Quito

Urban Riverfront

Population: 2 million

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September–October

Famous For: Historic colonial architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Mitad del Mundo (equator monument), Basilica del Voto Nacional, Andean culture, Indigenous markets, High altitude location, Nearby cloud forests and volcanoes, Traditional crafts

Train Access: Yes (Quito Metro)

Bus Access: Yes (Sistema Integrado de Transporte (SIT) - integrated bus system with multiple routes throughout the city)

Quito's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features the Plaza Grande surrounded by the Cathedral, Palacio de Carondelet, and the Palacio Arzobispal, with narrow colonial streets like Calle García Moreno lined with restored 16th- and 17th-century buildings. The Basilica del Voto Nacional dominates the skyline with its neo-Gothic architecture, while the Church of La Compañía de Jesús showcases ornate Baroque interiors with gold leaf and intricate carvings. Modern Quito extends north through neighborhoods like La Mariscal, where Avenida Amazonas runs through the commercial and dining district, and Cumbayá, a valley suburb with restaurants, galleries, and weekend markets. The Teleférico cable car ascends from the southern edge to Cruz Loma at 4,050 meters, offering panoramic views of the city nestled between volcanic peaks. Day trips reach Otavalo's indigenous markets two hours north, the Galápagos gateway at the airport, and the equatorial monument at Mitad del Mundo just outside the city.

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Planning Your Trip to Quito

Weather: Quito has a mild, spring-like climate year-round due to its equatorial location and high altitude, with temperatures typically ranging from 8-21°C (46-70°F). The city experiences two rainy seasons, with relatively consistent weather patterns throughout the year.

Festivals: Fiestas de Quito (December 5–6), Corpus Christi (May/June), Inti Raymi (June 21), Día de Difuntos (November 2)

Best Things for Kids to Do: Parque Metropolitano, a 1,400-hectare protected forest reserve with hiking trails, picnic areas, and native bird and mammal viewing accessible from the northern city limits. Vivarium, a reptile and amphibian zoo on Avenida Amazonas featuring snakes, frogs, and lizards native to Ecuador in climate-controlled exhibits. Museo Interactivo de Ciencia, a hands-on science museum in the Parque La Carolina with physics demonstrations, planetarium shows, and interactive exhibits designed for children. Parque La Carolina itself offers playgrounds, paddle boats on the lagoon, and open green space for running and cycling in the northern residential area.

Hidden Gem: The Museo de la Ciudad, housed in the former Hospital San Juan de Dios on Calle Rocafuerte in Centro Histórico, displays Quito's social and cultural history through colonial religious art, pre-Columbian artifacts, and urban development exhibits in a beautifully restored 17th-century building that few tourists discover compared to the more crowded Basilica and Cathedral nearby.

Accessibility: Centro Histórico's steep, narrow cobblestone streets present significant wheelchair challenges, though the Cathedral and Basilica have limited accessible entrances; modern northern neighborhoods like Iñaquito and Cumbayá have wider sidewalks and ramps. The Teleférico cable car is not wheelchair accessible, and public buses lack lifts, though some taxis and ride-sharing services accommodate mobility devices. The Museo de la Ciudad and several hotels in newer areas provide elevator access and accessible restrooms.

For the Runner: Parque La Carolina's 67-hectare perimeter offers a 5–6 km loop with paved paths, open fields, and minimal elevation change in the northern residential zone. The Teleférico trail from Cruz Loma descends steeply through cloud forest with technical terrain and 800+ meters of elevation loss over 8–10 km. Avenida Amazonas has sidewalks suitable for urban running through the commercial district, though traffic and altitude (2,850 meters) require acclimatization.

Restaurants in Quito

Quito offers a diverse dining scene with excellent local Ecuadorian cuisine alongside international options, particularly in the historic center and modern northern neighborhoods. The city features everything from traditional family-run restaurants serving traditional dishes to upscale dining establishments with creative fusion menus. Quality and variety have improved significantly in recent years, making it an appealing destination for food enthusiasts.

Where to Stay

Quito's accommodation ranges from budget hostels in La Mariscal and Centro Histórico to mid-range business hotels along Avenida Amazonas and luxury properties in the northern suburbs of Cumbayá and Quito Tenis Club. The historic center offers colonial-era converted mansions, while modern chains cluster near the airport and in the business districts of Iñaquito and González Suárez.

Best Hotels: Casa Gangotena, located in the restored 1920s mansion in Centro Histórico, combines period architecture with contemporary luxury and personalized serv

Dog-Friendly Hotels: Casa Gangotena welcomes dogs in select rooms and provides bowls and bedding, with nearby access to quiet streets in Centro Histórico for walks. Swissôtel Quito allows dogs with advance notice and offers pet amenities, with proximity to Parque La Carolina for exercise.

Quito

Planning Your Trip to Quito

Restaurants in Quito

Where to Stay

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