South America
Ecuador
Pichincha Province
Quito
Things to Do in Quito
Sights & landmarks in Quito

THE 10 BEST Quito Sights & Historical Landmarks

Quito Landmarks

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  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

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What travelers are saying

  • TMcGu
    Porto, Portugal49 contributions
    Cultural experience
    Super city of diversity in culture and art
    Unmatched in South America
    A must see and experience culinary delight
    Terrific group enjoyment
    Review of: Fundación Iglesia de la Compañía
    Written October 14, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • robert-not-home
    Boston, MA2,284 contributions
    Worth a visit, it is the Old Town After all
    You're in Quito and as with many cities the Old Town is a nice place to take in some history and enjoy the architecture and Quito is no different. I was there during the daytime and with a guide who told me to flip my backpack to the front and carry it on my chest as well as moving and securing anything (wallet, etc.) in my pockets to my backpack where it was tightly under my control. She is a local and a native so followed the advice and had no problems. I felt safe in general but do appreciate that she was looking out for me.
    Review of: Quito Old Town
    Written December 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Agent5aq
    Atlanta, GA75 contributions
    Basílica and Beer
    A beautiful basilica with great vistas of Quito and up close views of the stain glass windows, clock tower, and the best part - their own craft beer is served! So be sure to enjoy a beer as you take in the views of Quito!
    Review of: Basilica del Voto Nacional
    Written November 23, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • gefilte63
    Beachwood, OH709 contributions
    Interesting Architecture and Pleasant Cloister
    We visited this church as part of our 1-day tour of Quito. I had been in Quito in 1983 and remember having visited it. From the outside it looks fairly modest, but the adornments on the inside are really something else--lots of gold!
    Our tour guide showed us around and gave us some history. We were there when a group of nursing students were being blessed before graduation, which was interesting.
    This church has a lot of history and is definitely worth a visit.
    Review of: Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
    Written May 23, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Johan P
    1 contribution
    Mitad del Mundo Quito
    La Mitad del Mundo is an emblematic monument located on the outskirts of the city of Quito, Ecuador. The monument itself consists of a large stone structure representing the equator and is topped by a giant globe. Visitors can stand on the line marked on the ground, which represents the division between the two hemispheres, and take pictures on one side of the world and the other. In addition to the monument in the surrounding area you'll find a museum called the "Intiñan Solar Museum," which offers interactive and educational exhibits on natural phenomena that occur in the equatorial region, as well as experiments related to gravity and location on the equator. It's an interesting place to learn about Ecuador's geography and culture, and to experience the curiosities that occur at the equator, such as the ability to balance eggs on a nail or the deflection of water in different hemispheres.
    Review of: Mitad Del Mundo
    Written October 25, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • robert-not-home
    Boston, MA2,284 contributions
    Great views
    While the statue is what is highlighted here the views are what are most breathtaking from my perspective. Sure, look at and enjoy the statute but you will spend more time looking at the surrounding areas from this viewpoint.
    Review of: El Panecillo
    Written December 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Chase V
    Oklahoma City, OK635 contributions
    Great views, several events at night (I would avoid as a tourist) and an area late night that should be avoided.
    Perfectly safe during the day, lots of police and security presence so just enjoy the views and shops/restaurants. Explained times in the subject of this because we stayed for 4 nights one block from here. Weekend and after 7ish pm when things closed is your cue to migrate elsewhere. Great way to spend an afternoon with tons of restaurant choices and great colonial preserved architecture to see.
    Review of: Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande)
    Written September 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sue C
    Carmel, IN51 contributions
    Interesting little street -
    Very interesting street. However, confine yourself to this street and don’t go at night. We ended up in a very sketchy area and it wasn’t that late.
    Review of: Calle La Ronda
    Written May 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GBJ-Cookies
    South Shields, UK1,579 contributions
    Panoramic Viewpoint
    Visited as part of our Quito city tour, the tour guide warned us that the hike up the hill was unsafe day and night. The vantage point gives great panoramic views of the city, there a couple of stalls and a small museum with a nominal admission charge.
    The structure is the tallest aluminium statue in the world and is actually taller than Christ the Redeemer in Rio.
    Review of: La Virgen del Panecillo
    Written July 4, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • drew d
    Beacon, NY500 contributions
    Beautiful Church
    Beautiful Church and plaza. Lots of locals selling wares. We did a walking tour of Downtown as part of our tour. People were friendly and locals not too pushy. There were 'artisan police' to keep the sellers from harassing tourists.
    Review of: Plaza de San Francisco
    Written July 6, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Linda J
    Atlanta, GA58 contributions
    Changing of the guard has resumed.
    The Palace has still not reopened for tours. The changing of the guard now happens on Tuesday at noon and is definitely worth seeing.
    Review of: El Palacio de Gobierno
    Written November 1, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Gregory W
    Mankato, MN3,373 contributions
    2 Thumbs Up!
    Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito (Spanish: Catedral Metropolitana de Quito), known simply as la Catedral, is the Catholic cathedral in Quito, Ecuador. Located on the Plaza de la Independencia (La Plaza Grande), it served as a seat of the Diocese of Quito from 1545 until 1848 when it was elevated to Archdiocese. In 1995, it was elevated to the Cathedral of Ecuador, making it the seniormost Catholic church in the country.
    Review of: Catedral Metropolitana de Quito
    Written January 12, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kevin S
    Pontypridd, UK6,243 contributions
    A nice working church with some excellent features.
    The exterior was undergoing some restoration work on the exterior in January 2023, this wasn't that detract-ing as the exterior isn't particularly a feature. Internally it has a huge impressive main altar and two large ones immediately either side. Felt like a nice working church with some excellent features.
    Review of: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Merced
    Written February 8, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kevin S
    Pontypridd, UK6,243 contributions
    In Plaza Santo Domingo
    In Plaza Santo Domingo not where it is incorrectly pinned on the map. Looking quite insignificant externally in the corner of a large plaza, internally it is a different story being a very attractive church. A large main altar and many striking side altars.
    Review of: Santo Domingo Church (Iglesia de Santo Domingo)
    Written February 7, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Maria del Carme... Z
    Quito, Ecuador205 contributions
    For short and long trips
    The train company has different options. For short trips take the Cotopaxi one day tour. But the best is the Nariz del Diablo option. For that you will have to spend one or two nights in different towns at typical and historical haciendas. The trip is totally safe and worth it. Lots of great views of the Andes. Don't miss the "choclo y hablas" corn in the cob and lima beans at the station. A must if you are into typical food.
    Review of: Trenes Turisticos en Ecuador
    Written May 27, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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