Quito Things to Do Tips by richiecdisc

Plaza Grande is the focal point of the Old Town. You can’t miss it and locals congregate there just about any time of day. Mornings are the least busy but you’ll never have it to yourself. Nice evenings are particularly busy. It’s a great place to relax and take in local life. It’s also particularly scenic with pretty landscaping and a few nice fountains and statues. Nothing is spectacular in its own right but the overall effect is quite satisfying. It’s lined on three of four sides with beautiful buildings that include an attractive cathedral, the exquisite presidential palace and the archbishop’s palace which now houses storefronts.

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Directions: At the very heart of the Old Town, sided by Garcia Moreno, Venezuela, Chile, and Espejo.

As if the Plaza Grande were not enough, Quito’s “other” square is perhaps Ecuador’s most spectacular man made sight. Coming across Plaza San Francisco is like stepping back in time with its massive cobblestone courtyard and the oldest church in Ecuador, the imposing Monasterio de San Francisco. I guess even the shoe shine boys realize this is the real deal as this is where they congregate to make a buck. Luckily they are not as persistent as in Cuzco and you can enjoy the square in relative peace. If it gets to be too much outside there is more than enough to keep you busy with the monastery including an extensive museum and one of the most beautiful altars in all of South America. Unfortunately, it was under construction while we were there so I guess that’s another reason to come back. The monastery dates back to the early 1500s and took nearly 70 years to complete.

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Address: corner of Cuenca & Sucre
Directions: two blocks from the Plaza Grande.

The Gothic spires of Basilica del Voto Nacional are easy to spot from just about anywhere in town due not only to their height but also their vantage point high atop a hill on the northeastern side of the Old Town. Beautiful from afar the cathedral is stunning within as well with huge ornate stained glass windows galore. But its true calling card is the view from the top and perhaps more so the climb itself which involves some portions not advised for those with a fear of heights. Fear not, the whole thing is quite safe. Just don’t look down and enjoy the views from the top once there. Well worth the $2 entrance fee.

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Directions: corner of Venezuela & Cachi

La Compania de Jesus is to churches as gold is to rings. If you like ornate and you like gold, this is THE church to visit in Ecuador. Dating back to the early 1600s the green and gold dome of the main altar is visible from around the city, most notably Plaza San Francisco but it's real claim to fame is the gold laden interior which reportedly is emblazoned with seven tons of gold. They charge an exhorbitant $2.50 to enter but if you go on Sundays right after the mass you can get in for free.

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Directions: Sucre & Garcia Moreno.

La Virgen de Quito cannot be missed and is perhaps the landmark that keeps both tourist and locals oriented. Though a bit cartoonish compared to Rio de Janeiro’s statue of Jesus it nonetheless adds a bit of distinction to the many hills that surround Quito. The hill on which it stands is called El Panecillo and supposedly affords great views of not on the city but also distant volcanoes on a clear day. It also is reportedly dangerous to walk up there. It goes through a poor part of town and though a cab can be hailed to the top it never seemed clear enough to warrant that. Besides the walk up was something I would have liked to do for an acclimatization exercise. Maybe they’ll clean up this area much as they seemed that end of town when we were there. Something tells me I may walk up there yet.

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Address: atop El Panecillo
Directions: El Panecillo is the hill at the south end of the Old Town. Just walk up the steps at the end of Garcia Moreno to get there. Oops, no, take a taxi for $4. Or just enjoy the statue from anywhere in town where you are bound to see it.

Plaza Santo Domingo is another huge scenic square that is a regular meeting ground for street performers as well as political demonstrations and parties. There is a general festive feel but especially so in the evenings when the square’s namesake 17th century church is a glow from floodlights as is the statue of Mariscal Sucre that stands sentinel.

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Address: Flores & Rocafuerte
Directions: At the south end of the Old Town.

At the far south side of the Old Town stands the impressive Arco de la Reina, built in the 18th century to protect church goers and seemingly tourists of today as it more or less divides where you should and shouldn’t venture in the city. It certainly is not a sharp distinction as a very good museum lays just on the other side as well as the beautiful Monasterio de Carmen Alto. The monastery is a working one and the cloistered nuns cannot be viewed though do sell their wares (including traditional sweets) through a revolving door that keeps them hidden.

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Address: corner of Garcia Moreno & Rocafuerte
Directions: Far south side of town, a great quiet area to wander around.

Plaza San Blas is one of the city’s prettiest if simple squares and certainly one of the more quiet ones too. Its focal point is an unadorned white church dating back to the 16th century as a place of worship for indigenous people though rebuilt in the 18th century. In many ways it serves as the gateway to the Old Town. Heading north you'll go through the citiy's great parks en route to the New Town.

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Address: corner of Guayaquil & Caldas
Directions: The dividing area between New and Old Town.

Plaza del Teatro is a bustling square always full of people due in part to its convenient central location but also to entertaining preachers of religion and politics often amplified to spread their message. The square’s central backdrop is the city’s stylishly restored Teatro Sucre. Built in 1878 it’s where the rich come out and play.

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Directions: junction of Guayaquil & Manabi

Quito was established as a World Heritage Site in 1978 for good reason. Not only does it contain churches that are amongst the most stunning in all of South America but the entire core is like walking in a museum of colonial architecture. While the churches exhibit some Moorish tendencies the rows of houses that are now mostly shops are elegant often with balconies that Ecuadorians love to adorn with flowers. Add into the mix that beneath these Spanish structures are foundations to one of the Incan empire's great cities and you have one of South America’s most intriguing cities.

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Directions: It's everywhere, just walk around.