What to do in Quito

Activities, attractions and tours

Quito which includes a city and landscape views
Calle La Ronda showing street scenes and night scenes as well as a large group of people
La Merced Church featuring a fountain, a square or plaza and a statue or sculpture
Foch Square showing street scenes as well as a small group of people
Basilica of the National Vow showing a city

Quito Tourist Attractions & Activities

If you’re searching for an exciting holiday, count on Expedia.com.au to help you find interesting attractions, enlightening experiences, and tons of other fun things to do in Quito AU$15. From first-rate tours to incredible deals on sightseeing trips – our extensive selection of local things to do and places to visit is just a few clicks away.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re travelling alone, alongside your main squeeze, or with your favourite friends or family members, Expedia has the inside scoop on what to see and do while in this corner of the world. And our search tool makes it simple to score the best deals around. So regardless of if you are on a tight budget or prefer to spare no expense, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for by browsing over 433 activities in Quito, Pichincha.

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Top places to visit

1. Monument to the Equator

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.
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Mitad del Mundo Monument showing a monument, a square or plaza and a garden

2. La Mariscal Craft Market

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.
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La Mariscal Craft Market featuring shopping, interior views and markets

3. Foch Square

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.
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Foch Square featuring a square or plaza and street scenes

4. Catedral Metropolitana de Quito

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.
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Quito Cathedral featuring street scenes, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

5. TelefériQo Base Station

A ride on the Quito Cable Car (TeléferiQo Quito) presents a breathtaking journey to the slopes of Rucu Pichincha, a peak on the active yet safe Pichincha Volcano. Admire the views across Quito’s sprawling city center and spot rugged Andean peaks. Follow walking trails to viewpoints and a small chapel. Afterwards, enjoy some family-friendly fun at a small amusement park. The TeléferiQo Quito is one of South America’s highest cable cars and travels from around 9,843 feet (3,000 meters) to a vertigo-inducing 13,451 feet (4,100 meters).
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Quito Cable Car featuring a gondola

Recommended things to do in Quito

Number of things to do
433
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Tour of hummingbirds in Mindo (Pick-up And souvenir included ): AU$15
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Quito

Discover the most popular places to visit in Quito

Mitad del Mundo Monument showing a monument, a square or plaza and a garden

Monument to the Equator

Straddle the earth’s equator and then take a trip to the site’s planetarium and museum.

Monument to the Equator
La Carolina which includes a park, wild flowers and flowers

Parque La Carolina

Parque La Carolina is just one of the places to see in Quito, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Make time for the shops and local tours in this culturally rich area.

Parque La Carolina
La Mariscal Craft Market featuring street scenes, markets and interior views

La Mariscal Craft Market

From Panama hats and wood carvings to musical instruments and hand-knitted items, this vibrant market offers a wide range of Ecuadorian souvenirs and crafts.

La Mariscal Craft Market
Foch Square featuring a square or plaza and street scenes

Foch Square

Join Quito’s pulsating nightlife, attend free concerts and shop at an artisanal craft fair at this square in the heart of Quito’s Mariscal district.

Foch Square
Quito Cable Car featuring a gondola

TelefériQo Base Station

Travel through the clouds to the slopes of an active volcano to enjoy spectacular views of Quito’s city center, the surrounding countryside and Andes mountain range.

TelefériQo Base Station
Quito Cathedral featuring street scenes, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

Catedral Metropolitana de Quito

See acclaimed spiritual works of art and a blend of architectural designs as you learn about the intriguing past of one of the continent’s oldest churches.

Catedral Metropolitana de Quito
Basilica of the National Vow which includes religious aspects, interior views and a church or cathedral

Basilica of the National Vow

Admire the Ecuadorian gargoyles and neo-Gothic architecture at this immense church before taking in the panoramic views from its towers.

Basilica of the National Vow
Independence Square showing street scenes and a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

Independence Square

The site where the Old Town first sprung up in Quito is home to an inspiring 16th-century cathedral and rows of majestic colonial structures.

Independence Square
San Francisco Church featuring street scenes and a church or cathedral

St. Francis Catholic Church

Dating back to the city’s inception, this church is home to breathtaking 16th-century architecture, thousands of works of art and a converted catacomb.

St. Francis Catholic Church

Explore areas of Quito

La Merced Church which includes a church or cathedral and a square or plaza

Quito Historic Center

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

Churches, museums and shopping are just a few things travellers like about Quito Historic Center. Sights like Independence Square and Catedral Metropolitana de Quito are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Quito area at San Francisco Station.

Quito Historic Center
La Carolina featuring a pond and a garden

La Carolina

This diverse park features colourful flowers in the botanical gardens, intriguing animals in the reptile house and plenty of green space for sports events and picnics.

La Carolina
Quito showing heritage elements, interior views and a church or cathedral

Centro Histórico

While you're in Centro Histórico, take in top sights like Calle La Ronda and jump on the metro at San Francisco Station to see more of the city.

Centro Histórico
Foch Square which includes dining out, modern architecture and café scenes

La Mariscal

4/5(1 area review)

La Mariscal is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Foch Square and La Mariscal Craft Market while in the area.

La Mariscal
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Batán Grande

While you're in Batán Grande, take in top sights like Botanical Garden of Quito and jump on the metro at Carolina Station to see more of the city.

Batán Grande
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La Floresta

La Floresta is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Abya Yala Museum and Trude Sojka Cultural House.

La Floresta

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Quito

Photo by Paula Vernimmen

Tumbaco

Mitad del Mundo Monument showing a monument, a square or plaza and a garden

San Antonio de Pichincha

Cotopaxi National Park featuring tranquil scenes

Mulaló

Frequently asked questions

Is Quito worth visiting?
Providing a blend of culture and nature, there are plenty of things to do in Quito. While you're here, check out TelefériQo Base Station, a must-see attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Quito?
Start your adventures with a visit to Calle La Ronda and Carondelet Palace. Then, tour different parts of Quito for a bite to eat and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Quito?
The top tourist attraction in Quito is TelefériQo Base Station, so make sure to put it on your agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Quito?
Three days in Quito is more than enough to visit the city's leading attractions. Many travellers stay for two days on average. TelefériQo Base Station, Calle La Ronda and Carondelet Palace are among the most popular sights. Like to see more? Hang around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots like Tababela.
Is Quito a walkable city?
Some top sights in Quito, including TelefériQo Base Station and Calle La Ronda, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Just 0.64 kilometres from the city centre of Quito is La Carolina and Centro Histórico is 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Quito with kids?
Deciding what to do in Quito with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're taking a trip with little ones or teenagers, there are lots of family-friendly attractions to keep them entertained here.

What to do in Quito for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or outdoor explorer, there are plenty of things to do in Quito for adults including Parque Bicentenario and Government Platform for Social Development.
Are there free things to do in Quito?
From relaxing in parks to strolling around hip neighbourhoods, it's simple to find free things to do in Quito. If you're looking for inspiration, ask a local tour guide for recommendations. Calle La Ronda is a must for anyone wanting to save on their sightseeing adventures.

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