10 Best Things To Do In Quito, Ecuador

Here are the top 10 best things to do in Quito, Ecuador!

Quito is an incredible city in South America. As one of the oldest cities in the Americas, and the capital city of Ecuador, Quito is packed with natural beauty and rich history.

Nestled high in the Andean foothills, the city is surrounded by volcanoes, mountains, jungles, farms, and quaint rural villages.

The city itself is a bit chaotic, but that’s part of the charm! The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All throughout the Old Town and surrounded areas, there is so much cool architecture to admire, food to taste, and cobblestone streets to walk.

I visited Quito while doing a work exchange in Ecuador! While volunteering on a rural lodge in the mountainous village of Lloa, I spent some time staying with locals in Quito. So I had ample time to explore the city on my own, and with locals which was awesome.

Here are the 10 best things to do in Quito, Ecuador!

From exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, to visting the best viewpoints, here are the top things to do in Quito! This city was my first taste of South American culture, and it did not disappoint.

Is Quito, Ecuador Worth Visiting?

Quito is definitely worth visiting thanks to its enticing Old Town, vibrant culture, vast history, and affordability. You can easily explore Quito on a budget without missing out on any amazing attractions or day trips.

Hopefully my list of the best things to do in Quito will help you plan your own exploration of this exciting city.

1. Tour the Basilica del Voto Nacional Cathedral

When looking at an aerial view of Quito there is one building which stands out above all the rest: Basilica del Voto Nacional.

This massive, ornate cathedral sits on a hill in the Centro Historico, in the south of Quito. The Basilica del Voto Nacional is truly a work of art.

The exterior of the building is crafted in beautiful detail. Inside the cathedral, you’ll find intricate decorations of religious art and delicate stained glass.

It costs $1 to enter the church and $2 to climb the tall towers for a picturesque view overlooking the city.

quito cathedral spires overlooking the city of quito ecuador — The spires of Quito’s cathedral

2. Enjoy The View From El Panecillo

While wandering around the south of Quito, you may notice a giant silver angel on a hill, faithfully watching over the bustling city.

This 45-meter tall, aluminum statue represents the Virgen de Quito and rests atop the hill named El Panecillo.

Buses and taxis frequently travel up and down the El Panecillo for very cheap prices. When I visited, I actually hitch-hiked a ride up because I was exploring with a local friend and I trusted her to keep us safe. It was perfectly safe, but I never would have hitch-hiked alone.

I recommend taking public transport or a taxi, because even just walking up the hill will take you through a supposedly dangerous neighborhood.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, you can spend the afternoon marveling at the incredible views and eating at the small sheds of street food.

3. Eat Street Food

Speaking of street food, every street corner in Quito hosts a friendly local with a small cart offering some sort of cheap, freshly made food.

You can find everything from assortments of fruits like papaya, watermelon, and banana, to traditional meat and rice dishes, to sweet pastries, to fresh juices and smoothies.

A particularly delicious local dish is Choclo con Queso. This is thick, Ecuadorian corn grilled and slathered in butter, mayonnaise, and cheese. It’s delicious, and eating corn in the street is one of the best things to do in Quito!

4. Browse Through San Roque Market

The south of Quito is traditionally poorer than the north of Quito, so it has some less visually-appealing neighborhoods. At least that’s what my local friends told me!

But the people of this area in south Quito are as friendly and welcoming as can be. And the outdoor markets here have amazing goods for very cheap prices.

The San Roque Market lies on a steep street branching off of the main road and is overflowing with fresh produce.

From piles of exotic fruits to massive bowls of nuts to baskets stuffed with bread and pastries, you can buy enough delicious and fresh food to last a week for only a couple dollars.

market ecuador — Street markets are one of the cheapest places to buy fruit in Quito

5. Hang Out In La Foch

For a fun night with a younger crowd, visit the small neighborhood known as La Foch near the center of Quito.

The narrow, stone streets contain more pedestrians than traffic in this part of the city.

So La Foch perfect for strolling around at night and hopping between the endless supply of clubs, bars, and restaurants.

Food of every genre is available here as well. You can find Irish pubs, fast food joints, classic Ecuadorian cuisine, and Asian or Middle-Eastern food.

This area also contains tons of cheap hostels, enticing street art, and unique theme bars and clubs. So La Foch is ideal for young travelers who love to party.

Visit Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights into Ecuador. I flew from Florida, USA to Quito for only 100 USD!

6. Wander Through El Centro Historico (The Old Town Of Quito)

The Historical Center, or Old Town of Quito, is the best place for sightseeing in the whole city.

The tightly-packed buildings brighten the town with vibrant colors and decorations.

Huge government buildings, magnificent churches, and spacious public squares complement the crowded maze of side streets to create a marvelous center of history, art, and culture.

You could walk around the Old Town for hours and never run out of beautiful sights to see.

old town Quito ecuador — Old Town of Quito

7. Take A Day Trip to Mitad del Mundo (The Equator)

When in Ecuador, one must visit the Center of the Earth, also known as the Equator! The line of latitude 00°00’00’’ passes right through the northern Quito.

Blue public buses labeled “Mitad Del Mundo” travel through Quito to the equator every day.

Visit the museum at the center of the earth to learn about the physics of the Equator line and the history of the area’s indigenous cultures.

Other amazing day trips from Quito include the Quilotoa Lagoon, Cotopaxi National Park, and the Cloud Forest of Mindo.

Book your visit to the Middle of the World in advance!

8. Relax In Parque Carolina

Located in central Quito, this gigantic park is perfect for enjoying Ecuador’s warm, sunny weather.

Complete with a skate park, a botanic garden, a kid’s playground, various artistic sculptures, and numerous sports fields, Parque Carolina has something for everyone.

For those who just want to relax, napping in the soft green grass makes for a wonderful escape from the craziness of the city.

parque carolina in quito ecuador — Parque Carolina is a gorgeous place to relax in Quito.

9. Visit A Local Craft Market

Another one of the best things to do in Quito, Ecuador is shop at a local craft market.

Parque El Ejido houses an enormous open-air market full of hand-crafted goods and unique trinkets.

Here you can find weaved clothing, colorful bags and hats, incredible paintings and artwork, chocolate, food, and snacks, coasters, posters, jewelry, maps, shoes, figurines, key chains, and any other type of souvenir imaginable.

Once again, prices are cheap, and the locals are always willing to engage in conversation with confused tourists. It’s the perfect place to practice Spanish and chat with some Quito locals!

10. Explore The Museums

For a more in-depth education about the history, lifestyle, and culture of Quito and Ecuador, stop by one of Quito’s many museums.

Most museums are located in the Centro Historico, wedged between government palaces and ornate churches.

Quito’s most popular museums are:

Museo de la Ciudad
Museo Manuela Saenz
Museo Alberto Mena Caamano

You can find all of these near each other in the Centro Historico.

This area of Quito has quite a few information booths and tourist offices, which can provide more information on the many attractions in the city.

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That concludes my list of the 10 best things to do in Quito, Ecuador!

I visited Quito while doing a work exchange in Ecuador. Click here to read about my experience!

I used Worldpackers to find a work exchange. Read my Ultimate Guide to Work Exchange to learn more, or visit the Worldpackers website.

Also, I always recommend buying travel insurance before traveling abroad and visiting iVisa.com to check visa requirements for the country you are visiting.