Parks and the outdoors in Quito
6 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Quito.
Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.
Parks and the outdoors in Quito
- See
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
- Do
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.
- See
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
- See
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.
- See
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.
- Drink Not mapped
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
Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Quito (CC BY-SA 4.0).