Quito Travel Guide
Best neighborhoods, things to do, and when to visit
Quito, Ecuador
Quito stretches along a narrow Andean valley beneath the Pichincha volcano, with a cobbled colonial center of gilded churches, plazas, and interior courtyards. The equator line lies a short drive north, and cable cars and ridge trails climb from the city's western edge.
Colonial architecture · High altitude · Andean markets
Airport
Mariscal Sucre International Airport, in Tababela just outside the city
Language
Spanish, with some English in tourist areas
Currency
US dollar (USD), cards common, small bills useful
Ideal trip length
Three to four days, plus day trips
Best time to visit Quito
June – September
Average temperature
40-62°F (5-17°C), Driest stretch of the year, with bright mornings, cool nights, and brief afternoon showers.
Crowd Level
Moderate to high
Reason To Visit
June through September brings the year's driest weather, so volcano views open up and Old Town walks stay comfortable near 62°F (17°C) by day, with cool nights around 42°F (6°C).
Spring eventBatalla de Pichincha
Cima de la Libertad
Things to do
Ride the TelefériQo for Pichincha views, wander the Old Town's plazas and churches, then take a clear-morning day trip to Cotopaxi or the Mitad del Mundo monument.
Popular events
Spring
Batalla de Pichincha, Día del Trabajo, Día de la Cultura Ecuatoriana
Summer
Día de la Independencia de Quito, Día de la Bandera
Fall
Fiestas de Quito, Día de los Difuntos
Winter
Carnaval, Año Nuevo, Día del Escudo Nacional
Where to stay in Quito
Six Quito neighborhoods, from colonial streets to a warm valley suburb below the city.
Centro Histórico
Quito's colonial core, where plazas, churches and painted balconies sit within a few blocks.
Known for
Colonial architecture and central plazas
Things to do nearby
Independence Square, La Basílica del Voto Nacional, Church of the Society of Jesus
Nearby neighborhoods
Itchimbía, San Juan
La Floresta
A leafy, low-rise pocket of small cafes, galleries and independent cinema.
Known for
Independent cafes, art spaces and cinema
Things to do nearby
Ocho y Medio, Parque la Carolina, Museo de Arte Precolombino Casa del Alabado
Nearby neighborhoods
La Vicentina, Guápulo, Bellavista
La Carolina
Wide avenues and tall buildings wrap around Quito's largest central park.
Known for
Park access and modern business district
Things to do nearby
Parque la Carolina, Quito Botanical Garden, Quicentro Shopping
Nearby neighborhoods
Iñaquito, Batán Alto, Colina y González Suárez
Colina y González Suárez
A ridge-top residential stretch with valley views and quiet evening streets.
Known for
Hillside views and calm residential streets
Things to do nearby
Parque la Carolina, Guapulo Colonial Church and Convent
Nearby neighborhoods
Guápulo, La Carolina, Bellavista
Guápulo
Narrow lanes drop down a steep hillside toward the valley, with a colonial church at the center.
Known for
Hillside lanes and valley outlooks
Things to do nearby
Guapulo Colonial Church and Convent, Guanguiltagua Metropolitan Park
Nearby neighborhoods
Colina y González Suárez, La Floresta, Cumbayá
Cumbayá
Valley suburb near 7,800 feet, noticeably warmer than the city center and easy to settle into.
Known for
Mild valley climate and relaxed pace
Things to do nearby
Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Cumbayá Central Park
Nearby neighborhoods
Tumbaco, Guápulo, Nayon
Must see places in Quito
A UNESCO-listed colonial core, Andean volcano views, and the equator itself, all within one high valley.
Basílica del Voto Nacional
Neo-Gothic church with stone gargoyles shaped like Ecuadorian animals and climbable towers.
Neighborhood
Centro Histórico
Things to do nearby
Independence Square, Basilica and Convent of San Francisco
Time needed
1–2 hours
Plaza Grande
The old town's central square, ringed by the cathedral and the presidential palace.
Neighborhood
Centro Histórico
Things to do nearby
Church of the Society of Jesus, Calle La Ronda
Time needed
45 minutes
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
Baroque interior covered in gold leaf; photography rules are posted at the entrance.
Neighborhood
Centro Histórico
Things to do nearby
Independence Square, City Museum
Time needed
45 minutes
El Panecillo
Winged Virgin statue on a hill, with a 360-degree view over the city; take a taxi up.
Neighborhood
La Libertad
Things to do nearby
City Museum, Calle La Ronda
Time needed
1 hour
TelefériQo
Cable car rising to about 13,000 feet (3,960 meters) on Pichincha; bring a warm layer.
Neighborhood
La Comuna
Things to do nearby
Cruz Loma, Parque la Carolina
Time needed
2–3 hours
Parque La Carolina
Wide city park with running paths, a botanical garden, and weekend football games.
Neighborhood
Iñaquito
Things to do nearby
Quito Botanical Garden, Museo Interactivo De Ciencia -Mic
Time needed
1–2 hours
Calle La Ronda
Narrow cobbled lane of balconied houses, craft workshops, and canelazo stands.
Neighborhood
Centro Histórico
Things to do nearby
Plaza de Santo Domingo, City Museum
Time needed
1 hour
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
Monument and museums at the equator line, about 40 minutes north of the city.
Things to do nearby
Intinan Museum
Time needed
3–4 hours
Local recommendations by Airbnb hosts in Quito
The spots Quito hosts send guests to - and the tips they pass along
Middle of the World
- Explore museums, the planetarium, and exhibits on equator science, indigenous culture, and Ecuadorian history.
- Head up the monument’s elevator for panoramic views over the surrounding northern and southern hemispheres.
- Plan a full-day visit: arrive by bus or taxi, explore the complex, then return to Quito in the afternoon.
La Basílica del Voto Nacional
- Climb the basilica’s towers and clock faces for panoramic views over Quito.
- Cross the cathedral roof via a wooden plank and ladders to reach the highest tower.
- Take time to admire the colorful stained-glass windows and Galapagos-inspired animal gargoyles.
Church of the Society of Jesus
- Admire the baroque façade carved entirely from volcanic stone and the interior covered in gold leaf.
- Look closely at the altars, pulpits, pillars, vaults and domes, all richly decorated with gold leaf.
- Visit the back rooms to see the bell exhibit and learn about Jesuit history and work in Ecuador.
- Consider paying extra to access the rooftop, which offers impressive views over San Francisco Plaza.
Quito´s Handicraft Market
- Browse permanent stalls for Ecuadorian hand-knit goods, wood carvings, silver jewelry, and native musical instruments.
- Shop for alpaca blankets, sweaters, hammocks, sun hats, backpacks, paintings, and Ecuadorian chocolate as souvenirs.
- Expect a lively, small but bustling covered market full of folkloric, hand-crafted goods and original artwork.
- Bring cash and negotiate; bargaining for lower prices is expected on most items.
La Capilla Del Hombre
- Explore La Capilla del Hombre, a purpose-built art museum dedicated to the peoples of Latin America.
- Take time with Guayasamín’s paintings, sculptures, and murals portraying human suffering, struggle, and hope.
- Plan to linger for sunset, when the site offers striking views over Quito’s old town and El Panecillo.
- Consider taking a taxi to reach La Capilla del Hombre, which sits on a hill overlooking the city.
City Museum
- Explore the City Museum’s permanent collection focused on the former San Juan de Dios Hospital and its medical history.
- Walk through exhibits highlighting Quito’s history, from ancient cultures through colonization and the city’s republican era.
- Experience exhibitions built around urban culture—stories, legends, clothing, crafts, festivals, and everyday city life.
- Check out both permanent and temporary exhibits, plus activities that can engage children during a visit.
- Consider stopping here if you enjoy local history museums and want context on Quito and the country.
Places to eat and drink in Quito
Ecuadorian heritage cuisine, yahuarlocro and Guaranda breakfast staples.
Zazu
Fine dining kitchen working Ecuadorian coastal fish and Andean grains into tasting plates.
Highlights
Ceviche
Why do locals love it
Coastal fish arrives daily and shapes the evening menu.
Café Mosaico
Hillside cafe above the old town pairing locro de papa with wide views of the basilica.
Highlights
Old Town views
Why do locals love it
The terrace looks straight across the historic rooftops to Panecillo.
HELADERÍA - RESTAURANTE SAN AGUSTÍN
Long-running old town parlor making helados de paila stirred by hand in copper basins.
Highlights
Helados de paila
Why do locals love it
Fruit sorbets are still churned in copper pans over ice.
Restaurante Casa Gangotena
Signature plates draw on Ecuador's varied culinary traditions, reworked with a creative hand.
Highlights
Creative signature cuisine rooted in Ecuadorian heritage
Why do locals love it
Familiar Ecuadorian flavors arrive in a more composed form.
La Casa Vieja Pomasqui
A Pomasqui kitchen known for yahuarlocro, the hearty Andean potato and lamb soup.
Highlights
Yahuarlocro
Why do locals love it
A traditional Andean soup served the long-standing way.
Restaurante Restobar
Guaranda-inspired mornings built around queso guarandeño, brewed coffee and fresh juice.
Highlights
Queso guarandeño, brewed coffee
Why do locals love it
Breakfast leans on cheese and coffee from the highlands.
Nubori
At Catalina Aldaz and Portugal, the menu centers on technique and ingredients of origin.
Highlights
Menu focused on ingredients of origin
Why do locals love it
Sourcing and technique stay at the center of the plate.
Mirador
South American dishes make up the menu at this Quito dining room.
Highlights
South American dishes
Why do locals love it
A straightforward South American menu in the city.
Explore Quito: The best travel itineraries
Three routes through Quito, from a single day in the colonial center to a week reaching the equator, Otavalo, and the surrounding valleys.
Experienced Airbnb hosts in Quito
7,120+
Places to stay in Quito
11,460+
Things to do in Quito
80+
Verified guest reviews in Quito
238,010+
1 Day trip
One day built around the colonial core, with a gold-leaf church, a colonial lane, and a hilltop view over the rooftops at dusk.
Morning
The central square and its churches
Arrive early for quieter benches and softer light on the facades.
Afternoon
San Francisco and a colonial lane
Cloister visits and museum rooms sit within a few blocks of each other.
Evening
Panorama from El Panecillo
Take a taxi up the hill rather than walking the slope.
3 Day trip
Three days across the historic center, the parks and museums of the modern north, and the equator line just outside the city.
Morning
Plaza Grande and San Francisco
Both squares sit within easy walking distance in the old center.
Afternoon
Colonial house museums
Both museums are indoors, useful if afternoon rain rolls in.
Evening
Basilica towers at golden hour
Tower access closes before the church itself, so go early.
Morning
Park and botanical garden
The garden sits inside the park, so combine the two on foot.
Afternoon
Guayasamín on the hillside
Allow time for both the galleries and the terrace views.
Evening
Crafts and dinner in La Mariscal
Market stalls close earlier than the surrounding restaurants.
Morning
The equator monument
Weekday mornings are quieter at the monument plaza.
Afternoon
Pululahua crater
Clouds often fill the crater after midday, so aim for early afternoon.
Evening
Back in the city for dinner
Book ahead, since tasting menus fill on weekends.
5-7 Day trip
A week that covers the colonial center in depth, the museums and parks of the north, the equator, Otavalo's weaving market, and the valleys east of town.
Morning
Plaza Grande
Shaded benches make this an easy first stop at altitude.
Afternoon
Baroque interiors
Photography rules vary inside, so check at the entrance.
Evening
Dinner by San Francisco
Courtyard tables fill first on clear evenings.
Morning
Colonial collections
Both museums sit at the southern end of the old center.
Afternoon
La Ronda and Santo Domingo
Small kitchens on the lane serve empanadas de viento all afternoon.
Evening
Sunset on El Panecillo
Ride up by taxi and time your arrival before dark.
Morning
Alameda and Itchimbía
Itchimbía's ridge gives the clearest morning view of the center.
Afternoon
El Ejido and the national collection
Craft stalls appear along the park edge on weekends.
Evening
Night out in La Mariscal
Bars here stay busy latest from Thursday onward.
Morning
La Carolina and the orchid houses
Enter the garden from inside the park to save a detour.
Afternoon
Market and stadium
Check the fixture list if you want to catch a match.
Evening
Dinner north of the center
Reserve a table if you want the wine pairings.
Morning
La Capilla del Hombre
Guided visits explain the paintings in more depth.
Afternoon
Guápulo's lanes
The walk down is steep, so plan a taxi back up.
Evening
Views over the valley
Arrive before dusk for the clearest look down the valley.
Morning
Middle of the World
Combine both sites, since they stand minutes apart.
Afternoon
Pululahua and Quitsato
Crater views are clearest before the afternoon cloud builds.
Evening
Return for a quiet dinner
Traffic back into the city peaks in the early evening.
Morning
Excursion to Plaza de los Ponchos
Saturday is the largest market day, but stalls run all week.
Afternoon
Archaeology back in the city
Trails here are short and mostly shaded.
Evening
Last night in the old center
Check the schedule for a performance before you book dinner.
Family travel
Kids love the Mitad del Mundo equator line, Parque La Carolina's playgrounds, and the Yaku water museum's hands-on rooms.
Couple travel
Ride the TeleferiQo at dusk for Pichincha views, then share dinner in Guapulo, where lanes drop toward the valley.
Solo travel
Walk the Centro Historico alone, climb the basilica towers, then linger over coffee in La Floresta's small cafes.
How to get around Quito
Metro and train
The metro runs the length of the valley and links many neighborhoods quickly. Buy a transit card at station machines, and check the operator for hours.
Bus
Trolley-style corridors and city buses reach most districts. Board at raised platforms where marked, carry small change, and keep your bag in front.
Rental car
Traffic tightens on the narrow Old Town streets, so park in a garage and walk. Ask your rental agency about driving restrictions before you set out.
Walking
Steep blocks and 9,350 ft (2,850 m) altitude slow the pace, so walk gently. Sundays bring car-free lanes ideal for cycling.
Generated with AI and may contain mistakes. Sources include third-party travel data and Airbnb data from listings, hosts, and host guidebooks. Updated September 2026.
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