The Historic Center of Quito is a cultural treasure and a must-see during your visit. Discover its historical beauty, spreading over an area of approximately 3.75 square kilometers. It is considered the best-preserved and one of the most important in Latin America. Walk through its cobbled streets and admire the colonial architecture, which blends in with the modernity of the city, and discover its monuments and historical places such as the majestic “Basilic of the National Vow” and the iconic “Virgen del Panecillo”.
The “Basílica del Voto Nacional” is one of the most impressive attractions in Quito, with its majestic neo-Gothic architecture and stunning views of the city from its towers. This impressive church is one of the largest churches in Latin America and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Visitors will be able to appreciate its intricate architectural details and beautiful decoration, including stained glass windows and sculptures. They will also be able to climb to the top of its towers to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Quito, without a doubt a must-see attraction.
The “Basílica del Voto Nacional” is one of the most impressive attractions in Quito, with its majestic neo-Gothic architecture and stunning views of the city from its towers. This impressive church is one of the largest churches in Latin America and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Visitors will be able to appreciate its intricate architectural details and beautiful decoration, including stained glass windows and sculptures. They will also be able to climb to the top of its towers to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Quito, without a doubt a must-see attraction.
The “Plaza Grande de Quito” is the historical and political heart of the city, surrounded by historical buildings and important monuments. Located in the heart of the Historic Center, this magnificent square is another icon of Quito, where visitors can immerse themselves in its culture and history. The “Plaza Grande” is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Presidential palace, the archbishop’s palace as well as the Municipality of Quito. Each of these buildings has its own history and displays unique architectural features. Visitors can take the pulse of the square, explore small handicraft shops and satiate themselves in local restaurants. It is a good opportunity to sense the true heart of Quito.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito is another iconic building, located on the southwestern side of the Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande) in the Historic Center. This impressive cathedral is a true architectural and cultural treasure, with a history dating back to the 16th century. It should be characterized as Gothic-Mudéjar in style. Visitors can admire its impressive façade and intricate interior details, including an impressive collection of religious art and oil paintings by famous artists.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito is one of the largest churches in Latin America and is a place of great religious importance for the inhabitants of the city.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito is another iconic building, located on the southwestern side of the Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande) in the Historic Center. This impressive cathedral is a true architectural and cultural treasure, with a history dating back to the 16th century. It should be characterized as Gothic-Mudéjar in style. Visitors can admire its impressive façade and intricate interior details, including an impressive collection of religious art and oil paintings by famous artists.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito is one of the largest churches in Latin America and is a place of great religious importance for the inhabitants of the city.
The Church of the Company of Jesus is an architectural jewel, located in the heart of the Historic Center. Built in the 17th century, the church and its rich internal ornamentation completely covered with gold sheets, is one of the main tourist attractions in the city and an invaluable heritage, both artistic and economic, for the country. Built over 160 years, it handles four styles in its architecture, although Baroque art predominates. The façade of its main temple is entirely carved in volcanic stone.
Located in the heart of the Historic Center, in front of the square of the same name, the San Francisco Church is the oldest and most significant religious site in Ecuador. It is considered a jewel of continental architecture for its mixture of different styles combined through more than 150 years of construction. Inside the Church, there are more than 3,500 works of colonial art, of multiple artistic manifestations and varied techniques, especially those corresponding to the Colonial Quito School of Art. The Plaza San Francisco for years supplied the city with water from its central fountain and functioned as a popular market, meeting place and social recreation space.
Located in the heart of the Historic Center, in front of the square of the same name, the San Francisco Church is the oldest and most significant religious site in Ecuador. It is considered a jewel of continental architecture for its mixture of different styles combined through more than 150 years of construction. Inside the Church, there are more than 3,500 works of colonial art, of multiple artistic manifestations and varied techniques, especially those corresponding to the Colonial Quito School of Art. The Plaza San Francisco for years supplied the city with water from its central fountain and functioned as a popular market, meeting place and social recreation space.
Located in the Historic Center of the city, “La Ronda” is one of the oldest streets in Quito and has been nicely restored. Once the home of artists and politicians, it was then transformed into what it is today, and where the tourists can get a glimpse of real Ecuadorian life: shops, bars, art galleries, cafés and restaurants. While strolling La Ronda, sample the local alcoholic drink “canelazo” and try “humitas”, a steamed ground corn wrapped in a corn husk.
The “Virgen del Panecillo” is one of the most famous and emblematic attractions of Quito. This 41-meter-tall statue of the Virgin Mary sits on top of “Cerro del Panecillo” (loaf-shaped hill), offering stunning panoramic views, as it serves as a backdrop to the Historic Center of Quito. The statue of the Virgin was created by the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras in the 1970s, and is considered a masterpiece of religious sculpture.
The “Virgen del Panecillo” is an important landmark in Quito, and can be reached via a cable car. In addition to its beauty and religious significance, the “Virgen del Panecillo” is a popular place to take pictures and enjoy the natural landscape that surrounds it.
The “Virgen del Panecillo” is one of the most famous and emblematic attractions of Quito. This 41-meter-tall statue of the Virgin Mary sits on top of “Cerro del Panecillo” (loaf-shaped hill), offering stunning panoramic views, as it serves as a backdrop to the Historic Center of Quito. The statue of the Virgin was created by the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras in the 1970s, and is considered a masterpiece of religious sculpture.
The “Virgen del Panecillo” is an important landmark in Quito, and can be reached via a cable car. In addition to its beauty and religious significance, the “Virgen del Panecillo” is a popular place to take pictures and enjoy the natural landscape that surrounds it.
The Quito Cable Car is one of the most popular attractions in the city, offering a unique experience for visitors. It takes passengers from the base station in the city to the top of Pichincha volcano, at an altitude of 4,100 meters above sea level.
During the 18-minute ride and 1,500 meters climb, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of Quito and the imposing hills and snow-capped volcanoes of the inter-Andean alley in the background.
Once at the top, visitors can hike or go horseback riding across landscapes of paramo, while discovering the fauna and flora and possibly coming across llamas.
The “Mitad del Mundo” is located in the outskirts of Quito, more precisely 26 kilometers north of its center. The citadel comprises not only the 30-meter-high Monument to the Equator (latitude 0) but also the Ethnographic Museum Middle of the Earth about the indigenous people ethnography of Ecuador, giving an insight into the history and culture of Ecuador. It also harbors a pavilion showing a remarkable scale model of the old city of Quito. This place is one of the main tourist attractions in Ecuador, since visitors can experience the feeling of being in two hemispheres at the same time.
The “Mitad del Mundo” is located in the outskirts of Quito, more precisely 26 kilometers north of its center. The citadel comprises not only the 30-meter-high Monument to the Equator (latitude 0) but also the Ethnographic Museum Middle of the Earth about the indigenous people ethnography of Ecuador, giving an insight into the history and culture of Ecuador. It also harbors a pavilion showing a remarkable scale model of the old city of Quito. This place is one of the main tourist attractions in Ecuador, since visitors can experience the feeling of being in two hemispheres at the same time.
The handicraft market of Quito, located in “La Mariscal” is a lively indoor market featuring stalls selling good quality Ecuadorian fabrics (ponchos, hats, bags,…), jewelry and other traditional crafts, such as ceramics and musical instruments.
Many products you will find there are representative of the ethnic diversity of Ecuador as they are handmade by artisans coming from different regions of the country.
The visitors will therefore be able to bring home unique and authentic souvenirs at affordable prices, which they will be encouraged to bargain for with vendors.
The Quilotoa lagoon, located in the province of Cotopaxi and part of the “Ilinizas Ecological Reserve” is one of the most beautiful lagoons of volcanic origin in the world and is known for its beautiful turquoise color, stemming from the minerals and calm waters, attracting many landscape photography lovers.
It lies at more than 3,800 meters above sea level and its crater is almost nine kilometers in diameter. The temperature fluctuates between 12-15°C and good clothes are required.
The more adventurous visitors can either hike around the lagoon or descend into the crater and enjoy a magical and unique experience by swimming in its crystalline waters and feel in total symbiosis with nature. Horseback riding and kayaking are also available. In addition, the road to the lagoon is spectacular and offers panoramic views of the astonishing natural and mountainous landscapes of the Andes.
The Quilotoa lagoon, located in the province of Cotopaxi and part of the “Ilinizas Ecological Reserve” is one of the most beautiful lagoons of volcanic origin in the world and is known for its beautiful turquoise color, stemming from the minerals and calm waters, attracting many landscape photography lovers.
It lies at more than 3,800 meters above sea level and its crater is almost nine kilometers in diameter. The temperature fluctuates between 12-15°C and good clothes are required.
The more adventurous visitors can either hike around the lagoon or descend into the crater and enjoy a magical and unique experience by swimming in its crystalline waters and feel in total symbiosis with nature. Horseback riding and kayaking are also available. In addition, the road to the lagoon is spectacular and offers panoramic views of the astonishing natural and mountainous landscapes of the Andes.
The Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcano in the world, is an almost perfect snow cone that rises to 5,897 meters high (nearly 20,000 feet). Next to Galapagos, it is perhaps the greatest symbol of Ecuador’s natural geography, recognized worldwide.
Located in the center of the inter-Andean corridor, in an area called “Avenida de los Volcanes (Avenue of the Volcanoes), and close to several cities such as Quito and Latacunga, Cotopaxi National Park is one of the most visited and where many people probably first touch snow. The predominant ecosystem in the park is moorland, with its own unique flora and fauna. Vegetation is principally scrub and small, low shrubs.
