A plan for Quito

Quito stretches across valleys between two mountain ranges which are part of the Andes. At an altitude of 2,850 m (9,350 feet), it is one of the world's highest capital cities. The altitude is high enough that most individuals will experience some degree of altitude sickness for the first few days, so plan accordingly.

Quito is roughly divided into three parts: the Old City at the center, with southern and northern districts to either side. It was the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 (along with Kraków in Poland).

Old town also includes 17 squares (plazas), the most significant being Independence Plaza where the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, a hotel used primarily by diplomats and the main municipal of Quito make up the four sides. Almost always music, performed by locals who use the Plaza as a gathering place in the evening, permeates the scene in spontaneous affairs, and can range from singing to guitar to singing. In some cases tips are appropriate but most are not looking for money. A beautiful place to spend a lazy afternoon. Significant police presence, including military and national police, keeps the square as one of the safest places in the city (due to the Presidential residence). Old Town has been called the 'Reliquary of the Americas' for the richness of its colonial- and independence-era architecture and heritage. It's a great quarter to wander, with several excellent museums and plenty of restaurants and terrace and courtyard cafes for a rest while sightseeing. With unique restaurants, incredible churches worth seeing regardless of your religious views, museums, shops and more this 500 year old colonial city center provides a unique experience.

Museums and culture

1 Museo Nacional -- MuNa (formerly Museo del Banco Central), Av. Patria y Av. Seis de DiciembreEdificio de la Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana (in the Casa de la Cultura complex and adjacent to the Parque El Ejido. Casa de la Cultura station in Ecovía bus.), ☏ +593 2 3814 550 ext 6010. Wed-Sat 10ː00-17ː00, Sun 10-15, closed Mon and Tue. Perhaps Ecuador's most renowned museum with different rooms, devoted to pre-Columbian, Colonial and gold works of art, among other topics. Some of the famous pieces include whistle bottles shaped like animals, elaborate gold headdresses and re-created miniature scenes of life along the Amazon. The museum is well-organized, and it takes about 3–4 hours to see everything. Entrance $2. Guides who speak several different languages including English, French and Spanish are available for a small fee. Do not confuse this museum with the Banco Central which is a small exhibition downtown, across from La Compañía church. This exhibit usually shows currency or stamps. free. (updated Oct 2026)

2 Casa de la Cultura, De Diciembre 794 y Patria 6 (next door to the Museo Nacional; Casa de la Cultura station in Ecovía bus), ☏ +593 2 902 262. Shows a patchwork of local artists. Free entrance. (updated Oct 2026)

3 Museo de la Ciudad, Garcia Moreno street (in the Old Town, opposite the Carmen Alto monastery). A lovely museum with two floors encircling two quiet courtyards, the "Museo de la Ciudad" provides more of a social history of Ecuador than other museums in Quito. Re-enacted scenes from daily life of Ecuador's citizens through the years include a hearth scene from a 16th-century home, a battle scene against the Spanish, and illustrations of the building of Iglesia de San Francisco church. $4 (Jan 2023). (updated Oct 2026)

Explore the Old Town With its gorgeous mixture of colonial and republican/independence era architecture (late 1500s to 1800s), relaxing plazas and a stunning number of churches. If you happen to be there during Christmas or Easter, you'll be amazed at the number of events, masses, and processions that bring out the crowds. You'll find craft shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels across its grid of streets.

Quito Free walking tour is the only Free walking tour that adapts its tours to what you want to see and has small groups so you don't have to struggle to listen to the guide, They can focus the tour on what you want to see and learn about. it is also easy to book,

La Floresta is Quito's artsy neighborhood, and home to many of Quito's most beautiful murals. In La Floresta, you can find everything from 150-year-old colonial houses to creative relaxing cafe's. Also known for great restaurants and street food (Parque de las Comidas), La Floresta is worth a visit for people looking for Quito's hidden gems.

Watch the old men play Ecuador's version of bocce at Parque El Ejido. You can also see some serious games of Ecua-volley, the local version of volleyball, on a Saturday or Sunday.

Bicycle Ride: the Ciclopaseo takes place every Sunday. 30 km (20 miles) of roads running north-south through the city are completely closed to traffic. People cycle, run and blade the route. Up to 30,000 people take part. Several bike shops rent bikes for visitors to be able to take part.

1 TelefériQo, ☏ +593 2 222 2996. Mon-Fri 10:00-17:15, Sat-Sun 08:00-18:15. It's the world's second-highest cable car. It's on the eastern flanks of the Pichincha Volcano which overlooks the whole city. It hoists visitors up to an amazing 4,000 m (12,000 feet). On clear days, you can spot half-a-dozen volcanoes and see the entire city below. The 18-minute cable car trip costs $5.25 for locals, but $9.00 (Dec 2022) for foreigners ($7.00 for children, $6.50 for seniors, and $4.00 for small dogs). There is also an express lane option for more money. Take a taxi to the base of the TelefériQo ($4-6 from La Mariscal) or ask your hotel about buses. Don't let the taxi driver make you pay for parking. They don't pay, so it is just a scam. (updated Dec 2022)

You name it, and it's available in Quito. Restaurants range from the basic places offering chicken and rice for $1.50 to international food with very expensive prices. The country benefits from all worlds, with a variety of dishes inspired by both coastal and Andean produce. Seafood and fish is fresh and delicious, while meats, particularly pork, are excellent. These combine with typical ingredients such as potatoes, plantains and all sorts of tropical and Andean fruits.

A good area to head to for eating out is the Plaza El Quinde (or Foch) which is in the Mariscal district at Foch y Reina Victoria. There are dozens of restaurants and eateries all around this area. La Floresta, up the hill from the Mariscal around 12 de Octubre, also has many fine restaurants. The La Floresta traffic circle turns into an evening market after 5PM and the most popular dish served is tripa mishqui (grilled beef or pork intestines).

Churrasco is a great Ecuadorian version of a Brazilian dish. Tallarin is a popular noodle dish mixed with chicken or beef.

Chinese restaurants are known as "Chifas" and are very abundant. Chaulafan is the local term for fried-rice, a very popular dish. Cebiche (also spelled ceviche) is a very popular dish in which clams or shrimp are marinated in a broth. Worth trying, but look for a well known restaurant with many locals to be sure you are getting fresh seafood.

When buying from lower-priced restaurants or shops, if you only have bills larger than a $5, it's a good idea to get them changed at a bank first.

1 Pim's, Gral. Melchor Aymerich. An Ecuadorian franchise; the Quito restaurant is in Panecillo. (updated Oct 2026)

2 Restaurant Techo del Mundo (Restaurante El Techo del Mundo), Av. González Suárez N27 142 (In the 7th floor of Hotel Quito), ☏ +593 2 254 4600. Mon-Sat 06:00-01:30, Sun 06:00-00:00. Luxurious restaurant with a spectacular view located in the 5-star hotel “Hotel Quito”, international and Ecuadorian cuisine. (updated Oct 2026)

3 La Concha de la Lora, Valladolid N24-438, ☏ +593 2-323-0117. Argentine restaurant. (updated Oct 2026)

There are several Ecuadorian brands of beer, but you generally won't find any variety in Quito. Usually you'll get a choice of just two. The most prevalent throughout the country is Pilsener, with Club being a little more expensive, but not wildly more flavourful. There are some micro-brews available, but it's still a fledgling industry in Quito.

There are also some alcoholic drinks which can only be found in Quito like Mistelas, etc.

1 Sport Planet, Av. de la República (on the 3rd floor of "Plaza de las Americas"), ☏ +593 2 267 790. It is the Ecuadorian version of Planet Hollywood. The night sky of northern Quito is incredible and the food is great. Three other locations around Quito. (updated Oct 2026)

2 Cherusker, Joaquin Pinto y Diego de Almagro (vis-a-vis to Finn McCools), ☏ +593 2-6008895. Mon-Thu 15:30-23:30, Fri Sat 15:30-01:30. German-run brew-pub with excellent beer, from Hefeweizen (blond wheat beer) to Stout. Offers mostly German food, such as sausages, schnitzel, potato salad and tasty Hamburgers. Has live sports on a big screen (HD), a beautiful garden and foosball. Wednesday Reggae Night, Thursday Classic and modern Rock. Packed on Fridays. (updated Oct 2026)

3 Finn Mc Cool's, Corner of Diego de Almagro y Joaquin Pinto, La Mariscal (1 block from Plaza Foch), ☏ +593 2 2521780. 11:00 - late. Cozy Irish pub with friendly atmosphere, loads of Live sports, free pool and foosball, draft beer and good pub food all day. Poker Monday, Table Quiz Tuesday and good craic every night of the week. Get in before 16:00 on Sundays! (updated Oct 2026)

República del Cacao (several locations around Quito), ☏ +593 2-252-5154. A nice place to have a cup of delicious hot chocolate. They also offer coffee, cookies and souvenirs (e.g. chocolate and cool t-shirts). (updated Oct 2026)

Dance clubs

La Mariscal offers tons of places for dancing or just drinks.

4 Xandu Bar Discoteca, Jose Calama y Diego de Almagro, ☏ +593 98 394 8075. Nice drinks with varied and modern music. (updated Oct 2026)

Outside of La Mariscal are other clubs that are more famous among locals.

5 Strawberry Fields Forever, Av Federico Gonzalez Suarez, ☏ +593 99 499 0194. A unique Beatle Bar in the heart of La Mariscal/rock and roll and more. (updated Oct 2026)

Taxis and buses are everywhere and very inexpensive.

By bus

There are three independent systems of buses, that have enclosed stations - the stops are roadside platforms, covered with entrances where you pay your fare on the way in. There are a few transfer stations, but most transfers involve exiting the station. They are very inexpensive ($0.35 for a single ride (Nov 2022). These lines follow north-south-lines down through the heart of Quito, and they have stations close to La Mariscal where most hotels are located. There is no tradition of waiting for people to disembark before people board, so this may take some getting used to. The buses are among the cleanest of South America.

While the buses can be extremely crowded, pickpocketing is a rare occurrence and can be avoided with common sense.

El Trole (green stations, buses of different colors) run from station La Y in the north to El Recreo in the south. In the Centro Historico, it has the closest stations to Plaza Grande. Many buses that run on the route are not trolley buses, but are diesel-fueled.

Metrobus (Blue stations marked with a Q, buses of different colors) run from Universidad Central in America Avenue, next to Prensa Ave, and then to Diego de Vasquez Ave. until Carcelen last station, this is the best bus service for visitors who wants to visit the Mitad del Mundo Monument, because at Ofelia station the public service buses that go to Mitad del Mundo monument wait to make the transfer and carry visitors to Mitad del Mundo, $0.25 until Ofelia station, $0.35 to Mitad del Mundo Monument ($0.15 if you come from/go to the Metrobus).

Ecovia (Red buses and stations marked with an e) run from Rio Coca Station (north) to La Marin Station inside the Quito historic downtown. Serves stations close to Casa de la Cultura and Estadio Olímpico and Quicentro mall. 0.35$, change available at the stations.

Crime

As in every big city tourists should take special care in certain areas.

Do not travel up El Panecillo on foot; use a taxi even during the day. Not only is the neighborhood bad, but the road leading up the hill has very narrow sidewalks, and sometimes no sidewalks at all. This is dangerous as large buses chug up and down the road with little room for pedestrians.

It is probably best to avoid "Gringolandia" (La Mariscal area) alone at night, as there is quite a bit of assault even during the day. Drunk foreigners are easy targets in this neighborhood full of bars and clubs, so stick with a group. This is not, however, a reason to miss out on all this lively area has to offer.

As the Old City becomes quite dead late at night, it is best to avoid walking around alone. However, the central squares of the Old Town are patrolled by police and well-lit, so it is fine for a stroll in a group at night. During the day, it is perfectly fine, bustling with locals, shopkeepers, hawkers and tourists, and well patrolled by police, especially at the main tourist attractions. Nevertheless, pickpocketing and pursesnatching can be a problem, so take normal precautions. The plaza and doors of the San Francisco church, and the main trolley station near Plaza Domingo are particularly notorious areas for this. Pickpocketing is done by highly skilled groups of 3 or 4 people. You are best off not bringing a wallet at all—just some bills split between various pockets. Also, watch out for the busses and trollies while in old town. On many streets, sidewalks can be very narrow, so it is best to pay attention at all times so you can flatten against the wall and cover your face (diesel fumes!) if you need to let one pass, especially when the sidewalk is crowded.