10 Fun Things to Do in Quito for All Budgets

Surrounded by volcanos and full of beautiful colonial architecture, Quito definitely has plenty of fun things to do. But sadly, most visitors don’t even consider visiting the second-highest capital in the world and simply treat it as a layover on the way to the Galapagos or other popular South American cities. There are so many fun things to do in Quito though!

To be honest, I was guilty of this mindset as well and I treated Quito as a quick stop on the way to the Amazon. To my surprise, I had an amazing time and I’d rank Quito as no. 3 of the best Latin American capitals after Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro.

So what should you do when you visit? Here are my top things to do in Quito!

Best Fun Things to Do in Quito

Women standing outside a church in the historic center of Quito, Ecuador

1. Visit the Historic Center

You should start your visit by taking a stroll through Quito’s 16th-century colonial old town which is a UNESCO world heritage site. I’d recommend starting from Plaza de Independencia to see the marble monument celebrating Ecuador’s first declaration of independence against the Spanish in 1809.

Next, everyone will probably advise you to visit the baroque church of La Compañía de Jesús, but I’d say it’s not actually the best church to visit in Quito. It might sound strange, especially coming from the mouth of an art historian (a long, long time ago I studied art history), but this church didn’t impress me.

The columns on the facade seemed to be basically copied from Bernini’s artwork and the interior wasn’t very spectacular. I thought the Basilica del Voto Nacional was much better (next on my list of things to do in Quito).

Make sure you don’t miss a stroll down Calle de La Ronda. Said to be one of the oldest streets in Quito, it’s also one of the most picturesque!

If you can’t find it or simply want to have a little more information, I always recommend taking a walking tour with a local guide. Not only will it help to get your bearings, but you’ll also learn all the best spots and historical relevance of what you will see during your visit.

View from the towers of the Basilica del Voto Nacional, one of the best things to do in Quito.

2. Climb the Basilica del Voto Nacional

As I mentioned before if you’re only going to visit one church in Quito, make it the Basilica del Voto Nacional. Entering the church, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I saw that the church had an elevator so I was convinced we were just going to see some observation deck… I was wrong.

The moment I got off the elevator I had to walk across a narrow wooden bridge directly over La Basilica’s interior arches. Then I saw a ladder, and for a person generally freaked out by ladders, it was already quite a challenge. However, the worst was yet to come.

Lastly, you have to climb some very steep stairs all the way up to an open-air platform only 2.25 x 2.25 meters. It was very scary to even look around, but if you’re not afraid then you’re treated to a breathtaking view of the entire city of Quito.

A bridge across the interior arches of the Basilica del Voto Nacional in Quitos.

A view looking down from the narrow stairs you must climb to see the view from the Basilica in Quito, a popular attraction.

3. Learn at Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila

Once you have your feet firmly on the ground again, head to the Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila if you are looking to learn a little bit more about the indigenous culture.

This unique museum was created by the indigenous painter and sculptor Ortega Maila and is more than just an art exhibit. Here you can try ancient sun worship rituals, admire the detailed murals that adorn the walls, and even participate in cleansing ceremonies.

Even if you aren’t a museum person, most people will appreciate this immersive experience that teaches you about the ancestral traditions and artistic expressions of Ecuador.

4. See the View from Mirador de Panecillo

To get an idea of the city’s layout, it’s a good idea to head to one of the many viewpoints that offer panoramic views of Quito and the surrounding volcanoes.

The Mirador de Panecillo is one of the best viewpoints in the city and you’ll be welcomed by a statue of the Virgin Mary looking like a Guardian Angel protecting Quito.

Unless you’re a hardcore hiker, you shouldn’t try to climb up here on your own as it’s quite a long walk. Instead, simply jump in a taxi and ask for the Mirador de Panecillo, it’s a very cheap ride and the taxi drivers all know where it is.

Woman posed in front of a panoramic view of Quitos which includes the popular viewpoint, Mirador de Panecillo

5. Go to the Center of the World

You can’t leave Ecuador without standing on the equator! You’ll find the Mitad del Mundo monument (the Center of the World) about 30 minutes away from the center of Quito but this is actually a bit of a tourist trap. The equatorial line is located 5 minutes away from here in a museum (at least according to the GPS).

The Mitad del Mundo monument is a great place to take some pictures and meet some llamas but I do recommend paying a small fee to take a tour of the museum. Here you can take a picture with the real equatorial line and try some experiments that relate to standing at the equator.

Woman lying on the equatorial line at the Mitad del Mundo, a poplar thing to do in Quito, Ecuador

6. Ride a Teleferico

One of the most photographed tourist attractions of Quito is the view from a teleferico. For a small fee, you start at the base of Volcán Pichincha and are transported by cable car to the top of Cruz Loma at an altitude of 4,270 meters.

From here you can take in the view, play on a very scenic swing, or if you’re well acclimatized you can hike even higher to the volcano.

TIP: Try to go as early as possible if you want to get a nice view of the city as during the day there are more clouds.

Hundres of guinea pigs in an enclosure in Ecuador

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