Quito

Basílica del Voto Nacional

Basilica of the National Vow

It is said to be the largest Neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas. Construction began in 1892. You can climb the bell towers and explore the roofs, including a cafe and souvenir shops in the various upper levels, and spectacular views of Quito.

Daily 09:00-17:00·$2 for the church, $4 to climb the towers

Botanical Gardens

Jardin Botanico

It's a wonderful escape from the city, with all of Ecuador's ecosystems represented with a wide variety of flora. You can take a guided tour or just wander. The highlight for many people are the two glassed-in orchidariums.

Fri-Sun 10ː00-15ː00·$10 for adults, $5 students

Bungalow 6

Place for "gringos" to mingle with the locals. It's an overall fun place to go - Wednesdays Ladies Night are the best day to go, definitely. LGBT friendly.

Calle de la Ronda

This street in the Old Town was restored by Municipality and FONSAL in 2007. It was transformed with the help and cooperation of the local residents. It's a romantic cobbled street just off the Plaza Santo Domingo (or it can be reached via Garcia Moreno by the City Museum). There are shops, patios, art galleries and modest cafe restaurants now, all run by residents. Cultural events are common at the weekends. It lacks the liveliness and buzz of the adjacent streets. Go in the late afternoon to find the most shops open and people wandering the laneway.

Conjunto monumental San Francisco

This church dates to 1537 and was devoted to St Francis, since the Franciscan order was the first to settle in the area. Hence the city's official name: San Francisco de Quito. The church contains masterpieces of syncretic art, including the famous "Virgin of Quito" by Legarda. The sculpture represents a winged virgin stepping on the devil's head (in the form of a serpent) and is displayed in the main altar. The virgin would later be inaccurately replicated on top of Panecillo hill. The museum next door to the church is arranged through the monastic compound and includes access to the choir. Next to the choir you can also climb the stairs to enter the bell tower and the church roof, offering great panorama of the square.

$3 for the museum and the tower

Hike Pichincha Volcano

You can hike from the upper TelefériQo station to the Guagua Pichincha Volcano, which is active. You should set out from the upper cable car station before 10:30. This is not an easy hike, and there have been reports of robberies. Do your research. Hiring a guide is recommended. Even if you do not hike the entire path to the volcano, it is worth walking a short distance along those same trails to the first and second viewpoint ("mirador") for amazing city views, and (of course!) a photo opportunity with a giant swing. Use your judgment, but a guide should not be needed to the viewpoints, as other visitors frequently make the same trip and you are unlikely to be alone on that part of the path.

Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesus

Church of the Jesuits

This church is regarded by many as the most beautiful in the Americas. Partially destroyed by fire, it was restored with assistance from the Getty Foundation and other benefactors. Stunning.

$6 for church (Aug 2026), +$3 for cupola (Jan 2023)

Itchimbia cultural complex and park

This hill provides stunning views of central and northern Quito, as well as the distant peak of Cayambe to the northeast. The hillside was made into a park and an impressive cultural centre established here in 2005. The centre holds temporary exhibitions. At the weekends, there are workshops and fun for children. Pim's restaurant is open at the complex. The complex closes at 18:00. Once it closes, you can head to the nearby Cafe Mosaico to watch the sunset until about 19:00. It's a great spot to watch the fading of the light on the mountainside with the floodlights of the Old Town's churches.

Mon-Fri 05ː00-18ː00; Sat-Sun 09ː00-15ː00

La Merced

Old convent from colonial period with lots of gold leaf inside.

La Vírgen del Panecillo

El Panecillo is a large hill on top of which is La Virgin del Panecillo, a large statue of the 'winged' Virgin Mary. She can be seen from most points in the city. Local legend has it that she is the only virgin in Quito. Never walk up the hill, always take a taxi or a bus as the walk up can be dangerous.

Metropolitan Cultural Center

A historic building from 1622 that features temporary art exhibits. Also be sure to see Museo Alberto Mena Camaño, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Palacio de Carondelet along the Plaza Grande for more important historical perspectives on Ecuador.

Tue-Sat 09:00-17:30, Sun 10:00-16:00, Mon closed

Mitad del Mundo

Just outside of Quito is where the measurements were first made that proved that the shape of the Earth is in fact an oblate spheroid. Commemorating this is a large monument that straddles the equator called Mitad del Mundo or middle of the world. The entrance for the park is $5 (included entrance to small museums - Dec 2019). Visit here if you're interested in learning some alternative facts and seeing some kitsch. Because it's not on the equator itself, and it's not a serious cultural or educational experience. No, the water doesn't really go down the plughole the opposite way in the hemispheres, and if you want to take it seriously you won't enjoy your time here. For some of the attractions like the planetarium, the price is $7.50. You can also go to the Intiñan Solar Museum which is right next to the monument, on the other side of the north fence. The museum is actually on the equator. For $4 you can have a tour of this little museum.

Museo Casa del Alabado

Casa del Alabado Museum

The permanent collection is made up of pre-Columbian archaeological pieces, from most societies that once inhabited all regions of what is now Ecuador. The Alabado is organized thematically and not chronologically or geographically to allow visitors to generate their own visual and cultural connections about the pieces, in an innovative cultural framework. The works are displayed beautifully in a restored colonial building just off the Plaza San Francisco. Tours in Spanish, English or French every day, at 10:30, 12:00 and 15:30. Services for visitors with reduced mobility: ramps, lift, bathroom and wheelchair.

Thu-Sun 09ː00-15ː00·Adults $10, children 4-12 $2, children up to 3 free

Museo Etnohistorico de Artesanias del Ecuador Mindalae

Ethnohistoric Museum of Handicrafts of Ecuador Mindalae

An extremely original project in the north part of the Mariscal District, this museum provides an 'ethno-historical' view of Ecuador's amazingly rich cultural diversity. You can find out about the country's different peoples, from the coast to the Andes to the Amazon, and their crafts in a specially-built and designed structure. The museum has a large fair-trade shop that sells handicrafts and natural products.

Mon-Fri 09:30–17:30; Sat 10:00–17:30·$5 (Jan 2023)

Museo Guayasamin and Capilla del Hombre

Guayasamin Museum and Chapel of Man

This museum houses the collection of Ecuador's most renowned contemporary artists, Oswaldo Guayasamin. It has a fine collection of pre-Columbian, colonial and independence art, and houses many of the artist's works. The adjoining Chapel of Man was built posthumously to house some of Guayasamin's vast canvases on the condition of Latin American Man.

Mon-Fri 09ː30-13ː00·Adults $10; students, seniors, people with disabilities $4; children under 12 free

Museo Nacional -- MuNa (formerly Museo del Banco Central)

Perhaps Ecuador's most renowned museum with different rooms, devoted to pre-Columbian, Colonial and gold works of art, among other topics. Some of the famous pieces include whistle bottles shaped like animals, elaborate gold headdresses and re-created miniature scenes of life along the Amazon. The museum is well-organized, and it takes about 3–4 hours to see everything. Entrance $2. Guides who speak several different languages including English, French and Spanish are available for a small fee. Do not confuse this museum with the Banco Central which is a small exhibition downtown, across from La Compañía church. This exhibit usually shows currency or stamps.

Wed-Sat 10ː00-17ː00, Sun 10-15, closed Mon and Tue·free

Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Cristobal Ortega Maila

Indigenous attraction alongside the Puluahua Geobotanical Preserve (Crater).

Daily 09:00-17:00

Museo de la Ciudad

A lovely museum with two floors encircling two quiet courtyards, the "Museo de la Ciudad" provides more of a social history of Ecuador than other museums in Quito. Re-enacted scenes from daily life of Ecuador's citizens through the years include a hearth scene from a 16th-century home, a battle scene against the Spanish, and illustrations of the building of Iglesia de San Francisco church.

$4 (Jan 2023)

Plaza Grande / Plaza de la Independencia

Main plaza of Quito with national significance that features the monument to the independence heroes of August 10, 1809.

Strawberry Fields Forever

a unique Beatle Bar in the heart of La Mariscal/rock and roll and more.

TelefériQo

It's the world's second-highest cable car. It's on the eastern flanks of the Pichincha Volcano which overlooks the whole city. It hoists visitors up to an amazing 4,000 m (12,000 feet). On clear days, you can spot half-a-dozen volcanoes and see the entire city below. The 18-minute cable car trip costs $5.25 for locals, but $9.00 (Dec 2022) for foreigners ($7.00 for children, $6.50 for seniors, and $4.00 for small dogs). There is also an express lane option for more money. Take a taxi to the base of the TelefériQo ($4-6 from La Mariscal) or ask your hotel about buses. Don't let the taxi driver make you pay for parking. They don't pay, so it is just a scam.

Mon-Fri 10:00-17:15, Sat-Sun 08:00-18:15

Zoológico de Quito

See some representative Ecuadorian species here as well as other animals.

Tue-Fri 08:30-17:00, Sat-Sun 09:30-17:00, Mon closed·$6 adults, $4 kids, $3 seniors

Cherusker

German-run brew-pub with excellent beer, from Hefeweizen (blond wheat beer) to Stout. Offers mostly German food, such as sausages, schnitzel, potato salad and tasty Hamburgers. Has live sports on a big screen (HD), a beautiful garden and foosball. Wednesday Reggae Night, Thursday Classic and modern Rock. Packed on Fridays.

Mon-Thu 15:30-23:30, Fri Sat 15:30-01:30

El Maple

Nice tempeh platter and hominy here at this vegetarian restaurant.

Finn Mc Cool's

Cozy Irish pub with friendly atmosphere, loads of Live sports, free pool and foosball, draft beer and good pub food all day. Poker Monday, Table Quiz Tuesday and good craic every night of the week. Get in before 16:00 on Sundays!

11:00 - late

Galeria de Arte Creacion

Art studio, located on Amazon and Wilson, very close to the Mariott and the Hilton. Lessons in art, painting and watercolor, oil painting, modern art classes, Monday to Saturday.

Go Mountain Biking

Biking Dutchman mountain biking tours

There are many outfits offering one- to multi-day mountain biking trips to the surrounding volcanos, lakes, and valleys. Biking Dutchman is one of the oldest and most well-regarded.

Green Horse Ranch

The Pululahua Crater is one of the most amazing places to ride, but chances are you will not find anything about it in your guide book. Astrid, the owner of the ranch who moved to Ecuador from Germany, will pick you up in Quito and bring you to the ranch (about 45-minute drive). Rides of various lengths are available and she has a wide variety of horses ready for novices and experts. She and her staff are incredibly friendly and everything is included in the price.

Guitarras Guacan

Master Luthier Cesar Guacan's quaint guitar workshop at the base of the Virgin del Panecillo - great guitars for both professionals and budget-conscious.

Mea Culpa

Restaurant

Among the best restaurants in town. Great service and food, taste the crepes de pangora (stone crab). Dishes are small, get an entry. Nice view of the plaza from some tables. Dress code: semi formal.

Mon-Fri 12:00-24:00, 19:00-23:00. Sat Sun closed