Things to Do in Quito
39 things to do in Quito
Quito sits high in the Andes with a remarkably well-preserved historic center and modern neighborhoods worth exploring. Start in the old city at Independence Square, where you'll find colonial landmarks like the Basílica del Voto Nacional and Carondelet Palace. The Casa del Alabado Pre-Columbian Art Museum and Museo de Arte Colonial offer deep dives into Ecuador's artistic heritage, while the Museum of the City provides context for how Quito evolved.
For views, head to Panecillo Lookout and the Virgin of the Panecillo monument—the city spreads beneath you in all directions. The Quito Cable Car lifts you above the neighborhoods for another perspective. Parque La Carolina and Parque El Ejido are green spaces good for walking, and La Mariscal is where you'll find energy after dark.
The equator itself is the draw for many visitors: both the Middle of the World and Intiñan Equator Museum stake their claim on the line, and both are worth a visit if you're interested in the geography and science behind it. Museums like Museo Templo del Sol and the Quito Botanical Gardens round out a full itinerary.
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Quito Historic Center
Must-seeUNESCO World Heritage colonial center; Quito's defining historical and architectural heart.
Quito Historic Center, QFJP+8RP, García Moreno, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 2
Independence Square
Must-seeCentral plaza anchoring Quito's UNESCO Historic Center; essential orientation point.
Independence Square, and Chile St Venezuela, García Moreno N5-16, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 3
La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
Must-seeMasterpiece Baroque church with gold-leaf interior; defining sight of Quito's UNESCO Historic Center.
Church of the Society of Jesus, García Moreno N10-43, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 4
Panecillo Lookout
Must-seeIconic hilltop viewpoint with panoramic city and Andes views; essential Quito landmark.
Panecillo Lookout, Calle Sucre 103, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 5
San Francisco Catholic Church
Must-see16th-century colonial masterpiece; largest architectural ensemble in historic Quito; essential for understanding the city.
San Francisco Catholic Church, Plaza de San Francisco, Cuenca 477, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 6
Virgin of the Panecillo
Must-seeIconic Quito landmark with panoramic city views and symbolic religious significance.
Virgin of the Panecillo, Gral. Melchor Aymerich, Quito 170111, Ecuador - 7
Basílica del Voto Nacional
Must-seeLargest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas; iconic Quito landmark with architectural significance.
Basílica del Voto Nacional, Venezuela 11-263 y, Quito 170130, Ecuador - 8
Museo Catedral Primada de Quito
Must-seeColonial cathedral with important religious art on Plaza Grande, central to Quito's historic core.
Museo Catedral Primada de Quito, Eugenio Espejo 593, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 9
Museum of the City
16th-century colonial building with essential Quito history; core UNESCO heritage site.
Museum of the City, García Moreno, Quito 170405, Ecuador - 10
Parque La Carolina
Quito's largest urban park with nature, culture, and outdoor activities accessible to all visitors.
Parque La Carolina, Parque, Quito 170506, Ecuador - 11
Carondelet Palace
Ecuador's seat of government; neoclassical landmark central to Quito's colonial history.
Carondelet Palace, QFJP+5X2, García Moreno, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 12
Quito Cable Car
Elevated vantage point over Quito's historic center and Andean landscape; accessible alternative to mountain hikes.
Quito cable car, RF77+756 Sendero teleferico, Quito, Ecuador - 13
Middle of the World
Unique equatorial landmark with cultural significance; worthwhile half-day trip from Quito.
Middle of the World, Av. Manuel Córdova Galarza SN, Quito 170311, Ecuador - 14
Casa del Alabado Pre-Columbian Art Museum
Excellent pre-Columbian collection in restored colonial mansion; core cultural experience for Quito.
Casa del Alabado Pre-Columbian Art Museum, Cuenca N1-41, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 15
Capilla del Hombre
Iconic Ecuadorian artist's museum; essential for art and indigenous culture insights.
Capilla del Hombre, Mariano Calvache E18-94 y, Lorenzo Chávez 170135, Quito 170135, Ecuador - 16
Museo del Carmen Alto
Well-preserved colonial convent in UNESCO heritage center; valuable for understanding Quito's religious and architectural history.
Museo del Carmen Alto, QFGM+VV4, Rocafuerte, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 17
Museo de Arte Colonial
Outstanding colonial art collection in UNESCO Old Town; essential for history and art interests.
Museo de Arte Colonial, Cuenca 6-15, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 18
Museo Casa de Sucre
Well-preserved colonial house museum in Historic Center; essential context for Ecuador's independence story.
Museo Casa de Sucre, QFHP+7P2, Venezuela, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 19
National Museum of Ecuador
Major national museum covering Ecuador's pre-Columbian to contemporary art and history.
National Museum of Ecuador, Avenida Patria (between, Edificio de los Espejos, Av. 6 de Diciembre, Quito, Ecuador - 20
Museo Antiguo Banco Central Del Ecuador
Major Quito museum in historic building with pre-Columbian art and colonial artifacts.
Museo Antiguo Banco Central Del Ecuador, QFHP+FCM, García Moreno, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 21
Mercado Central
Authentic working market central to Quito's daily life and culture; sensory-rich entry point to historic centre.
QFJV+25M, Av Pichincha, 170136 Quito, Ecuador - 22
Mindalae – Ethnohistoric & Crafts Museum of Ecuador
Mindalae - Ethnohistoric & Crafts Museum of Ecuador, Reina Victoria N26-166, Quito 170517, Ecuador - 23
Florida Museum Site
Florida Museum Site, VF3V+637, Antonio Costas, Quito 170132, Ecuador - 24
Plaza Foch
Popular district hub for dining, nightlife, and modern culture; secondary to historic center.
Plaza Foch, Plaza Foch, 170143 Quito, Ecuador - 25
Intiñan Equator Museum
Unique equator experience with hands-on science exhibits; good for curious travelers but not essential.
Intiñan Equator Museum, Manuel Cordova Galarza, Av. Manuel Córdova Galarza, Quito, Ecuador - 26
La Mariscal
Central neighborhood with galleries and culture, but primarily caters to tourists rather than authentic Quito.
LA MARISCAL, LA MARISCAL, Diego de Almagro, Quito 170102, Ecuador - 27
Quito Botanical Gardens
Quito Botanical Gardens, PASAJE # 34, INTERIOR PARQUE, Rumipamba E6-264 Y, Quito 170135, Ecuador - 28
Yaku Museo del Agua
Yaku Museo del Agua - entrada vehicular, QFJH+MVM, Rocafuerte, Quito 170130, Ecuador - 29
Plaza Benalcazar
Historic colonial square with quieter atmosphere; worthwhile if exploring UNESCO center thoroughly.
Plaza Benalcazar, N6-81, José Joaquín Olmedo, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 30
Parque El Ejido
Parque El Ejido, QGR2+8GX, Quito 170136, Ecuador - 31
Vivarium
Vivarium, Av. Río Amazonas, Quito 170135, Ecuador - 32
Museo de la Moneda
Museo de la Moneda, García Moreno, Quito 170130, Ecuador - 33
Museum of the Central University of Ecuador "MUCE"
Museum of the Central University of Ecuador "MUCE", Av. América &, Quito 170129, Ecuador - 34
Alberto Mena Caamaño Museum
Alberto Mena Caamaño Museum, QFJP+2QR, Eugenio Espejo, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 35
Museo del Pasillo
Museo del Pasillo., García Moreno, Quito 170401, Ecuador - 36
Museo Interactivo de Ciencia
Museo Interactivo de Ciencia, Quito 170111, Ecuador - 37
Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Cristobal Ortega Maila
Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Cristobal Ortega Maila, Manuel Córdova Galarza E28 y, Calle Eduardo Kingman Oe12-174, Quito 170603, Ecuador Balneario La Chorrera
PH2C+MR9, San Juan de Dios Tipán, Quito, EcuadorMariscal Sucre Quito International Airport
Tababela Parish S/N via Yaruquí, 170183 Quito, Ecuador
Things to Do in Quito: FAQ
How do I get to the equator attractions from Quito's city center?
Both the Middle of the World and Intiñan Equator Museum are located north of the city. Taxis and organized tours are the most practical options from Independence Square or La Mariscal.
What's the best way to explore Quito's colonial architecture?
Start at Independence Square and walk through the historic center to see landmarks like the Basílica del Voto Nacional, San Francisco Catholic Church, and La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, then visit Casa del Alabado and the Museo de Arte Colonial to understand the period in detail.
Where can I get a view of the whole city?
Panecillo Lookout and the Virgin of the Panecillo monument offer the classic panoramic views, while the Quito Cable Car provides an aerial perspective from above the neighborhoods.