Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is a beautiful and historic city famed for its stunning colonial old town, dramatic Andean setting, rich culture, nearby equator and role as the gateway to the Galapagos. Historic and scenic, it delights every visitor. The best time to visit is June to September, and two to three days let you explore its old town, culture and surroundings.
Why Visit Quito
Quito is one of South America’s most beautiful and historic capitals, a stunning city set high in the Andes and blessed with one of the best preserved colonial old towns in the Americas. Famous for its magnificent historic centre, its dramatic mountain setting, its rich culture and its position almost exactly on the equator, Quito offers a captivating blend of heritage, scenery and Andean charm. As a gateway to the Galapagos and Ecuador’s wonders, this UNESCO listed city is an essential and rewarding destination.
The city offers a wonderful mix of experiences, from exploring its magnificent colonial old town, filled with churches, plazas and historic architecture, to enjoying the mountain views, visiting the equator and experiencing Andean culture. Beautiful, atmospheric and historic, Quito enchants visitors. Whether you come for the stunning old town, the Andean setting, the culture, the equator or as a gateway to the Galapagos, Quito offers a historic and thoroughly rewarding experience high in the mountains of Ecuador.
Top Things to Do in Quito
Quito offers a stunning colonial old town, Andean views, culture and the equator.
Explore the Colonial Old Town
Quito’s colonial old town, one of the largest and best preserved in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a magnificent area of grand plazas, ornate churches, historic buildings and cobbled streets. Wandering these beautiful streets, admiring the stunning colonial and baroque architecture, visiting the lavish churches with their gilded interiors, and soaking up the atmosphere is a delight. The magnificent old town captures the rich heritage and beauty of Quito and is the essential highlight of any visit.
Admire the Churches and Plazas
Quito is famous for its extraordinary churches, among the finest colonial religious buildings in the Americas, with lavish, gilded interiors and stunning baroque architecture, along with its grand historic plazas. Visiting these magnificent churches, admiring their remarkable beauty and craftsmanship, and exploring the elegant plazas is a highlight. The city’s stunning churches and grand squares, testament to its colonial wealth and artistry, are among the most beautiful sights in Quito and a wonderful part of exploring the old town.
Take in the Andean Views
Quito’s dramatic setting high in the Andes, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, offers spectacular views, best enjoyed from viewpoints and the cable car that ascends a mountainside above the city. Riding the cable car for breathtaking panoramas of the city spread beneath the peaks, or admiring the mountain scenery from the old town, is a highlight. The stunning Andean setting, with its surrounding volcanoes and mountain vistas, captures the dramatic beauty of Quito and adds a scenic dimension to a visit.
Visit the Equator
Quito lies almost exactly on the equator, and visiting the famous monument marking the line, just outside the city, is a fun and popular experience where you can stand with a foot in each hemisphere. Visiting the equator site, learning about its significance, and enjoying the novelty and the related exhibits is an enjoyable part of a visit. This unique geographical distinction, giving Ecuador its name, is a memorable and quintessential Quito experience, celebrating the city’s position on the middle of the world.
Food You Must Try in Quito
Quito offers traditional Ecuadorian cuisine.
- Locro de papa, a hearty potato soup.
- Ceviche, Ecuadorian style.
- Llapingachos, potato cakes.
- Fresh Andean fruit and juices.
- Colombian style and Andean specialities.
Quito is a great place to try Ecuadorian cuisine, so be sure to savour the hearty locro de papa potato soup, enjoy Ecuadorian style ceviche and llapingachos potato cakes, sample the traditional Andean specialities, and enjoy the fresh fruit and juices of the region.
History and Culture
Quito has a rich history, having been an important centre in the Inca Empire before the Spanish conquest, after which it became a major colonial city, its wealth reflected in the magnificent churches and architecture of the old town. This heritage, one of the finest colonial ensembles in the Americas, earned Quito recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s layered history, from Inca centre to colonial jewel, gives it a fascinating depth and its remarkably beautiful and well preserved historic character.
The city’s culture blends its indigenous Andean heritage with its Spanish colonial legacy, reflected in its traditions, its markets, its art, its cuisine and its religious festivals. The warmth of the Ecuadorian people, the living Andean culture and the rich artistic and religious heritage all enrich a visit. This combination of magnificent colonial beauty, indigenous Andean culture, dramatic mountain setting and warm hospitality gives Quito its historic, atmospheric and rewarding character as the capital of Ecuador.
Nearby Attractions and Day Trips
Quito is well placed for spectacular excursions.
- The equator monument at the middle of the world.
- The famous Otavalo indigenous market.
- The volcanoes and hot springs of the Andes.
- The Galapagos Islands, reached by air.
The equator monument, the famous Otavalo market with its incredible handicrafts, and the volcanoes and hot springs of the surrounding Andes make wonderful excursions, while Quito is also the main gateway for flights to the extraordinary Galapagos Islands.
Best Time to Visit Quito
June to September is generally the best time to visit, during the drier season, with more pleasant, sunnier weather for exploring the city and surroundings, though Quito’s high altitude and equatorial location mean a mild, spring like climate year round, with cool evenings. Rain is more common in the wetter months, often in the afternoon. There are no extreme seasons. For the driest, sunniest conditions to explore the old town and the Andes, the months from June to September are ideal.
How to Reach Quito
Quito is well connected, served by an international airport that is a main gateway to Ecuador and a key hub for flights to the Galapagos, linking it to destinations across the Americas and beyond. It has bus connections across Ecuador. Within the city, a growing metro, along with buses, taxis and app based transport, helps you get around, and the old town is best explored on foot, taking the high altitude into account. Allowing time to acclimatise and using app based transport helps when exploring Quito.
Where to Stay in Quito
Quito offers a range of accommodation, from boutique hotels in restored colonial buildings in the old town to comfortable options in the modern, upscale areas and budget stays. Staying in or near the historic old town immerses you in the beautiful atmosphere and keeps you close to the main sights, while the modern districts offer dining, nightlife and convenience. Choosing a well located stay in the old town or a pleasant modern neighbourhood helps you make the most of a visit to historic Quito.
Planning Your Trip
Quito rewards two to three days for its stunning colonial old town, Andean setting, culture and the equator, and it serves as a gateway to the Galapagos. Explore the magnificent old town and its churches, take the cable car for mountain views, visit the equator, and consider the Otavalo market. Allow time to adjust to the high altitude, and dress in layers. Many travellers combine Quito with a Galapagos trip. With its beauty and heritage, Quito offers a historic and rewarding experience.
Practical Travel Tips
- Explore the magnificent UNESCO listed colonial old town.
- Admire the extraordinary churches with their gilded interiors.
- Take the cable car for breathtaking Andean views.
- Visit the equator monument at the middle of the world.
- Allow time to acclimatise to the high altitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Quito famous for?
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is famous for its stunning, well preserved colonial old town, one of the finest in the Americas, its magnificent churches, its dramatic Andean setting, its position on the equator and its role as a gateway to the Galapagos.
How many days do you need in Quito?
Two to three days let you enjoy the stunning colonial old town, Andean setting, culture and the equator. Quito also serves as the main gateway to the Galapagos Islands, so many travellers combine it with a Galapagos trip.
What is the best time to visit Quito?
June to September, during the drier season, offers the most pleasant, sunnier weather, though Quito’s high altitude and equatorial location mean a mild, spring like climate year round with cool evenings, so layers are always recommended.
Is Quito on the equator?
Quito lies almost exactly on the equator, and a famous monument just outside the city marks the line, where visitors can stand with a foot in each hemisphere. This unique position gives Ecuador its name and is a popular, fun attraction.
Is Quito a gateway to the Galapagos?
Yes, Quito is one of the main gateways to the extraordinary Galapagos Islands, with flights connecting from the city. Many travellers spend time exploring Quito’s beautiful old town before or after an unforgettable trip to the Galapagos.
Final Thoughts
Quito is a beautiful and historic capital where a stunning colonial old town, magnificent churches, a dramatic Andean setting and the equator come together high in the mountains of Ecuador. Wander one of the finest colonial old towns in the Americas, marvel at gilded churches, ride the cable car for mountain views and stand at the middle of the world. Historic, scenic and rich in culture, the capital of Ecuador offers a thoroughly rewarding experience and a wonderful gateway to the Galapagos and the wonders of Ecuador.