Places / South America / Ecuador
Quito
Visited in April 2016
At a glance
- Country
- Ecuador
- Region
- Quito Metro
- Population
- 1.8 million
- Best time to go
- June to September
- Main airport
- Mariscal Sucre International (UIO)
- Coordinates
- 0.21°S, 78.51°W
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Overview
Quito sits in a long Andean valley at about 2,850 metres, ringed by volcanoes. Its colonial centre is one of the largest and best preserved in Latin America, packed with gilded churches, convents and plazas.
Take the first day slowly while you adjust to the altitude. Then use the city as a base for markets, cloud forests and volcanoes, or as a stop before or after the Galápagos.
Things to see
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Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0 Historic centre
Whitewashed streets, balconied houses and grand plazas around the Plaza Grande, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 La Compañía church
A Jesuit church whose interior is almost entirely covered in gold leaf.
Tickets and tours -
Basílica del Voto Nacional
A neo-Gothic basilica with gargoyles of Ecuadorian animals; climb the towers for the views.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0 El Panecillo
A hill topped by a winged aluminium Virgin, overlooking the old town; go by taxi.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Mitad del Mundo
A monument and museums marking the equator, north of the city.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Vondieder assumed (base, CC BY-SA 2.5 Ride the TelefériQo
A cable car up the slopes of Pichincha to around 4,000 metres, with walking trails beyond.
Find tours -
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Otavalo
The famous indigenous market, full of textiles and crafts, is about two hours north.
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Photo: Gerard Prins, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cotopaxi National Park
Hike or cycle beneath the snow-capped cone of Cotopaxi, south of the city.
Find tours -
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 Cloud forest at Mindo
Birdwatching, waterfalls and hummingbirds in the misty forests west of Quito.
Where to stay
Historic centre
Beautiful colonial hotels close to the sights, quiet at night.
Hotels in Historic centreLa Floresta
A relaxed, arty neighbourhood with good cafés and restaurants.
Hotels in La FlorestaLa Mariscal
Lively nightlife and many hostels; take taxis at night.
Hotels in La MariscalGuápulo
A village-like hillside quarter with valley views.
Hotels in Guápulo
Getting around
Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps; the Metro and trolleybuses run north to south through the long city.
The airport is around 40 km east of the city at Tababela; a taxi takes about an hour, depending on traffic.
When to go
The drier months from June to September are best, with clearer views of the volcanoes. The rest of the year brings afternoon showers, and the weather changes quickly at any time.
Plan your trip to Quito
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.