La guía de Pablo
Barrios
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. This 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 UNESCO description here.
Cobblestone pedestrian street in Quito Old Town
Quito Old Town delivers not only cultural significance. Quito’s historic center excludes 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!
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:
Things To Do in Quito Old Town
Plaza Grande is Quito’s main central square and is a great place to start. Surrounding Plaza Grande is:
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.
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Centro Histórico
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. This 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 UNESCO description here.
Cobblestone pedestrian street in Quito Old Town
Quito Old Town delivers not only cultural significance. Quito’s historic center excludes 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!
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:
Things To Do in Quito Old Town
Plaza Grande is Quito’s main central square and is a great place to start. Surrounding Plaza Grande is:
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.
Lugares emblemáticos
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.
Clock towers of Basilica del Voto Nacional in Quito Ecuador
See the Armadillos that Have Replaced Gargoyles
Armadillo sculptures on You can drink a beer in a cafe in one of the tower's of The Basilica del Voto NacionalGothic churches are often defined by their gargoyles. Yet here in Quito, native animals have been put up in their place.
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.
Collage showing steps of climbing the Basilica del Voto Nacional in Quito Ecuador.
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!
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Bazylika Narodowego Głosowania
11-263 y CarchiClimb 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.
Clock towers of Basilica del Voto Nacional in Quito Ecuador
See the Armadillos that Have Replaced Gargoyles
Armadillo sculptures on You can drink a beer in a cafe in one of the tower's of The Basilica del Voto NacionalGothic churches are often defined by their gargoyles. Yet here in Quito, native animals have been put up in their place.
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.
Collage showing steps of climbing the Basilica del Voto Nacional in Quito Ecuador.
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!
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 TeleferiQo ascending from Quito up the Pichincha Volcano
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.
New for 2019, there’s now a thrilling swing for adventurous souls to fly right over Quito! And it’s free.
Swing over Quito Ecuador
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. The actual equator line is only 18 kilometers (11 miles) away. There’s also a rock scramble towards the Rucu Pichincha summit. So this should only be pursued by experienced hikers.
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Teleférico de Quito
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 TeleferiQo ascending from Quito up the Pichincha Volcano
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.
New for 2019, there’s now a thrilling swing for adventurous souls to fly right over Quito! And it’s free.
Swing over Quito Ecuador
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. The actual equator line is only 18 kilometers (11 miles) away. There’s also a rock scramble towards the Rucu Pichincha summit. So this should only be pursued by experienced hikers.
Go To the Equator and Have a Laugh at 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?
The equator attractions are completely touristy, out of the way from central Quito, and the main monument isn’t even actually on the equator. Despite these downsides, going to the equator can still be a quirky and fun thing to do in Quito. It’s a half-day diversion outside of the city.
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!
A pathway leads to the Mitad del Mundo equator monument
Understand there are two separate Quito equator attractions:
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo,
Museo Solar Intiñan
Quito Equator Attraction #1: Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
The equator monument at Ciudad del Mundo isn't actually on the equator as proven by GPSMitad del Mundo is the location of the main equator monument and that big yellow equator line to snap an equator selfie on top of. Just realize that modern GPS technology shows that the monument was actually erected about 230 meters south of the actual equator. Oops!
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.
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Środek Świata
SN Av. Manuel Córdova GalarzaGo To the Equator and Have a Laugh at 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?
The equator attractions are completely touristy, out of the way from central Quito, and the main monument isn’t even actually on the equator. Despite these downsides, going to the equator can still be a quirky and fun thing to do in Quito. It’s a half-day diversion outside of the city.
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!
A pathway leads to the Mitad del Mundo equator monument
Understand there are two separate Quito equator attractions:
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo,
Museo Solar Intiñan
Quito Equator Attraction #1: Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
The equator monument at Ciudad del Mundo isn't actually on the equator as proven by GPSMitad del Mundo is the location of the main equator monument and that big yellow equator line to snap an equator selfie on top of. Just realize that modern GPS technology shows that the monument was actually erected about 230 meters south of the actual equator. Oops!
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.