Guidebook for Quito
Food Scene
Zao
Simón ValenzuelaZazu
331 Mariano AguileraSegundo Muelle
Avenida Naciones UnidasSightseeing
Yet perhaps the most popular museum in Quito is the adjoining La Capilla Del Hombre and Museo Guayasamín. If only visiting one museum in Quito, this is likely the best bet. And particularly so for art-lovers.
Oswaldo Guayasamín is arguably Ecuador’s most famous painter. Even for those who have never heard of this artist, there’s much to learn about Guayasamín at this museum. Most visitors depart with a newfound respect and fascination for Guayasamín.
“The Chapel of the Man” is his masterpiece building. Guayasamín personally designed it before his death (1999) to showcase his masterworks. The neighboring home/museum offers a peek into Guayasamín’s life. It also shows off the artist’s prized collections, his bedroom, his working art studio, and more of his art pieces.
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La Capilla del Hombre
Lorenzo ChávezYet perhaps the most popular museum in Quito is the adjoining La Capilla Del Hombre and Museo Guayasamín. If only visiting one museum in Quito, this is likely the best bet. And particularly so for art-lovers.
Oswaldo Guayasamín is arguably Ecuador’s most famous painter. Even for those who have never heard of this artist, there’s much to learn about Guayasamín at this museum. Most visitors depart with a newfound respect and fascination for Guayasamín.
“The Chapel of the Man” is his masterpiece building. Guayasamín personally designed it before his death (1999) to showcase his masterworks. The neighboring home/museum offers a peek into Guayasamín’s life. It also shows off the artist’s prized collections, his bedroom, his working art studio, and more of his art pieces.
At the center of Quito’s Old Town, this plaza is a constant hub of activity, often serving as a site for political activism or public opinion, but also buzzing with tourists from around the world. In the center stands a large monument installed in the late 19th century in commemoration of Ecuador’s independence. The plaza is also the site of the assasination of Ecuadorian president Gabriel Garcia Moreno in 1875. Ecuador’s Presidential Palace overlooks the plaza and around the exterior are a variety of restaurants
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Carondelet Palace
García Moreno
At the center of Quito’s Old Town, this plaza is a constant hub of activity, often serving as a site for political activism or public opinion, but also buzzing with tourists from around the world. In the center stands a large monument installed in the late 19th century in commemoration of Ecuador’s independence. The plaza is also the site of the assasination of Ecuadorian president Gabriel Garcia Moreno in 1875. Ecuador’s Presidential Palace overlooks the plaza and around the exterior are a variety of restaurants
Guarding the historic streets of Quito’s Old Town, The Virgin of El Panecillo is one of Quito’s most recognizable landmarks. Legend holds that the large statue faces the north and blesses those living there, while her back is turned to the south, explaining the wealth disparity between the two parts of the city. The road to the statue winds around the hill of El Panecillo, which appropriately translates to ‘little bread roll’. Visitors can ascend The Virgin statue for an even better view of the city below.
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El Panecillo
Guarding the historic streets of Quito’s Old Town, The Virgin of El Panecillo is one of Quito’s most recognizable landmarks. Legend holds that the large statue faces the north and blesses those living there, while her back is turned to the south, explaining the wealth disparity between the two parts of the city. The road to the statue winds around the hill of El Panecillo, which appropriately translates to ‘little bread roll’. Visitors can ascend The Virgin statue for an even better view of the city below.
A short drive north of Quito sits the equator line, for which Ecuador receives its name. Marked by a massive monument where French explorers initially calculated the equator to be, Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world) provides a great opportunity to be in two places at once. The monument is surrounded by an area known as the city of de Mitad del Mundo, a veritable microcosm of Ecuadorian culture comprised of shops, restaurants and even small museums. Offering artisan goods such as alpaca blankets, exotic Ecuadorian food—including guinea pig—, and traditional dance performances, you really do feel at the center of everything.
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Mitad del Mundo
SN Av. Manuel Córdova GalarzaA short drive north of Quito sits the equator line, for which Ecuador receives its name. Marked by a massive monument where French explorers initially calculated the equator to be, Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world) provides a great opportunity to be in two places at once. The monument is surrounded by an area known as the city of de Mitad del Mundo, a veritable microcosm of Ecuadorian culture comprised of shops, restaurants and even small museums. Offering artisan goods such as alpaca blankets, exotic Ecuadorian food—including guinea pig—, and traditional dance performances, you really do feel at the center of everything.
Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana - Benjamín Carrión
345 Av. 6 de DiciembreAlso found in Old Town, the Basilica of the National Vow is another exceptional Quito landmark. Visitors can climb its two large towers up to the clock faces and explore the architectural beauty. Replicas of animals found in the Galapagos Islands serve as gargoyles and the colorful stained glass is not to be missed. Curiously, the building will seem incomplete in places, but it’s with good reason: as the story goes, upon the Basilica’s completion the world will come to an end.
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Basílica del Voto Nacional
11-263 y CarchiAlso found in Old Town, the Basilica of the National Vow is another exceptional Quito landmark. Visitors can climb its two large towers up to the clock faces and explore the architectural beauty. Replicas of animals found in the Galapagos Islands serve as gargoyles and the colorful stained glass is not to be missed. Curiously, the building will seem incomplete in places, but it’s with good reason: as the story goes, upon the Basilica’s completion the world will come to an end.
On the eastern side of Quito’s Old Town to reach the area known as Itchimbía. Itchimbía is where that big orange Quito sign makes for great photo overlooking the city.
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Itchimbia
On the eastern side of Quito’s Old Town to reach the area known as Itchimbía. Itchimbía is where that big orange Quito sign makes for great photo overlooking the city.
Parks & Nature
Far above the city looms the dormant volcano Pichincha. The view from the top on a clear day is perhaps the top sight to see in Quito, and the Teleférico tram or sky rail is the best way to get there. Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. the rail ascends from Vulqano Park, a small amusement park on the side of the mountain, to a lookout area with spectacular views, plus horseback riding and a restaurant. For those who want to climb to the Rucu peak of Pichincha, at 4,696 meters, there are hiking trails that lead from the top of Teleférico. Just make sure it’s a clear day.
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Teleferico De Quito station
Far above the city looms the dormant volcano Pichincha. The view from the top on a clear day is perhaps the top sight to see in Quito, and the Teleférico tram or sky rail is the best way to get there. Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. the rail ascends from Vulqano Park, a small amusement park on the side of the mountain, to a lookout area with spectacular views, plus horseback riding and a restaurant. For those who want to climb to the Rucu peak of Pichincha, at 4,696 meters, there are hiking trails that lead from the top of Teleférico. Just make sure it’s a clear day.
Parque Metropolitano de Quito
GuanguiltaguaOften compared to New York’s Central Park, Quito’s Carolina Park exemplifies the spirit of the city. During the weekend it is a hub of activity where hundreds of families will gather to enjoy a rest from work. Popular park activities include Ecuavoli (volleyball with three people per team and specific rules), paddle boating and, of course, lots of soccer. Full of surprises the park holds an exotic botanical garden, a reptile house, a skate park, a large airplane-turned-playground, a planetarium and a small museum.
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La Carolina
Often compared to New York’s Central Park, Quito’s Carolina Park exemplifies the spirit of the city. During the weekend it is a hub of activity where hundreds of families will gather to enjoy a rest from work. Popular park activities include Ecuavoli (volleyball with three people per team and specific rules), paddle boating and, of course, lots of soccer. Full of surprises the park holds an exotic botanical garden, a reptile house, a skate park, a large airplane-turned-playground, a planetarium and a small museum.
Arts & Culture
Museum of the City
García MorenoShopping
Great for getting souvenirs, pictures and handicrafts.
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Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
611 Jorge WashingtonGreat for getting souvenirs, pictures and handicrafts.
All type of ecuadorian handicrafts can be found here.
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Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
611 Jorge WashingtonAll type of ecuadorian handicrafts can be found here.
Centro Comercial Quicentro
yMall El Jardin
N6-144 Av. Río AmazonasEssentials
Megamaxi
Avenida 6 de DiciembreWallmart style supermarket