Romantic Things to Do in Quito

October 29, 2026

Travel advisory, as of October 2026. Ecuador has declared an internal armed conflict against criminal gangs, and rolling states of emergency apply in several provinces. Pichincha, which includes Quito, is under one until mid-November 2026. Quito had a night curfew in May 2026, and curfews can return at short notice. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several coastal provinces and the strip along the Colombian border; Quito lies outside those areas. Street crime and express kidnappings are real risks, so use registered taxis or ride apps, especially at night and for El Panecillo. Read the FCDO advice for Ecuador and check travel.state.gov before you book.

Quito is a romantic city mostly because of its setting: colonial streets, cold clear air and mountains that glow at dusk. The best evenings here are short and well planned, with a ride booked home. Plan around the altitude of about 2,850 m, which makes you tire sooner and feel the cold, and go easy on wine for the first night or two.

Stay in a historic house

Old-town boutique hotels are the classic choice. Casa Gangotena, a restored 1924 mansion on Plaza de San Francisco, is reported to be trading in 2026 with a rooftop terrace and a restaurant. La Casona de la Ronda is a small hotel of about 22 rooms in an 18th-century house on La Ronda, with a coffee shop and a reading room with a fireplace. Weekend nights on La Ronda can be noisy, so ask for a quiet room. Confirm availability and rates directly, and use the Quito accommodation search to compare other options.

Canelazo on La Ronda

La Ronda is a cobbled pedestrian lane of whitewashed houses with wrought-iron balconies and small craft workshops. After dusk couples stroll it with a hot canelazo, a spiced drink usually made with cane spirit, and empanadas de viento, a fried cheese pastry. Musicians play on some afternoons and evenings. Stay on the lane itself and avoid the surrounding blocks after dark. Book an app ride or registered taxi back to your hotel rather than walking.

Sunset above the city

The TelefériQo takes about 18 minutes to rise to roughly 3,950 m at Cruz Loma. An adult ticket is about $9. On clear evenings the volcanoes Cotopaxi, Antisana and Cayambe catch the last light, and the city lights come on below. Hours differ by day, and the last ticket is sold at 17:00 on weekdays and 17:30 at weekends; the cable car closes at 18:00 on weekdays and 19:00 on Saturday and Sunday, so plan the ride down. See the official hours . It can be about 4 to 6 degrees Celsius at dusk, so bring coats, scarves and gloves. Because of the height, do this on day three or later and skip any alcohol before you go up.

A spa day at Papallacta

Termas de Papallacta is a hot-spring resort about 65 km east of Quito, 1.5 to 2 hours by car over a mountain pass. Its pools are fed by volcanic heat, and the air outside is crisp and cold. Prices for entry and treatments are set by the operator, so check the official site and book ahead. Hire a driver so that nobody has to drive the mountain road back after a long soak.

Dinner for two

For a special meal, two tasting-menu restaurants have solid reputations. Urko Cocina Local on Mallorca in La Floresta serves seasonal menus, reportedly from about $80 per person, and opening days are reported as Tuesday to Saturday, so confirm when booking. Nuema is another tasting-menu restaurant in Quito that appeared on Latin America’s 50 Best list in 2024. Reserve in advance for both.

Safety on a night out

Keep valuables out of sight, pay by card where you can, and do not accept drinks, flyers or snacks from strangers. In nightlife areas such as La Mariscal, leave by pre-booked app ride, not on foot.