7 Best Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador + Where to Stay
The best things to do in Quito include exploring the historic center, tasting Ecuadorian food, visiting the Basílica del Voto Nacional, and riding TelefériQo for mountain views. Add Mitad del Mundo for an equator-themed excursion or Parque Metropolitano for a forest walk. Allow time to adjust to Quito’s altitude before strenuous outings.
Booking tip: start with a food and culture walk
The linked four-hour walking tour combines old-town sightseeing with Ecuadorian tastings. It suits travelers who want local context and food stops without arranging each one separately. This is a tasting walk, not the historical hands-on cooking experience described below.
Check the meeting point, dietary suitability, language and selected ticket inclusions. Do not assume church interiors, tower admission or every extra food purchase is covered. Independent sightseeing may suit you better if you want a shorter walk or time inside specific museums.
Quito, Ecuador, is a sprawling city that lines the rolling hills and slopes of the Guayllabamba basin. At about 2,850 meters above sea level, it is a high-altitude capital with a historic center and mountain landscapes close together.
Today, Quito serves as a jumping-off point for travelers exploring mainland Ecuador or planning a land-based Galápagos itinerary. But the city itself offers plenty of opportunities to explore.
To help you decide what to do with your time in Quito, I asked travel bloggers about their favorite experiences. Their original stories and photographs below come from earlier visits. Practical guidance has been reviewed separately, and historical hotel or tour details are identified as such.
Quito at a glance
- Time: Plan 2–3 full days for a selection of city sights, with extra time for day trips.
- Base: The historic center suits heritage sightseeing; La Floresta and the modern city offer different dining and hotel choices. Check transport for each address.
- Transport: Combine compact walking routes with metro rides and arranged transfers to outlying sights. The metro does not take you to the cable-car entrance or equator complex.
- Altitude and weather: Keep arrival day gentle. Save high viewpoints for suitable weather and postpone strenuous plans if you feel unwell.
- Costs and durations: Prices are in US dollars. Visit lengths below are editorial estimates unless a specific tour duration is stated.
Choose your Quito experiences
1. La Mitad del Mundo
Recommended by Elisa from World in Paris
La Mitad del Mundo, or “Middle of the World,” is an equator-themed visitor complex north of Quito. People visit to take a picture on its painted line, with one foot on each side. Treat the line as a visitor attraction rather than an exact GPS measurement.
Apart from the painted line, there is a monument and a collection of museum attractions and pavilions. The visit introduces Ecuador’s geography and the history of attempts to measure the Earth.
The nearby Intiñan museum is a separate attraction with its own admission. Decide which exhibits interest you before paying for both.
Some guided excursions combine Mitad del Mundo with a viewpoint above Pululahua’s inhabited caldera. Check whether this stop is included and whether your tour visits Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, Intiñan or both.
From the viewpoint, you can see houses and cultivated fields within the caldera when visibility allows. A viewpoint stop is different from a hike down into it.
Public transport can work, but check the current connection and return journey before setting off. Keep valuables secure on busy services.
Alternatively, you can travel to La Mitad del Mundo by taxi or with a half-day guided tour.
A guided excursion suits travelers who prefer arranged transport. Avoid booking a separate equator tour if your city-tour package already includes the same attraction.
Plan your visit
- Location: Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, north of central Quito.
- Costs: Official adult entry US$5; Intiñan and optional extras are separate.
- Hours and booking: Posted hours: weekdays 9am–5pm; weekends 9am–6pm. Check holiday changes.
- Allow: 2–3 hours at the complex, plus travel.
- Best for and planning: Best for a geography-themed outing. Choose one transport option and avoid duplicate equator bookings.
2. Ride TelefériQo and choose your Pichincha walk
Recommended by Jane from Scarlet Jones Travels
Quito is a remarkable city surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. If the weather is kind, one of the best ways to see it is to ride the TelefériQo cable car to the Cruz Loma area above the city.
The views as you ride up in the glass capsules are fantastic, provided there is no cloud. Up this high, the weather can change quickly when clouds and fog swirl down, blocking out everything.
Quito sprawls below you from the top along a long, narrow valley while all around, as far as the eye can see, are the impressive mountains.
The onward hike to Rucu Pichincha is a separate, demanding high-altitude outing, not an automatic extension of a cable-car visit. Plan it with suitable mountain experience, acclimatization, equipment and current route advice. Rucu and the active Guagua Pichincha are different peaks.
The higher you hike, the bleaker the landscape becomes, with gray rocks and shale replacing the grass and shrubs. The altitude can affect visitors even without a summit hike; do not rely on an advertised oxygen stop as a substitute for acclimatization or descent.
The final approach includes steep, rough terrain. Turn back if conditions or symptoms make continuing unsuitable; a headache at altitude should not be treated as the expected price of reaching the top.
Go prepared with a warm jacket, a raincoat and plenty of drinking water, although I would choose a different day if rain is forecast.
If your time is limited, enjoy the cable-car viewpoints and return to the city. Do not squeeze a summit hike into a rushed sightseeing itinerary.
Plan your visit
- Location: TelefériQo lower station on Quito’s western slopes; upper viewpoints at Cruz Loma.
- Costs: Official FAQ lists adult admission without Ecuadorian ID at US$9; transport and extras are separate.
- Hours and booking: Ticket-office purchase; operator FAQ says advance reservation is unnecessary. Confirm operating hours and weather status directly.
- Allow: 2–3 hours for the ride and viewpoints; a summit hike needs separate planning.
- Best for and planning: Best for clear-weather views. Start gently at altitude. The summit route is not a step-free extension of the cable car.
3. Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua
Recommended by Jen from Long Haul Trekkers
Quito has substantial green space, and Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua offers a forested break from city sightseeing.
Rising above the eastern side of the city, visitors can enjoy a hike, trail run or mountain bike ride. Choose a marked route that fits your time and energy.
The park has wooded trails, viewpoints, picnic areas, playgrounds and sports spaces.
The Ashintaco area is a place to look for birdlife. Bring binoculars if you enjoy watching birds, but treat sightings as a possibility rather than a guarantee.
If you can, arrive in the morning and find a quiet bench to watch clouds snake through the Cumbayá Valley below. Pack a picnic, keep an eye on afternoon storms, and leave enough daylight for your return.
Plan your visit
- Location: Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua, northeast Quito.
- Costs: Confirm any parking or reservable-facility charges with the park operator.
- Hours and booking: Visit in daylight and check the gate closing time locally; office hours are not the same as park hours.
- Allow: 1–3 hours for a selected walk or picnic.
- Best for and planning: Best for a quieter outdoor break. Arrange your return and stay on marked paths.
4. Take a food tour or cooking class
Recommended by James from Travel Collecting
I love to take food tours and cooking classes when I travel, as they are a great way to gain deeper insight into the culture and experience things that you may not otherwise.
On my earlier visit, the Sweets and Culinary Experience Tour with Urban Adventures started with a drive to a local market, where my guide Jorge explained the fruits and other unfamiliar foods. This account describes that visit, not a confirmed current itinerary.
It was interesting to discover things such as a white squash that looked like a watermelon and several kinds of passion fruit that looked nothing like the purple ones I am used to. The people in the market were all very friendly and even offered to be in my photos.
Then we drove to Las Quesadillas de San Juan. It was interesting to see Quito-style quesadillas being made and help out by rolling paper-thin wheat tortillas.
The tortillas are topped with a cheesy cake mix and baked to make cake-like quesadillas that have virtually nothing in common with their Mexican namesakes.
We ate some along with delicious Ecuadorian hot chocolate, drunk like the locals with pieces of mozzarella-like cheese softened in it.
Then we drove into the old town to the home of Maria, where I helped make both sweet and savory empanadas and pristiños (fried crown-shaped dough typically eaten at Christmas and served with miel de panela, a syrup made from raw sugar).
It made for a sweet and slightly greasy lunch but was a fun introduction to Ecuadorian cooking.
Plan your visit
- Location: Market visits, kitchens and old-town meeting points vary by operator.
- Costs: Compare tastings, full meals, transfers and cooking participation; they are not interchangeable.
- Hours and booking: Book a specific departure and confirm dietary requirements in advance.
- Allow: Half a day; the linked tasting walk is listed at four hours.
- Best for and planning: Best for food-curious travelers. The historical Urban Adventures experience below is not the same product as the linked current tasting tour.
For a current alternative, the tasting walk below covers old-town sights and food stops. It does not promise the private-home cooking, bakery participation or exact menu in James’s earlier account. If cooking is your priority, book a class that explicitly includes hands-on preparation.
5. Explore Quito’s historic center
Recommended by Kaila from KailaYu
Quito’s historic center is a good starting point for understanding the city, with compact clusters of plazas, churches and museums.
UNESCO inscribed the City of Quito on its World Heritage List in 1978, recognizing its historic center and architectural heritage.
The area is filled with historic homes, government buildings, churches, squares, museums and monuments. Allow time to step into a few places rather than only photographing their façades.
El Panecillo, the hill crowned by a statue of the Virgin Mary, overlooks the old town. Arrange transport for the viewpoint rather than assuming every hillside approach is a suitable sightseeing walk.
The statue is visible from many parts of the city. Quito itself sits at about 2,850 meters above sea level, so allow time to adjust before planning strenuous walks or higher viewpoints.
Plan your visit
- Location: Historic center around Plaza Grande and Plaza San Francisco.
- Costs: Walking through public plazas is free; interiors, museums and guided tours may charge separately.
- Hours and booking: Explore by day; churches and museums keep individual hours and may close for services or events.
- Allow: Half to full day with selected interiors.
- Best for and planning: Best for a first visit. San Francisco metro station is useful for this area; use arranged transport for El Panecillo.
6. Basílica del Voto Nacional and its towers
Recommended by Thea from Zen Travellers
Near Quito’s historic center is the neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional. It can be visited as part of a walking tour or on its own. This is not the separate Metropolitan Cathedral on Plaza Grande.
The basilica’s towers make it a distinctive part of Quito’s skyline, and its architecture rewards a close look even if you decide against the climb.
Unfinished or not, the basilica features incredible architecture, including a brilliant gold-leafed entrance archway and stone gargoyle-like carvings of famous Ecuadorian animals, including condors, iguanas, frogs, and tortoises.
The church is used for services, so interior access can be restricted. Confirm the current tower ticket separately from church admission. In my opinion, the highlight was the view from above, rather than simply walking through the main hall.
Although somewhat frightening to get to the top because the route winds up steep and exposed steel staircases, a “bridge” of wood planks above the main hall, and an exposed ladder, the views make the journey worth it.
From the top, you can see a full panorama of the city below and a view of the nearby mountains, including the famed “Panecillo,” which gets its name because it is shaped like a loaf of bread (pan in Spanish).
The hill also features the statue known as La Virgen del Panecillo, visible from this viewpoint when conditions are clear.
Plan your visit
- Location: Basílica del Voto Nacional, Venezuela and Francisco de Caldas.
- Costs: Church and tower access may use separate tickets. Verify the current tower tariff before joining the queue.
- Hours and booking: Confirm tourist access and last tower entry directly; published Mass times are not tower opening hours.
- Allow: 1–2 hours, depending on the route you choose.
- Best for and planning: Best for architecture and views if comfortable with heights. Steep stairs and exposed sections make the tower route unsuitable for some visitors.
7. See Quito with Quito Tour Bus
For an overview of the city with less walking between stops, Quito Tour Bus is one option. My hosted visit used its double-decker sightseeing service.
This company uses modern double-decker buses that give you a 360-degree view of Quito’s mesmerizing historic architecture, public art, and modern skyline for their city tour.
Our ticket allowed us to hop on and off during the day. Current products have different routes and conditions, so check the actual ticket validity rather than assuming every city-bus tour works the same way.
We were free to get off at designated stops where we wanted more time, such as the historic center. Then, when the next scheduled bus arrived, we hopped back on.
Quito Tour Bus also offers equator excursions. These overlap with the Mitad del Mundo experience described above, so choose the transport format that suits your day rather than booking the same sights twice.
On our excursion, we stopped above Pululahua’s crater for views of the surrounding mountains. Confirm today’s departure point, time and stops directly with the operator.
Next, you’ll stop at the “Middle of the Earth,” a complex on the equator with museums and a planetarium.
Treat equator demonstrations as part of the visitor presentation, not proof that every claimed effect is caused by standing on latitude zero.
Plan your visit
- Location: Quito Tour Bus; exact meeting point depends on the booked route.
- Costs: Bus ticket and audio commentary are included in the linked city product; do not assume attraction admission or an equator excursion is included.
- Hours and booking: Check departures and current stops; Sunday and Monday routes can change.
- Allow: Listed city-tour circuit: 2.5 hours; longer if using stopovers.
- Best for and planning: Best for an overview with less walking. Confirm hop-on/hop-off rules for your ticket and upper-deck access if stairs are difficult.
The linked city-bus product is listed as a 2.5-hour circuit with English and Spanish audio commentary and a Panecillo stop. Confirm current stopover rules, route and departures. It is separate from an equator excursion.
Where to stay in Quito
These are accounts of earlier stays, with current booking guidance where verified. Choose the hotel location around the part of the city you plan to explore.
Kaia Hotel: a past stay
My earlier hosted stay at Kaia is worth recording for its design and service. I could not confirm the hotel’s current direct booking operation, so treat this as a past-stay account and verify the property before making plans.
The first thing about the property that impressed me was its architecture and interior design.
Staying here was like stepping into an architecture magazine: clean lines, gorgeous artwork, sleek accents, and stylish decor and furniture.
But I wasn’t just pleased with Kaia’s looks. The service here left nothing to be desired.
During my stay, a tasty breakfast was delivered to my room and included in my rate. There was also coffee in the lobby and room service. These are observations from that visit, not confirmed current inclusions.
The hotel also helped with tours and offered bike rental during that visit.
The La Floresta area appealed to me for its street art and choice of places to eat. Check the exact location and transport arrangements of any accommodation you book here.
Plan your visit
- Location: La Floresta area; confirm the identity and address of the property before booking.
- Costs: Earlier breakfast and service inclusions are historical, not a current rate offer.
- Hours and booking: Current direct operation not independently confirmed.
- Allow: Past-stay account, not a verified current booking recommendation.
- Best for and planning: Keep the design impressions as context; confirm the property before relying on old listings.
Casa Gangotena
Recommended by Stefan and Sebastien from Nomadic Boys
Casa Gangotena is a luxury hotel in Quito’s historic center.
We stayed here for a few nights as our base in Quito before departing to cruise in the Galapagos Islands.
Casa Gangotena is situated in a restored mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco in the heart of Quito’s old town. The upside of this is you are located within walking distance to all the main attractions of the old town: which is itself a highlight of Ecuador.
The metro construction described during our earlier stay is no longer a reason to avoid the location: Quito’s metro is operating, and San Francisco station serves this part of the old town.
Casa Gangotena has one of the best restaurants in the city, and for a good reason. It’s a gourmet dining experience. We loved the breakfast here with some of the best Eggs Benedict we’ve ever had.
Our room was spacious, with a comfortable mattress and the comforts we wanted from a luxury stay. Check your specific room category for views, balcony access and included services.
An older CNN article about a TripAdvisor hotel ranking featured Casa Gangotena. That is historical recognition rather than a current ranking.
Plan your visit
- Location: Casa Gangotena, overlooking Plaza San Francisco.
- Costs: Rates depend on room category and inclusions; reserve restaurant experiences separately where required.
- Hours and booking: Confirm check-in and room access with the hotel.
- Allow: 2–3 nights as a city-base suggestion.
- Best for and planning: Best for an old-town stay. Choose the actual room category rather than assuming every room has a balcony.
JW Marriott Quito
Recommended by James from Travel Collecting
The JW Marriott Quito suits travelers who prefer a large full-service hotel in the modern city. Plan transport for old-town sightseeing rather than treating it as an old-town base.
The lobby was a huge atrium with a glass ceiling, with private seating areas in a mezzanine garden. I appreciated having space to sit and recharge between outings.
During my stay, the dining choices included the Exchange Bar, Kaori Sushi Bar and Bistro Latino. The hotel’s restaurant lineup has evolved, so use Marriott’s current dining page to choose and reserve.
The breakfast buffet on my visit had a large selection of Ecuadorian and Western food, including a smoothie bar and eggs made to order. I also appreciated having casual food options as well as a more formal steakhouse.
The hotel lists a fitness center, spa and outdoor pool. On my stay, I enjoyed soft bedding and a room with a tub and shower. Check the amenities of your selected room. Marriott states that Bonvoy members booking directly receive complimentary in-room internet; other rate conditions can differ.
The staff was, without exception, extremely helpful and polite during my stay.
Plan your visit
- Location: JW Marriott Quito, Avenida Orellana and Amazonas.
- Costs: Rates and breakfast inclusions vary; direct-booking Bonvoy internet benefit has eligibility conditions.
- Hours and booking: Check current dining, facilities and check-in details with Marriott.
- Allow: 2–3 nights as a city-base suggestion.
- Best for and planning: Best for a large full-service hotel. Allow for transport to the historic center and compare the complete room rate.
A flexible 3-day Quito itinerary
Suggested city plan
- Day 1: A gentle historic-center walk around Plaza Grande and San Francisco. Choose either a guided tasting walk or independent stops; avoid duplicating the same walking route.
- Day 2: TelefériQo viewpoints if you feel well and the weather suits. Return to the city for lunch and the basilica, choosing the tower only if comfortable with its access. This plan does not include the Rucu summit hike.
- Day 3: Mitad del Mundo with enough time for transport, or a slower park-and-food day in Quito. A city-bus tour can replace part of the sightseeing if you prefer less walking.
Getting around and planning for altitude
The Quito metro operator’s March 2026 information lists the standard metro fare at US$0.45. Check the current ticket or payment process before traveling. Use San Francisco station for the old-town area, and arrange separate transport to the airport, TelefériQo and Mitad del Mundo.
Quito’s slopes and altitude can make short distances feel demanding. Give yourself time to adjust, carry layers and rain protection, and choose clear weather for viewpoints. Do not treat a guide, good fitness or a cable-car ride as protection against altitude problems.
Review current official Ecuador travel advice and your own government’s guidance before travel. Ask your accommodation about the exact routes you plan to use and arrange reliable transport for late arrivals.
Continue your Ecuador trip
For Mindo, Cotopaxi, Otavalo, Baños and longer rainforest stays, use our guide to things to do in Ecuador. These trips need their own time; do not squeeze all of them into a short Quito stay.
If the islands are next, start with our land-based Galápagos itinerary to plan an island stay rather than a cruise. Then compare Santa Cruz activities, Isabela experiences and things to do on San Cristóbal. Our Galápagos hotel guide helps with choosing where to stay.
Quito FAQs
How many days do you need in Quito?
Two to three full days work for a selection of the historic center, a food experience and a viewpoint or equator excursion. Add time for out-of-town trips and keep arrival day gentle because of the altitude. A short stop before Galápagos is useful, but do not count airport transfers as sightseeing time.
What should you do in Quito on your first day?
Start with a gentle old-town walk and choose a few nearby plazas or interiors. Add food stops instead of racing between distant sights. Save TelefériQo and especially a mountain hike for later, once you know how you are responding to altitude. If you feel unwell, reduce the plan and seek appropriate advice.
Is TelefériQo the same as climbing Rucu Pichincha?
No. The cable car reaches the Cruz Loma viewpoint area, while the onward summit hike is a separate high-altitude undertaking. You can enjoy views without attempting the summit. Confirm operating conditions, allow for acclimatization and choose a walking plan appropriate to the weather, your experience and your health.
Is Mitad del Mundo worth visiting?
Mitad del Mundo suits travelers interested in geography-themed exhibits and the traditional equator photo. It requires travel north of central Quito, so on a one-day visit you may prefer the historic center. The nearby Intiñan museum is separate; check which site a tour includes before paying for overlapping excursions.
Is Quito’s basilica the same as its cathedral?
No. Basílica del Voto Nacional is the neo-Gothic church known for its towers and animal carvings. The Metropolitan Cathedral is a different church at Plaza Grande. Check the name when booking a tour, and verify whether it includes an exterior stop, church admission or the basilica’s tower route.
Can you get around Quito without a car?
Yes. A visit can combine walking in the historic center, metro journeys and arranged transport to outlying attractions. The metro is operating and San Francisco station serves the old-town area. The airport, equator complex and TelefériQo entrance require separate transport planning. Check current services and secure valuables on crowded routes.
Where should you stay in Quito?
The historic center suits travelers prioritizing heritage sights and short walks between plazas. La Floresta and the modern city offer a different choice of restaurants and hotels. Choose an exact property and transport plan rather than assuming an entire district is equally convenient. For an early flight, compare an airport-area overnight separately.
How should you combine Quito and the Galápagos Islands?
Give Quito its own city days, then plan the islands as a separate part of the trip with flights, accommodation and activity bookings. Keep a buffer before important onward travel. A land-based itinerary means staying on islands and taking excursions, rather than assuming you must book an expedition cruise.
Practical information reviewed October 3, 2026. Recheck prices, access and selected tour conditions for your dates.
Save this guide for your Quito trip.
Disclaimer: I was invited by Quito Tour Bus and Kaia Hotel. My opinions, as always, are solely my own.
- About the Author
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Pauline has a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and is a professional content writer. She specializes in writing about travel and food. Pauline spent most of her career life in Dubai and is a Travel Expert for the United States and Costa Rica.
Excellent post Tim and super thorough. Quito is an awesome city with so many things to do :)
Thank you Stefan :)
Thanks for sharing this blog.
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