Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. There are a few variations on canelazo, some of which include fruit juice, but it’s a nice way to warm up on a cold day. One of the best ways to maximize your vacation time is to plan a trip over a long weekend. 6 Things To See & Do In Old Town Quito - My Normal Gay Life It’s reminiscent of a latke or potato pancake, and it’s just as delicious. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Quito, Ecuador on Tripadvisor: See 71,921 traveller reviews and photos of Quito tourist attractions. Oops! Our Post: 8 Tips to Prevent Altitude Sickness. Canelazo is an alcoholic beverage, served warm, that combines sugarcane alcohol (aguardiente), sugar, and cinnamon. Breakfast was served each morning, and eggs were made-to-order any way we requested. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Walking in the downtown, which is an UNESCO site, is a perfect way to get a first impression of it! Find what to do today, this weekend, or in November. Quito is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. See Tripadvisor's 71,735 traveler reviews and photos of Quito rainy day attractions Here are some of the food options to look for when you visit Ecuador. Nowadays Quito is one of the smallest capital cities in South America. Located south of central Quito, El Panecillo is a hill that houses the city’s famous statue of the Woman of the Apocalypse, a Madonna. Ten Fun & Affordable Things to Do in Old Town Quito with Kids We have reviews of the best places to see in Quito. Quito, Ecuador is a fun, historic city with tons to see and do. Located close to the Plaza de la Independencia, we had lunch at Café del Fraile at the insistence of a tour guide who wanted to introduce us to authentic Ecuadorian cuisine. Also known as Plaza Grande, it’s a beautiful area that is often alive with locals and tourists relaxing and passing through. Specifically, some paintings depict Ecuador’s native wildlife, including turtles from the Galapagos Islands and iguanas. Although it’s a luxury hotel today, the Hotel Plaza Grande is just as famous for being the colonial mansion that belonged to Juan Diaz de Hidalgo, a Spanish conqueror who helped to establish Quito. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Top Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador: See Tripadvisor's 71,762 traveller reviews and photos of Quito tourist attractions. We recommend booking Quito Old Town tours ahead of time to secure your spot. You may not need to visit El Panecillo in order to appreciate its most obvious attraction. It’s an expensive but popular option for travelers who love history and want to be very close to the Plaza de la Independencia; the hotel sits right on the corner of the plaza, which makes it quick and easy to visit most tourist spots. It’s popular to serve hornado during celebratory events, but many restaurants offer fried pork or spit-roasted pork as well. The Plaza de la Independencia dates back to the 1600s, when the area was selected as a central public space and ultimately surrounded by churches, private homes, and municipal buildings. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. More Information: Booking.com/Casa-Gardenia. It’s younger by centuries when compared to some of the other recognized churches in the Old Town, but some of the architectural choices are particularly reflective of Ecuador. A Couple of Final Tips for Visiting Quito. Here are a few hotel deals to consider. })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); Travelers from the United States will be surprised to find their own currency—the US dollar—is the official currency in Ecuador. We purchased a few varieties made with cherries, Andean blueberries, and even toasted corn while at a grocery store outside of Quito, but you can find it for sale throughout the city. It’s got a size similar to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, and a population of only 1.9 million. Highly rated activities for a rainy day in Quito: The top indoor things to do in Quito. The ceremony features a parade and music, and it’s a nice way to experience a strong tradition. TOP 75+ THINGS TO DO OLD TOWN QUITO, CAPITAL CITY ECUADOR. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Quito, Ecuador on Tripadvisor: See 71,496 traveller reviews and photos of Quito tourist attractions. Leave a comment and let us know if your travels take you to Quito—and please share your own tips and ideas about how to make the most of a quick weekend in Quito! Thank you for subscribing! To help narrow down some points of interest, Quito’s Center of Touristic Services suggests the following six locations as the must-sees of Quito Old Town: Things to do and eat | Dutchie Around … Quito, Ecuador is home to dozens of impressive churches, and La Basilica Del Voto Nacional is another one that deserves a visit. We have reviews of the best places to see in Quito. By continuing to browse our site we'll assume you are okay with it. Our room was very comfortable; we stayed on the first floor, just around the corner from the reception desk, and although we could hear people as they came and went it was incredibly quiet and easy to sleep well. Things to do in Quito Ecuador; Our top list of places to visit To begin exploring Quito Old Town, head to its heart. more, Hotels near Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila, Hotels near Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania, Hotels near Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, Hotels near Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande), Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila: Tickets & Tours, TeleferiQo Teleferico Quito: Tickets & Tours, Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania: Tickets & Tours, Basilica del Voto Nacional: Tickets & Tours, Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco: Tickets & Tours, Los Algarrobos Parque Ecologico: Tickets & Tours, Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Quito, San Francisco Plaza (Plaza de San Francisco), San Francisco Museum and Convent (Museo Fray Pedro Gocial), Museum of Maria Augusta Urrutia (La Casa Museo Maria Augusta Urrutia). A parade and music, and avoid alcohol are looking for Ecuadorian cuisine—but wouldn t... Is definitely among the things you should do in Quito your vacation time look. Makes sense to pick a destination close to home Quito tourist attractions fried pork spit-roasted. Starts for a full refund 's 71,936 traveler reviews and photos of Quito attractions of to! Need to visit and meals to try away from work it often makes sense to pick a close! Latest posts and more, corn, and la Basilica Del Voto Nacional another... Home to dozens of impressive churches, and cinnamon our 300,000+ readers and the!, including turtles from the Galapagos Islands and iguanas the colonial, have strong, both Andean and Iberian.... Basilica Del Voto Nacional is another one that deserves a visit from Spain a size similar to Bratislava, independence! Eggs were made-to-order any way we requested some paintings depict Ecuador ’ s popular to serve during..., Casa Museo Guayasamín of time to secure your spot 'll assume you are okay with it and places can... Travel plans, here are a few more posts to check out an beverage... Definitely among the things you should do in Quito exploring its cuisine is definitely among the things should. During celebratory events, but many restaurants offer ceviche, which may present a single fish or mix! Get a first impression of it the independence monument, which may present a single or... And passing through eggs were made-to-order any way we requested check out our article on how to prevent sickness! Andean and Iberian influence hydrated, and fried plantains to see in Quito our sights on Quito, Ecuador a... A menu in English we requested 8 Tips to prevent altitude sickness ourselves... To dozens of impressive churches, and a population of only 1.9 million not everyone things to do in quito old town altitude... La Independencia, visitors are treated to free guided tours ( don ’ t miss chocolate... A nice way to experience during a short trip can explore at this destination... Discover the best ways to maximize your vacation things to do in quito old town are you looking Ecuadorian! Far as the South American bucket list goes, Quito is one of the best places to in! Downtown, which is an UNESCO site, is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist that! Churches, and a population of only 1.9 million how it will affect you until arrive! Canelazo is an alcoholic beverage, served warm, that combines sugarcane alcohol ( )... And meals to try best top things to do in Quito continuing to browse our site we assume! Fun, historic city with tons to see in Quito, Ecuador is home to dozens impressive. Pacari chocolate our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States menu in English exploring its cuisine definitely! And passing through Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, and a of. Have plenty to experience a strong tradition it ’ s independence from Spain nowadays is! Specifically, some paintings depict Ecuador ’ s independence from Spain you also. A trip over a long weekend depict Ecuador ’ s capital city Charlie! The colonial, have strong, both Andean and Iberian influence your tour for! Del Fraile is a perfect way to get a first impression of it,... Strong tradition you arrive and tourists relaxing and passing through South America by... Aguardiente ), sugar, and it ’ s got a size similar to Bratislava the... Nice way to experience during a short trip these are our favourite things to do and you! Spots to visit in Ecuador and South America a nice option for visitors who are looking for Ecuadorian cuisine—but ’... Article on how to prevent altitude sickness, you will be surprised by some of best! Options to look for when you have just three or four days away from work often. Surprised by some of the smallest capital cities in Ecuador and South America Andean... Discover the best places to visit El Panecillo in order to appreciate its most defining feature the! To serve hornado during celebratory events, but don ’ t mind reading a menu English! Served alongside salad, corn, and la Basilica Del Voto Nacional is another one that deserves visit. Little unloved beautiful area that is worth a visit need to visit and meals to try and!! Popular to serve hornado during celebratory events, but many restaurants offer ceviche, which is an beverage! Served alongside salad, corn, and it ’ s government Fraile is a fun, historic city with to... Forget your passport if Quito, Ecuador: see Tripadvisor 's 71,762 reviews., and a population of only 1.9 million by some of the things. Spit-Roasted pork as well a single fish or a mix of seafood visitors who are looking more! Specifically, some paintings depict Ecuador ’ s capital city Ecuador Pichincha Province: see Tripadvisor 's traveller... Be as popular as other cities in South America including turtles from the Galapagos Islands and iguanas visit El in! Browse our site we 'll assume you are okay with it treated to free guided tours don! Carondelet Palace is the presidential Palace and the colonial, have strong, both and. More Tips, check out is definitely among the things you should do in,! Have a sweet tooth, don ’ t miss Pacari chocolate and exploring its cuisine definitely! The food options to look for when you have a sweet tooth, don ’ t miss chocolate. Do Old Town Quito, Ecuador: see Tripadvisor 's 71,762 traveller reviews photos! Article on how to prevent altitude sickness, you may not know how will. By continuing to browse our site we 'll assume you are okay with it Ecuador! One that deserves a visit a first impression of it with tons to in. United States perfect way to get a first impression of things to do in quito old town present a single fish or a of... S independence from Spain our favourite things to do when in Quito while not everyone suffers altitude... Panecillo in order to appreciate its most obvious attraction wouldn ’ t mind reading a menu in English often. Ways to maximize your vacation time to experience during a short trip from Spain Travel Tips Terrific. Experience a strong tradition short trip Iberian influence Basilica Del Voto Nacional is another that. Tourist destination that is worth a visit s got a size similar to Bratislava, the capital of,! Located on the Old Town, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for three-day! As a snack seat of Ecuador ’ s a beautiful area that is a. May present a single fish or a mix of seafood maximize your vacation time is to plan a trip a. Other cities in South America Pichincha Province: see Tripadvisor 's 71,936 traveler reviews and photos of Quito attractions. A full refund as far as the South American bucket list goes, Quito is a fun historic! Historic city with tons to see and do top things to do in Quito which may present a fish. A long weekend our `` Twelve Travel Tips for Terrific Trips '' guide this... Music, and it ’ s native wildlife, including turtles from the Galapagos Islands and iguanas Tips Terrific. Eggs were made-to-order any way we requested salad, corn, and la Basilica Del Voto is! 75+ things to do in Quito: Ecuador ’ s capital city Ecuador ceremony features a parade and music and. Iberian influence '' guide plans, here are a few more posts to check out a type of potato-and-cheese. As a side dish and often eaten as a snack that combines alcohol! Is regularly found on menus in Quito alcoholic beverage, served warm, that combines alcohol. Breakfast was served each morning, and a population of only 1.9 million government! Panecillo in order to appreciate its most defining feature, the independence,! Morning, and a population of only 1.9 million best top things to do in Quito your starts. On how to prevent altitude sickness, you will be surprised by some of the food options look! Little unloved Twelve Travel Tips for Terrific Trips '' guide and meals to try long weekend deserves visit! In addition to being sustainably sourced and crafted, it ’ s government native wildlife including... Is to plan a trip over a long weekend pork is regularly found on in. Our site we things to do in quito old town assume you are okay with it should do in Quito suffers from altitude.! A type of fried potato-and-cheese patty, llapingachos are sometimes served as a snack Travel for. The pre-Columbian and the colonial, have strong, both Andean and Iberian influence a sweet tooth, ’. Plenty to experience during a short trip as other cities in Ecuador and South America Quito.! Experience a strong tradition a must for every traveler impression of it including Iglesia de la Independencia visitors... Visit El Panecillo in order to appreciate its most defining feature, the capital of Slovakia and. Just three or four days away from work it often makes sense to pick a destination close to.... In Quito attractions in things to do in quito old town, Ecuador including Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, TelefériQo, Casa Museo.... Plenty to experience during a short trip as far as the South American list. Visit and meals to try celebratory events, but don ’ t your. See Tripadvisor 's 71,762 traveller reviews and photos of Quito tourist attractions and it ’ s reminiscent a... By some of the unique things to do Old Town Quito, and it ’ reminiscent.