Things to do and see in Quito, Ecuador?

Quito, besides being the capital of Ecuador, is a very popular tourist destination for its historical and cultural legacy. This city is one of the few to receive the Unesco World Heritage Site seal. There are many things to do in Quito, both within the city and in the surrounding area, where you will find volcanoes and natural parks for hiking and enjoying nature. That is why we recommend spending between 2 and 3 days there.

In Passporter we prepared this post to tell you the essential things to do in the city, such as the main landmarks, the most peculiar neighborhoods or the places where you can get the best views. We also prepared a list with some of our favorite accommodations and restaurants in the city, and a section with travel tips to help you plan your trip. Are you ready to embark on your journey?

What are the best places to see in Quito? 

1. Quito Metropolitan Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito was built in the 16th century in brick and straw, but after many renovations due to earthquakes and time, today it has become one of the most spectacular buildings in the city. The temple consists of three parts that combine elements of different artistic styles such as Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The entrance fee is 3€, but if you also want to see the museum and the domes you will have to pay 6€.

2. Plaza Grande of Quito

The Plaza Grande is a common meeting point for tourists because of its historical importance. There you can see some of themost important buildings of Quito such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Municipal Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace, the Independence Monument and the Carondelete Palace. Most of these buildings can be visited, which means you’ll spend quite a bit of time in the square.

3. Historical center, a must-see in Quito

Walking through the center of Quito is a must on your trip to the city. It is one of the least altered neighborhoods of the continent that still preserves buildings hundreds of years old in very good condition. For this reason, the city was declared a World Heritage Site in 1978, making it one of the first cities to receive this award.

In the old town, in addition to strolling and discovering monumental buildings, you can take a tour or visit the restaurants and shops in the area.

4. The Cable Car of Quito

The cable car of Quito, also known as TelefériQo, is the perfect plan if you want to enjoy the best views of the city. After an 18-minute ride you will arrive at the top of Cruz Loma Hill, a small mountain on the slope of the Pichincha volcano. Once at the top, you can enjoy the incredible views or walk the 5km trail that climbs up to Rucu Pichincha at 4696 meters above sea level. The price of the cable car ride is $8.5.

5. Itchimbía, the park to visit in Quito

The Itchimbía Park is the favorite place for locals to relax and enjoy the views. Like many other spots in this city between hills, the park has a privileged position from where the panoramic view is definitely worth it. There you can have a picnic, walk or just rest after a long day of sightseeing. You decide.

6. Barrio La Floresta, another neighborhood to visit in Quito

This neighborhood is one of the most modern and lively of the city. It is known for its hipster atmosphere, modern locals and street art that decorates its streets. The neighborhood is more than 100 years old, and it is very interesting to discover how it has evolved to become what it is today. It is so different from other areas of the city such as the historic center. We recommend you to get lost in its streets and have a drink in one of its bars and restaurants.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Things to do around Quito Ecuador

1. Yanacocha Reserve

This reserve is located 27 km from Quito, in the Andes. It is known for its great biodiversity of fauna and flora, which is protected by the Fudación Jocotoco. The entrance fee is $6, and once inside, you can walk the 4 marked trails and participate in guided bird watching tours or volunteer workshops for the preservation of nature.

2. Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve

Just 30km from Quito you will find the Pulululahua Geobotanical Reserve. Here you can see the Pulululahua volcano, one of only two inhabited volcanoes in the world. Although the last eruption was 2000 years ago, it is still considered an active volcano. There you can hike and enjoy the views from the top of the volcano

By car it takes 45 minutes to get there, and by public transport just over two hours since you have to change buses. Many tourists choose to book a private tour from Quito.

3. The Temple of the Sun Museum

Next to the Pulululahua Geobotanical Reserve you will find the Temple of the Sun Museum. Here you can learn about Inca life and traditions. The entrance fee is $3 and the stop is worthwhile if you’re also visiting thePulululahua volcano. In fact, organized tours from Quito include both stops.

What to see in 2 days in Quito?

There are lots of things to do in Quito, so we recommend to spend between 2 and 3 days if you want to see everything. But if you also want tovisit the surrounding area, which is highly recommended because of the natural beauty of its national parks, then you’ll need at least 5 days.

The main points of interest in the surrounding area are well connected by public transport, although it takes quite a while to get there. That’s why we recommend renting a car or hiring organized day trips. In addition to transport, these tours will provide more details about the history of the place.

Where and what to eat in Quito?

Although the cuisine of Ecuador is not well-known in the world, the truth is that they have really delicious dishes. In Quito you can find a wide variety of restaurants both local and international cuisinewhere to eat at a very good price. Here is a selection of our favorites:

• Miskay: is a very nice restaurant with healthy Ecuadorian cuisine. The food is delicious and the prices range from 10€ to 23€.
• Zero Lab Fine Dining: is a luxury restaurant where you can taste the specialties of the region at the gastronomic avant-garde. The price does not exceed 90€.
• Somos Ecuador Restaurant: is a wonderful restaurant of traditional cuisine where you can eat at a very good price (20€-49€). They take care of every detail and the dishes are modern.

Where to stay in Quito

In Quito, as in many Latin American cities, even today you have to be cautious when traveling as there are some neighborhoods quieter than others. Our recommendation is to stay in the center, although the prices are higher, it is a safe and very practical area. Other good neighborhoods to stay are La Carolina, Gonzalez Suarez Avenue or La Floresta.

Here are some of our favorite accommodations in the city:

• Viajero Quito Hostel: This three-star hostel is a cheap and comfortable option to stay. It has a garden, games room and bar. The price of a private room starts at 39€ and a bunk bed at 9€.
• Rincón Familiar Hostel Boutique: this 3-star hotel is a good choice for family travel. It has a restaurant and the price per night starts at 35€.
• Friends Hotel & Rooftop: This hotel is characterized by its wonderful terrace where you can relax after a long day of sightseeing. The room price starts at 90€ and breakfast is included. It also has a restaurant and family rooms.

How to get to Quito

The good thing about traveling to Quito is that it has an international airport where direct flights arrive from Europe. In addition, the city is very well connected by land with its neighboring countries and other cities in Ecuador. From the airport you have these options available to get to the center of the city:

• Public bus: they run between 5:00h and 22:00h and the price is 2USD.
• Aeroservice bus: is a little more expensive than the public bus (8USD), but includes air conditioning and wifi. It runs Monday to Friday from 3:30am to 11:30pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 4:00h to 22:30h. It runs every 30 minutes.
• Taxi: from the cab stand you can take a taxi to the center for 27-37 USD.
• Rental car: at the airport you can rent a car to move around the country.

What should I keep in mind before traveling to Quito?

• The official currency of Ecuador is the United States dollar (USD).
• Spanish citizens do not need a visa to stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days.
• Always carry cash on you, not all stores accept credit cards.
• Have mosquito repellent at hand at all times.
• The official language in Ecuador is Spanish.
• The plugs have 120V voltage and A and B plugs, you will need an adapter if you are travelling from Europe.
• The best month to travel to Quito is July
• In Ecuador the warmest months are from June to October, and the rainiest months are March, April, October, November and December.
• The tap water is drinkable in Quito, but we recommend drinking bottled water
• Always keep an eye on your belongings and take caution if traveling alone.
• Hedge against possible medical emergencies: travel insured

How to prepare things to do on your trip to Quito?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend things to do in Quito to other travelers.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Quito