Things to do in Quito: A Complete Guide
Quito has been awarded “South America’s Leading Destination” at the World Travel Awards more than once, and for good reason. The city has a lot to offer, and here are our favorite things to do in Quito and the traditions worth seeking out while you’re there. You’re not sure if you know enough about Quito to already plan a trip? No worries, we’ve prepared something for you: “Things you need to know about Quito“. Okay and now let’s get into details.
Things to do in Quito
1. Explore the old town
Quito is more than famous for its historic quarter as it’s been the first one ever to become a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Perfect for a stroll through the narrow streets, get lost and find whatever wants to be found by you (like the pigeons in front of the San Francisco church).
2. Experience a traditional limpia at the San Francisco market
Behind the fruit and vegetable stalls at the San Francisco market, you’ll find a row of traditional healers offering “limpias” — an ancient Andean energy cleansing ritual, still very much alive today. This might sound weird, but it feels pretty good. A curandera will rub your whole body with herbs, which can sting a bit at first (that’s supposedly the negative energy making itself felt), then use the herbs with oils and smoke until you feel relaxed and lighter. Just try it! It costs around 5-10 dollars (Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency) and is genuinely worth it.
When you’re craving something sweet after that, head to Colaciones de la Cruz Verde on Chimborazo street, where Luis Banda still makes the traditional sweet “colaciones” — sugar-and-honey-coated candies — using the exact same recipe and copper pan his grandmother started with back in 1915. Watching him work the pan by hand is genuinely mesmerizing, and the candies taste like nothing else in the city.
When you’re looking for a special gift, head to La Ronda, one of the oldest streets in Quito, where you’ll still find working artisan shops — tinsmiths, goldsmiths, and woodcarvers keeping traditional crafts alive, many of them family businesses passed down for generations.
3. Climb the Basilica del Voto Nacional
The basilica looks a bit like Notre Dame in Paris, but if you look closer you’ll see that the gargoyles were replaced by dolphins, monkeys and turtles. But that’s not the coolest thing about the Basilica del Voto Nacional. You can take the lift (yes, this church owns a lift) and then you get a breathtaking view above Quito and the famous “El Panecillo” hill. One of the coolest things to do in Quito.
When you’re feeling brave enough you should definitely climb a bit higher over the roof of the basilica and up headspinning stairs to the tower, because from there you even get a better view. BUT: this is really only recommendable for people who do not suffer from fear of heights.
4. Climb El Panecillo
When you’ve seen the bread bun (that’s how you can translate El Panecillo) from afar, you also should enjoy the view from up there. Quito lies at around 2800 meters and El Panecillo lies 200 meters higher. From there you not only have an amazing view over Quito, but also the surrounding volcanos. When the view is clear you can even see Cotopaxi from there, the second biggest active volcano in the world. Best to get up El Panecillo is by cab, that’ll cost you around 3-5 dollars.
5. Ride the TeleferiQo cable car and visit Mitad del Mundo
This is a genuine gap we should have included from the start — two of Quito’s most iconic experiences. The TeleferiQo cable car climbs the slopes of Pichincha volcano to over 4,000 meters, giving you sweeping views over the entire city and the surrounding Andes. Pair it with a trip to Mitad del Mundo, the “Middle of the World” monument marking the equator line about 45 minutes outside the city, where you can straddle both hemispheres at once and try the balancing-egg and water-vortex experiments at the neighboring Intiñan Museum.
A combined city tour covering both, plus the historic center, is a genuinely efficient way to see all of it in one day.
6. Explore the other quarters of Quito
Besides the old town “La Mariscal” is for sure Quito’s most famous quarter, especially known for its nightlife and the many many backpackers around there. Locals often call La Mariscal “Gringolandia”, which explains a lot about this quarter. It’s definitely not our favourite place in Quito, but if you’re looking for a good night out La Mariscal is definitely the place to be. We prefer the “La Floresta” quarter, there you’ll find cool, hip restaurants, galleries and the famous street food market.
To explore Quito without getting stressed we would recommend staying at least three days in the city. But it’s also worth staying longer, as you can do some cool day trips from Quito.
Where to stay in Quito:
Hotel Patio Andaluz – A beautiful, colonial-style hotel from the end of the 16th century in the middle of the old town with one of the most beautiful breakfast rooms we’ve ever seen.
Anahi Boutique Hotel – A stylish 4-star hotel with themed rooms. It’s in Mariscal but in a more quiet area of the party neighbourhood.
