20 best places to discover on your trip to Quito in Ecuador

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San Francisco square in the historic center of Quito in Ecuador

I recognize that the expectations I had when starting mytrip to Quito they were quite high due to the recommendations of a great connoisseur of that country and of South America in general, as is the friend Sele.

And the truth is that those expectations were well met.

The first thing was to discover the geographical peculiarities of a country such as Ecuador conditioned by its location In the middle of the world, crossed by the equator.

Plaza Grande in the historic center of Quito in Ecuador

In addition to the special feeling during your stay in Quito to find you at 2,800 meters of altitude, in the heart of the Cordillera de The Andes.

But, above all, the main attraction of the trip was to know the great cultural heritage that focuses on the Quito's Historic center.

Quito, World Heritage

It is the historic center of the largest colonial era in Latin America and the one that is preserved in a better state.

Otavalo market near Quito in Ecuador

In Quito various examples of style churches are found Quito Baroque, some with very sumptuous interior decorations.

This is the reason why in 1978 the Quito city It was the first place in the world to be declared World Heritage by Unesco privilege he shared with the Polish city of Krakow.

And to all this we must add the Attractions around Quito, with beautiful natural enclaves and exotic places.

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For the visit you have the option to do it on your own or sign up, for example, to a Full Quito Tour with Spanish guide

In this visit that will take you a seven-hour day, you will know the main corners of the city and also take an excursion to the enclave of the Half of the world.

National Basilica of Quito from El Panecillo

What to see and do in Quito

As an incentive to encourage you to travel to Quito, here I will highlight the most attractive places you will find on this trip, with information on the best to see and visit in the Ecuadorian capital.

Go up to the El Panecillo viewpoint

The best way to start your visit to Quito it is without a doubt, climb to the Panecillo viewpoint, where one of the icons of the city is located, the large silver statue of the Winged Virgin.

From the viewpoint of Panecillo Hill you will have spectacular Panoramic views, not only from the historic center of Quito, but also from the most modern area of ​​the city that extends to the north,

From there you can also see the popular neighborhoods that are lost from sight by the slopes of the mountains that surround the Ecuadorian capital.

Plaza Grande in the historic center of Quito in Ecuador

Walk through the historic center

The main part of your visit should focus on a walk through the historic center of Quito.

From the downtown Independence Square, better known as the big squareto the San Francisco square and for the Seven Crosses Street.

There very concentrated you will find most of the monumental heritage of Quito and you can also live the great atmosphere of this city.

In order to get to know the historic center, you can sign up for a guided tour of Quito in which for four hours you will discover this monumental heritage.

Decoration with gold leaf in the church of the Company of Quito

Church of the company

Known as the great jewel of america, when you enter the interior of the Church of the company You will not be disappointed at all.

Its impressive baroque decoration that covers all its walls and ceilings with gold leaf is a reflection of the importance that during the colonial era had the Jesus company in this area of ​​America.

San Francisco Church

The San Francisco church It is another of the great temples of the city, which is located in the other large square of the historic center of the city, also called San Francisco.

Completed in record time in 1620, and run by the Franciscans, today it seems that it is the church most loved by Quito.

San Francisco church in the historic center of Quito in Ecuador

Other churches in Quito

Did you know that only in the Quito's Historic center are there up to 60 churches and religious institutions?

Apart from the two mentioned above, I will indicate more churches worth visiting.

Of course the Quito Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in South America, and which you find in the aforementioned big square.

Next to her is the church of the tabernacle, which was once a chapel of the said cathedral, and whose interior is decorated in Renaissance style.

Plus, the Basilica, a great temple of neo-Gothic style finished building in ... 1988.

Central nave of the Basilica of the National Vote in Quito

While it can yousqueak compared to the colonial architectural style of Quito, it is worth it visit the basilica of Quito especially for climb the towers from where you have the panoramic views in the opposite direction of the Panecillo viewpoint.

Craftsmen in the street of the Round

See the objects that craftsmen elaborated following the practice of old crafts is one of the attractions of a trip to Quito.

Many of them concentrate on the recovered Ronda street, on the south side of the historic center.

There you can taste artisan chocolates or see artistic objects of goldsmiths, iron, or wood, or even old toys made of tin.

Calle de la Ronda in the historic center of Quito

Recently recovered for tourism, in this street you also find a great atmosphere, especially on weekends, because in addition to the artisan shops, there are several restaurants and bars with live music.

Traditions in Quito

In other areas of downtown you find places where they are still kept curious traditions of Quito and Ecuador, like the Hierbera It cures ills with its herbs and massages.

You will also see the saints retouchers, which are dedicated to fix the figures of Saints that the Quito people have in their homes.

Waves saints clothes stores to customize these figures so revered by the Quito.

Manufacture of Andean musical instruments in Otavalo

In you visit of Quito and its surroundings You can also see the tradition of makingcollations, typical Quito sweets that combine peanuts, water, sugar and lemon, or the preparation of the popular Paila "icecreams.

Or even the manufacture of Andean musical instruments.

Half of the World Monument

To feel that you are really in full Ecuador, from Quito you can approach the monument of the Middle of the World located in a tourist enclosure that emulates a Spanish village.

There you can take the typical tourist photo crossing the equator and visit a interpretation Center where you will know the curious effects that occur in this area of ​​the Earth where the latitude is 0-0'-0 ".

Half of the World Monument near Quito

Otavalo indigenous market

It is highly recommended that you make your stay in Quito coincide with a Saturday, so that you can get to know the closest one Otavalo craft market.

On Saturdays, in addition to the craft market of the Ponchos square, which opens every day, you can visit the early and very curiousanimal fair, as well as the food market.

Its about largest indigenous market in South America, and on your walk through Ottavalo and its different markets you can see the indigenous community of otavaleños with its typical and colorful clothing.

Otavalo indigenous market near Quito in Ecuador

Tourist train from La Libertad to Salinas

Another experience you can live in the surroundings of Quito is to ride in tourist train that unites the small city of Ibarra with the locality of Salinas, and that is known as the Liberty Train.

This is one of the railway sections recovered by Ecuador train for tourist use, which ends in the small village of Salinas.

Inhabited by oneAfro Ecuadorian community descendant of black slaves from Africa, during the visit of Salinas You can deepen your knowledge of what it meant to arrive in this area of ​​Ecuador with extensive sugarcane plantations.

Adventure activities in the Inti Llacta reserve near Quito

Inti Llacta Reserve in the Cloud Forest

In the surroundings of Quito you will find a great variety of landscapes, from the driest, to areas of more lush and jungle forests.

In the Inti Llacta reservation you can enjoy the landscapes of Cloudy forest, of its incredible leafiness, and you can do adventure activities in circuits of canopy, while you can see a great diversity of fauna and flora.

Roses at the Hacienda la Compañía

In my recent trip to Quito I have discovered the economic importance that Ecuador has acquired the rose plantation taking advantage of its geographical situation.

In the visit of the Hacienda the Company of JesusIn addition to seeing a French neoclassical style house, you can deepen the knowledge of the floral industry that is developing in that country.

La Casona de la Ronda boutique hotel in Quito

Boutique hotels in Quito

Of course in your trip to Quito You have the option of staying at hotels with charm, As the La Casona de la Ronda Boutique Hotel, where I stayed, or even in very luxurious hotels like the Gangotena House or the Plaza Grande Hotel.

And in the surroundings of Quito you also find lovely haciendas Where to stay

Quito gastronomy

Also your trip to Quito will allow you to discover the specialties of Ecuadorian gastronomy, which is characterized by the use of native products and natural condiments.

Handmade elaboration of the typical paila ice cream in Ibarra near Quito

In a country where the father and the Fruit juice they are the national food and drink, Quito offers you its own gastronomic elaborations.

Tours and excursions in Quito

Looking forward to your visit, if you prefer to do it in an organized group and with the advice of a Spanish guide, you can join the guided tour of Quito With a duration of four hours, which will allow you to discover the main attractions of the Ecuadorian capital.

You can also sign up for a Otavalo craft market tour seven hours long, and in which you will also visit the city of Cotacachi famous for its craftsmanship, or a Half-World excursion, which will take you three hours.

Finally, to get to the city center here you can hire private airport transfers to Quito, and facing your accommodation on your trip to the Ecuadorian capital, it will be useful search hotel in Quito in booking.com.

Procession through the historic center of Quito in Ecuador

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