Quito

City · Pichincha Province, 🇪🇨 Ecuador

Population 1,763,275

Area 122 km²

Time zone America/Guayaquil

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Featured Lists

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Quito Essentials

Quito's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserves colonial architecture across its high-altitude landscape. The city features the gold-leafed interiors of the Church of La Compañía and the Neo-Gothic spires of the Basilica of the National Vow. Visitors can explore the seat of government at Carondelet Palace, browse local textiles at the Mariscal Craft Market, and view the city from the 4,000-meter heights of the TelefériQo or the iconic Virgin statue atop El Panecillo hill.

13 places

Francesco Bailo / Public domain

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Quito’s historic center was the first city inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1978, recognized for its exceptionally well-preserved colonial architecture. This selection features the massive Neo-Gothic spires of the Basilica of the National Vow, the Baroque interiors of the San Francisco complex, and the seat of Ecuadorian government at Carondelet Palace. The list encompasses grand 16th-century churches, the city's oldest cathedral, and former colonial mansions that now house museums dedicated to the city's art and history.

11 places

H3kt0r / CC BY-SA 3.0

Cultural Highlights of Quito

Quito’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains a dense concentration of colonial architecture and religious art. This collection features the Neo-Gothic Basilica of the National Vow, the 16th-century San Francisco religious complex, and the Carondelet Palace, seat of the Ecuadorian government. Museums like the Chapel of Man and Casa del Alabado showcase pre-Columbian artifacts and the modern legacy of Oswaldo Guayasamín, while the Sucre National Theatre serves as the city’s primary performing arts venue.

18 places

Paulakindsvater / CC BY-SA 4.0

Historic Churches of Quito

Quito’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserves one of the most significant collections of colonial religious architecture in the Americas. This list features landmarks ranging from the Neo-Gothic spires of the Basilica of the National Vow to the gold-leaf interiors of La Compañía de Jesús. These sites showcase the 'Quito School' of art, blending European Baroque and Renaissance styles with indigenous influences. Key highlights include the 16th-century San Francisco complex and the Metropolitan Cathedral, which houses important national monuments and religious relics.

8 places

Cayambe / CC BY-SA 3.0

Quito Parks & Viewpoints

Quito’s high-altitude landscape is defined by a mix of expansive urban parks and volcanic lookout points. The selection includes historic sites like the central Independence Square and the volcanic hill of El Panecillo, home to the iconic winged Virgin statue. Modern green spaces like Parque La Carolina offer recreational facilities in the business district, while terraced parks such as Guápulo and Itchimbía provide panoramic views of the Andean cordillera and the colonial Old Town.

10 places