the ride. The trip is long but spaced out so you get to enjoy the market, the park, some local food and shopping.” Get Your Guide Traveler ( Read More Reviews )

12. Cotopaxi Tour – Hiking & Horseback Riding

RATING: 5/5 (36/38 5-Star Reviews) | DURATION: 10 hours  | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator

Located one hour from Quito, Cotopaxi National Park is one of the most popular day trips to take from Quito . The park is home to the second tallest volcano in Ecuador , Cotopaxi Volcano.

However, visiting Cotopaxi is nearly impossible and expensive to do on your own without a private car. So, The best way to visit is with an organized tour.

One of the best-organized tours to take is this hiking and horseback riding tour of Cotopaxi .

You’ll leave Quito for Cotopaxi early in the morning . Before you get to the park, the tour will stop at a viewpoint for an amazing view of Quito .

Once at the park, you’ll go horseback riding for an hour and a half through the beautiful páramo landscape of Cotopaxi Park. When I was horseback riding at Cotopaxi, we spotted an Andean Condor .

After that, your guide will take you on a hike up Cotopaxi to the Jose Ribas Refuge at nearly 16,000 feet or 4,800.

The tour ends with a lunch where you get to try local Ecuadorian cuisine .

Travelers rave about the tour guide, Kathy.

Do you need to have ridden a horse before?

When I took my horseback riding tour through Cotopaxi National Park, I had never ridden a horse before . It was challenging. I won’t lie. But I did it and I’ll never forget it!

“A breathtaking a serene excursion. The perfect day trip from the busy city of Quito! Our guide was also fantastic. Made our day so simple and was a pleasure to get to know. We had some great conversations during the drive.” Tyler_D ( Read More Reviews )

13. Cotopaxi Tour – Hiking

RATING: 4.5/5 | DURATION: 9 hours | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator

If you’re looking to do some hiking at Cotopaxi without horseback riding, then look no further than this amazing tour of the Cotopaxi National Park .

You’ll first stop at the park is the Limpiopungo Lagoon . Here you’ll be able to see (if not cloudy) views of 3 volcanoes : Cotopaxi, the Sincholagua, and Rumiñahui. The lake is also an optimal area for seeing wildlife like the Andean condor, llamas, and the Andean fox .

Next, you’ll go on a short hike in the Limpiopungo Valley .

Before leaving the park, the tour will go on a hike up Cotopaxi to the Padre Rivas Refuge at 4,830 meters or 15,800 feet. If you’re physically up for it, you can continue climbing to a glacier at 5,050 meters.

The day ends with a delicious lunch .

This is one of the rare Cotopaxi tours in Quito that take solo travelers at no extra cost .

“The tour was great. Alejandro, the tour guide was fantastic. He allowed time to explore for those who were in better shape and stayed with the rest to help them make it to the refuge (base camp). I had a wonderful experience.” James_K ( Read More Reviews )

14. Quilotoa + Indigenous Market Tour

RATING: 5/5 | DURATION: 11 hours | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator

No trip to Ecuador would be complete without a visit to the eye-catching emerald Quilotoa Lake. However, getting to this crater lake on your own by public transportation can be long and cumbersome. So, joining an organized tour of Quilotoa is the ideal option.

In this Quilotoa tour , you’ll both get to experience the beautiful scenery of the lake as well as explore indigenous villages, and visit the home of an indigenous family.

The first stop is the indigenous market of either the Saquisilí (Thursdays) or Pujilí (Sundays), where you can immerse yourself in the local culture.

Next, you’ll head to Quilotoa. After taking in the stunning views of the lake, you’ll hike down to the shore of the lake. A popular activity is to kayak around the lake . You can choose to either climb or take a horse back up to the top. 

The tour ends with a stop at the art galleries in the community of Tigua to check out the vibrant indigenous paintings.

This tour includes lunch and a pickup and drop-off at designated meeting points in the Old Town and San Blas Plaza. 

“We kicked the day off with a yummy breakfast at a local market, visited an indigenous group who shared their way of living with us – which was super insightful before we had time to spend at the Quilotoa lagoon. We rented a kayak for 20 minutes- which was fun before we headed back up. We all did it below an hour and we’re rewarded with a delicious lunch nearby. Our guide was super caring and fun.” Sonia_R ( Read More Reviews )

15. Cotopaxi & Quilotoa Tour

RATING: 5/5 (89/93 5-star reviews) | DURATION: 10 hours | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator or Get Your Guide

For those wanting to check off two Ecuador bucket list destinations in one day, this Cotopaxi and Quilotoa tour is the PERFECT option.

In the morning , you’ll drive to Cotopaxi National Park . Here you’ll walk around the Limpiopungo Lagoon and experience the parks’ surreal landscape. If it’s not too cloudy, you’ll get to see Cotopaxi Volcano.

The afternoon is spent visiting Lake Quilotoa at your leisure: hike to the shore of the lake or just admire the view from the top of the crater.

This is one of the best Quito tours for those who are short on time or those suffering from altitude sickness and can’t do a hard hike up Cotopaxi.

Just a warning: There will be a lot of time spent driving from one place to another.

“Pedro was great! He was knowledgable about Cotopaxi & Quilatoa and answered all our questions. It is a long day but Pedro had great energy throughout. If you are interested in seeing these 2 sites this is the best way to do it in a day.” John_N ( Read More Reviews )

16. Papallacta Volcanic Hot Springs Tour

RATING: 5/5 (37/37 5-star review) | DURATION: 3 – 5 hours | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator

Want to relax your weary muscles after cruising the Galapagos or your travels around Ecuador?

Then join this perfectly-rated tour to the Papallacta Hot Springs . You’ll get to soak your troubles away in the thermal hot springs .

Along the way, you’ll go higher and higher into the Andes Mountains with views of the stunning landscape .

After a short stop at the Papallacta Lagoon for some views and photos, you’ll head to the highlight of this tour: the Papallacta Hot Springs Resort . The resort has over 10 thermal pools . Don’t leave the resort without getting a massage while you’re there from one of their professional massage therapists.

For the uber-ambitious, there are also hiking trails going up into the mountains and to a waterfall for you to follow.

If you want to venture to Papallacta on your own , you can get step-by-step instructions in this guide on how to get to Papallacta by public transportation.

You can also book an overnight stay at Termas de Papallacta – it’s well worth it!

“This was an outstanding trip! Our guide Daniel, and his car George, were wonderful! Daniel was very professional and provided a lot of information about Quito and the surrounding area. The hot springs were amazing! Heaven on Earth! The massages were amazing and the thermal pools were so relaxing. You must do the cold pool, too! It was a great experience all around!!” lorioconnor213 ( Read more reviews )

17. Cotopaxi & Papallacta Tour

RATING: 5/5 | DURATION: 7 hours | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Get Your Guide or Viator

Imagine climbing a volcano in the morning and then relaxing in volcanic hot springs in the afternoon. Sounds like the perfect day, right?

That’s EXACTLY what you’ll experience in this Cotopaxi and Papallacta Tour .

In the morning you’ll visit Cotopaxi National Park . Here you’ll walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon where you’ll get views of Cotopaxi Volcano and experience the flora and fauna of the Andes.

The afternoon will be spent enjoying the thermal springs at the Papallacta Hot Springs . You can enjoy one of the many pools and get a massage. For the ambitious, you can hike in the mountains surrounding Papallacta.

This tour combines the best of both worlds: the mountains and the water of Ecuador.

Expect a lot of driving, but this day trip from Quito will still be worth it !

If you want to visit Papallacta on your own, check out this AMAZING guide on how to get to Papallacta by bus.

“Really enjoyed this tour. Cotopaxi National Park and the hike up to base camp was stunning. The lunch included is typical Ecuadorian in a lovely restaurant with its own little farm and we got to feed the llamas which was fun! I definitely recommend upgrading your hot springs entrance to the quieter baths, much less busy and incredibly relaxing in beautiful surroundings, was a perfect ending to my trip.” Delyth ( Read More Reviews )

18. Mindo Cloud Forest & Birding Tour

RATING: 5/5 | DURATION: 10 hours | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator

Located 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Quito, the small town of Mindo is one of my favorite places to visit in Ecuador , and it should not be missed, especially if you’re a birder. But even if you’re not, there’s plenty to do here for those who just like chocolate, hiking, waterfalls, and adventure . What’s not to love?

On this jampacked tour of Mindo , you get a taste of everything that a cloud forest has to offer.

Before you even get to Mindo, you’ll experience Ecuador’s natural beauty with a visit to Pululahua Volcano . You get to stand on the rim of the volcano looking down at the crater.

The first stop in the Mindo Valley is at the San Tadeo where you’ll have one of the most unforgettable experiences of your trip to Ecuador— having hummingbirds feed from your hand . 

The next stop is a butterfly sanctuary .

The tour then takes you to Cascadas de Nambillo . You’ll first take a short cable car ride over a valley and then hike down to a series of waterfalls .

The last attraction in Mindo is a chocolate workshop and tasting where you’ll learn all about chocolate and get to taste some artisanal chocolate.

You can add tubing and ziplining to your tour for an additional fee.

This is one of the only Mindo tours from Quito that doesn’t charge solo travelers extra .

“We had a fantastic day with Pato! He was very friendly and knowledgeable and was dedicated to making our experience special! Seeing the plethora of birds at San Todeo was a lifetime experience! We saw many wild tanagers, toucans, etc plus the many species of hummingbirds will knock your socks off. We also went for a hike to a waterfall, a volcano crater, and a butterfly farm . Also, chocolate. Wonderful day, highly recommend.” amlee7 ( Read More Reviews )

19. Baños Tour

RATING: 4.5/5 | DURATION: 12 hours | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Get Your Guide

If you’re looking to visit the adventure capital of Ecuador, Baños, as a day trip from Quito , then look no further than this all-day, jampacked tour with kind and knowledgeable guides .

Your journey leaves Quito at 8:00 am and arrives 3 hours later in Baños. The first stop is at Manos de Dios , a lookout point with stunning views of Banos and the surrounding mountain range.

Next, you’ll make your way along the Ruta de Cascada (Route of Waterfalls) ending at the granddaddy of them all waterfalls: Paillon de Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron). On the way to the cauldron, you’ll have a chance to go ziplining or bungy jumping.

The final stop is at Casa del Arbol (the Tree House) with more views of Banos and a chance to swing over the valley.

The tour guides get amazing reviews. As one traveler put it: “ Our guide Paul was such a kind person who really took time the give us more than we expected .” What more can you want in a guide?

“ Our guide, Paul, was personable and kind. He was very knowledgeable about everything in Ecuador. He picked a great spot for lunch. We saw an amazing waterfall and he was happy to offer pictures of everyone. 10/10 would recommend ” Get Your Guide Traveler ( Read More Reviews )

20. Cotopaxi, Quilotoa & Baños Tour

RATING: 5/5 (139/145 5-star reviews) | DURATION: 3 days | BOOK YOUR TOUR: Viator

With a nearly PERFECT 5-star rating, this 3-day tour to Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, and Baños is the most efficient way to see three of Ecuador’s most popular destinations .

The first stop on this highly-rated tour is at Cotopaxi National Park . You’ll start your tour of the park with a hike up the second-highest volcano in Ecuador, Cotopaxi. You’ll only go as far as the refuge, which is at 4,684 meters, where you’ll stop to warm up with some cacao tea or hot chocolate.

Next, you’ll hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon , where if it’s not too cloudy you’ll be able to get a view of the volcano in all its glory. That first night you’ll stay in a hotel near Cotopaxi.

You’ll begin day 2 at the community of Tigua, known for its colorful paintings of Andean life. After that, you’ll visit Lake Quilotoa —take some photos of the lake from the viewpoint and then hike down to the shore of the lake. Finally, you’ll head to the last city on the tour: Baños.

Day 3 starts in Baños with Ruta de la Cascada . This route along the Pastazsa River is lined with waterfalls and ziplining businesses. The route ends at the stunning Devil’s Cauldron Waterfall . The tour ends with a visit to La Casa del Arbol where you’ll get to try out its swing and take in views of Baños and the surrounding mountains.

“To put it simply, this adventurous loop is absolutely fantastic. Not only is the company excellent, but each of their guides brings a unique flair and has an amazing level of understanding and willingness to share, not just about the things in front of you, but about the broader context. They truly care not only about your experience, but about the country and the people (and animals) in it.” Chase_M ( Read More Reviews )

Quito Travel Guide & FAQs

When should i visit quito.

The temperature in Quito is the same all year round (a high of 66-68 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 47-49 degrees Fahrenheit.) Even though it’s at the equator, it’s at such a high elevation that it never gets hot.

Quito has two rainy seasons :

• March to May with April being the rainiest
• October to November.

The best time to visit Quito is from June to August as these are the driest months .

How can I get to Quito?

Arriving in quito by plane.

Most people fly into Mariscal Sucre Airport on the outskirts of Quito.

To find the cheapest flights to Quito, first check Skyscanner . I love using Skyscanner. Whenever I search for flights on Skyscanner , it gives me more results than other travel websites because it includes both major airlines and local budget airlines. I also like how it gives a rating system for each result so I know which booking site to trust and which ones not to. I can book with the airline from Skyscanner as well. Try it out!

Arriving in Quito by Land

If you’re crossing the border from Colombia or Peru, you’ll most likely arrive at the Quitumbe Bus Terminal . Quitumbe is connected to the best areas in Quito to stay in by the new metro line and the trolley line.

Is it safe?

Quitumbe is the beginning of both the metro and trolley line, so you’ll likely get a seat, making it easy to keep an eye on your bags. I’ve taken the trolley to and from Quitumbe, and it felt safe.

How long should I spend in Quito?

I would spend at least 3 days in Quito . Plus, do 2 or 3 days of day trips from Quito. In that way, you can see the major attractions, get a feel for the city without feeling rushed, try some of its delicious Ecuadorian food , and explore a less touristy neighborhood.

An overview of my recommended Quito itinerary:

Day 1: Wander around the historic center and do this walking tour (any order).

Day 2: Take the cable car to Pichincha Volcano and stand on the equator at the Middle of the World with this tour .

Day 3: Explore a less touristy neighborhood of Quito with this street food tour . You can read about my review of the Quito street food tour here.

You can add day trips from Quito on days 4 and 5.

Day 4: Take a day trip to Otavalo with this tour that will also take you to Cayambe, Cotacachi, and Cuicocha.

Day 5: Do another day trip from Quito to Cotopaxi and Qilotoa doing this tour .

Day 6: Rest your weary travel legs at the Papallacta Hot Springs using these instructions on getting to to Papallacta

Is Quito safe?

For most visitors, Quito is a safe place to visit as long as you follow a few precautions.

You’re generally safe walking around during the day. But it’s at night when you need to be extra cautious. At night, take a taxi or Uber to get around in most parts of the city including the historic center. It’s best to avoid walking around at night in the historic center or San Blas.

The historic center has problems with pickpockets and scam artists that target tourists. One common scam is to spill something on you and as the thief is helping you clean yourself, he or she steals your wallet or phone.

Crime has increased in Quito recently. However, statistically, it is safer than Guayaquil. Compared to other cities around the world, it’s got about the same level of crime as Houston, Texas .

How can I get from the airport to my hotel in Quito?

There are several ways to get from the airport to your hotel in Old Town, La Carolina, or La Mariscal:

• Airport taxi – There’s a taxi desk in the arrivals hall at the Quito airport. Pay the desk for the taxi ride. The price is fixed based on what zone you’re staying in. They accept credit cards. They will then arrange a taxi driver for you. I’ve used this service twice.  (US$30)
• Arrange an airport pickup with your hotel in Quito. This is what I did when I first arrived in Quito. (US$30)
• Public Bus – You can take a bus from the airport to 3 bus stations in Quito (Quitumbe Terminal, Rio Coca Terminal, and Carcelén Terminal) (US$2). From any bus terminal, you can take a bus, trolley, the subway, an Uber, or taxi to your hotel or hostel.
• Private Transfer Service – You can arrange one through Get Your Guide (US$40 for 1 person or US$45 for 2 people) or Viator (US$36 for 1 person or US$40 for 2 people)
• Rent a car – You can book your rental with Discover Cars . (US$77 – $100/day)

Where should I stay in Quito?

I recommend staying in the historic center (also called Old Town) for its beauty, culture, food, and convenience.

The best website for booking hotels in Quito is Booking.com . They usually have the best selection and the best rates.

I wrote an article on the best places to stay in Quito . But for those who want a quick recommendation of my favorite hotels in Quito , here it is:

BEST HOSTEL: Viajero Quito Hostel

BEST HOTELS UNDER US$40: Traveler’s House ,   TERRA PREMIUM & Posada del Maple

BEST HOTELS US$40 – $100: Friends Hotel & Rooftop & Chakana Hotel Boutique

BEST HOTEL US$100 – $200: Casa Joaquin Boutique Hotel

BEST HOTEL US$200 – $300: Casa El Edén

BEST HOTEL OVER US$300:   Hotel Casa Gangotena & Illa Experience Hotel

Wherever you stay, try to get a place with a rooftop terrace for views of the city and mountains . You can check out my Quito accommodation guide for a list of the best hotels with rooftop terraces.

Where can I find an ATM in Quito?

There are 3 major banks in Quito :

• Banco Pichincha – Transaction fee is US$4.50
• Banco Guayaquil – It has the cheapest transaction fee of US$1.50

I had a lot of problems getting ATMs in Quito to accept my debit card from the U.S. When I was in the Galapagos, I used an ATM. No money came out , but my bank still processed the transaction. It took me a long time to get the bank to sort it out and agree to cancel the transaction.

I had the best luck getting money from this ATM at the Santa Maria Supermarket in the historic center and from Banco Pichincha in La Mariscal . The weird thing was that the ATM at Banco Pichincha in the historic center never worked for me.

Where can I get a SIM card in Quito?

Three mobile phone companies sell SIM cards and data:

I used Claro in Ecuador and got my SIM card from a phone shop in the historic center. It cost me US$20 for the card and 30 days of 12 GB of data . However, I was probably overcharged. According to the Claro website , this is the rate for prepaid SIMs:

• US$5 for 15 days and 5 GB
• US$10 for 30 days and 12 GB
• US$15 for 30 days and 20 GB

Whenever I added more data and days onto my SIM card, I paid US$10 and sometimes a US$1 fee depending on the shop.

The phone shop I bought my card from was across the street from the Santa Maria Supermarket .

However, for convenience , you can get an eSIM instead. You don’t have to worry about changing SIM cards. Use Airalo to buy your eSIM. They have eSIMS for many different countries around the world. Their prices are pretty good .

Final Thoughts: The Best Quito Tours

These top 20 tours in Quito provide a glimpse into the heart of Ecuador’s capital, showcasing its heritage, national cuisine, natural wonders, and the warm hospitality of its people. Whether you’re an adventurer, history enthusiast, or foodie, Quito promises an unforgettable experience that will linger in your memories long after you’ve left this enchanting city.

Still not sure which tours to take?

Here is my quick guide to the BEST Quito tours:

BEST TOUR IF YOU HAVE 1 DAY IN QUITO: Quito City Tour (Old Town, Teleferico, & Middle of the World)

BEST QUITO WALKING TOUR: Culture & Food Walking Tour

BEST QUITO FOOD EXPERIENCE: Quito Street Food Tour

BEST DAY TRIP TOUR: Cotopaxi & Quilotoa Tour

BEST MULTI-DAY TOUR: Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Banos

BEST TOUR FOR RELAXING: Papallacta Hot Springs Tour

BEST TOUR FOR SPOTTING WILDLIFE: Mindo Tour

Best Resources for Your Trip to Ecuador

Book your flight:.

Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights to Ecuador. They will turn up results for all airlines including major ones and local airlines. You’re guaranteed to find EVERYTHING that’s available and thus get the cheapest price.

Book Your Accommodations:

The best hotel booking sites are Booking.com and Agoda . They have the most choices and they consistently churn out hotels and hostels with the lowest prices. Another site for backpackers and budget travelers is Hostel World.

Book Your Tours:

Viator has the most tour choices of any site in Ecuador. They’re reliable and trustworthy. I also like using Get Your Guide for Ecuador for their excellent service. Both booking sites are reliable and trustworthy, and if you have trouble with your tour, they’ll quickly help you.

Get an eSIM

The most convenient way to stay connected to the internet is with an eSIM. I like to use Airalo for their excellent prices.

Want More Ecuador Travel Info?

Check out my Ecuador Travel Guide for more ideas, inspiration, and tips on traveling in Ecuador.

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Best Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador

• Last updated: April 27, 2020
• Destinations , Ecuador , Things to do

Home » Travel Blog » Best Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador

In this article, you will find some amazing things to do in Quito, Ecuador, along with practical information for places to eat and advice on how to get around.

With the elevation of 2850 meters above sea level, Quito is the second highest capital in the world; La Paz in Bolivia is arguably the highest. Although Quito is not the most populated city in Ecuador – the port city of Guayaquil has a greater population – it is a true metropolis.

The city lies in a valley hemmed by volcanic peaks. The shape of the city resembles a sausage with a length of 50 km and width of 10km. Quito is known as a city of eternal spring. It is really interesting to be located only 20 km from the equator and at very high altitude at the same time; the result is a subtropical highland climate, which is neither too cold nor too warm.

We stayed in Quito for almost two months this spring, volunteering in a downtown hostel. During our free time, we explored the city independently.

Things to do in Quito, Ecuador

Explore the old town.

The historical center of Quito, along with Krakow in Poland, was the first city to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. The old town is one of the best preserved and protected colonial centers in all of South America, featuring museums, cathedrals and parks.

Climb the Basilico del Voto Nacional

Once it was the largest church of its kind in the Americas. You can take a lift to the balcony and from there walk all the way up the clock tower for amazing views. It is a vertiginous walk up a few steep ladders but that breathtaking view above Quito is definitely worth it!

Explore Museo de la Ciudad

It’s located in the former Hospital building near Calle la Ronda. Learn more about the foundation of the city and different Ecuadorian regions.

Attend a mass service at San Francisco Church

It’s one of the oldest churches in the continent. The construction of the city’s largest colonial structure began in 1534, only a few weeks after the founding of Quito but wasn’t finished for another seventy years.

Watch changing the guards at Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia)

The ceremony is held every Monday at 11am, and you could even catch the President waving from the balcony of La Carondelet palace.  Or simply go to the plaza any other day and just observe the tourist and locals hanging around the main square in the city.

Walk along Calle la Ronda

Calle la Ronda is one of the oldest and most artsy street in Quito, which is full of bars and artisan eateries that open fully in the evening. Once completely neglected, since 2005 this has been nicely restored. Take a sip of canelaza – a hot alcoholic drink based on sugar cane – which warms you up during chilly nights out or try michelada – a spicy beer coctail.

Find your best vintage dress at a Flea market

The market is situated near Plaza del Teatro at Galapagos street or just enjoy observing the shoppers as they search for the best antique deal.

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• Destination equator

Enjoy the views and the parks

Being surrounded by the mountains and the volcanoes, Quito offers amazing hilly views with abundant green places.

Climb to the El Panecillo

El Panecillo or bread bun, is the direct translation of the most significant hill over the city. The Virgin of Quito statue dominates its peak.  From the top, you can admire great views and take a rest in a nearby park. When the view is clear, you can see Cotopaxi volcano from there.

Visit the park La Carolina

Sometimes called also “Central Park” is located in the north part of the city and offers a variety of activities. You can visit the Botanical garden and see many colorful flowers from all over the world. If you are a sport-addict, this is the place for you.

There are a plenty of sport fields, rubberized running tracks and outdoor-fitness equipment. For those who prefer a more relaxed approach, a walk in the park alleys enjoying ice-cream or cold juice from the park vendors might be satisfactory.

Explore other parks in Quito

Another option is to visit La Alameda or El Ejido; these parks are situated in between the old and the new town. Both have several food stalls, outdoor-fitness equipment and many green places to rest.  You can rent a boat and row in the lagoon of La Alameda park. If you intend to buy some traditional clothes or souvenirs, aim for the market in El Ejido park. Don’t forget to bargain with the vendors – they will enjoy it!

Visit Itchimbia park

This place provides another great city views. This is located only 30-minutes by foot from the city center. You can walk the steep stairs from Los Rios street . When you get to the top, you will be amazed by the vistas over the city and the views of volcano Pichincha on the other side of the valley.

The architecturally impressive cultural center Crystal palace dominates the hilltop park. Just a street below the park lies a bunch of fancy restaurants with spectacular views and delicious food. They might be fully booked during the evening hours so it´s recommended to either book the best spot in advance or come during the day when it is usually less packed.

Take a cable car to Pichincha volcano

When you feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, Pichincha volcano hill will definitely provide adequate relaxation and tranquility. The cable car takes you up to the Cruz Loma peak (4100 metres above the sea level) in about 10 minutes.  From there, you can admire snow-capped volcanoes when the sky is clear or simply observe the sausage shape of Quito from above.

For those keen on hiking, there is a nice trail leading to Rucu Pichincha (4696 metres above the sea level). The hike to the top takes between 3 and 4 hours and requires some scrambling. Going down is obviously easier and takes about 2 hours.

Take into account that the weather changes rapidly at these heights and don´t forget to take plenty of water.

Explore the north part of the city

Quito’s historical center is unique and picturesque but one shouldn’t leave the city without visiting its north districts. The whole area of Plaza Foch, Mariscal and La Floresta have a completely different vibe. Everything is a bit more modern, dazzling and uncongested. High-rises, cafés, bars, fancy restaurants and discos are all around.

Check out the Bellavista neighborhood

Here you can observe three volcanoes on a clear day and splendid views over Quito new town. The art lovers can aim for Capilla del Hombres and a dmire the unique artworks of Oswaldo Guayasam ín, undoubtedly the most famous Ecuadorian painter of the last century.

Visit equatorial line at Mitad del Mundo (Half of the world)

Ecuador got its name after the equatorial line. This imaginary strip lies about 20 km north of Quito and the famous monument dividing the two hemispheres is the most visited touristic attraction in the country. There are two museums worth visiting.

The first one, well-known Mitad del Mundo with the famous monument, lies at the original equator which was measured by French Geodesic expedition back in the 18 th century.

The other one, lesser known Intiñan Solar Museum, is located about 200m further and has an equator marker that is closer to the actual spot. Both museums house a few exhibits of the different Ecuadorian cultures as well as fun facts about the equator.

Where to eat in Quito?

Feeling hungry? Head to Mercado Central, an indoor 2-floor market, which provides tasty meals and snacks for a good price. You can also do your veggie shopping here. There is an abundance of tropical fruits and green stuff stalls including healing herbs and a variety of coca products.

During city walks, you will encounter many local restaurants serving set breakfasts ( desayunos ) and set lunches ( almuerzos ) for very reasonable prices. The usual lunch consists of a soup and main dish; vegetarian options are rare and in most cases you will be served chicken. As a drink, you will be served jugo, which is a very tasty fruit smoothie and in some restaurants, there will be a small dessert too. Aproveche!

And these were some of the best things you can do in the second highest capital in the world. Be ready for some minor symptoms of altitude sickness if you will arrive from a lower elevation. Just take it easy for the first days – don´t rush – simply indulge yourself in the real Andean heights at a slow pace. Quito will definitely embrace you sooner or later! Enjoy!

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Viera Valentová

• Published: July 14, 2017

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• South America
• Top 10 Things To Do...

The Top Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador

Built upon the foundations of an ancient Incan city, Quito is one of the world’s highest capital cities. If that doesn’t make you giddy, check out our top things to do when visiting this unique and fascinating city.

Hoping to visit Ecuador in the near future? Let Culture Trip be your guide and join our action-packed eight-day adventure – led by our Local Insider to ensure you get the fullest cultural understanding through intimate encounters.

Visit the Virgin of El Panecillo

Architectural Landmark

Guarding the historic streets of Quito’s Old Town, The Virgin of El Panecillo is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. According to local legend, the large statue faces the north and blesses those living there, while her back is turned to the south, explaining the wealth disparity between the two parts of the city. The road to the statue winds around the hill of El Panecillo, which appropriately translates to “little bread roll”. You can even ascend the statue for an even better view of the city below.

Journey to the middle of the world

Just a short drive north of Quito sits the equator line, for which Ecuador receives its name. Marked by a massive monument where French explorers initially calculated the equator to be, Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world) lets travelers be in two places at once. The monument is surrounded by an area known as the city of Mitad del Mundo. Here, you’ll find shops, restaurants and small museums which capture Ecuadorian culture perfectly. Keep your eyes peeled for handmade alpaca blankets (you won’t need to look far), freshly made Ecuadorian street food – including guinea pig – and traditional dance performances sporadically taking place in the streets.

A trip to Mitad del Mundo is included as part of Culture Trip’s eight-day adventure through Ecuador , led by our Local Insider to help you make the most of your experience.

Cheer in Atahualpa Olympic Stadium

One of the best ways to experience pure excitement in Quito is to watch a soccer game at the Atahualpa Stadium. Ecuadorians from near and far will travel to see their team play, and to say it can be intense might be an understatement. Like football fan culture across all of South America , fans will relentlessly chant team songs while standing and waving banners, on both sides of the stadium. When either team scores pandemonium ensues, so be careful not to spill your drink.

Take Pichincha Teleférico

Looming over the city is the dormant volcano Pichincha, and you can get there via the TelefériQo skyrail to take in the epic views from the top. The rail ascends from Vulqano Park , a small amusement park on the side of the mountain, to a lookout area with spectacular views and a restaurant. You can go horseback riding here, but if you want to climb to the peak of Pichincha, take one of the hiking trails leading from the station. It’s definitely worth doing on a clear day.

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Visit Plaza Grande (Plaza de Independencia)

At the center of Quito’s Old Town, this plaza is a constant hub of activity, often serving as a site for political activism or public opinion, but also buzzing with travelers from around the world. In the middle is a large monument installed in the late 19th-century in commemoration of Ecuador’s independence. The plaza is also the site of the assassination of Ecuadorian president Gabriel Garcia Moreno in 1875. Ecuador’s Presidential Palace overlooks the plaza and around the exterior are a variety of good restaurants as well as the extravagant Hotel Plaza Grande .

Climb the Basilica

Visit La Compañia de Jesus

La floresta.

Tucked away from the hustle of Quito’s main valley, Guapulo offers an escape from the city crowds. Descend down the steep cobblestone path towards the eponymous church, and you’ll find examples of boho culture the area has become known for. Pizzeria Ananke, found at the base of the hill, for example, is adorned with arty posters – and happens to be a lovely spot to grab dinner with a view over the valley lit up at night. The ornate Church of Guapulo, or Sanctuary to the Virgin of Guapulo, is open to visitors every day except Sunday.

Stay in Plaza Foch and visit the Artisan Market

Looking for nightlife in Quito? Plaza Foch is the place. Surrounded by dozens of hostels and eateries, Foch caters to travelers in search of a lively stay. With clubs, hookah bars, and pubs open until the early hours, the party usually doesn’t die down until late. Visit during the day to explore the Artisan Market – it’s full of traditional crafts, Ecuadorian art and artisanal food that you can snack on or stock up on if you’re there to prepare for the Ecuadorian cooking class included in Culture Trip’s exclusive eight-day adventure in Ecuador.

Play in Carolina Park

Often compared to New York’s Central Park, Quito’s Carolina Park exemplifies the spirit of the city. During the weekend, it’s a hub of activity where hundreds of families gather to relax. Popular park activities include Ecuavoli (volleyball with three people per team and specific rules), paddle boating and, of course, lots of soccer. There’s also an exotic botanical garden, a reptile house, a skate park, a large airplane-turned-playground, a planetarium and a small museum to explore.

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12 Best Things To Do In Quito, Ecuador

Published: September 23, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Adelaida Lawless

• Arts & Culture
• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Tips

Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, is a hidden gem nestled in the Andes Mountains. This vibrant and culturally-rich destination offers visitors a plethora of exciting activities, making it truly a must-visit for any adventurer. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or a food lover, Quito has something to offer for everyone.

In this article, we will uncover the 12 best things to do in Quito, Ecuador. From exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town to venturing into the captivating landscapes of the surrounding area, this comprehensive guide will ensure you make the most out of your visit to this captivating city.

So get ready to soak up the stunning views, delve into the rich history, and indulge in the unique flavors of Quito. Let’s dive into the top attractions and experiences that make this destination a true gem of South America.

Explore Old Town (Historic Center)

Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Quito by exploring Old Town, also known as the Historic Center. Wander through its charming streets lined with colonial buildings, visit historic churches, such as the stunning La Compañía de Jesús, and admire the beautiful plazas. Don’t miss a visit to the impressive Presidential Palace and the historic San Francisco Church.

Take in the panoramic views from El Panecillo

Climb up to the iconic El Panecillo hill and be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Quito. Marvel at the large statue of the Virgin Mary, known as “Virgen de Quito,” that stands tall atop the hill. Enjoy a peaceful moment and capture stunning photos of the cityscape stretching out before you.

Visit the Mitad del Mundo

Discover the equator at Mitad del Mundo, located just outside of Quito. Stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere at the famous Equatorial Monument. Explore the Intiñan Museum to learn about the history and science behind this fascinating geographical phenomenon.

Explore the TelefériQo

Ride the TelefériQo, a cable car that takes you up to the top of Pichincha Volcano. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city as you ascend to an altitude of 4,100 meters. Once at the top, take a hike along the trails and embrace the beauty of the Andean landscape.

Discover the beauty of Parque Metropolitano

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by visiting Parque Metropolitano. This expansive park offers numerous trails, lush greenery, and panoramic viewpoints. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or even a bike ride.

Delve into Ecuadorian art at Museo Guayasamín

Immerse yourself in Ecuadorian art at Museo Guayasamín, dedicated to renowned Ecuadorian artist Oswaldo Guayasamín. Admire his powerful and thought-provoking paintings that depict the struggles and resilience of the indigenous people. Explore the museum’s collection of contemporary and historical art pieces.

Embrace nature at the Botanical Garden of Quito

Escape to the peaceful oasis of the Botanical Garden of Quito. Discover a wide variety of native plant species, including orchids, bromeliads, and ferns. Take a leisurely stroll through its beautifully curated gardens and enjoy the tranquility of nature.

Experience the vibrant nightlife at La Mariscal

Indulge in the lively atmosphere of La Mariscal, Quito’s entertainment district. Explore its numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants, offering a mix of local and international cuisine. Dance the night away to Latin rhythms or enjoy a live music performance.

Visit the stunning Basilica del Voto Nacional

Marvel at the impressive architecture of Basilica del Voto Nacional, one of the largest neo-Gothic churches in the Americas. Climb up its towers for panoramic views of the city and visit the unique stone gargoyles, depicting Ecuadorian animals.

Explore the vibrant La Ronda neighborhood

Step back in time as you explore the charming La Ronda neighborhood. Wander through its narrow cobblestone streets, lined with colorful colonial houses that now house artisan workshops, galleries, and cozy cafés. Immerse yourself in the bohemian atmosphere and enjoy live music performances.

Discover the wonders of the Museo Casa del Alabado

Immerse yourself in the pre-Columbian art world at the Museo Casa del Alabado. Explore its vast collection of ancient artifacts and learn about Ecuador’s rich indigenous cultures and their artistic expressions. Admire intricately crafted ceramics, textiles, and sculptures.

Indulge in delicious Ecuadorian cuisine

No visit to Quito would be complete without trying the delicious Ecuadorian cuisine. Sample local dishes such as ceviche, llapingachos (potato pancakes), and the traditional Ecuadorian dessert, helado de paila (hand-churned ice cream). Visit traditional markets, such as Mercado Central, to explore an array of fresh produce and local food stalls.

Experience the Magic of Quito

The 12 Best Things To Do in Quito, Ecuador offer a diverse range of experiences, from exploring historical sites to immersing yourself in breathtaking natural landscapes. Embrace the vibrant culture, indulge in delicious cuisine, and create lasting memories in this enchanting city.

1. What is the best time to visit Quito?

The best time to visit Quito is during the dry season from June to September. The weather is pleasant with clear skies, making it ideal for exploring outdoor attractions and enjoying various activities.

2. Is it safe to visit Quito?

Quito is generally a safe city for tourists, but like any other destination, it is important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid isolated areas at night and take necessary measures to protect your belongings.

3. Are there any altitude-related concerns in Quito?

Quito is located at a high altitude, around 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level. Some visitors may experience symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches or shortness of breath. It is advisable to take it slow, stay hydrated, and acclimate properly to the altitude.

4. Can I explore Quito on foot?

Absolutely! Quito’s historic center is compact and easily walkable. Many of the city’s top attractions are within walking distance of each other. However, it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and be cautious of uneven streets and sidewalks.

5. What are some must-try dishes in Quito?

When in Quito, make sure to try the traditional Ecuadorian dish called “Locro de Papa,” a hearty potato soup with cheese and avocado. Also, sample the “Ceviche de Camaron,” a refreshing and tangy shrimp ceviche, and don’t miss out on the delicious “Empanadas de Viento,” which are savory filled pastries.

6. Are there any day trips from Quito?

Absolutely! Quito serves as a gateway to many incredible day trip destinations. You can take a trip to the famous Otavalo Market, explore the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, or visit the scenic Quilotoa Lagoon. These day trips offer unique experiences and breathtaking natural landscapes.

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7 Unique Experiences In Quito, Ecuador

• Central and South America
• Destinations

Formally San Francisco de Quito, the capital city of Ecuador sits high in the Andean mountains at an altitude of 9,350 feet. Living in east Texas at barely 100 feet above sea level, it took a few days for my small lungs to adjust. 

At the tail end of a 2-week birdwatching trip in the mountains of northwestern Ecuador, my group decided to spend our last day touring this fascinating city. I had purchased a map at the Quito airport and the debate began of where, when, and how. 

With over 2.6 million people and probably twice as many buildings, Quito is crammed into a valley with structures crawling 3 miles up to the mountaintop. One of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites designated in 1977, the historic significance of the city is world-renowned.

Only a few corridors are available to steer slow-moving bicycles, fast-moving motorcycles, large red city buses, little yellow taxicabs, loaded delivery trucks, wobbly horse-drawn carts, and private cars to their destinations in the valley. Hence traffic is congested, hectic, slow, and sometimes downright chilling.

But don’t let this scare you away from seeing one of the most fascinating and historic cities in South America. Quito offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It did not take long to realize hiring a reliable guide and comfortable van for the day would be best, and our day turned out to be perfect. 

At the first sign of a gray sky, as the sun slowly rose far below the top of the mountain behind the city, we headed to our first stop which was actually out of town, to a place that formed when one of the surrounding sleeping volcanos woke up.

1. Hike Down A Volcano-Made Crater

I watch in fascination as this bustling city of colorful homes and confusing graffiti rushes past the cozy van’s window. Northwest of the city center sits the Pululahua Crater Geobotanical Reserve , a massive crater created thousands of years ago by the Pululahua volcano.

Believed to be one of only a few craters in the world inhabited by humans, scores of brown and green checkered fields and farm buildings sprawl along the crater’s floor almost a mile down from the visitor center.

As I stood on the edge looking almost straight down contemplating the hike back up, two Andean women dressed in traditional clothing with filled-to-the-brim backpacks walk past. They aim for the narrow rock path that leads to the farms below, and I realize the only way to reach their farm on the crater floor is by foot.

Most of us decided that shopping instead of hiking was the best way to start the day and headed for a strip of thatched-roofed rustic buildings near the visitor center. Crammed full of handmade crafts sold by fair-trade Andean vendors, we learn that the famous Panama hat was originally made by workers and materials from Ecuador and shipped to Panama in the mid-18th century. Hence the name was given by Ecuadorians because of the hat’s destination.

The flamboyant artisan crafts ranged from baskets and clothing to musical instruments, pottery, and much more, all hand-crafted by indigenous people from the area. 

I will always prize my soft alpaca wool poncho purchased from the family who made it. 

Pro Tip: After a full day in Quito, it turned out that this was the best place to purchase quality gifts to take home. Shop accordingly!

2. Walk Along The Equator

Just a few miles from the Pululahua Crater sits the La Mitad del Mundo (The Center of the World ). A towering stone monument designating the official GPS location of the equator poses perfectly for a selfie.

Here, you’ll find people from all nations straddling the equator’s line drawn on the concrete floor — or lying across, walking, or sitting on the line – all smiling in front of cameras.

Pro Tip: There is also an Equator Museum a few miles away from the actual location of the equator. While the museum is very interesting, if you want to visit the so-called Center of the World, be sure your guide takes you to the right place.

3. Pray In A Forever Unfinished Church

One of the most significant cathedrals in South America, the Basilica del Voto Nacional (The Basilica of the National Vow), has been under construction since 1887 and is still today technically “unfinished.” Every year a change is made or something added to the church. It is never finished due to local legend that declares when the Basilica is complete, the world will come to an end.

Be prepared for serious neck cramps from looking up at stunning stained-glass windows, impressive ceiling artwork, colorful floating saints, and nightmarish gargoyles.

Pro Tip: Be sure to save a little time to roam the courtyard to find an interesting cemetery where famous Ecuadorians are buried.

4. Have Lunch With The Virgin Of Quito

From the steps of the Basilica, I stared in awe at narrow streets dropping down into a valley of buildings and people, then snake back up the opposite mountain facing the church, where the famous Virgin of Quito statue stood gracefully on the top waving to us.

Our guide expertly navigated the steep crowded streets winding up to the El Panecillo hilltop, and soon, we were standing in front of the Virgin of El Panecillo statue — also known as the Virgin of Quito — looking up again.

This magnificent image of the Mother Mary ranks 58th among the tallest statues in the world, rising to 30 meters (just under 100 feet), plus 11 additional meters (another nearly 40 feet) if the base is included.

Made of 7,400 aluminum parts, the shining, bigger-than-life statue combined with 360-degree panoramic views of Quito make this site not only spiritual but also spectacular.

Pro Tip: Near the statue and clinging to the hillside is a rustic restaurant offering local cuisine with an amazing view.

5. Hang Out With An Andean

Quito boasts of having the largest, least altered, and best preserved historic center in the Americas. The foundation of the historic city is the Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Plaza) surrounded by picturesque and colorful 500-year-old buildings built during Spanish rule. Here, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the popular theater, the Carondelet Palace, are both show-stoppers.

The Plaza de la Independencia is known as the premier place for people watching, which is a favorite activity in Quito. A beloved public area during weekends, people of all ages and from all parts of Ecuador gather to drink coffee, sell their crafts, discuss politics, and watch the multi-colored tourists.

The highlights of the plaza are the indigenous Andean people selling their crafts while wearing the vibrant traditional clothing of their ethnic groups. Ecuador is home to one of the oldest civilizations in South America, dating back 10,000 years. Over 10 indigenous languages can be heard throughout the Ecuadorian Andes alone.

Pro Tip: If lunch at the El Panecillo is not possible, the Plaza de la Independencia has wonderful options. Don’t hesitate to try delicious fresh fruit and crunchy fried empanadas sold from small carts with large wheels and served with smiles.

6. Discover Gold

Near the edge of the Plaza de la Independencia is the Church of La Compania de Jesus — a fine example of baroque-style art. The main temple is carved entirely of volcanic stone. But what is really impressive is the ornate interior that is almost completely covered with sheets of gold! 

Built in 1586 by the Jesuit Order, the church was visited by Pope John Paull II in 1985 and Pope Francis in 2015. This site has become an invaluable heritage site for Ecuador for its incredible artistic and financial value.

Pro Tip: There is a modest charge to enter, and you should expect a long line of people. But spending time in this remarkable building bathed in gold is well worth the effort.

7. Smell The Best Of Ecuador

Our last stop of the day — a busy, bustling farmers market — satisfied the gardeners and foodies in our group. Long tables crammed with rows of fruits and vegetables were almost a work of art. Friendly vendors showed us the difference between a banana and a plantain and explained that the potato originated in South America. There must have been a dozen different varieties of potatoes .

The bright colors of an enormous display of flowers in the neighboring room reminded me of the colorful clothing worn by the Andean women at the plaza. During the last few weeks, we’d found many beautiful flowers along our path to find birds, especially the 130 species of hummingbirds found in Ecuador.

Our guide explained that Ecuador is the world’s leading exporter of cut flowers. Over 4,000 species of orchids have been discovered in Ecuador, but the leading flower in demand for export is the rose. The sweet scent of hundreds of fresh-cut flowers in the farmers market surrounded me.

Pro Tip: Fresh food or flowers will be confiscated at customs when re-entering the United States. However, I found a variety of hand-crafted art pieces that included dried flowers in their designs, such as a wall-hanging mosaic of a toucan using dried natural reeds and seeds.

Know Before You Go

Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its currency. However, any bill over $20 will be hard to use at small local vendors. Keep a stack of small bills and coins in a separate bag for taxis, buses, and shopping. Occasionally my credit cards would not work in rural ATM machines for cash back.

Captivated by Ecuador? Don’t miss these 9 Amazing Experiences In Quito or our comprehensive guide to retiring in Ecuador .

Her past articles can be found within the following publications: Family RVing (FMCA membership magazine); Inspired 55+ (Canada), EastWestNews Service; Lifestyles Magazine, InMagazine, The Tyler Loop, Texas Living, The City Paper Bogota and Bird Watcher’s Digest. Her articles are usually found in the travel, art, history, or cultural sections.

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10 Best Things To Do In Quito, Ecuador

Here are the top 10 best things to do in Quito, Ecuador!

Quito is an incredible city in South America. As one of the oldest cities in the Americas, and the capital city of Ecuador, Quito is packed with natural beauty and rich history.

Nestled high in the Andean foothills, the city is surrounded by volcanoes, mountains, jungles, farms, and quaint rural villages.

The city itself is a bit chaotic, but that’s part of the charm! The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All throughout the Old Town and surrounded areas, there is so much cool architecture to admire, food to taste, and cobblestone streets to walk.

I visited Quito while doing a work exchange in Ecuador ! While volunteering on a rural lodge in the mountainous village of Lloa, I spent some time staying with locals in Quito. So I had ample time to explore the city on my own, and with locals which was awesome.

Here are the 10 best things to do in Quito, Ecuador!

From exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, to visting the best viewpoints, here are the top things to do in Quito! This city was my first taste of South American culture, and it did not disappoint.

Is Quito, Ecuador Worth Visiting?

Quito is definitely worth visiting thanks to its enticing Old Town, vibrant culture, vast history, and affordability. You can easily explore Quito on a budget without missing out on any amazing attractions or day trips.

Hopefully my list of the best things to do in Quito will help you plan your own exploration of this exciting city.

1. Tour the Basilica del Voto Nacional Cathedral

When looking at an aerial view of Quito there is one building which stands out above all the rest: Basilica del Voto Nacional .

This massive, ornate cathedral sits on a hill in the Centro Historico, in the south of Quito. The Basilica del Voto Nacional is truly a work of art.

The exterior of the building is crafted in beautiful detail. Inside the cathedral, you’ll find intricate decorations of religious art and delicate stained glass.

It costs $1 to enter the church and $2 to climb the tall towers for a picturesque view overlooking the city.

2. Enjoy The View From El Panecillo

While wandering around the south of Quito, you may notice a giant silver angel on a hill, faithfully watching over the bustling city.

This 45-meter tall, aluminum statue represents the Virgen de Quito and rests atop the hill named El Panecillo .

Buses and taxis frequently travel up and down the El Panecillo for very cheap prices. When I visited, I actually hitch-hiked a ride up because I was exploring with a local friend and I trusted her to keep us safe. It was perfectly safe, but I never would have hitch-hiked alone.

I recommend taking public transport or a taxi, because even just walking up the hill will take you through a supposedly dangerous neighborhood.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, you can spend the afternoon marveling at the incredible views and eating at the small sheds of street food.

Read next: 22 Solo Travel Tips: How To Travel The World Alone

3. Eat Street Food

Speaking of street food, every street corner in Quito hosts a friendly local with a small cart offering some sort of cheap, freshly made food.

You can find everything from assortments of fruits like papaya, watermelon, and banana, to traditional meat and rice dishes, to sweet pastries, to fresh juices and smoothies.

A particularly delicious local dish is Choclo con Queso . This is thick, Ecuadorian corn grilled and slathered in butter, mayonnaise, and cheese. It’s delicious, and eating corn in the street is one of the best things to do in Quito!

4. Browse Through San Roque Market

The south of Quito is traditionally poorer than the north of Quito, so it has some less visually-appealing neighborhoods. At least that’s what my local friends told me!

But the people of this area in south Quito are as friendly and welcoming as can be. And the outdoor markets here have amazing goods for very cheap prices.

The San Roque Market lies on a steep street branching off of the main road and is overflowing with fresh produce.

From piles of exotic fruits to massive bowls of nuts to baskets stuffed with bread and pastries, you can buy enough delicious and fresh food to last a week for only a couple dollars.

5. Hang Out In La Foch

For a fun night with a younger crowd, visit the small neighborhood known as La Foch near the center of Quito.

The narrow, stone streets contain more pedestrians than traffic in this part of the city.

So La Foch perfect for strolling around at night and hopping between the endless supply of clubs, bars, and restaurants.

Food of every genre is available here as well. You can find Irish pubs, fast food joints, classic Ecuadorian cuisine, and Asian or Middle-Eastern food.

This area also contains tons of cheap hostels , enticing street art, and unique theme bars and clubs. So La Foch is ideal for young travelers who love to party.

Visit Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights into Ecuador. I flew from Florida, USA to Quito for only 100 USD!

6. Wander Through El Centro Historico (The Old Town Of Quito)

The Historical Center, or Old Town of Quito, is the best place for sightseeing in the whole city.

The tightly-packed buildings brighten the town with vibrant colors and decorations.

Huge government buildings, magnificent churches, and spacious public squares complement the crowded maze of side streets to create a marvelous center of history, art, and culture.

You could walk around the Old Town for hours and never run out of beautiful sights to see.

7. Take A Day Trip to Mitad del Mundo (The Equator)

When in Ecuador, one must visit the Center of the Earth, also known as the Equator! The line of latitude 00°00’00’’ passes right through the northern Quito.

Blue public buses labeled “Mitad Del Mundo” travel through Quito to the equator every day.

Visit the museum at the center of the earth to learn about the physics of the Equator line and the history of the area’s indigenous cultures.

Other amazing day trips from Quito include the Quilotoa Lagoon , Cotopaxi National Park , and the Cloud Forest of Mindo .

Book your visit to the Middle of the World in advance!

8. Relax In Parque Carolina

Located in central Quito, this gigantic park is perfect for enjoying Ecuador’s warm, sunny weather.

Complete with a skate park, a botanic garden, a kid’s playground, various artistic sculptures, and numerous sports fields, Parque Carolina has something for everyone.

For those who just want to relax, napping in the soft green grass makes for a wonderful escape from the craziness of the city.

9. Visit A Local Craft Market

Another one of the best things to do in Quito, Ecuador is shop at a local craft market.

Parque El Ejido houses an enormous open-air market full of hand-crafted goods and unique trinkets.

Here you can find weaved clothing, colorful bags and hats, incredible paintings and artwork, chocolate, food, and snacks, coasters, posters, jewelry, maps, shoes, figurines, key chains, and any other type of souvenir imaginable.

Once again, prices are cheap, and the locals are always willing to engage in conversation with confused tourists. It’s the perfect place to practice Spanish and chat with some Quito locals!

Read next: Budget Traveler’s Guide To Travel Insurance

10. Explore The Museums

For a more in-depth education about the history, lifestyle, and culture of Quito and Ecuador, stop by one of Quito’s many museums.

Most museums are located in the Centro Historico , wedged between government palaces and ornate churches.

Quito’s most popular museums are:

• Museo de la Ciudad
• Museo Manuela Saenz
• Museo Alberto Mena Caamano

You can find all of these near each other in the Centro Historico.

This area of Quito has quite a few information booths and tourist offices, which can provide more information on the many attractions in the city.

That concludes my list of the 10 best things to do in Quito, Ecuador!

I visited Quito while doing a work exchange in Ecuador. Click here to read about my experience!

I used Worldpackers to find a work exchange. Read my Ultimate Guide to Work Exchange to learn more, or visit the Worldpackers website .

Also, I always recommend buying travel insurance before traveling abroad and visiting iVisa.com to check visa requirements for the country you are visiting.

Now that you know the best things to do in Quito, check out my other articles from Ecuador:

11 Best Things To Do In Baños, Ecuador

Ama La Vida: Experiences in Baños, Ecuador

Mindo, Ecuador: My Volunteering Experience

Volunteering in Ecuador: My First Volunteer Experience!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about this in my About Me page!

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Home » Travel Guides » Ecuador » 15 Best Day Trips from Quito

15 Best Day Trips from Quito

Quito, formerly known as San Francisco de Quito, was founded on the ruins of an Incan city. In 1978, this huge city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito has some of the best-preserved historic centers. This city has a rich pre-Colombian history and has a lot to offer to tourists. Thanks to its close proximity to the equator and its elevation of 9,350 ft above sea level, Quito has a fairly constant climate.

Here are the best day trips from Quito :

1. La Mitad del Mundo

This enormous trapezoidal monument commemorates the exact location where Charles Marie de la Condamine, an explorer of French origin, calculated the earth’s equatorial line in the 18th Century. The name translates to “the middle of the world.”

La Mitad del Mundo is Quito’s tourist Mecca. Visitors come here to take pictures at the equator, where the northern and the southern hemispheres meet. This popular destination is always crowded, so be prepared, especially between June and September.

There’s an elevator that goes up to the top of the monument. This allows you to have great views of the surroundings. The great thing about the 30-meter-tall monument is that it’s accessible to everyone.

The monument is 26 km north of Quito so you can easily get here by road.

Recommended tour : Quito: Full-Day Ciudad Mitad del Mundo Tour

2. Parque Bicentenario

This modern park is the second largest in Quito, covering an area of 200 acres. Having only been inaugurated on 27th April 2013, Parque Bicentenario is located in the area previously occupied by the Old Mariscal Sucre Airport. The park is at 2,800 meters above sea level.

The former runway is what makes the park’s design so beautiful. It has now been painted and converted into a recreation site which comprises play structures for kids and lanes for cycling.

Within the park, there are more than a thousand trees as well as a man-made pond.

3. Quilotoa Lagoon

Breathtaking sights await you at the Quilotoa Lagoon.

This lagoon was formed as a result of the collapse of a now-extinct volcano whose 3-kilometre wide (and 250m deep) crater was filled with water. The volcanic mountain collapsed about 600 years ago after a catastrophic eruption which was followed by a period of dormancy. The lagoon waters are green in color, thanks to the dissolved volcanic minerals. The surface of the lake is located 3,500m above sea level

Situated about a 3-hour drive from the southwestern end of Quito, Quilotoa is a common day-trip destination that is growing in popularity.

Expect nothing short of spectacular views and unending photo opportunities. Also, do not forget to bring a bottle of water and wear comfortable shoes if you plan on taking a walk around the crater.

Suggested tour : Quilotoa Lagoon Tour

4. Cotopaxi National Park

The massive Cotopaxi National Park it the most-visited national park thanks to its spectacular setting; it has rocky mountain trails, sweeping plains, and glassy lagoons. The national park covers an area of 33,393 hectares.

Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? If yes, you definitely need to make the trip to this park which is located about an hour or so from Quito. The park is roughly 53 km south of the Ecuadorian capital. This stunning park has a fascinating history in addition to its beautiful natural setting, which offers tourists a remarkable experience.

Here you will find the highest volcano in all of South America. Experienced hikers take great pleasure in going up the Cotopaxi Volcano, whose last significant eruption was in 1904.

Recommended tour : From Quito: Cotopaxi National Park Full-Day Tour

5. Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus

The church’s Spanish name directly translates to “The Church of the Society of Jesus.” It’s usually referred to as la Compania by the locals. According to most observers, this church is the most beautiful in South America. This Church and most of the nearby buildings were constructed around 1741. In 1781, Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus was damaged in a fire and later by an earthquake, in 1882.

La Compania is well-known for its large central nave which well decorated using wood carvings, gilded plaster, and gold leaf.

This church makes for an ideal day trip for those looking to get in touch with their spiritual side.

6. Pasochoa Forest Reserve

This forest reserve features a vast range of trees, ferns, orchids, and a wide variety of bird species.

The main reason for the reserve’s preservation is the uneven surface, which can make accessibility a challenge. The forest was declared a protected area in the year 1982 and later declared a Wild Life Refuge in 1996.

Today, the Pasochoa Forest Reserve is one of the few remaining original Andean Forests. The Pasochoa is run by Fundacion Natura which is in charge of all the conservation projects and research projects.

7. Pululahua Volcano Crater

Pululahua’s last eruption happened about 2,500 years ago and resulted in a crater that is full of fertile soil. This makes the crater one of the only two that is cultivated by its 120 inhabitants. In the middle of the 34 square kilometer crater lays a lava dome which is 500m high. The dome is covered in lush cloud forest vegetation and offers excellent views from the summit.

Pululahua in Quichua means “smoke of cloud of water.” The name came about due to the fog that covers the crater every day at around noon. Technically, it never rains in Pululahua so the fog provides the water for the crops grown here.

The best time to visit is in the morning hours before the fog rolls in. This way you’ll be able to enjoy the fantastic views and take pictures.

On the 28th of January 1966, Pululahua was declared a Geobotanical Reserve. It is home to more than 2,000 species of birds, mammals, flora, and exotic insects. This peaceful paradise, located 17 km to the north of Quito, is a favorite destination for both tourists and botanists.

Available tour : Mitad del Mundo and Hiking in Pululahua Volcano

8. Capilla del Hombre

Any culture vulture who is visiting Quito needs to make their visit complete by making a day trip to La Capilla del Hombre. This building was designed by Guayasamin and its construction began in 1995, ending in 2002 after his death.

This chapel is a purpose­built museum that contains more than 4,500 artifacts that depict the history of the people of Latin America.

Come and see the attractive scriptures and murals that are integrated into the surroundings.

9. Santo Domingo

The driving distance from Santo Domingo to Quito is 132 kilometers. The town is also referred to as Santo Domingo de Los Colorados. This fairly large town is one of the newer towns in Equador.

Santo Domingo offers a wide range of facilities to visitors. There are a number of nightclubs and malls that cater to the needs of every shopaholic. The latest addition to the malls is La Avenica Quito mall. There are also a couple of restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines and local dishes.

Overall, the atmosphere here is exciting and energetic. Santo Domingo is totally worth a day trip from Quito, as there really is a little something for everyone.

10. El Panecillo

El Panecillo is a hill that resembles a small loaf of bread, hence the name Panecillo. This hill is about 3,016m above sea level and is commonly used as an observation area as tourists get a 360-degree view of Quito.

On top of this hill, there is a majestic sculpture of La Virgen del Panecillo (or La Virgen de Legarda). The 41-meter­tall aluminum statue of Virgin Mary was inspired by the Virgen de Quito. The statue is the largest of its kind in the world; it was built using 7,000 pieces of aluminum.

The best time to visit the Bread Loaf Hill is in the morning when the sky is cloud-free so as to get clear views. From here, you can see as far as the Cotopaxi Volcano.

11. La Mariscal

The Mariscal neighborhood is also referred to as Gringolandia.

This area is the epicenter of Quito’s tourist scene. Even though there are not as many attractions here, Mariscal has a reputation for having numerous useful amenities such as banks, laundromats, accommodation, bars, international restaurants, clubs, travel agencies, dance schools, and shops which are a major tourist magnet. All these are concentrated within a few blocks so you can easily hop from place to place.

La Mariscal is considered an entertainment center for both locals and tourists alike. The neighborhood runs from Orella Avenue in the north to La Paria in the south.

12. Mindo Protected Reserve

This protected reserve is located only 90 km from the city. It takes tourists about 2 hours to get there by road.

When you get to the Mindo Protected Reserve, expect to see more than 25 species of birds, butterflies, frogs, and dozens of orchids. Bird lovers can get to feed the birds as they enjoy the beautiful butterfly gardens. The reserve is an excellent spot for bird watching.

The main feature of this reserve is the Mindo Cloud Forest that covers an area of 19,200 hectares. This cloud forest was home to the Yumbo-Nigua who were great merchants operating between the coast and the highlands.

Recommended tour : Mindo Cloud Forest Full Day Tour

13. Otavalo Market

The Otavalo Marketplace is one of the largest in Latin America. A visit to this market will allow you to browse the colorful stalls for artisan souvenirs. The locals in this village have perfected their weaving skills and they make products for sale at this market.

Otavalo is located 92km north of the Ecuadorian capital. The market and the surrounding area offer an opportunity for tourists to soak up culture and traditions and for this reason it’s a popular day trip destination from Quito.

Although the market is open daily, Saturdays are by far the biggest market days. Coming here on a Saturday will allow you the opportunity to choose from a wider selection of goods including silver jewellery, wooden carvings, Panama hats, woven bracelets, and hand-woven textiles.

Recommended tour : Otavalo and Imbabura Sightseeing Tour from Quito

14. Peguche Waterfall

This beautiful waterfall is located exactly 3 km from Otavalo. The Peguche Waterfall is 18m tall and is fed by the waters of River Peguche which originates from Lake San Pablo.

Thanks to its proximity and easy access, this waterfall is an important tourist destination that is often crowded.

Anyone who wants to clear their mind in a natural setting should add this magical waterfall to their list of places to visit. A 20­minute walk in the dense greenery has a very calming effect.

15. Cayambe Volcano

This volcano is Ecuador’s third-highest peak. It’s the world’s only mountain whose peak is crossed by the equator.

Cayambe is located 70 km northeast of Quito. Its last eruption took place in 1786; now it has a permanent snow cap.

If you’re a hiking beginner, it would be best if you stayed off the mountain’s technical terrain and just enjoy the scenic views from the foothills.

15 Best Day Trips from Quito:

• La Mitad del Mundo
• Parque Bicentenario
• Quilotoa Lagoon
• Cotopaxi National Park
• Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus
• Pasochoa Forest Reserve
• Pululahua Volcano Crater
• Capilla del Hombre
• Santo Domingo
• El Panecillo
• La Mariscal
• Mindo Protected Reserve
• Otavalo Market
• Peguche Waterfall
• Cayambe Volcano

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See the World, Save a Dollar! | Budget Travel

budget travel , destinations , Latin America , South America · June 18, 2023

BEST 2 DAYS IN QUITO ECUADOR: THE PERFECT ITINERARY GUIDE

Have you been looking for the best 2 days in Quito Ecuador itinerary? I’ve got you covered!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. For more information, see our full disclosures  here .

My husband and I recently had the chance to visit Ecuador just before our wedding. And let me tell you – we were blown away by the capital city of Quito.

The history, the culture, the vibes – everything about Quito resonated with us.

As someone who loves exploring new destinations and creating unforgettable experiences, I understand the excitement and anticipation that comes with planning the perfect two-day itinerary in a place like Quito.

Quito is a city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and natural beauty.

With its rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant atmosphere, Quito offers an unforgettable experience for travelers.

But what can you really accomplish with two days in Quito? 

From its well-preserved colonial center to its remarkable views of surrounding volcanoes, this city in South America promises an unforgettable adventure.

And even with just two days, there is an abundance of activities and sights to fill your Quito itinerary.

If you’re a history buff, Quito’s historic center is an absolute must-see.

This place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and it’s like stepping back in time.

Wander through those narrow cobblestone streets, soak in the beauty of centuries-old churches, and get a taste of the vibrant local culture buzzing around you. 

Make sure you pay a visit to the iconic La Compania de Jesus church and Basilica del Voto Nacional.

Now, if you’re more of a nature lover, Quito won’t disappoint. Hop on the TeleferiQo, which happens to be one of the highest cable cars in the world, and ascend to the summit of Pichincha Volcano. 

You’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the city and beyond.

Oh, and here’s a little secret for you: Quito’s food scene won’t break the bank.

If you’re on a budget (like me), you’ll be pleased to discover the affordable and delicious local cuisine. 

Head over to Mercado Central and dive into traditional treats like ceviche, cuy asado, and llapingachos. Your taste buds will thank you!

And don’t forget, the real magic of Quito lies in its people.

Interact with the friendly locals, strike up conversations, and let their genuine hospitality guide you to hidden gems and cultural wonders. 

So if you’re feeling a little lost on what to do in just two days in Quito, you’ve come to the right place! 

In this two-day Quito Ecuador itinerary, I’ll be your virtual tour guide, revealing all the must-see highlights of this incredible city. 

And I’ll give you a rough estimate of how much it’ll all cost so you can start gathering your coins.

From discovering the exact location of the equator to indulging in the budget-friendly flavors of Ecuadorian cuisine to immersing yourself in the historic charm of the city center, there is something for everyone in Quito.

If you’re planning on visiting Quito, keep reading for the ultimate travel tips.

You’ll find out what to do in Quito for 2 days and how you can make the most of your trip!

Table of Contents

Day One in Quito, Ecuador

Your adventure begins at Mariscal Sucre Airport , where you’ll land.

Once you’ve arrived, City Express Transport buses are available at the airport, offering a convenient transfer into the city center for only $7.99 USD per person.

When we first arrived in Quito, we were excited to see how affordable the transportation was! Not only was the bus cheap, but it was also quite comfortable.

The buses are your most affordable option for getting around, but Ubers are not expensive either. 

For instance, we were planning to take a bus ride that costs $0.35 per person but instead opted for an Uber ride that costs ~$3 USD in total.

The price is right in Ecuador!

RELATED ARTICLE: Is Spirit Airlines Safe to Fly?

Top 9 Ways to Find Your Next Cheap Flight!

Mitad del mundo.

A trip to Ecuador would feel incomplete if you didn’t visit the equator!

Step into the place long believed as the true Equator – Mitad del Mundo. This translates to the middle of the world.

During the French Geodesic expedition in the 1700s, three scientists arrived at this very spot and confidently declared it as the equator line. 

For many years, this spot was considered the equator. That was until GPS was invented and revealed a discrepancy of about 250 meters.

Despite this revelation, Mitad del Mundo remains an attraction worthy of exploration, ranking among the top things to do in Quito.

As you arrive, a large, colorful sign says “Mitad del Mundo.” It’s the perfect backdrop for capturing memorable photos.

Walk through traditional Ecuadorian homes as you explore the architectural styles that existed before and after colonization. 

Learn about intriguing rituals of the indigenous culture such as La Tzantza, where they actually made shrunken heads. A whole new level of fascination will unlock. 

And don’t forget to have your passport stamped by friendly vendors and consider purchasing a traditional poncho for $15 USD as a memorable keepsake.

Trust me, you’ll appreciate its warmth and coziness, especially if you didn’t pack enough layers.

If you follow the yellow “equatorial line”, you’ll come across a remarkable sundial demonstrating how ancient civilizations used the sun’s position to determine the date and time. 

As you continue along, you’ll encounter the Middle of the World monument, a nine-story building crowned with a globe.

Inside, you’ll find a captivating museum showcasing the diverse aspects of Ecuador’s culture. 

Climb to the top floor (or alternatively take the elevator) for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Andes mountains and the surrounding area. 

Although Mitad del Mundo is not precisely on the equator itself, it offers a wealth of attractions and experiences that make it well worth a visit.

Indulge in local cuisine – they have cuy asado if you’re feeling a bit adventurous!

However, as a vegetarian myself, I opted out of this traditional dish of guinea pig.

Explore the art gallery and souvenir shops before you leave the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo.

Mitad del Mundo Hours: 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. 9 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday.

How much to budget: Adults $5 USD per person. Children aged 6-12, seniors aged 65+, and disabled individuals $2.50 USD per person. If you’re arriving by car, unlimited parking is available for $3 USD.

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Reach Machu Picchu Without Hiking

Intiñan Museum

The Intiñan Museum is a mere 1 km away from Ciudad Mitad del Mundo. This is where you can experience the true equator line.

The two locations are conveniently close, with just a ten-minute walk or a three-minute drive, allowing you to experience both if you wish.

Upon reaching the Intiñan Museum, a sign proudly marks the GPS-calculated latitude 00° 00’ 00, confirming your arrival at the equator.

Step onto both sides of the line that divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and get ready for an exciting experience that appeals to visitors of all ages.

The Intiñan Museum offers a range of engaging activities showcasing the unique nature of being on the equator.

From interactive exhibits to fascinating demonstrations, there’s something to captivate everyone at this museum. 

Intiñan Museum Hours: 9:30 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

How much to budget: $4 USD for adults. $2 USD for children. The entrance fee comes with a guide included (available in English or Spanish)

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Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve

Continue your exploration, just a quick ten-minute drive from the equator, to the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, where an extraordinary sight awaits you.

This reserve proudly houses one of the world’s few inhabited volcanic calderas, providing quite a unique experience. 

Explore the captivating history of this dormant volcano, whose last eruption dates back approximately 2500 years. 

The volcanic soil, rich in nutrients, transformed the area into a thriving farm that continues to flourish today.

Local farmers skillfully cultivate an impressive array of vegetables that grace the tables of nearby markets.  

To fully appreciate the beauty of Pululahua, it’s highly recommended to visit this magnificent viewpoint on a clear morning.

If you have more time to spare, you can trek down one of the trails that leads you to the village and farm.

Keep in mind that the descent takes around 30 minutes, but plan for up to an hour for the return journey.

Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve Hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily.

How much to budget: Free to enter.

RELATED ARTICLE: Everything You Should Know About the Poor Man’s Galapagos

Yumbos Chocolate

If you’re a chocolate fan, don’t miss out on this incredible tour. At Yumbos Chocolate, you can discover the journey of chocolate-making from start to finish. 

Yumbos Chocolate is carefully handcrafted without any preservatives or artificial flavorings. The key to exceptional taste lies in the cocoa sourced from the renowned regions of Los Rios and Esmeraldas. 

Through their partnership with the Afro women of AMATIF (Asociacion Mujeres Timbire para el Futuro) in Esmeraldas, nearly 100 families have come together to cultivate the finest chocolate varieties. 

The cultivation process at Yumbos Chocolate embraces traditional agricultural techniques, honoring the cultural legacy passed down by their ancestors.

You’ll experience firsthand the passion, and rich cultural heritage that covers every bite of Yumbos Chocolate during the short ten-minute tour. 

No reservations necessary – simply come and enjoy the remarkable world of pure, handmade cocoa bliss.

Yumbos Chocolate Hours: 10 am to 6 pm daily.

How much to budget: The tour is free and you can buy chocolate bars for $5 USD each afterward.

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El Panecillo

Make your way to El Panecillo, a small volcanic peak that offers breathtaking views of Quito’s sprawling landscape. 

The name “El Panecillo” translates to “Bread Loaf Hill,” capturing the hill’s unique shape.

Ascend to the summit and admire the iconic Virgen de Quito statue, a magnificent masterpiece that has become a beloved symbol of the city.

Inside the statue, you’ll find a small museum that explains the history and significance of this statue.

As the sun begins to set, it paints the sky with a kaleidoscope of colors.

From an elevation of over 9,000 feet above sea level, you’ll have a front-row seat to this beautiful sight.

El Panecillo Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 am to 6 pm. Friday and Saturday 9 am to 9 pm.

How much to budget: It is free to visit El Panecillo but costs $1 USD for adults or $0.50 USD for kids to enter the monument and reach the top via stairs for 360-degree views of the city.

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Nightlife in Quito

Bungalow 6 in Quito is a nightclub that attracts both locals and tourists.

With three floors to explore, you can find a mix of hip hop, reggaeton, rock, indie pop, and house music being played. 

If you want to conclude your first day in Quito with an affordable and enjoyable nightclub experience, visit Bungalow 6. 

They also have happy hour deals Thursday through Saturday from 8 pm to 10:30 pm. 

Bungalow 6 Quito Hours: 6:30 pm to 3 am Wednesday through Saturday.

How much to budget: Ladies’ Night is Wednesday from 8 pm to 10 pm (free entry & free drinks). Entry cover for men is $5 USD.

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Day Two in Quito, Ecuador

For your next 24 hours in Quito, prepare to dive into the city’s rich history and explore its natural wonders.

Get ready to unravel the stories of the past and marvel at the beauty that awaits you in every corner of Quito.

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Plaza Grande

Start your second day in Quito by visiting Plaza Grande, also known as Plaza de Independencia. 

If you arrive at 11 am on a Monday, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the Changing of the Guards ceremony at Plaza Grande.

While exploring the plaza, you’ll come across the Palacio de Carondelet, which serves as the equivalent of Quito’s White House. 

The architecture of the buildings around it is absolutely charming. It’s a sight you won’t want to miss!  

Like many town squares, Plaza Grande is an ideal spot to take a few moments to people-watch before continuing on to your next destination.

How much to budget: Free to explore.

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Compañia de Jesús Church

Next, venture just three minutes further into the heart of Quito’s Centro Historico.

You’ll come across the stunning Compañia de Jesús Church. 

It’s known as the “golden church” and if you take a peek inside, you’ll know exactly why. Everything is covered in gold!

This is a wheelchair-accessible church that is a sight for everyone to see.

Its glistening interior design just might make you want to consider a complete gold makeover for your house. 

And surely, I can’t be the only one that feels this way, right?

Compañia de Jesús Church Hours: Sundays 12:30 pm to 4 pm. Monday through Friday 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Saturdays 9:30 am to 4 pm.

How much to budget: $5 USD entry fee.

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Basilica del Voto Nacional

This Neo-Gothic church is a stand-out attraction visible from nearly every vantage point in Quito.

It’s decorated with unique gargoyles, which draw inspiration from the animals in the Galapagos Islands .

It deviates from the traditional menacing figures commonly seen. The gargoyles show depictions of tortoises and iguanas instead.

Prepare to be rewarded with incredible views of Quito if you climb to the top.

Keep in mind that the elevator will only bring you two-thirds of the way to the top.

Basilica del Voto Nacional Hours: 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. 9 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday.

How much to budget: $4 USD entrance fee.

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For an unparalleled experience, don’t miss the opportunity to ride the TeleferiQo in Quito.

This cable car journey spans 2.5 kilometers in under twenty minutes. 

As you ascend higher and higher towards the Cruz Loma lookout, the car’s panoramic windows offer incredible views over Quito.

If you’re big on hiking, TeleferiQo serves as a convenient starting point for an incredible trek to the top of the Rucu Pichincha volcano.

However, it’s crucial to ensure that you have acclimated to the high elevation before attempting this challenging hike.

The TeleferiQo experience is undeniably a highlight of any visit to Quito, combining scenic beauty with adventure.

TeleferiQo hours: 9 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday. 8 am to 7 pm Saturday and Sunday.

How much to budget: $9 USD for adults 18+. $7 USD for children. $6.50 USD for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

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Casa del Alabado

After descending from the heights of TeleferiQo, get lost in the art and history of Ecuador at Casa del Alabado. 

This Pre-Columbian Art Museum houses an extensive collection of archaeological artifacts, giving you a glimpse into the country’s rich culture and ancient rituals.

Casa del Alabado Hours: 9 am to 5 pm Wednesday to Sunday.

How much to budget: $6 USD for adults. $3 USD for senior citizens. $2 USD for kids aged 4 to 12 years. Free for disabled people.

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Papallacta Hot Springs

A scenic 90-minute drive from Quito to Papallacta will reward you with unbelievable landscapes and a peaceful retreat outside the city center called Termas Papallacta (Papallacta Hot Springs).

An Uber ride will cost only about $10 USD, if not less. This is your chance to unwind and rejuvenate at Papallacta Hot Springs.

Known for having the highest concentration of naturally occurring lithium in the world, these hot springs are thought to offer therapeutic benefits that will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

There are public and private thermal baths here. You can either stay at the hotel or visit using a day pass.

If you stay at the on-site hotel public spas are included in your stay.

Check the availability and pricing of a hotel stay at Termas de Papallacta Resort!

Towels are $1 USD but require a $5 USD deposit. Towels are included if you are a hotel guest.

The main public hot springs have ten different pool options, each with its own temperature.

If you’re visiting with kids, the cooler pools are perfect for them to enjoy. 

The exclusive spa hot springs have eight different pools and special treatment options.

If you’re staying at the hotel, you’ll even get a 15% discount on all treatments.

To fully embrace the tranquility of Papallacta, consider staying overnight in this serene location.

Papallacta Hot Springs Hours: 9 am to 8 pm Monday to Wednesday. 9 am to 9 pm Thursday and Friday. 6 am to 9 pm Saturday and Sunday. 

How much to budget: Main public access is $8.50 USD for adults and $4 USD for kids, seniors, and disabled people. Exclusive spa access is $22 USD for adults, $14.50 USD for children, and $11 USD for seniors.

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Where to Stay in Quito

There are plenty of options on where you can stay in Quito, from hostels to hotels to private rental homes . But which option is right for you?

Below you will find some key factors to consider.

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Hostels can provide a vibrant and social environment, making it easy to meet fellow travelers and engage in shared experiences.

Hostels are typically more affordable than hotels and VRBOs, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers.

Many hostels offer communal spaces such as lounges, kitchens, and common areas, fostering a sense of community and allowing for shared amenities.

You’ll find various levels of privacy to suit your preference.

Typically, you can choose between a private room or a shared room.

Some hostels may even offer private bathrooms, adding an extra level of privacy and convenience.

Search and book local hostels in Quito, Ecuador >> HostelWorld

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Hotels offer private rooms and en-suite facilities, ensuring privacy and providing a comfortable and relaxing space for guests.

Hotels often provide a range of services and amenities, including room service, housekeeping, and on-site restaurants or bars.

Hotels have a dedicated staff available to assist guests and provide recommendations to ensure a smooth and comfortable stay.

Search and book local hotels in Quito, Ecuador >> Booking.com

Vacation Rental by Owners (VRBOs) offer the advantage of having an entire home or apartment to yourself, providing a high level of privacy.

Staying in a VRBO allows you to experience Quito like a local, with access to amenities such as a kitchen, living area, and possibly a backyard. 

VRBOs often come with unique features and decor, providing a more personalized and individualized accommodation experience representing local living.

Search and book local stays in Quito, Ecuador >> VRBO

Ultimately, the choice between a hostel, hotel, or VRBO depends on your preference, budget, desired level of social interactions, and the type of experience you seek during your stay in Quito.

Our top pick hostel > The Secret Garden .

• We love the rooftop terrace for ~$10 USD per night for a shared room. We also love the option of a private room! 

Our top pick hotel > Hotel Casa Montero .

• We love that it’s in the heart of Quito old town with breakfast included for ~$70 USD per night. 

Our Top pick VRBO > Foresta Green Building .

• We love this luxury 2 bedroom with pool and 24-hour security for ~$100 USD per night that can be split amongst 4 travelers.

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Where to Eat in Quito

Quito boasts a delicious culinary scene that showcases the flavors of Ecuador.

Below are some notable dining options to enjoy.

Miskay Quito

Experience the laid-back and down-to-earth vibes of Miskay.

This restaurant serves up delicious traditional Ecuadorian dishes and vegetarian options. 

You can enjoy the mouthwatering specialties while taking in the charming views of the plaza in this third-floor restaurant.

Miskay is open daily from 12 pm to 9 pm, and plates range from $12 USD to $25 USD.

Las Corvinas del Don Jimmy at Mercado Central

No trip to Quito is complete without a visit to Mercado Central.

It’s a foodie’s paradise!

There are so many great options, but if you’re looking for a standout recommendation, try out Las Corvinas del Don Jimmy.

Las Corvinas del Don Jimmy is open from 7:30 am to 3 pm every day except for Sundays. You’ll find plates from $3 USD to $10 USD.

Bandido Brewing Company

Discover a unique and cozy brewpub that offers a refreshing twist on traditional flavors.

They have a small but enticing menu that caters to different tastes, including vegetarian options.

Swing by Bandido Brewing Company during happy hour. From Monday to Friday, between 4 pm and 7 pm, you can enjoy refreshing mugs for just $2 USD and pints for only $3 USD. 

Know Before You Go to Quito Ecuador

Here are some essential things to know before you visit Quito, Ecuador:

• Learn some Spanish:  It’s helpful to have a basic understanding of Spanish as it will enhance your experience and interactions with locals. Not sure where to start? Check out Babbel .
• Altitude sickness: Quito is situated above sea level, so be prepared for the effects of high elevation. It’s actually the second-highest capital city in the world. (this is a similar concern to when you’re traveling to Cusco ).
• Currency: The official currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar, so make sure to have some cash on hand. 
• Tap water: Avoid drinking tap water in Quito. Stick to bottled water to stay hydrated.
• Dress in layers: Despite its equatorial location, Quito’s high elevation and mountainous terrain can result in cooler temperatures. Dressing in layers will help you adapt to changing conditions.
• Fake taxis: Look for registered taxis with orange license plates or consider having your hotel or restaurant call one for you. Using the Uber app is also a good option to avoid getting into a fake taxi.
• Pickpockets: Stay alert and keep your belongings secure. Be mindful of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared for your visit to Quito, Ecuador.

LifeStraw > We love this personal water filter straw that ensures we are always drinking the safest water!

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2 Days in Quito Ecuador FAQ

How many days do you need in Quito Ecuador?

• While Quito has a lot to offer, you can experience the highlights of the city in two to three days. 

Do they speak English in Quito?

• While Spanish is the primary language spoken in Quito, you can find some locals who speak English, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. It’s always helpful to learn a few basic Spanish phrases .

Is Quito a walkable city?

• Yes, Quito’s historic center is highly walkable, and you can easily explore many attractions on foot. The city is built on hilly terrain, so be prepared for some uphill walking. 

What is the best month to go to Quito Ecuador?

• The dry season from June to September is generally considered the best time to visit with clearer skies. 

Does it snow in Quito?

• It does not typically snow in Quito, but the chances are higher in the months of December through February. You can find the snowfall in the Andes Mountains.

Is Quito worth visiting?

• Yes, Quito combines rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. From its colonial center to its volcanic views, Quito offers a memorable experience for travelers.

Final Thought on 2 Days in Quito Ecuador

Visiting Quito Ecuador offers an enchanting blend of history, culture, and natural wonders.

By using this two days in Quito Ecuador itinerary , you’ll have the opportunity to truly explore. 

Whether you’re captivated by ancient rituals, stunning architecture, or panoramic views, Quito promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you longing to return to this extraordinary city.

Watch our experience in Ecuador below and subscribe to our ChewsToExplore Youtube channel !

About Olivia Taylor-Chew

Olivia is a budget travel blogger on a mission to "See the World, Save a Dollar!" She and her husband specialize in high-value, low-cost travel and will help you do the same, no matter your travel style or budget.

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Reader Interactions

June 20, 2023 at 5:56 pm

Currently looking for a weekend getaway and this was so helpful! Thankful for all your tips.

June 20, 2023 at 6:04 pm

Best of luck with your weekend trip planning! I’m glad I could help. Quito would be an incredible place for you to check out 🙂

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8 Best Things to do Around Quito (Outside of Quito)

• July 5, 2024 July 5, 2024
• Nature Galapagos & Ecuador
• Ecuador Travel Articles , Ecuador Travel Tips

8 Best Things to do around Quito for a day or two – perfect 1 and 2 Day Trips Outside Quito

So, you are now in Quito, Ecuador’s thrilling capital city. You’ve already traveled to the Historical Center, the museums, the Middle of the World site, etc. If you are still thinking about hitting the road for one day or two, think no more! Here you will find some of the best things to do around Quito

Quito is uniquely the perfect base location to arrange trips to the surrounding landmarks. So, to save you some time in research, here we present a short list on the 8 Best Things to do around Quito. It includes the perfect 1-day and 2-day trips to arrange form the city.   

1. Take a dip in Papallacta Hot Springs (1 or 2-day trip)

You can ask anyone who has visited Ecuador before, Papallacta is a must visit site. It takes less than a 2-hour drive from Quito to reach this lovely site between the mountains. Located at an altitude of 3,300m (10,827 ft.), and adorned by a wonderful lush green scenery, this site is home of natural Hot Springs coming directly from Antisana Volcano.

Papallacta is a great option for a relaxed day-trip from Quito, or the perfect stop-off spot when traveling to or from the Amazon Jungle. Far from the capital’s hustle and bustle, Papallacta offers lovely treks and horseback riding trips. The mineral-rich baths coming from Antisana Volcano are believed to possess healing powers. The perfect spot to relax after a long hike in the Andean Páramo.

2. Do some shopping at Otavalo Artisanal Market (1 or 2-day trip)

Forget about Saturday, Otavalo is perfect for shopping and window shopping regardless the day of the week. Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest days, though. There’s also a lot to see and do around the town. Imbabura province offers the pretties landscapes in Ecuador.  

A visit to Otavalo from Quito will last a full day, and in must have a stop at the artisans market, of course, as well as visits to its nearby landmarks. Cuicocha Lake, Peguche Waterfall, Mojanda Lakes, and Condor Park are some of the perfect complement to the standard visit to the Market. You can visit Otavalo on your own, buses depart form Quito daily. However, personalized guided tours to Otavalo from Quito are not that expensive and will help ypu optimize your time as much as possible.

CHECK THIS PERSONALIZED TWO-DAY TOUR OF OTAVALO & SURROUNDINGS

3. Get lost in the green beauty of the Mindo Cloud Forest ( 1 or 2-day trip)

Located at only 2.5 hours from Quito, this cloud forest and bird paradise is the perfect weekend getaway. Activities include bird-watching, visiting butterfly gardens, hiking to waterfalls, tubing and zip lining. Because it is so close to Quito, most travelers make it a 1-day trip, leaving early in the morning and returning in the late afternoon. However, if you are nature enthusiast a 2 day stay in any of Mindo’s eco-lodges will just do for you.  

The cloud forest is gorgeous, with green landscapes and a milder climate and a laid-back vibe.

CHECK OUT YOUR OPTION FOR MORE INFORMATION ON A PERSONALIZED TOUR OF MINDO

Chocolate is a big thing in Mindo too. There are specialized tours to see the whole chocolate-making process at one of an artisan chocolate business. This visit will also include a taste of Mindo’s super delicious chocolates. Mindo has a lot to offer, so give it a search before going for a tour.     

4. A bike ride or a hike in the Antisana Reserve Moorlands

Antisana Ecological Reserve is located at a 2-hour drive from Quito. This almost unknown gem is one of the most beautiful volcanoes on the western mountain range of Ecuador, and you will surely notice it on the road. Volcanic activity, glacial processes, and evolution have created amazing moorlands scenery along the way and a very diverse wildlife.

The terrain and the lovely landscape make this spot ideal for mountain biking. Not a biking expert? You should still give it a try, no pro experience is required and the road to the Reserve is one to remember.  Mica lagoon found at one of the tails of the Reserve mirrors the volcano and is perfect for photography. BTW, this spot is also perfect for observation of the Andean Condor, and iconic bird species of the Andean Paramo.  What’s not lo like!

 YOU CAN CHECK INFO ON A GUIDED BIKE TOUR TO ANTISANA RESERVE HERE

5. A Bike ride at Cotopaxi Volcano National Park, of course…

Cotopaxi National Park is one of the most impressive ecological reserves in Ecuador. The beauty of this spot is that the volcano, the second highest peak in Ecuador,  suddenly emerges out of relatively flat terrain and offerrs spectacular views from all directions. Cotopaxi National Park has plenty of activities such as  biking, hiking, climbing and trekking.  Stunning panoramas and an ecosystem home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, wolves, pumas, bears, rabbits, condors, wild horses, and foxes.

If you don’t feel like organizing a day trip on your own, almost every travel agency in Quito offers some sort of personalized day-trip to Cotopaxi .  Most trips here are only moderately strenuous and feature a hike from the parking lot to the refugee. However, hiking up to the summit requires advanced mountaineering skills. Be sure to ask your trip arranger what exactly the tour includes.

6. A hike to jaw-dropping Quilotoa Lagoon

If you are planning a trip to Ecuador, you’ve probably already read of Quilotoa Volcanic Lagoon.  In fact, pictures don’t even really do it justice. Quilotoa is one of those jaw-dropping places you have to see in person.  Traveling to Quilotoa from Quito takes around 3 hours driving southward. Most guided tours will help break the drive by stopping at a local market or historic church on the way to Quilotoa. The villages surrounding the lagoon are colorful and filled with local traditions.

Once at the bottom of Laguna Quilotoa, you can have kayak around the Crater Lake. However, do take in mind that it’s a tough hike back up to the top. For those that don’t quite have the energy, there are some men with some mules who will be happy to offer their services.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS 2-DAY TOUR O COTOPAXI AND QUILOTOA DEPARTING FROM QUITO

7. A 2-day Trip to the Moorlands at Polylepis and Frailejones Forest

The Polylepis and Frailejones Forests are also one of those forgotten gems found at the northern Ecuadorian moorlands. If you got a few days at Quito, you must take trip to discover the millenary Polylepis Forest, an almost surreal and isolated spot at the heart of the Andean paramo. This is the only spot for which I would recommend a two day trip from Quito, as the journey here takes up to 5 hours

At El Ángel Ecological Reserve (Carchi), you will find Polylepis Lodge , located just in the meeting point of two of the most unique Ecuadorian ecosystems: Polylepis Forest and the Frailejones Moorlands. Moreover. This spot offers hikes in the world’s last remnant of a millenary and primary Polylepis forest while lodging in panoramic, classy and spacious rooms harmonizing with the unique surroundings.

BTW, your visit to the areas will support the local community as most food and resources are trades with the farms of the area.  

8. A ride on the iconic Tren de los Volcanes

Tren Ecuador is an innovative concept in Ecuador which consists of a series of short routes between different stations reconstructed and remodeled of the legendary Ecuador Train system. Tren de los Volcanes (Train of the Volcanoes) day trip is one of the many routes and it departs from Quito almost daily. It is the combination of the colorful Andean landscapes, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes and culture make this trip a totaly worth it experience, indeed. 

A ride aboard the legendary Tren de los Volcanoes takes you to a mountain scenery where you can catch sight Pichincha, Atacazo, Pasochoa, the Viudita, Rumiñahui volcanoes, among others flank the railway. In Tambillo and Machachi you’ll also get a taste of the local cuisine and learn about the chagras (the Ecuadorian cowboys) culture. At  El Boliche, at the foothills of Cotopaxi, a mild trek will intoduce you to  the flora and fauna. You will be back at Quito around 5 pm.

So, here’s our list of the 8 best things to do around Quito. Do you agree or do you have any other recommendations?

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The Best Cruises for Exploring the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos cruises are the best way to experience the collection of remote, mostly uninhabited islands about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. But cruises to the Galapagos Islands aren’t like cruises anywhere else. The ships here are smaller, with some carrying as few as 16 passengers. There are no water slides, elaborate Broadway shows, casinos, or wild nightclubs. And don’t expect big bus tours in port either.

Galapagos cruises are about experiencing nature and wildlife while limiting environmental impact as much as possible. Ships are built for sustainability, toting items like kayaks, paddleboards, and scuba gear. Itineraries may feature two active excursions a day, limiting downtime on board the ship. Instead of museums and historic sights, you’ll visit uninhabited islands to encounter marine iguanas, sea lions, unspoiled beaches, and the adventures of a lifetime.

Trips to the Galapagos Islands are logistically complicated, making cruises an especially good way to experience the area. Travelers to the Galapagos Islands must first fly to Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador , for a night before flying to the Galapagos to board their ships. All travelers must also be accompanied by National Parks Guides who can help them navigate these largely undeveloped islands.

Galapagos cruise itineraries are typically a week long and cover a portion of the islands, sometimes more. Here’s everything to know about cruising in the Galapagos, from frequently asked questions to the best Galapagos cruise itineraries to book now.

Best luxury Galapagos cruise

Best galapagos cruise for adventure seekers, best galapagos cruises for solo travelers, best small ship galapagos cruise, best galapagos cruises for families, best galapagos cruise for lifelong learners, best galapagos cruise for foodies, when is the best time to cruise the galapagos islands.

With pleasant temperatures all year long, the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands is whenever you’re ready to go. Several cruise lines sail to the Galapagos Islands all year long. While you can see wildlife all year, December is hatching season for the giant tortoises, and July is mating season for blue-footed boobies and short-eared owls. Sea turtles lay their eggs early in the year and fully formed marine iguanas typically hatch in April and May.

Are Galapagos cruises expensive?

The Galapagos Islands aren’t a bargain destination. Expect to pay somewhere between $5,000 and $12,000 per traveler depending on the ship, itinerary, and length of the voyage. But one thing’s for sure: Whatever your preference, there’s a Galapagos Islands cruise for you. These are seven of the best Galapagos cruises for every type of traveler.

Whatever your preference, there’s a Galapagos Islands cruise for you. For those who want to travel in style, the ships of luxury cruise line Ecoventura meet expectations—and then some.

Ecoventura offers one of the most luxurious—and family-friendly cruises—in the Galapagos. Each of its three expedition yachts—the Origin, Theory, and Evolve —can accommodate 20 guests across 10 staterooms. These seven-night all-inclusive voyages make environmental responsibility a priority, encouraging guests to join the effort to help preserve this delicate area. Children six and up are welcome on board. Some staterooms connect to create spacious family suites, and two are designed to accommodate three guests each. Kids menus, children’s activities, and a kids club are also available. For adults, there’s a fitness center, jacuzzi, cooking demonstrations, and group cooking classes. You’ll also find kayaks, standup paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and zodiacs on board. On shore, naturalists lead daily two-hour nature walks, visiting lava fields, scenic cliffs, and secluded beaches. Replenish yourself at the onboard restaurant which serves a breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, and multi-course lunch and dinner menus.

Uncruise’s Galapagos island cruise will take you to seven islands over the course of a week on board La Pinta , a 48-passenger yacht boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, a sundeck, a fitness center, and a hot tub. This isn’t the newest or most luxurious ship sailing the Galapagos, but it’s comfortable and has been recently refurbished. It also comes with everything you need to make the most of your Galapagos adventure—including kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, scuba equipment, and a glass-bottom boat. This is a Galapagos cruise where nature and wildlife take center stage: Hike Dragon Hill on Isla Santa Cruz while looking for iguanas and flamingos, paddleboard alongside sea lions at Isla Floreana, or enjoy a stroll along a secluded white-sand beach. This small cruise operator prides itself on cruises that don’t feel like cruises. If you think cruising isn’t your thing, Uncruise might change your mind.

Join a small group of future friends on the Reina Silvia Voyager , G Adventures’ newest catamaran that’s custom-built for sailing the Galapagos. This vessel began sailing in 2022, and two of its 10 cabins are designed for solo travelers . These solo cabins are no tiny hideaways. Each comes with a queen-sized bed, desk, and a large picture window to frame your Galapagos view. A 10-day itinerary starts and ends in Quito, taking guests on a journey through the Central and East Islands to look for sea lions, iguanas, and a seemingly endless variety of birds. Go kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, or paddleboarding—or kick back and relax on the spacious sundeck while enjoying some of the most unspoiled views in the world. There’s a chef on board to ensure you never go hungry, a jacuzzi to soothe sore muscles, lots of spaces for socializing when you want to, and a bar that’s perfect for sunset cocktails.

Avalon Waterways may be better known for its European river cruises , but it also sails the Galapagos Islands. The Treasure of the Galapagos is a gorgeous small ship, carrying a maximum of 16 guests. And while there’s no long list of restaurants onboard, there are creative, locally inspired menus featuring seasonal ingredients and lots of vegetarian options. You’ll also find daily natural history lectures, a team of multilingual naturalists, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, and a plunge pool.

If you have family members who are keen on science and nature, then the a science center on board the Hurtigruten Expedition’s MS Santa Cruz II will be sure to delight.

There may be no better way to get your kid interested in science and history than a Galapagos Islands cruise on board Hurtigruten Expedition’s MS Santa Cruz II . The ship operates a Citizen Science Program, enlisting guests to help with completing research projects. There’s also a science center on board and a slate of lectures and expert-led discussions. The HX In Darwin’s Footsteps itinerary follows the famous evolutionary biologist’s journey through the Galapagos. Walk along a beach Darwin visited in 1835, see the giant tortoises, which have a lifespan of over 100 years, that may have greeted him nearby, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which helps care for endangered baby tortoises. Only about 15,000 Galapagos tortoises remain in existence, and there really is no better place to learn about them or the endangerment of wildlife. While there’s no specific kids programming, children six and up are welcome onboard the MS Santa Cruz II.

If you grew up reading National Geographic magazine, you’ll want to hop on board the National Geographic Gemini . The ship sails the Galapagos as part of a partnership between Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic , two legendary names in exploration. National Geographic experts lead these journeys and they’re often joined by National Geographic photographers. Kids can join the National Geographic Global Explorers program, a hands-on experience designed to teach them about geographic exploration and scientific research. The National Geographic Gemini can accommodate up to 48 passengers in 27 guest suites. More than a dozen suites come with private balconies, one of which is large enough to accommodate a private hot tub. (Don’t fret if that suite is already booked, there’s a whirlpool hot tub on the sundeck that’s open to all guests.) You’ll also find a well-stocked library, a well-stocked bar, and meals made with locally sourced ingredients on board.

If you want to learn about Ecuadorian cuisine while sailing the Galapagos, Silversea may be the cruise line for you. Silversea is a luxury cruise line known for its next-level onboard dining programs . Learn all about the local cuisine from the ship’s executive chef while feasting on locally sourced meat and produce—you can try Ecuadorian cheese aged in lava tubes and even make ceviche during a hands-on cooking demonstration. The Silver Origin ’s onboard restaurants serve a mix of international, traditional, and modern Ecuadorian food, and vegans and vegetarians aren’t afterthoughts here. Each Silversea suite comes with the service of a butler; most have private teak verandas as well. With a capacity for 100 guests, Silversea’s Silver Origin is one of the largest ships sailing the Galapagos Islands, but these voyages regularly sell out, so be sure to book early.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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Here's What It's Like To Stay In Singapore's Most Iconic Hotel

With 1,850 rooms, 55 floors, and an Instagram-famous 500-foot rooftop infinity pool, Marina Bay Sands is a dizzying playground.

Food and Drink

Activities and experiences, family-friendly offerings, accessibility and sustainability, how to get the most value out of your stay.

Courtesy of Marina Bay Sands

If you’ve never heard of the Marina Bay Sands , you’ve undoubtedly seen it. Google Singapore, a tiny Southeast Asian metropolis, and every other image will include the hotel’s three sloping towers with a “SkyPark” extended over the top.

Whether it looks like a boat, three decks of cards, or is simply an ingenious design by architect Moshe Safdie, the building has become synonymous with the Singapore skyline since it opened in 2010 — and now, it’s recently undergone a billion-dollar renovation, majorly upgrading more than 1,000 rooms in Towers 1 and 2. (Tower 3’s transformation is coming).

During my first stay in 2018, I spent hours in the Instagram-famous 500-foot rooftop infinity pool, swimming from end to end and taking in every angle of the city between strokes. My second stay was for a work conference, a commonality for many guests at the Marina Bay Sands.

Inside this massive integrated resort is a convention center, casino, museum, restaurants, and shops. I’ve shared elevators with exhausted coworkers, teens plotting the perfect pool photo, and high-rollers returning from a gambling session.

There is so much going on at the Marina Bay Sands that it often feels like more than a hotel. It is its own microcosm of Singapore’s reputation as a financial hub, a cocktail bar haven, and the poshest place in Asia.

When Taylor Swift played in Singapore, she stayed in one of its swankiest new suites with 24-hour butler service. And when the city comes alive for the Singapore Grand Prix, the towers are packed with motorsport fans looking for a track view. My next visit to Singapore will be to (hopefully) watch Lewis Hamilton finish P1 as the race cars zoom around the hotel.

For shopaholics, the hotel’s luxury buggy service will take you from Louis Vuitton Island to an Apple store surrounded by water in seconds flat. Families can jump on the hotel’s Sampan boats and float through its luxury shopping center. If you’re feeling lucky, try your hand at the world’s largest atrium casino’s 600 tables and 1,600 slot machines. Then, visit the ArtScience Museum, which has a rotation of imaginative and immersive exhibits. The myriad ways to entertain yourself in this adult playground are dizzying.

I’ve spent afternoons face-down on a massage table 55 stories in the air and evenings sipping Singapore Slings at its rooftop lounge CÉ LA VI. While you don’t have to leave the hotel grounds, missing out on Singapore’s UNESCO-recognized hawker center culture, pastel-colored shophouses, and lively Chinatown would be a shame. And when you return, sweaty and exhausted, your pillowy bed covered in Frette and Mascioni linen will be there waiting.

Here’s my review of Marina Bay Sands, a tourist attraction meets architecture icon.

Marina Bay Sands

• Thanks to its massive refurb, its interior design — particularly in its enormous suites — is striking and sophisticated, with calming colors and high-tech touches.
• The famous and sprawling rooftop pool is only available for in-house guests.
• Marina Bay Sands is smack dab in the sightseeing heart of the city; you can walk, taxi, or take Singapore’s excellent public transport system steps from the hotel.
• There’s always something happening, from VIP events to celebrity-chef appearances; a stay here feels exclusive and exciting.

With 1,850 rooms and suites spanning 55 floors and three standalone towers, you may think you’ll be packed in like sardines, but starting rooms here are nearly 500 square feet. Split between the Sands Collection and the ultra-ritzy Paiza Collection, eight room categories range from the Sands Premier Room to the Paiza Signature Suite.

All its rooms feel plush and elegant with Champagne golds, chrome finishes, light timber, and muted velvet furniture. In line with Singapore’s high-tech sensibilities, all rooms include wireless charging stations, massive 75-inch flatscreens, and Dyson hair dryers. If you’re unsure whether to choose the City View or the Bay View, go with the Bay — there’s nothing like looking at the glittering Supertree Grove at night.

My brand-new Sands Premier Room felt lightyears away from the previous starting category room I’d stayed at here a few years earlier. It wasn’t just the high-end material blanketing every inch, but the amount of space, especially the marble-clad bathroom with double sinks, soaking tub, and rain shower. Another nice touch is the bespoke cocktail trolley in each room and the lacquered Asian armoire full of local goodies and specialty tea.

For those splurging with its Paiza Collection, perks like a VIP arrival service, a butler on call, and access to its private lounge are all included.

Stephen Chin Siong Liung/Courtesy of Marina Bay Sands

With close to 50 food and beverage options spread around Marina Bay Sands, 11 of which are in the actual hotel, even the pickiest eaters will find something. The huge variety of restaurants ranges from American favorites like Roberta’s Pizza and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer to Asian musts like Ippudo and Din Tai Fung.

There’s fine dining by celebrity chefs like Daniel Boulud, Gordon Ramsey, and Wolfgang Puck (book at Spago Dining Room for incredible city views). There are also casual options, including a variety of casual Western and French cafes, as well as quick sushi and pho.

Overwhelmed? We don’t blame you. If your head is spinning with food fantasies, I suggest slurping up some soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung, savoring the Peking duck at Mott 32, and splitting the signature meatballs at LAVO Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar — just be sure to ask for a table with a view.

Christine Burroni/Travel + Leisure

When it comes to Marina Bay Sands, there is so much to do and so little time.

The SkyPark is undoubtedly a major draw for guests. This rooftop area spans nearly three acres and is large enough to park four-and-a-half jumbo jets. And while reserved exclusively for guests, I recommend arriving at the infinity pool area early in the morning for peace and selfie-free space.

Other activities include hitting the slot machines, shopping at any of its 19 flagship stores, watching Spectra (an outdoor light and water show), or seeing one of its Broadway shows. And when you need to relax, its Banyan Tree Spa has everything from Thai massages to body scrubs. The hotel’s Technogym-equipped fitness center is located in the convention center (ask someone to guide you there; otherwise, you may never find it.) But for a unique workout experience, book a yoga, HIIT, or sound meditation class on the SkyPark with unbeatable views over Singapore.

Located on the 55th floor of Tower 1, the Banyan Tree Spa has 12 treatment rooms decorated with Asian floral patterns, soothing water features, and warm colors. It offers page after page of full-body treatments, including a Radiance Revival facial, an Ayurvedic massage, and a Turmeric Honey Cleanser body scrub. Singapore is already one of the world’s cleanest cities, but you’ll feel like a new person after a treatment here.

The hotel’s Sands Collection includes 33 Sands Family Suites, complete with bunk beds and fun animal-themed wallpaper. Little ones also get an Adventure Pack with a lion stuffed animal to explore the “Lion City.” Plus, there are numerous interactive ways to keep the kids busy, including the ArtScience Museum and the Digital Light Canvas, which are done in collaboration with teamLab.

There are 20 ADA-compliant rooms designed for wheelchair use and 29 elderly-friendly rooms featuring rails and showers with benches. All common areas, including the SkyPark, are accessibility-friendly.

Marina Bay Sands is working to reduce its carbon footprint, already cutting it by 24.4 percent since 2014. Its SkyPark is powered by 536 solar panels, the hotel's fleet of cars is electric, and suites are outfitted with energy-efficient technology and control systems to adjust consumption based on occupancy.

It doesn’t get more central than this. A quick 15-minute drive from Changi International Airport lands you between the Marina Bay waterfront and the Gardens by the Bay . Many of Singapore’s biggest attractions are within walking distance, including the Singapore Flyer, the Supertree Grove, and the National Museum of Singapore. If you want to venture further to neighborhoods like Kampong Glam and Duxton Hill, the Bayfront MRT is a two-minute walk away.

Marina Bay Sands has its own rewards program, Sands Lifestyle, which is free to sign up for and gives members deals on dining, shopping, and activities. The hotel also offers stay packages, so check its website for the latest deals.

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Palermo Travel Guide 2024-2025: Discover the Best Attractions, Hidden Gems, Local Cuisine, and Unmissable Experiences in Sicily's Vibrant Capital Kindle Edition

Discover the Magic of Palermo – A City Where History, Culture, and Adventure Come Alive

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the captivating charm of one of Sicily’s most vibrant cities? Palermo Travel Guide 2024-2025 is your ultimate companion to experiencing this city’s rich history, lively culture, and stunning landscapes. Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a longer stay, this guide provides everything you need to make your trip unforgettable.

Explore Palermo’s hidden treasures, from its historic quarters brimming with Baroque and Norman architecture to the lively markets where the scents of street food fill the air. Learn how to navigate the bustling streets like a local, find the best spots for authentic Sicilian cuisine, and discover breathtaking beaches just a stone’s throw from the city.

This guide goes beyond the typical tourist recommendations. With insider tips, carefully crafted itineraries, and personal stories that bring the city to life, you’ll feel like you have a local friend showing you around. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or someone seeking sun-soaked relaxation, this book covers it all—from must-see landmarks to hidden gems off the beaten path.

What’s Inside:

• Detailed insights into Palermo’s neighborhoods, historic sites, and cultural hotspots.
• Practical tips and tricks for crafting your perfect itinerary.
• Expert advice on where to find the best street food, restaurants, and local specialties.
• Recommendations for day trips to nearby coastal towns, beaches, and natural reserves.
• A deep dive into Palermo’s nightlife, arts scene, and local festivals.
• Tips on navigating the city’s transportation, local customs, and much more!

Whether you’re visiting Palermo for the first time or returning to rediscover its beauty, this guide has everything you need to explore with confidence and excitement.

Don’t just visit Palermo—experience it like never before! Grab your copy of Palermo Travel Guide 2024-2025 today and get ready to embark on a journey filled with unforgettable moments, local flavors, and cultural discoveries. Whether you’re planning your trip now or dreaming of future adventures, this book is your ticket to experiencing the very best of Palermo. Start your adventure now—click ‘ Buy Now ’ and make Palermo the highlight of your travels!

• Print length 42 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publication date August 19, 2024
• File size 1202 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DC4PKZX8
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 19, 2024
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 1202 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
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• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 42 pages

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The 5 best guided colosseum tours of 2024.

Gladiators battled on the arena floor. A good guide will help you battle the crowds.

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Courtesy of ArcheoRunning

As the most enduring symbol of the Roman Empire and one of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Colosseum receives more than 6 million visitors per year – which means it's not easy to escape the crowds. A visit to see the world's largest amphitheater – once known as the Flavian Amphitheater – is well worth it, though.

Inside the ancient complex, there is very little signage explaining what you're looking at, which is why tours are a popular way to explore. A good tour will not only get you skip-the-line access but also bring this incredible place to life.

Keep in mind that most Colosseum tours only give you access to the arena floor and upper level. If you want to visit the hypogeum (Colosseum underground), you need to make sure it's included in the tour.

• Best Overall: City Wonders – Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Best Underground: The Ultimate Italy – Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

• Best Private: Roma Experience – Private Colosseum Tour With Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
• Best for Families: LivTours – The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome With Exclusive Arena Access

Best Nighttime: Rome Tours – Colosseum Night Tour

Best overall: city wonders – colosseum & ancient rome tour with roman forum & palatine hill.

Price: From $42.86 per person Duration: 3 hours

This comprehensive tour covers the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum and the Via Sacra (Sacred Street), and tourgoers are given headsets so they can better hear and follow their guide. Recent reviewers praise the expert guides, saying they are knowledgable about the history of the Colosseum (as well as the entrances with the shortest lines). Reviewers also appreciate the pace of the tour.

When booking, you have the option to choose your group size – 24, 15 or 10 participants – and tour rates vary accordingly. City Wonders also offers tours of the Vatican Museums , as well day trips to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and more.

Check prices & availability on:

Price: From $87.25 per person Duration: 3 hours

This highly rated tour provides access to the underground of the Colosseum, where you'll discover the network of passages, cells and chambers that once served as the backstage area of the arena. Along the way, you'll hear about the behind-the-scenes preparations of gladiators and wild animals; then, you'll explore the arena floor, imagining what it was like for them 2,000-some years ago. Finally, you'll spend some time at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Recent visitors highly recommend this tour, noting the underground portion made their visit to the Colosseum extra special.

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Best Private: Roma Experience – Private Colosseum Tour With Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Courtesy of Roma Experience

Price: From 499 euros per person (about $548) Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes

For a deeper understanding of the Colosseum, a private tour with Elisa Valeria Bove, CEO of Roma Experience, is one of the best you can take. As an archaeologist, Bove has been involved in excavations at the Roman Forum and other historic sites. Her Colosseum tour typically includes the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Arch of Constantine, Via Sacra and the House of Vestal Virgin. Be sure to specify if you want to visit the hypogeum (Colosseum underground) when you book.

Roma Experience organizes bespoke private tours throughout Italy, including multiday itineraries. Bove will work with you to customize your experience and bring you to places you wouldn't think to visit, like Quintili's Villa on the ancient Appian Way.

Best for Families: LivTours – The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome With Exclusive Arena Access

Courtesy of LivTours

Price: Adults from 139 euros (about $153); kids from $124 (about $136) Duration: 3 hours

Recent visitors praise the guides on this tour for bringing the stories about ancient Rome to life and entertaining everyone along the way — kids included.

Upon booking this tour, participants receive an invitation to download an app. During the tour, the guide gives everyone a cardboard virtual reality headset that works with the app and shows a reconstruction of the Colosseum and the surrounding valley. After visiting the Colosseum, the tour continues to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum, where the virtual reality headsets show you a reconstruction of the Circus Maximus and the structures in the Roman Forum. At all the sites, you get skip-the-line access.

These semiprivate tours are guaranteed to have no more than six people, making them a more personalized experience than other group tours. However, because the tours are small, the guides don't use headsets, and some participants note that it can be difficult to hear the guide over the noise in the Colosseum.

Price: From $60.46 per person Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours

A nighttime tour of the Colosseum not only affords an opportunity to see the famous landmark aglow, but it also allows visitors to avoid some of the crowds and high temps that come with a daytime visit. Recent tourgoers say they enjoyed the tour for these reasons, also noting that the guides are excellent. However, many wish the tour were a bit longer (or priced cheaper considering its short duration). The tour does not cover the Roman Forum or Palatine Hill.

Evening departure times vary by time of year.

Rome Tours offers a variety of other tours throughout the city, from a comprehensive daytime tour of the Colosseum to a bar crawl .

Frequently Asked Questions

Most tours last about three hours and require that you arrive at your departure point early. Factoring in transportation time, you'll want to allot at least a half-day of your vacation itinerary for the Colosseum.

The best time to visit the Colosseum is from November through February during the offseason (and when temperatures are cooler).

There isn't a dress code for the Colosseum, so plan to simply wear comfortable, seasonally appropriate attire (and know that summers in Rome can be extremely hot). No matter when you go, comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Laura Itzkowitz is a Rome-based freelance journalist who thinks about the Roman Empire all the time. She has visited the Colosseum in the morning, in the evening after the crowds have left, on group tours and private tours. To curate this list of the best Colosseum tours, she used her own experience as well as her research expertise, culling tips from locals and visitors.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Rome Hotels
• The Best Small Group Tours of Italy
• The Best Travel Insurance for Europe

Tags: Travel , Tours

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The best motion sickness remedies, according to doctors and NBC Select editors

If you’re prone to motion sickness, you know the feeling of panic that comes with the onset of symptoms like nausea, dizziness and an upset stomach. Motion sickness manifests in different ways and affects many people differently — for me, it hits me almost every time I’m in the passenger seat of a car , on a boat or a bumpy airplane ride ; for others, it can be on a train or in certain areas of a vehicle.

I spoke with four medical experts about how to treat symptoms and prevent them in the first place. I also rounded up my favorite products, as well as those of other NBC Select editors, to deal with motion sickness.

SKIP AHEAD What causes motion sickness? | Who is more prone to motion sickness? | What are the best ways to prevent motion sickness? | Do medications work for motion sickness? | Are there any alternative remedies for motion sickness? | Why trust NBC Select?

Our top picks for treating motion sickness

Dramamine Ginger Chews

Gin Gins Original Ginger Chews

Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband

UpNature Peppermint Essential Oil Roll On

Care Touch Alcohol Wipes

What exactly causes motion sickness.

Our body is made up of several sensory systems that work together to help us experience the world: The vestibular system, located in our inner ear, gives us balance; the visual system gives us sight and perspective; and the somatosensory system helps us understand where our body is, says Dr. Danielle Qing , internal medicine physician and assistant professor in the department of medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. But sometimes, the sensory inputs our brain receives don’t quite add up, and motion sickness usually occurs when the input from these systems is mixed or in conflict, experts say.

“For example, imagine you’re on a boat. The visual system is telling you that the room is still, while the vestibular system is telling you that you’re off balance, given the motion of the waves,” says Qing. “It works the other way too, such as feeling the balance of sitting still in a car but seeing the landscape pass you by quickly. This sensory conflict is where motion sickness develops.”

Other factors that tend to lead to motion sickness include a history of migraines, hormonal changes (for example, pregnant women) and genetics. Allergies and congestion, for example, affect your inner ear due to mucus and pressure buildup, which can throw off sensory signals, says Dr. Barbara Bawer , primary care physician and clinical assistant professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Also, being dehydrated, hungover or sleep-deprived can all increase feelings of nausea or dizziness, says Dr. Terez Malka , a travel medicine physician at Duration Health, a telehealth urgent care platform.

Even mindset can play a big role, and stress and anxiety about travel or motion sickness can make symptoms even worse. “Often, those who expect to get sick are the ones who do,” says Dr. Natascha Tuznik , infectious disease specialist and associate clinical professor of medicine at UC Davis Medical Center. (More on anxiety-related motion sickness below.)

Who is more prone to motion sickness?

Some people are more prone to motion sickness than others due to various factors. For example, women are more susceptible to motion sickness than men, and people experiencing hormonal changes (during pregnancy, for example) may also be more prone to motion sickness, says Tuznik. Children under 2 years old and adults over the age of 50 are usually the least susceptible to motion sickness, while it is most common in kids between the ages of 2 and 12, says Tuznik.

People with a history of migraines or those with certain medical conditions that impact the inner ear or balance center in the brain, including hearing damage and tumors or masses, can experience motion sickness symptoms at a higher rate, experts say.

There is also a genetic component: If your parents get motion sick, you are more likely to experience motion sickness, too, says Malka.

What are the best ways to prevent motion sickness?

The most effective way to avoid motion sickness symptoms is to prevent it altogether. That means avoiding situations that can trigger nausea and dizziness, such as reading in a moving vehicle or sitting in the backseat of a car, according to my experts. However, if that’s unavoidable, here are some expert-recommended tips for preventing motion sickness in any situation:

• Use your environment: If you’re at sea, try looking at the horizon, or another stationary object or fixture if you’re in a moving vehicle, says Tuznik.
• Take any medications in advance: Malka says all motion sickness medications work best if taken 20-40 minutes before you start traveling.
• Avoid reading or staring at a stationary object: This includes putting down your phone or tablet, experts say. “Your eyes are looking at one thing, which is your screen or your phone or your book, but your ears are hearing things going past or your eyes are also moving,” says Bawer. “Let’s say you look up really quickly, and you see things whizzing by you. But when you look back down at the page, it sends mixed signals, and there’s a disconnect.”
• Where you sit matters. “If you’re on a boat, avoid the upper levels. If you’re in a car, try to sit in the front. If you’re on a plane, look for a seat over the front edge of the wing,” says Tuznik. 
• Stay hydrated and eat light: Make sure you drink water as you travel and avoid alcohol before and during traveling because a hangover or dehydration will make your symptoms much worse, says Malka. “Eating a light meal or frequent, easy-to-digest snacks like crackers so you are not too full or empty is typically best,” she says.
• Be prepared: “ Getting adequate sleep and making sure you are dressed comfortably for the weather and not too warm, can also help keep your stomach settled,” says Malka.

Do medications work for motion sickness?

Several over-the-counter and prescription medications can help relieve or prevent motion sickness. All of the experts I spoke to say that OTC and prescription medications are some of the most effective treatments for motion sickness, with the latter being the best way to relieve severe nausea, dizziness and other typical symptoms.

Keep in mind that most of the following medications are antihistamines, which means they can make you feel drowsy. They may also come with certain side effects. Our experts generally recommend avoiding medications if you have mild symptoms because the side effects tend to outweigh the benefits.

OTC medications

• Dimenhydrinate , also known by the brand name Dramamine , is a popular option to help reduce motion sickness symptoms like nausea. However, it is an antihistamine, which means it may cause drowsiness, dizziness and decreased mental alertness, says Tuznik. “Unfortunately, not much can be done to mitigate the side effects,” says Tuznik. “If you’ve taken it before, you should expect similar side effects each time.” You should avoid taking Dramamine while driving, according to experts.
• Meclizine , also known by the brand name Bonine , is similar to Dramamine, but is less likely to cause drowsiness since you take it once a day (while you should take Dramamine every four to six hours as needed), says Tuznik.

Remember that non-sedative OTC antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra won’t be effective for treating or preventing motion sickness, says Tuznik.

Prescription medications

• Scopolamine patches: A prescription-only transdermal patch you can wear behind your ear at least four hours before travel and use for up to 72 hours to prevent or treat motion sickness, experts say. This is the most effective treatment for motion sickness, according to experts.
• Ondansetron, promethazine and cyclizine are oral medications and sedatives that treat nausea and vomiting. Like other anti-nausea medications I mention above, these are drowsy (sedating) antihistamines. They come with potential side effects, so talk to your primary care doctor or travel clinic about whether these medications are right for you.

Are there any alternative remedies for motion sickness?

If you have mild motion sickness or aren’t looking to endure the side effects of anti-nausea medication, there are several natural remedies to try. Keep in mind that these remedies, like aromatherapy and acupressure, have limited research showing effectiveness and whether they actually work usually varies from person to person.  

Aromatherapy

Research shows that bad smells, like car fumes or cigarette smoke, can worsen motion sickness, while pleasant smells, like peppermint essential oils, may help reduce nausea. No major studies prove essential oils are safe or effective at treating motion sickness; however, ginger and peppermint essential oils or extracts have shown some promise in small studies , says Malka.

Zoe Malin , NBC Select associate updates editor, uses the UpNature Peppermint Essential Oil Roll-On to reduce her car sickness. “I keep a little roller ball of peppermint essential oil in my bathroom and apply it to my wrists before I go on a car ride, which is when I tend to experience the most motion sickness,” says Malin. “If I start getting nauseous, I’ll smell the essential oil — after a few deep breaths, the scent starts to dull the nausea.”

It is important to remember not to ingest essential oils or apply them directly to your skin, and to keep them away from children or pets, says Malka.

Ginger extract

Ginger can be an effective and natural way of preventing and treating nausea, according to several studies . Smaller studies have also shown that ginger spice is effective at reducing motion-related nausea .

Ginger comes in several forms, including chews, candies, supplement capsules, teas and tablets. Though there is no ideal dose for motion sickness, ginger generally helps your digestive system and supports the release of blood pressure-regulating hormones to calm the body, which ultimately reduces nausea, says Tuznik.

For my motion sickness, I’m a fan of the Dramamine Ginger Chews because they have a subtle ginger taste compared to others I’ve tried (ginger can be intense, in my experience), are fast-acting and have a chewy texture that makes it feel like I’m eating regular candy. Despite the brand name, these chews do not actually have the dimenhydrinate medicine that we commonly associate with Dramamine, so it does not leave you feeling drowsy.

If you want a harder candy with a stronger taste, both Malin and I love the Gin Gins Original Ginger Chews . The strong ginger flavor stops motion sickness in the first place, in both my and Malin's experience. “Not only does the ginger taste of these candies make me feel less nauseous, but chewing them also gives me something to focus on other than how sick I feel in the car,” says Malin. “I’ve tried other ginger candies, but these are the only ones that have an intense enough flavor to dull my nausea.”

Acupressure

Some studies show that applying pressure on a certain point of the inner wrist may help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, specifically at the pericardium 6 (P-6) acupressure point, which is three finger-widths away from the wrist, experts say.

Since I have severe motion sickness when I’m on a boat or in a moving car, I used the Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristbands on each wrist during a vacation to Italy. Each band has a small plastic circle that presses on the P-6 pressure point, and they helped me avoid nausea and dizziness when on a tour boat in the Mediterranean ocean, on a ferry on the Amalfi Coast and in a small van riding through the hilly Tuscan vineyards.

While many people, including me, swear that pressing on an acupressure point at the base of the wrist or wearing bands that press on this area reduces motion sickness, research has not shown them to have much impact on symptoms. “But there is no harm in using them, either,” says Qing. ​​They are also safe and relatively inexpensive to try, says Tuznik.

Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

Smelling rubbing alcohol can be a safe way to relieve nausea symptoms, and it’s sometimes as effective as some medications, says Malka. “Packaged single-use alcohol swabs are a safe, portable measure that you can bring with you to use as needed,” she says.

Frequently asked questions

Most motion sickness medications work best when you take them 20-40 minutes before you start traveling, so make sure to plan ahead, says Malka.

Avoid taking motion sickness medicines after the onset of symptoms. “Once you have the symptoms already, a lot of the anti-motion sickness medicines are not going to work as well because your stomach processing slows down, so the absorption of the medication you're taking at that moment is going to be decreased,” says Bawer. “It’s still going to work, but it just won’t be as effective.”

For people with a history of mild motion sickness (which means that it does not interfere with your ability to function), experts recommend environmental modifications and natural remedies. Medications are usually not recommended because the side effects may outweigh the benefits, says Tuznik.

Though motion sickness is most common in children between the ages of 2 and 12, some motion sickness medicines are not recommended for children. Talk to your child’s doctor about medicines and correct dosing for motion sickness, and only give the recommended dosage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

One of the most common motion sickness triggers is stress and anxiety, specifically anxiety before you even start your travels. “If you know that anxiety or nerves cause a lot of motion sickness for you, talk with your doctor or a therapist before you leave about some options to reduce anxiety like meditation, breathwork, journaling or, in some cases, medication,” says Malka.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Danielle Qing is an internal medicine physician and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, division of General Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
• Dr. Barbara Bawer is a primary care physician and clinical assistant professor of family and community medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 
• Dr. Terez Malka is a travel medicine physician at Duration Health, a telehealth urgent care platform.
• Dr. Natascha Tuznik is an infectious disease specialist and an associate clinical professor of medicine and associate program director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship at UC Davis Medical Center.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am an updates editor at NBC Select covering a wide range of wellness topics, including sunscreen for kids , deodorants and antiperspirants , and rosacea treatments . For this article, I spoke to four physicians about the best ways to treat and prevent motion sickness, including OTC remedies and prescription medications. I also rounded up some NBC Select editor-favorite treatments for motion sickness.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Mili Godio is an updates editor for Select on NBC News.