Quito, Ecuador - Travel Guide

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Updated: 2026-10-13

Perched high in the Andes mountains, Quito boasts one of the best-preserved and most breathtaking colonial historic centers in the world. The city offers a mesmerizing blend of centuries-old architecture, rich indigenous culture, and dramatic volcanic vistas.

Top things to do in Quito

Things to do in Quito include El Panecillo, San Francisco Church and Plaza, Parque Itchimbía. Here are 15 places worth knowing, with a short note on each.

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A sample 3-day itinerary for Quito

Here is what 3 days in Quito look like when the planner builds them - arriving at noon on the first day and flying home at noon on the last. Stops are grouped by proximity so no day doubles back, and the same route can be built for any length, from two days to a week.

Day 1Arrival at noon

Stops
5
  1. 1
    Historic Center of QuitoCentro Histórico
    50 m
  2. 2
    Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia)Centro Histórico
    800 m
  3. 3
    Basílica del Voto Nacional
    1 km
  4. 4
    Parque El Ejido
    450 m
  5. 5
    Museo Nacional -- MuNa (formerly Museo del Banco Central)
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Day 2

Stops
6
  1. 1
    Mitad del Mundo
    21 km
  2. 2
    Jardín Botánico de Quito
    4.4 km
  3. 3
    Teleférico and Pichincha Volcano
    2.9 km
  4. 4
    Conjunto monumental San Francisco
    400 m
  5. 5
    La Ronda StreetCentro Histórico
    150 m
  6. 6
    Calle de la Ronda
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Day 3Return at noon

Stops
3
  1. 1
    San Francisco Church and Plaza
    1 km
  2. 2
    El PanecilloEl Panecillo
    800 m
  3. 3
    Museo de la Ciudad
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The route assumes the first day starts at noon, after you land, and the last ends at noon, before your flight. It is an example: with your dates the planner builds a route around your landing and your flight home, real opening hours, how you get around and your own preferences.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top things to do in Quito?

El Panecillo, San Francisco Church and Plaza, Parque Itchimbía, Quito Metropolitan Cathedral, Capilla del Hombre, Basílica del Voto Nacional and 9 more. El Panecillo: A prominent hill crowned by a massive aluminum Virgin Mary statue offering panoramic views across the city.

What can you do in 3 days in Quito?

Day 1: Historic Center of Quito, Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia), Basílica del Voto Nacional, Parque El Ejido. Day 2: Mitad del Mundo, Jardín Botánico de Quito, Teleférico and Pichincha Volcano, Conjunto monumental San Francisco. Day 3: San Francisco Church and Plaza, El Panecillo, Museo de la Ciudad.

Which museums are worth visiting in Quito?

Museums worth visiting in Quito: Capilla del Hombre and National Museum of Ecuador (MuNa) (La Mariscal).

Destinations near Quito

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