Quito

Travel Guide

Quito featuring landscape views and a city
Calle La Ronda showing street scenes and night scenes as well as a large group of people
La Merced Church showing a statue or sculpture, a fountain and a square or plaza
Foch Square which includes street scenes as well as a small group of people
Basilica of the National Vow which includes a city

Quito Travel Guide Video

Bordered by volcanoes and the Andes mountains, Ecuador’s capital city has treasures of heritage architecture, colonial history and natural wonders.

Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, sits at the base of the majestic Pichincha volcano and the picturesque Andes mountains. Explore the equatorial city’s Old Town to discover one of the best-preserved historic centers in the Americas, built over an ancient Incan city.

Visit Quito’s fascinating historic center to find a magnificent Old Town that became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978. Visit Independence Square, a historic plaza that holds the civic heart of the city and opens onto stunning colonial buildings. These include the Quito Metropolitan Cathedral, Carondelet Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace. Explore breathtaking religious buildings, such as La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, San Francisco Church, Santo Domingo Church and La Merced Church, which are all a short stroll from the central square.

Stop at a café in Quito’s historic center and relax with a local wine, such as a spiced vino caliente, as you admire the city’s ornate architecture. Try a bowl of ceviche, a popular regional seafood dish.

At an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,850 meters), Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world. Discover stunning mountain views around every corner in this Andean city. Enjoy picturesque vistas of the surrounding volcanoes from the El Panecillo hill in the city, or take a day trip out to Pichincha volcano or Cotopaxi National Park for a scenic hike. Straddle the middle of the world at the Mitad del Mundo Monument, a tribute to the location of the equator.

Quito has a year-round moderate climate, with a warmer period from June through September. Getting around the city is easy with frequent trolleybuses and inexpensive cabs. The city’s historic center is easily explored on foot. Keep an eye on your valuables, especially when exploring tourist destinations, as pickpocketing is common.

Quito is 22 miles (35.4 kilometers) from Mariscal Sucre International Airport. A scenic railroad also passes through southern Quito, stopping at the Estación de Chimbacalle.

Where to stay in Quito

La Merced Church showing a square or plaza and a church or cathedral

Quito Historic Center

4.5/5(216 area reviews)

Churches, museums, and shopping are just a few things travelers like about Quito Historic Center. Sights like Independence Square and Catedral Metropolitana de Quito are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Quito area at San Francisco Station.

Quito Historic Center
La Carolina showing a park and a pond

La Carolina

5/5(7 area reviews)

Consider a visit to El Jardin Mall and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in La Carolina. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Carolina Station or Iñaquito Station.

La Carolina
Quito featuring interior views, heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Centro Histórico

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

While you're in Centro Histórico, take in top sights like Calle La Ronda and jump on the metro at San Francisco Station to see more of the city.

Centro Histórico
Foch Square which includes dining out, modern architecture and cafe scenes

La Mariscal

4/5(176 area reviews)

La Mariscal is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Foch Square and La Mariscal Craft Market while you're in town.

La Mariscal
Guapulo featuring a castle

Itchimbia

While you're in Itchimbia, take in top sights like General Rumiñahui Coliseum or House of Ecuadorian Culture, and hop on the metro to see more the city at El Ejido Station or La Alameda Station.

Itchimbia
Default Image

La Floresta

La Floresta is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Abya Yala Museum and Trude Sojka Cultural House.

La Floresta
Wyndham Quito Airport
Wyndham Quito Airport
5 out of 5
Parroquia Tababela S/N Via Yaruqui, Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre, Tababela, Pichincha
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$132 nightly
The price is $148 total per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
$148 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Tababela. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,108 reviews)
"Great overnight before our early departure. Hotel shuttle was prompt"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Wyndham Quito Airport
Holiday Inn Quito Airport by IHG
Holiday Inn Quito Airport by IHG
4 out of 5
Solar Numero 4, Barrio Santa Rosa, Calle conector Alpachaca y calle Cotopax, Tababela, Quito
$95 nightly
The price is $97 total per night from Jul 23 to Jul 24
$97 total
Jul 23 - Jul 24
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Tababela. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (982 reviews)
"A most excellent place to rest and recoup from long plane rides."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Holiday Inn Quito Airport by IHG
Hampton By Hilton Quito La Carolina Park
Hampton By Hilton Quito La Carolina Park
3 out of 5
Catalina Aldaz St. N34 267, Quito
$66 nightly
The price is $66 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$66 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Quito. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (225 reviews)
"Compact rooms but super clean and comfy! The staff were really friendly and it's in a very central location."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Hampton By Hilton Quito La Carolina Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Le Parc Residences
Le Parc Residences
4.5 out of 5
Av Moscú N34 y Av República del Salvador, Quito, Pichincha
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Quito. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Atahualpa Olympic Stadium ...
7.4/10 Good! (21 reviews)
"Great location and safe neighborhood."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Le Parc Residences
Republica del Salvador Coliving Ecuador
Republica del Salvador Coliving Ecuador
3.5 out of 5
34-90 y Av. República de El Salvador, Quito, Pichincha
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Quito. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Atahualpa Olympic Stadium and Quicentro ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
"Mi estadía en el lugar fue solo de una noche, el lugar muy lindo, ordenado y con todas las comodidades, una vista maravillosa, todo totalmente limpio y en una zona segura, cerca de lugares recreativos. 100% recomendado"

Reviewed on Jun 4, 2025

Republica del Salvador Coliving Ecuador
Edificio Tofino
Edificio Tofino
3 out of 5
Av. Naciones Unidas, Quito, Pichincha
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Quito. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Atahualpa Olympic Stadium and Naciones ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (23 reviews)
"Nice place right in the center of town. It is very hard to initially find using the address but if you enter the name of the hotel in Google map it will take right there."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Edificio Tofino
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Things to do

Reviews of Quito

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
268
5 - Excellent 55%
4 - Good
191
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
29
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Dr.Pimentel

I would love to live in Quito! Such a beautiful place with such kind and approachable people!

4/5 - Good

stevelockwood

Nice city, everything is up or down if walking. Great hotel, would stay there again.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I loved the city and feel I only scratched the surface on what there is to do around there.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Mostly felt safe. Great Metropolitano hospital treated my partner for injuries. Lots of taxis. Some turn off meters late at night and try to overcharge. Nice national museum.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Place to visit and learn

5/5 - Excellent

LeoR

Quito was a great place to visit. We liked the customer service experience as they did not make us feel like they were doing us a favor for doing their job, like we have experienced in other countries. We look forward to returning.

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