What to do in Metropolitan District of Quito

The Mitad del Mundo is a fascinating site that stands on the equator with a planetarium and a museum. The site distinguishes Quito as one of the few large cities worldwide that lie in both the southern and northern hemispheres. A 30-metre (98-foot) monument is erected where a French explorer calculated the exact position of the equator in the 18th century. Most visitors enjoy standing with a leg on either side of the line.

Experience the wide-ranging and energetic nightlife of Quito amid the bright lights of the vivacious Plaza Foch (Foch Square). Once a rundown intersection in the Mariscal district, today this entertainment square is the beating heart of Quito’s nightlife scene. It’s where locals and tourists alike come to eat, drink, dance and mingle in the bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Plaza Foch is also the setting for live music events and a weekly artisan market.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito is a 16th-century church with a fascinating history and a rich blend of religious, political and artistic features. As one of South America’s oldest churches, it combines several styles of architecture, from Gothic-Moorish to Baroque and neoclassical. Attend the majestic spiritual structure to appreciate its golden altar, elaborate naves, chapels and acclaimed paintings from the Quito School of Art.

Peruse intriguing handicrafts and see artisans at work while you browse the stalls of the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal (La Mariscal Craft Market). Shop for anything from clothing and jewelry to art, children’s toys and textiles. Over 100 stall holders ply their trade in the animated Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal, one of Quito’s best markets for crafts and souvenirs.

Independence Square (Plaza de la Independencia) is a spacious area with stately colonial buildings and a church that dates back to the 1500s in the centre of the Old Town. Some of the highlights around the square include the Carondelet Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito and the Municipal Palace. The plaza is an ideal spot to gather before exploring the sites in the Quito Old Town.