Things to do in Quito

176 activities, venues and outings in Quito, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 176.

Do
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
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.
Do Not mapped
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.
Do Not mapped
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.
DoPark
Parque La Carolina
Parque La Carolina is a 165.5-acre (670,000 m2) park in the centre of the Quito central business district, bordered by the avenues Río Amazonas, de los Shyris, Naciones Unidas, Eloy Alfaro, and de la República. Iñaquito metro station is in the northern part of the park, whereas La Carolina metro station is in the southern part.
Open now · open 24 hours
DoSummit
Panecillo
El Panecillo is a 200-metre-high hill of volcanic-origin, with loess soil, located between southern and central Quito. Its peak is at an elevation of 3,016 metres (9,895 ft) above sea level. The original name used by the aboriginal inhabitants of Quito was Yavirac.
3016 m high
DoPark
Parque El Ejido
Parque El Ejido is a public park located along Avenue Patria in the Itchimbía neighborhood, in the Old Centre part of Quito, Ecuador. It is the third-largest park in the city. Estadio El Ejido is located nearby.
DoPark
Plaza de la Independencia
Independence Square is the principal and central public square of Quito, Ecuador. This is the central square of the city and one of the symbols of the executive power of the nation. Its main feature is the monument to the independence heroes of August 10, 1809, the date remembered as the first cry of independence of the Royal Audience of Quito from the Spanish monarchy.
DoPark
Vulqano Park
Vulqano Park is an amusement park in Quito, Ecuador. The park is part of a much larger entertainment complex named the TelefériQo. The park closed in May 2020 due to economic losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, but on August 30, 2021, announced its reopening on its Facebook page.
DoTheatre
Teatro Bolívar
Teatro Bolívar is a theatre in Quito, Ecuador. It was established on 15 April 1933, with a capacity of 2400 spectators. It hosted many notable events, including the Miss Ecuador 1996 contest.
DoArts centre
Palacio de Cristal Centro cultural Itchimbia
Jose Maria Aguirre
Heritage listed · Built 1889
DoTheatre
Teatro Sucre
C. Guayaquil y Manabi &
DoTheatre
La Capilla-Cedex
El CEDEX, es un proyecto creado en el año 2006 por artistas y gestores culturales con el propósito de generar un espacio que promueva propuestas de desarrollo, creación, investigación y capacitación en danza contemporánea.
DoPark
Parque Balcones de la Granja
Parque con cancha de básket, cancha de fútbol, juegos infantiles y área de descanso con bancas.
DoTheatre
Casa Toledo
Toledo
DoTheatre
Centro Cultural Mama Cuchara
Calle Luis Chávez 3
DoTheatre
Teatro México
Calle Tomebamba y Antisana, frente a la Estación del Ferrocarril de Chimbacalle
DoTheatre
Teatro Patio de Comedias
18 de Septiembre E4-26
DoPark
Parque Jose Navarro
Av. Ladrón de Guevara
DoTheatre
Teatro Capitol
Ave. Gran Colombia 13377 entre, Ramon Egas y y
DoTheatre
Teatro Politecnico
Ladrón De Guevara
DoPark
Parque Itchimbía
Avenida Velasco Ibarra
DoCinema
Supercines 22
Avenida 6 de Diciembre
DoTheatre
Casa de Las Bandas
Temporalmente en el Centro de Arte Contemporáneo, ubicado en las calles Luis Dávila y Montevideo.
DoCinema
Ocho y Medio
N24-353 Valladolid
DoCinema
Multicines
N36-152 Avenida Río Amazonas
Open now · closes 11 pm
DoTheatre
Teatro Prometeo
Av. 6 de Diciembre y Tarqui
DoTheatre
Microteatro Uio
Yánez Pinzón y Av. Cristóbal Colón, N25-106 y
DoArts centre
Casa Mitómana, invernadero cultural + Coworking
N31-296 Martin de Utreras
DoCinema
Teatro Universitario
América Y Universitaria
DoPark
Parque México
DoPark
Parque del Arbolito
DoPark
Parque Cumandá
24 de Mayo
DoPark
La Magdalena
Huaynapalcón
DoPark
Parque Italia
Av. América 56
DoPark
Parque Santa Ana 1
Av. Jaime del Castillo
DoPark
Parque de la Mujer
Mariana De Jesús
DoLive music venue
Casa de la Música
Subida al Hospital Metropolitano, Av. Valderrama 32 - 307 y, Av. Mariana de Jesús
DoPark
Cuscungo
DoCinema
Ochoymedio Ecuador
Calle Valladolid 24

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Quito (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).