- Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world, sitting at an elevation that significantly impacts oxygen levels for unacclimatized visitors.
- The city is built on the ruins of an ancient Inca city, with much of the colonial architecture constructed directly atop indigenous foundations.
- Due to its location in the middle of the globe, the sun rises and sets at nearly the same time throughout the entire year.
- Quito experiences two distinct seasons locally referred to as 'winter' and 'summer,' though both involve significant daily temperature fluctuations rather than traditional seasonal shifts.
- The city's historic center remains one of the largest and least-altered colonial districts in the Americas.
About Quito
Quito is the world's first UNESCO World Heritage City, situated at an altitude of 2,850 meters in the Andean foothills. The city is distinguished by its well-preserved historic center, which features landmarks like the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco and the neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional. Travelers can overlook the entire basin from the Virgin of the Panecillo or enjoy sprawling green spaces like Parque La Carolina and Parque Itchimbía. It functions as the political and cultural core of Ecuador, defined by its position nearly straddling the equatorial line.
Highlights of Quito
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
Climb the clock towers to view the unique stained glass and intricate gargoyles inspired by endemic Ecuadorian wildlife.
Places of interest
The aluminum statue provides a panoramic vantage point of the entire city basin from atop a volcanic hill.
Temples
This complex is the oldest religious site in the city and houses an impressive collection of colonial-era religious art.
Historical places
This central plaza serves as the seat of government and is surrounded by the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Parks
A central urban park that serves as a primary hub for local athletic activities and weekend recreation.
Parks
The park offers a specialized viewpoint for photography sessions overlooking the colonial skyline.
Parks
This space showcases the distinct biodiversity found across Ecuador's varied ecological zones.
Amusement parks
An amusement park located on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano featuring mechanical rides and city views.
Top things to do in Quito
The 1,030 highest-rated places in Quito, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Parque La Carolina is the primary urban green space in the central financial district of Quito, spanning approximately 1...
2
Historical places
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is a tourism complex featuring a 30-meter stone monument topped with a globe, designed to mark th...
3
Places of interest
The Virgin of the Panecillo is a 41-meter-tall aluminum statue depicting the Virgin Mary standing atop a globe and crush...
4
Temples
The Basílica del Voto Nacional is the largest Neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas, located in the historic center of Qui...
5
Historical places
Independence Square, known locally as Plaza de la Independencia or Plaza Grande, serves as the historical and political...
6
Parks
Parque El Ejido serves as the physical boundary between Quito's colonial Old Town and the modern Mariscal district. The...
7
Parks
Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua is the largest urban park in Quito, covering over 500 hectares of hilly terrain at an...
8
Parks
Metropolitano La Armenia Park is a 48-hectare ecological reserve located in the southeastern sector of Quito, specifical...
9
Parks
The Quito Botanical Gardens occupy a significant portion of La Carolina Park in the heart of the city's financial distri...
10
Parks
Parque Itchimbía sits atop a ridge 2,900 meters above sea level, providing panoramic views of the entire Quito basin. Th...
11
Venues
Atahualpa Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose venue located in the Iñaquito district of Quito, Ecuador. It serves as the...
12
Amusement parks
Vulqano Park is an amusement park located on the slopes of the Pichincha Volcano in Quito, Ecuador. It is situated on th...
13
Temples
The Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Quinche serves as the primary pilgrimage site in Ecuador, housing a 16th-century woode...
14
Temples
The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco is the largest architectural ensemble within the historic center of Quito, spa...
15
Parks
Las Cuadras Park is a 24-hectare metropolitan park located in the Quitumbe district of southern Quito. It functions as a...
16
Places of interest
El Mirador de Guápulo offers an elevated vantage point overlooking the Guápulo valley and the Machángara River canyon. T...
17
Parks
Parque Guápulo is a hillside green space located along the steep slopes of the Machángara River canyon in Quito. The par...
18
Parks
Lineal Machangara Park serves as a longitudinal urban green belt flanking the Machangara River in the southern sector of...
19
Parks
Parque La Alameda is one of Quito's oldest public parks, established on the site of a former colonial-era botanical gard...
20
Temples
The Church of the Society of Jesus, or La Compañía, is widely considered the most ornate example of baroque architecture...
21
Museums
The Intiñan Equator Museum is an interactive science and cultural center located directly on the 0° latitude line. It fe...
22
Parks
Parque Yaznan is a recreational park located in the city of Cayambe, Ecuador. It features landscaped green spaces and re...
23
Parks
Parque Inglés is a community-focused urban park located in the northern sector of Quito, Ecuador. The park is characteri...
24
Places of interest
Calle La Ronda, officially known as Juan de Dios Morales, is one of Quito's oldest streets, dating back to the Inca peri...
25
Parks
Tumbaco Central Park serves as the primary community hub for the Tumbaco parish, situated in a valley east of Quito. The...
26
Museums
The Contemporary Art Center of Quito (CAC) occupies a historic military hospital building known as the Antiguo Hospital...
27
Parks
Conocoto Park serves as the central green space and primary public gathering point for the parish of Conocoto, located s...
28
Museums
Yaku Water Museum is an interactive science center built within the repurposed 1913 El Placer water purification plant....
29
Parks
Central Plaza Cumbayá serves as the social and commercial heart of the Cumbayá valley, located east of Quito. The plaza...
30
Venues
Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda, colloquially known as La Caldera del Sur, is the home stadium of the professional football...
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Quito on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Quito
June to September, as this period corresponds with the Andean 'summer' which provides drier, sunnier days suitable for outdoor sightseeing.
3-4 days, which allows enough time to adjust to the altitude while exploring the historic center and the surrounding high-altitude parks.
The city is served by the Quito Metro, a modern transit system, complemented by extensive bus lines and ride-sharing services, though the historic center is best explored on foot.
La Mariscal is the preferred hub for dining and nightlife, while the historic center is best for travelers prioritizing architectural heritage and cultural proximity.
Quito is a mid-range destination, offering accessible local markets alongside international-standard hotels.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 1,030 curated attractions in and around Quito, ranked by traveller ratings.
Parque La Carolina is the highest-rated place to visit in Quito right now.
The largest category is temples, with 458 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Guayaquil, Cuenca, Ecuador, Loja, Ecuador.
Explore more of Ecuador
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
