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.