During our four-month stint in South America, one of the cities that surprised us the most was Quito in Ecuador. Quito is the capital city of Ecuador and is a pretty incredible place to visit. While many travel to Ecuador with the sole purpose of visiting the Galapagos, do not sleep on mainland Ecuador! There are many gems to be found here, including in the capital city. We spent more than a week exploring Quito and didn’t get bored of the city or run out of things to do. So, if you are visiting Quito, even for a day, here are the top 17 things to do in Quito Ecuador!
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1. Go to the Middle of the World
If you are staying in Quito for at least two full days, you’ve got to spend one of those days on a trip to the Middle of the World. You can either partake in a tour that takes you there or go on your own. We opted to go on our own and simply ordered an Uber to take us the 35-minute drive up north to the equator.
As you might know already, Ecuador is one of the few countries where you can actually stand on the equator. The Middle of the World, or Mitad del Mundo, holds a monument located between the two hemispheres. Interestingly enough, this line has actually been discovered to be a “false” line. But no worries! Just a couple hundred meters from this monument, you can also visit the actual middle of the world, the Intiñan Equator Museum, where you can participate in an English or Spanish-speaking tour that’ll teach you some pretty fascinating scientific facts about the equator.
Did you know you can more easily balance an egg on a nail than in any other part of the world? You can give this experiment (among others) a go while at the museum.
2. Walk Around Quito Old Town
Did you know the Quito Old Town is a UNESCO Heritage Site? We knew going into the city, but we were absolutely gobsmacked at just how gorgeous the Old Town was. Walking around the city with no aim was one of our favorite things to do while in Quito.
In the Old Town, you can see colorful buildings, churches, plazas, and so much more. Many of the buildings here date back hundreds of years, and you can really see the history etched into them.
Quito is not very flat, so watch out when you climb up the small hills, as you will get winded much more quickly than you think, thanks to the altitude (2,850 meters or 9,350 feet)!
Here are some of the main things to look out for while walking around Quito’s Old Town:
- Plaza Grande
- Plaza Santo Domingo
- Plaza de la Independencia
- Basilica Del Voto Nacional (more on this in #14)
- La Ronda (more on this in #15)
- San Francisco Church and Monastery (more on this in #16)
- Iglesia de la Compañía
- Museo de la Ciudad
3. Check Out the Views at TeleferiQo
One of the main things to do in Quito Ecuador is take a cable car up to the TeleferiQo. To get there, you’ll first need to take a taxi to Vulqano Park, after which it’s a short walk to the cable car. Then, the 20-minute cable car ride takes you right to the summit of Cruz Loma without any need to climb it yourself. Phew! While at the top, you’ll be rewarded with the most stunning view of Quito and its surrounding views. If you’re feeling up for it, you can even go on a swing or go horseback riding.
When we were in Quito, unfortunately, the TeleferiQo was under construction. A good reason for us to go back! So, if you find yourself in a similar position, head over to El Panecillo instead. You can even do both if you want!
4. Try Ecuadorian Dishes at the Mercato Central
Ecuadorian cuisine may not be as famous as its neighboring Peruvian food, but we think it’s a matter of poor marketing. One of the best places to try Ecuadorian dishes is at the Mercato Central. Here are some dishes we highly recommend trying (if not at the market, at some point during your Ecuadorian travels):
- Encebollado – a seafood stew
- Corvina – a type of fish, fried and served with sides; go to Las Corvinas de Don Jimmy, which undisputedly has the been corvinas in the market
- Ceviche – while ceviche is technically from Peru, the Ecuadorians have put their own twist on it
- Fritada – a braised pork dish
- Bolon de verde – a stuffed green plantain ball; generally served for breakfast or even in soups
- Llapingacho – a stuffed and fried potato patty filled with cheese; generally served for breakfast or lunch
Don’t forget to wash the food down with a delicious fresh fruit juice made right in front of you. There are a few different fruit juice stalls you can choose from at the market, and you can’t go wrong!
5. Walk Around La Carolina Park
Itching for some greenery? Head over to La Carolina Park! This is a great place to go for a run or simply walk around with a loved one. It’s an incredibly spacious park with well-marked paths and plenty of activities and street food to keep you occupied. One of our favorite spots in the park is the lagoon, where you can rent paddle boats. This is a great place to spend a lovely weekend day.
6. Admire the Botanical Gardens
Another great place within La Carolina Park are the Botanical Gardens, which is a must-visit if you’re in the area! Did you know Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet? And if you’re an orchid lover, you’re in luck. Ecuador is one of the countries with the most orchid species. The country is known for its roses as well, hence why you can buy flowers for so cheap throughout the country.
The Botanical Gardens are located in the middle of the park, and here, you can get to see a huge variety of flowers and plants planted around the garden as well as in two huge greenhouses. The Botanical Gardens are open from 10 AM to 3:30 or 4 PM every day, depending on the day.
7. Day Trip to Otavalo Market
A day trip you cannot miss out on during your stay in Quito is to the famous Otavalo Market. The Otavalo Market is one of the largest markets in South America and where you’ll be surrounded by locals and tourists shopping in the bustling streets. This is the place you want to be to bring some trinkets back home. At the market, you’ll find literally everything from hats, sweaters, and ponchos to jewelry, spices, and so much more!
The easiest way to visit Otavalo Market is with a tour. Alternatively, you can take a bus by heading over to the Carcelen Bus Station in the north.
8. Watch a Film at Ocho y Medio
If there’s a film you want to see, there’s no better place to go than to Ocho y Medio. This is a super cute cinema that’s worth visiting, whether you want to see mainstream or indie films. We watched a screening of Barbie here, and don’t worry; it was subtitled, not dubbed! Head over to the cinema a bit before the screening to get some food and drinks.
Check out the Ocho y Medio website to see what they are showing.
9. Roam Around La Floresta
Ocho y Media is located in a fun area of Quito called La Floresta. La Floresta is one of the best places in Quito for nightlife. You can find quirky bars, independent coffee shops, and cool street art scattered all across this bohemian neighborhood. You’ll find some good food in this area as well.
La Floresta is a meeting place for artists in Quito, and you can really feel the relaxed community atmosphere.
Top tip: We recommend visiting La Floresta during the week, as many shops may be closed over the weekend (especially on Sundays).
10. Take a Trip to Cotopaxi
Around 50 kilometers south of Quito, you’ll find the world’s highest active volcano, Cotopaxi. If you want to climb a volcano in Ecuador, this one is a must! But don’t worry if hiking is not for you, there are a few other ways you can explore the Cotopaxi National Park, including mountain biking and horseback riding. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even camp in the National Park!
We highly recommend booking an organized tour when climbing Cotopaxi, as the certified guides will be able to teach you about the area and the animals you may encounter during the hike. You can easily book a day tour from Quito, which includes transportation.
While you’re here, if you want to make a weekend trip out of this, I highly recommend looking at staying at Secret Garden.
11. Check Out La Mariscal
Likely, if you’ve done your research, you may know that one of the best areas to stay in Quito Ecuador is La Mariscal. La Mariscal is the tourist hub of Quito (besides the Old Town, of course!). This is where you’ll want to go for tourist-centered nightlife, such as trendy bars, posh restaurants, and non-Ecuadorian food. Many of the travel agencies are located in this area as well. While La Mariscal was not our favorite area as it was very Disneyland-like, catering to white tourists, it’s definitely still worth browsing around and offers a fun time both during the day and at night.
12. Eat Chocolate
We still think about Ecuadorian chocolate at least once a week. Ecuador has the best cocoa in the world, and chocolate is still one of the country’s biggest exports. In fact, Ecuador produces more than 60% of the world’s fine Aroma chocolate, and we can definitely attest to the quality of the cocoa in the country.
If you are a chocolate fiend like us, you’ll be in heaven in Quito as there are plenty of places to try chocolate and get to know how this delicious sweet is made.
Here are some of the best places to try chocolate in Quito:
- Yumbos
- Pacari
- Republica Del Cacao (you’ve got to try their delicious chocolate ice creams!)
Beyond chocolate, you also can’t miss out on trying hot chocolate whenever you sit down for a breather at a cafe. The hot chocolate in Ecuador is honestly unmatched! And don’t be scared to try 100% chocolate—due to the quality of the beans, it is naturally sweeter than you think it’d be!
13. Do a Quito Free Walking Tour
One of our favorite things to do when we arrive in a new city is to take a free walking tour. As you may know already, a free walking tour is not necessarily free. But instead of paying a set amount to go on the tour, you tip the guide at the end. This is a great way to get to know the historic Old Town of Quito, and it was one of our first activities when we arrived in Quito.
Check out this Quito free walking tour if you want to try it!
If you are a foodie, we highly recommend also doing a Quito food tour as well!
14. Marvel at the Basilica Del Voto Nacional
Probably the building that is most likely to catch your eye while walking around the Old Town is the Basilica Del Voto Nacional. Even after spending time in Europe, this Basilica is definitely an impressive structure. But what makes this building stand out is the juxtaposition of this neo-gothic architecture with the rest of the city. You won’t find anything like this anywhere else in Quito!
The gargoyles present on the facade of this building feature Ecuadorian animals, which we thought was pretty awesome! But instead of simply admiring the Basilica from outside, enter and head up to the towers. It can be pretty daunting to get up to the top, but the view is well worth it!
15. Walk Down La Ronda Street
Another highlight as you walk around the Old Town of Quito is the famous La Ronda Street or Juan de Dios Morales Street. This is a cute and picturesque street filled with cobblestones and colorful buildings. But beyond the facade, you’ll find plenty of cafes, food, bars, and artisanal shops. We highly recommend stopping by in the evening, which is when the street comes to life. This is a great place to try Ecuadorian cuisine and the country’s national alcoholic drink canelazo.
16. Visit the San Francisco Church and Monastery
There are a few different churches that may catch your eye as you wander around the Old Town. Of course, the Basilica stands out the most with its neo-gothic architecture and tall towers. But one of our favorite churches that we visited during our time in Quito was the San Francisco Church and Monastery, which dates back to the 1500s, making it the oldest church in Ecuador.
This Baroque church was built on top of Incan ruins, and you could spend a long time gazing at the intriguing face of the church before you even step inside. And once you pay the entry fee, you’ll be greeted with golden decorations, elaborately decorated chapels, and a collection of Quiteño religious art. We recommend heading up to the bell tower for another stunning view of Quito.
17. Take a Day or Overnight Trip to Mindo
One of our favorite places in all of Ecuador is Mindo. Mindo is just a two-hour drive from Quito and is well worth the visit. While we recommend staying at least one night in Mindo, try to head over to this cloud forest for at least a day trip to see what this amazing area has to offer.
The Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve is a true hidden gem surrounding Quito, as most generally travel south to the more famous town of Baños (why not do both?). But Mindo is not to be missed. Here, you can admire the amazing diversity of birds and insects (particularly butterflies) and partake in some fun activities like mountain biking, tubing, and zip-lining. We even had the amazing opportunity to feed hummingbirds! This cloud forest has one of the highest concentrations of biodiversity on Earth.
If you want to spend the night here, we highly recommend checking out Terrabambu Lodge, which we absolutely LOVED! But if you have some extra cash to spare and want to ball out a bit, Mashpi Lodge is an absolute must.
Quito Is an Underrated South American City
We ADORED Quito, and we hope that you will enjoy everything this stunning Ecuadorian city has to offer. This was our first stop when exploring mainland Ecuador, and the moment we stepped into the Old Town, we realized just how underrated of a city Quito was. And as we continued traveling throughout mainland Ecuador, we realized just how underrated of a country Ecuador was. We can’t wait to visit again and add more to this list of the best things to do in Quito Ecuador!
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