Itineraries
Where to stay
The historic center for churches and La Ronda; La Mariscal for restaurants, nightlife and taxis; La Floresta for a calmer, creative quarter near Guápulo.
The areas: Historic center, La Mariscal, La Floresta.
Where to stay in Quito: areas and adviceHotels in QuitoPlaces to see
All things to do in EcuadorChurchBasílica del Voto NacionalA huge neo-Gothic basilica begun in 1892, with gargoyles of Ecuadorian animals and towers you can climb.Entry: $[fee] for the towers
TransportCarcelén Bus TerminalQuito's northern bus terminal, with intercity buses north to Otavalo, Ibarra and Tulcán.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumCasa del AlabadoPre-Columbian art museum with about 5,000 pieces from cultures such as Valdivia, Chorrera and Jama Coaque.Entry: Pay at the door
ViewpointCiudad Mitad del MundoEquator complex north of Quito with a monument on latitude 0, a planetarium and a cacao experience.Entry: $[fee]
ViewpointEl PanecilloHill about 200 m above the old town, crowned by a 45 m aluminum Virgin made in 1976.Entry: $[fee]
ChurchGuápulo SanctuaryA 17th-century sanctuary with a pulpit carved by Juan B. Menacho and paintings by Miguel de Santiago.Entry: $[fee]
ChurchLa Compañía de JesúsJesuit church built from 1605 to 1765, its nave covered in gold leaf by artists of the Quito School.Entry: $[fee]
FoodLa FlorestaA creative neighborhood of art cinemas, cafés and quiet dinners, calmer than La Mariscal at night.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketLa Mariscal Artisan MarketCraft market founded in 2000 with over 180 stalls of textiles, jewelry, ceramics, hats and paintings.Entry: Pay as you go
FoodLa RondaA cobbled street of flower-decked balconies, craft workshops, traditional ice cream and evening music.Entry: Pay as you go
TransportMariscal Sucre International AirportQuito's airport, about 40 km from downtown, with an express bus and authorized taxis around the clock.Entry: Free to visit
MarketMercado CentralHistoric center market known for its corvina stalls, conch ceviche and traditional Quito cooking.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketMercado Iñaquito (La Carolina)Neighborhood market in the modern north, known for fresh Ecuadorian produce, food stalls and paila ice cream.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketMercado Santa ClaraMarket near La Mariscal with food stalls, pottery and crafts, known for morocho empanadas.Entry: Pay as you go
TransportOtavalo Bus TerminalOtavalo's bus station, with daily buses to Quito about 90 km south, roughly 2 hours away.Entry: Free to visit
MarketPlaza de los Ponchos, OtavaloOtavalo's craft market of ponchos, embroidered blouses and tapestries, open daily and busiest on Wednesdays and Saturdays.Entry: Pay as you go
FoodPlaza FochThe heart of La Mariscal, ringed by restaurants and bars and the center of Quito's nightlife.Entry: Pay as you go
NeighborhoodPlaza GrandeQuito's main square, framed by the presidential palace, the cathedral and the archbishop's and municipal palaces.Entry: Free to visit
NatureQuito Botanical GardenGarden in Parque La Carolina, opened in 2005, with orchid houses and themed beds of Andean flora.Entry: $[fee]
ChurchSan Francisco Church and ConventA 16th-century complex of church, chapels and convent with Mudéjar cloisters and Quito School art.Entry: $[fee] for the convent museum
ChurchSanta Teresita ChurchA neo-Gothic church from the early 1900s in La Mariscal, with tall towers and stained glass.Entry: $[fee]
ViewpointTelefériQoCable car up the slopes of Pichincha to Cruz Loma, with views over Quito; the ride takes about 18 min.Entry: Pay at the base station