Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador
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 sits at about 2,850 m in a long, narrow Andean valley, and a first visit usually revolves around four things: the old town, the cable car, the equator and the markets. Take the first two days slowly. Drink water, eat lightly, and leave strenuous climbs for later in the trip.
The historic centre
Quito’s old town was among the first places on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1978. Its cloisters, carved stone fronts and painted wooden ceilings reward a slow morning on foot, starting at Plaza Grande with the cathedral and the presidential palace. The metro is the easiest way in: San Francisco station comes up beside Plaza de San Francisco. Daylight is best for walking here, because pickpocketing and muggings are common around the old town and transport hubs.
TelefériQo and Cruz Loma
The TelefériQo climbs for about 18 minutes from roughly 3,100 m to a top station near 3,950 m on the slope of Rucu Pichincha. On a clear morning you can see Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antisana. An adult ticket is about $9. Hours differ by day: Monday to Thursday 10:00 to 18:00, Friday 08:00 to 18:00, and Saturday and Sunday 08:00 to 19:00, with the last ticket sold earlier. Weather can stop the service, so check the official hours and fares . Allow a taxi or app ride to the base station. The air at the top is thin and cold, so go up on day three or later, not on arrival day, and ride back down if you get a headache with nausea, confusion or breathlessness at rest.
Mitad del Mundo
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is in San Antonio de Pichincha, about 26 km north of the centre, roughly an hour by taxi or bus. Entry is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children and seniors, and the complex is open every day. The 30 m monument commemorates the 18th-century French Geodesic Mission, and GPS puts the true equator about 240 m from the painted line. A planetarium and several small museums share the site; see the official site for current details. Nearby attractions that demonstrate egg balancing or water draining are entertainment rather than science, so enjoy them for the show.
Food at Mercado Central
Mercado Central, on Avenida Pichincha at the edge of the old town, is a straightforward place to try highland cooking. Typical dishes are locro de papa, a potato soup with avocado and cheese, at about $2 to $2.50, hornado, slow-roast pork with mote and potato patties, at about $4 to $5, and fruit juices such as mora and taxo for around $1. Go at lunchtime, eat where the locals queue, and keep your phone in a front pocket.
Getting around and paying
The metro opened in December 2023 and runs 15 stations from Quitumbe in the south to El Labrador in the north. A single trip costs $0.45, and paper QR tickets are sold at station booths. Ecuador uses the US dollar, but $50 and $100 bills are often refused, so carry $1, $5, $10 and $20 notes. For late evenings, book an app ride rather than hailing a car on the street.
Tours and tickets
Most sights above sell tickets at the gate, but organised tours are useful for day trips outside the city. A search such as Quito tours and activities lists current options, and the metro guide explains fares and stations.
Read more: Quito sightseeing , day trips from Quito and the 3 day Quito itinerary .