Sights and landmarks in Quito

Sights and landmarks in Quito

1. See

   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

2. 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

3. See

   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.

4. See

   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

5. See

   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)

6. 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

7. See

   La Merced

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

8. 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.

9. See

   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

10. 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.

11. See

    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

12. See

    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)

13. See

    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

14. See

    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

15. See

    Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Cristobal Ortega Maila

    Indigenous attraction alongside the Puluahua Geobotanical Preserve (Crater).

    Daily 09:00-17:00

16. See

    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)

17. See

    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.

18. See

    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

19. See

    Astronomical Observatory of Quito

    Planetarium and unique building offering views of Quito.

    Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00

20. See

    Casa de la Cultura

    Shows a patchwork of local artists.

    Free entrance

21. See

    Contemporary Art Center of Quito

    Modern art museum.

    Thu-Sun 11:00-16:00

22. See

    Yaku Water Museum

    A museum about water's role in science and society.

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

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Quito (CC BY-SA 4.0).