- Top 4 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Quito, Ecuador! From the Equator to 4000m High Peaks
- Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World Monument)
Top 4 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Quito, Ecuador! From the Equator to 4000m High Peaks
Nestled in a valley of the Andes Mountains at an altitude of approximately 2,850m, Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It boasts a beautiful Old Town, the first to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and offers unique experiences thanks to its distinctive geographical location right on the equator.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected must-visit tourist attractions that travelers to Quito ‘absolutely shouldn’t miss.’ Beyond mere guidebook knowledge, we delve deep into the real local vibe uncovered through reviews and even share insider tips for your visit.
Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World Monument)
📍 Address: Av. Manuel Córdova Galarza SN, 170311 Quito, Ecuador
As the country name ‘Ecuador’ itself means ‘equator’ in Spanish, the biggest highlight of Quito tourism is the ‘Mitad del Mundo’ (Middle of the World City) monument. Located about an hour’s drive or bus ride north of Quito city center, you can enter the grounds for a $5 admission fee.
Dominating the center of the grounds is a colossal monument, approximately 30m tall. It was erected to commemorate the French Geodesic Mission of the 18th century, which determined the exact location of the equator. You can take an elevator to the observation deck for a 360-degree view of the equatorial landscape. A yellow line is drawn at the base of the monument, and a classic photo opportunity for visitors is to stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere.
For a deeper experience, it’s worth knowing that, with today’s advanced GPS technology, the ‘true equator’ (0 degrees 0 minutes 0 seconds latitude) actually passes through the ‘Intiñan Solar Museum,’ located a short distance from this monument. At this museum (which requires a separate admission fee), you can experience entertaining experiments unique to the equator, such as ‘water draining straight down without swirling’ and ‘balancing an egg on a nail.’ If you have time, we highly recommend visiting both!
TelefériQo Cable Car
📍 Address: Fulgencio Araujo, y y Av. Occidental, 170527 Quito, Ecuador
If you want to enjoy Quito from a bird’s-eye view, the ‘TelefériQo’ is an absolute must-do activity. This cable car ascends the slopes of Pichincha Volcano, which looms over the city’s western side, taking you on an approximately 20-minute aerial journey from the 3,117m-high base station all the way up to ‘Cruz Loma,’ an observation deck at approximately 3,945m. A round-trip ticket for foreigners costs about $9.
Upon reaching the top station, you’ll be greeted by panoramic views of Quito’s elongated cityscape stretching out below. On clear days, you can even spot famous Andean peaks (volcanoes) like Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and Cayambe all at once. There’s also an ‘out-of-this-world swing’ – perfect for Instagram – where you can capture extraordinary photos amidst the stunning scenery.
For travelers confident in their physical endurance, we recommend hiking further to the summit of ‘Rucu Pichincha.’ This round trip takes about 6 hours and involves a challenging route with rock climbing towards the end, but you’ll be rewarded with beautiful landscapes of high-altitude paramo vegetation. However, as this is an altitude of over 4000m, it’s essential to acclimatize by staying in Quito for a few days before attempting the hike. Also, the summit area can be very windy and cold, so be sure to bring warm clothing and comfortable trekking shoes.
La Compañía Church (Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús)
📍 Address: QFJX+J2H, Mejía, 170401 Quito, Ecuador
Quito’s Old Town (Historic Centre) was built during the Spanish colonial era on the site of a former Inca city and is considered one of the best-preserved in Latin America. Among its many treasures, the ‘Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús’ (Church of the Society of Jesus) stands out remarkably.
Taking approximately 160 years to complete from its commencement in 1605, this Jesuit church is hailed as the supreme masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Latin America. While its meticulously carved volcanic stone facade is impressive, the true highlight unfolds the moment you step inside. Amazingly, almost all of the interior decoration, from walls to ceiling and altar, is covered with several tons of gold leaf. It’s no wonder it’s known as the ‘Golden Church’ or ‘Solomon’s Temple of South America,’ radiating an overwhelming brilliance.
To attract the indigenous people (Inca) who worshipped the sun during the spread of Christianity, sun motifs and geometric patterns are incorporated everywhere, allowing visitors to feel the profound history where Spanish and indigenous cultures merged. Photography is often restricted inside this majestic space, but this only makes it a more special place that you’ll want to engrave in your memory.
Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal (La Mariscal Handicraft Market)
📍 Address: Jorge Washington 611, 170143 Quito, Ecuador
For souvenir shopping in Quito, the ‘Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal’ (La Mariscal Handicraft Market) in the Mariscal district of the New Town is your best bet. This covered market is packed with countless small shops, making it a great place to shop regardless of the weather.
Here, you’ll find every kind of souvenir imaginable: vibrant Andean textiles, exquisitely soft alpaca products (sweaters and scarves), traditional embroidered T-shirts, hand-painted magnets, silver jewelry, and even Ecuadorian cacao chocolate. Prices are generally more affordable than in other tourist areas, and if you buy multiple items, vendors are often open to price negotiation (haggling). Enjoying communication with the shopkeepers while discovering unique finds is a key pleasure of this market.
On the other hand, there can be instances of overcharging targeting tourists or goods of differing quality (e.g., claiming to be cashmere but actually a different material). Therefore, it’s wise to visit several shops to get a feel for the average prices before making a purchase. While the market itself is relatively safe, always be mindful of pickpockets in crowded areas.
Practical Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Quito Trip
The most important things to be mindful of when visiting Quito are ‘altitude sickness’ and ‘UV radiation.’ Even Quito’s city center is located at an altitude similar to the 7th station of Mount Fuji, so on your first day, avoid strenuous activity, drink plenty of water, and move slowly. It’s also advisable to limit alcohol consumption. Furthermore, being on the equator and at high altitude means the sun’s rays are intense. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are essential, even on cloudy days.
Regarding safety, the Old Town and major tourist attractions are generally safe during the day with many visitors, but walking alone at night is not recommended. For transportation, using ride-sharing apps like Uber is preferable to hailing taxis, as the route and fare are clear, reducing the risk of trouble. Having plenty of small change (especially $1 and $5 bills) will be useful for small purchases and negotiations at the market.
