Things to Do in Quito
Top attractions, best neighborhoods to wander, and the food you shouldn't skip in Quito, Ecuador — 2026 traveler picks.
Top places to see
Old Town (UNESCO) + La Compañía church
Largest + best-preserved Spanish colonial historic centre in the Americas. Plaza Grande + Jesuit La Compañía (USD 5, 7-tonnes of gold leaf). 2 hours.
TelefériQo cable car + Cruz Loma
4,100m cable car up Pichincha volcano — Andean panorama. USD 9. 1.5 hours. Altitude warning: 2,850m base.
Mitad del Mundo (Equator monument)
0°0'0" monument 26km north of Quito — straddle both hemispheres. USD 5. Add Intiñan Museum for the real equator (USD 4). 1.5 hours.
La Ronda alleyway + canelazo
Quito's most atmospheric old-town alley — colonial cafes + canelazo (hot cinnamon-aguardiente drink). USD 3-5. Best evenings.
Book tours + skip-the-line tickets
Compare tours + attractions in Quito across GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Trip.com — free cancellation on most, and prices match direct booking.
Things to do in Quito
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Quito and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse QuitoJust need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Quito.Eat here first
Llapingachos (potato cakes). Ceviche de camarón. Locro de papa (potato-cheese soup). Hornado (roast pork). Pilsener + Pilsener Light beer.
Local tip
UIO is 18km from centre — but at 2,850m altitude even airport-only stops can give mild altitude headaches. For under 6-hour layovers: stay airside. For 8+ hours: Old Town + La Ronda. Aeroservicios bus (USD 8) is the budget option. Wear layers — chilly evenings.
Where to stay
Hotels across Quito — filter by neighborhood + budget on the map below.