Ohhhh Quito. I didn’t love nor hate this city. Its size is impressive, its altitude is near suffocating (until you get used to it), and its historic centre is scattered with beautifully preserved colonial architecture. Overlooking the centro histórico is the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas.
The thing about Quito though for me was it was just lacking that oomph, you know? Perhaps the pandemic fatigue was playing its part on the city but as my introduction to South America, I was expecting a bit more vibrance.
For a city of its size, it’s pretty relaxed. The Andes have a very calming presence about them that is evidenced by the people who call the mountains home. The sounds of the flute in Andean music seem to radiate tranquility. It’s a bit odd experiencing this in a big urban center like Quito, however. I loved the Andes air of serenity in some of the smaller towns I visited, but I felt that this vibe in Quito just made the city fall a bit flat.
Quito presents a bit of an interesting contrast between the old world and the new. You have the old town in the center and then in the north of the city you find the features of a more modern city. The high rises that line Parque La Carolina are quite the contrast to the age-old, charming buildings in the UNESCO world heritage site that is the centro histórico.
Is it Safe?
Despite my grievances about the city, it´s a pleasant place and I felt very safe during my time there. Some people talk that Quito can be dangerous, but I never experienced any danger and had no qualms about walking around at night. No issues whatsoever.
A handful of female travellers that I met said they didn’t ‘feel’ safe in Quito, but I never caught this vibe. Guayaquil on the other hand, yeah, I caught the unsafe vibe, though never actually experiencing any unsafe activities.
So that’s my two cents on Quito.
Stay safe while on the road. Follow my 21 basic travel safety guidelines.
Did You Know…
- Quito is the 2nd highest city in the world at 2,850m (La Paz is #1 – 3,650m)
- The first thing I noticed stepping outside the airport was how thin the air was
- It’s the oldest continually inhabited city in South America
- Officially founded in 1534, inhabited for millennia prior
- Quito is the closest capital city to the equator
- Quito is surrounded by volcanoes
- Quito was the first declared UNESCO World Heritage City
Top Things to Do in Quito
1. Walk Through the Old Town
Quito’s centro histórico was the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Colonial architecture is always nice, but in my opinion once you’ve seen a few colonial sites, you kind of get the point. With Quito though, the historic center is really something.
Plaza grande is an interesting spot. The presidential palace (Palacio de Carondelet) is on one side of the square, and directly opposite that is the Quito city hall. I imagine that the president and mayor sometimes shout at each other from their balconies when they have disagreements.
On Mondays at 11am the presidential palace does a changing of the guard and often the president will come out and wave to the crowds. I didn’t know about this when I was in Quito.
Plaza de San Francisco is a more open square where you can sit and people watch in the middle of the old town. When you’ve got your fix of human goggling you can step inside the famous Iglesia de San Francisco. The church was built from 1537-1680 and is a massive complex.
Calle La Ronda is a very historic street in Quito, one of the oldest as well. It’s said to have housed poets, musicians, politicians, and other notable figures over its history. Now it’s filled with quaint shops, cafes, restaurants and is a pleasant stroll back in time. It was a bit odd when I was there though. It was the middle of the day and nothing was open. I was the only one walking the street. Maybe it comes alive at night? Who knows but it was a nice walk nonetheless.
Those 2 plazas and Calle la Ronda are the main features of the old town I’d say. Historians would probably argue me on that, and they’d probably be right. But don’t get too caught up in going from place to place only focusing on ticking boxes off your list of what to see.
Make sure you hit those 3 spots I mentioned but otherwise just wander the streets, take your time, and let yourself be taken aback by some of the architecture, archways, and ambience that you’ll encounter as you step back in time a few hundred years. Minus the people that have their faces buried in their phones.
2. Visit the Basílica del Voto Nacional
This might be the most impressive sight in Quito. The basilica towers above the rest of the old town and if you’ve looked at any pictures of Quito, this is that big grey church that you’ve seen. They say it’s the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas. I’m not much of an architecture buff but it’s a big-ass church.
The coolest thing about it is that you can go up to the top of the bell towers and get incredible views of Quito. It costs somewhere between $3-5, I don’t exactly remember, but it’s well worth the price of admission. When you look back at your favourite pictures of Quito, this church is destined to feature heavily in those.
Also, if you don’t know the difference between a basilica and a church, a basilica can only be called such once it has been given that special designation by the Pope. The more you know.
3. Take a Ride Up the TeleferiQo
The basilica gives you fantastic views of the city. The only problem with that is you can’t see it in those views.
Take the TeleferiQo cable car up the side of one of the mountains to get a panoramic view of Quito from above. You’ll be pretty high up so it’ll be tough to find the basilica but if you have one working eye you should be able to spot it.
There’s something about Ecuador and swings at the end of the world. You know those swings that you see in Instagram pictures where it looks like the person is swinging off the edge of a cliff? Yeah. Ecuador loves those. You’ll find one a short hike up the hill from the TeleferiQo landing spot. Feel free to launch yourself over the edge of the cliff and soar high above Quito. Using that swing I’d hope.
You also have the option of embarking on a 5-hour hike from here (3 hours up, 2 hours down) to summit the Rucu Pichincha volcano. If you haven’t been doing strenuous activity at high altitudes, you’re gonna find this difficult. I started my way on this hike, on an overcast day mind you so my motivation wasn’t all that high, but after about 30 minutes I was like there’s no fuckin way I’m doing this.
It’s uphill for 3 hours and I was out of breath after 15 minutes. I’m not in amazing shape but this is no simple hike. The altitude prices the oxygen at a premium. I’d love to go back and try it again on a clear day when I think the views would be worth it and motivate my ass to the top.
4. Go to the Middle of the World
When I heard that Quito sat on the equator and there was a line that ran on the ground signifying this, I imagined walking through downtown and hopping back and forth between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
It isn’t really like that. You can say that the equator runs through Quito, but it goes through the most Northerly tip of what could conceivably be called Quito. It’s outside the city in my opinion.
Also, I found the big monument with the globe atop to be mildly interesting at best. And the whole charade that goes along with being AT the equator was a bit excessive for me. I wasn’t that impressed. So then Andrew, if you thought it was so boring then why is it at #4 on your list of things to do in Quito?
I’ll tell you why alright. This huge monument and the hoopla surrounding it, isn’t at the true location of the equator. It was constructed at the time under the assumption that this was the real equator. Modern technology later revealed that the true equator is actually like 100 meters to the North.
So, if you leave the big Mitad del Mundo complex and head North on the main road that curves West around the disappointing complex, you can visit the true equator. And this, my friends, is why the middle of the world made it to #4 on my list.
At the Museo de Sitio Intiñan you will not only find the true equator line, but you´ll be taken through a variety of exhibits and some experiments that can only be done at the equator! Watch water go down the drain clockwise on one side of the line, counterclockwise on the other, and NOT SPIN AT ALL when it goes down the drain sitting exactly on the equator. Incredible.
I was certified an egg master after I was able to balance an egg on the head of a nail, which is apparently easier to do at the equator. It wasn’t easy at all so it must be damn-near impossible to do away from the equator.
Also, doing that field sobriety test where you walk hands out, eyes closed, heel to toe along a straight line is IMPOSSIBLE to do on the equator. I don’t know if they mildly warped the line to make it difficult or it’s an actual thing but a few feet off the equator I had no problem doing it. On the equator? I could hardly take two steps without losing my balance.
There are some strength tests that I was a bit skeptical of, and some cool exhibits that the guide does a good job of explaining, but this was a MUCH more exciting place to visit than the big equator monument.
If you want your picture at the monument, don’t let me stop you. But please do yourself a favour and head to the Museo de Sitio Intiñan. It´ll be the highlight of your trip to the middle of the world. If you want, bring your passport along with you and they´ll stamp it certifying that you´ve been to the equator. I don’t really understand that bit but hey, it’s there for you if you want it!
5. Take a Stroll Through Parque La Carolina
I sort of just stumbled upon this park after waking up in a different part of town after a little bit too much of #9 one night. I was gonna find a cab back home but figured ah what the hell I’ve never been to this area let’s walk around a bit.
I saw a nice green space and head towards it, having no clue about the sport-filled fiesta that I was walking into. There has to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of 100 5-a-side soccer fields in this park, and they were all being used! On top of that you’ll find basketball courts, volleyball courts, a BMX track, skatepark, running tracks, kid’s playgrounds, even a little lazy river where you can rent a paddle boat.
This park is an amazing recreational space where you’ll find people participating in sport, picnicking on the grass, and enjoying the weather. A Quiteña later mentioned to me that this could be a bit of a dodgy area, but I never got that vibe at all. Or I was just oblivious to it in the haze that I was waking up from. There are too many people and too many families around for it to be dodgy. Maybe at night but during the day on a weekend, enjoy this massive urban green space.
Okay, so this is about the point of my list where my personal experiences dry up and I’m just relying on what I’ve heard. Look them up if you’re interested and want more detailed information but I’ll do my best to tell you what I know about each spot.
6. Trek Up to Visit With La Virgen del Panecillo
La Virgen del Panecillo is the angel that you’ll see on the hill overlooking the old town. You can walk up the hill to visit her and get a good view of the city, and probably a great view of the basilica as well. She’s close to Calle La Ronda and isn’t supposed to be a super intensive hike so maybe on one of your strolls through the old town you can pay her a visit.
7. Hike the Quilotoa Loop
This is perhaps the most famous hike in Ecuador and the one thing on this list that given the opportunity again, I wish I would’ve done. The lake itself is about a 3-hour drive south of Quito so I’d imagine the starting point of the trek is somewhere in that neighbourhood as well. Most people will do the hike in 3 days, finishing at the lake so you save the best views for last.
You’ll be hiking through small villages and with a lot of elevation change. It’s no Sunday stroll so make sure you’re prepared for it. I met a pair of Canadians in Baños (the city, not the toilet) that had just completed the hike on the previous day. They didn’t move. Like at all that next day. So be prepared for a strenuous, but serene experience.
8. Take a Tour Deep Into the Amazon in Cuyabeno
There are quite a few places you can go in Ecuador if you want to experience the Amazon Rainforest. From all the research I’ve done, and all the people I’ve talked to, it sounds like Cuyabeno is probably at the top of that list.
You can find different places in Quito that can organize a tour for you. I’m not big on tours but really there is no other way to do the Amazon. You can’t just pull up to the side of the river and stick your thumb out hoping that some tribe in a canoe is gonna pick you up and take you in.
Your accommodation in Quito can likely hook you up with a tour agency that will take you deep into the jungle where you can remove yourself completely from the modern world. Maybe I change my mind and this is the one thing I’d do if I can go back again.
Full Ecuador Travel Itinerary including Cuyabeno and Galápagos
9. Enjoy Artisanal Beer and Good Eats on Whymper Street
There are some cool craft beer spots on this street like Sabai, Katari, and Camino Del Sol among others. The Iguana IPA from Camino Del Sol was one of my favourite beers in Ecuador. I’ve been disappointed by too many Latin American stouts to try it, but the Condor Stout looks good as well.
This would be a good area to start out your evening before heading to #10 on our list. Grab a bite and a few pints and then make your way to a bar where you can dance the night away.
10. Go to the Center of Quito’s Nightlife at Plaza Foch
Regrettably, I only walked through this area during the day so I didn’t get to experience it in all its glory. But this is supposed to be where the heart of Quito’s nightlife resides. And I mean, people were offering me drinks as I walked through there around 2pm so I gotta believe that it gets pretty exciting at night.
Come to think of it, I’ll be going back to Quito for one last night before flying to Bogotá, Colombia. And I believe that’ll be a Friday night. If things work out and I can make some friends at the hostel maybe I can convince them to join me for a romp around Plaza Foch.
11. Hike Around, or Summit, Cotopaxi
Although not the highest, this is the volcano I heard the most about while in Ecuador. It’s the 2nd-highest in Ecuador but seems to trump the #1 giant in notoriety. Hiking to the summit of this beast will require ice picks and outerwear for climbing a freaking ice-capped volcano. All of which can probably be hired by the agency you book the excursion with.
For the less adventurous, or more sane, you can get right up to where the heavy equipment is required on a day-trip from Quito. A girl I met at my lodging in Quito left for this trip at about 6am and was back maybe 12 hours later. It’s a full day adventure, and in her words, it wasn’t that exciting. I’m not trying to stereotype or anything, but she was French, and they can be a little more difficult to wow. Je vous aime 🙂.
She didn’t climb to the summit so maybe a trek to the base is not all that thrilling. I don’t know though because my lazy ass never went there.
Well, there you have it. The top 11 things to do in Quito. I gotta say I look more fondly on the city after I wrote this article than I did in the introduction. I’m excited to go back there even if only for a day. I think it was somewhere around #9 that had me really missing the capital.
Hasta luego!
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