Quito, Ecuador — Where to Go
Quito Sightseeing Overview
The city gets its name from the pre-Inca Quitu tribe that inhabited the valley in the first millenium. Before the Spanish arrived in 1526, the Incas had converted Quito into a major city, but fearing Quito and its treasures would fall into the hands of the Spanish conquerors, Inca warrior Rumiñahui ordered the city razed and burnt. There are no Inca remains. The present capital was founded atop the ruins by Spanish lieutenant Sebastián de Benalcázar on 6 December 1534.
The first city named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, Quito's historical center with its splendid colonial architecture is the city's main attraction. The area is dominated by old cathedrals whose lavish decoration is influenced by the indigenous population of the Andes and laborers brought by the Spanish colonists from as far as China. Many bakeries and shops - a couple of them practically built into the presidential palace - seem to have not been renovated since the 1920s.
The city's mountainous landscape means there are several dramatic vantage points, such as the Panecillo hill, topped with the Virgin Mary statue, or the cliff overlooking Guapolo valley, lined by multicolored high-rise hotel and apartment buildings. For the ultimate city view, take the modern Teleferico cable car up the Pichincha volcano slope to the final station at the altitude of 4,050m (13,287ft).
Quito Tourist Information
Quito Visitor's Bureau
Palacio Municipal, Plaza Grande (Quito's main square in the Old Town)
Tel: (02) 228 1904.
Website: www.quito.com.ec
The office is located by the emergency entrance of the Hospital Eugenio Espejo, in the neighborhood of the National Assembly building.
Empresa de Desarrollo del Centro Histórico
Ground floor of Palacio Arzobiscal, Plaza Grande
Tel: (02) 258 6591.
You can't feel safer on an excursion around the city than when your guide is a uniformed policeman. The city's main tourist information office offers two types of guided tours, taking in major sights in the historical center.
Key Attractions in Quito, Ecuador
La Plaza Grande
Formerly known as La Plaza de la Independencia, the city's main square is dominated by the cathedral, built in 1562. The cathedral's most attractive part, however, is the 17th-century El Sagrario chapel. On the western side, and elevated above the square, stands the Palacio de Gobierno that has seen quite a few coups and political assassinations in its history as the seat of the national government. The Archbishop's Palace, opposite the cathedral, has been converted into a tourist center with galleries, shops and a pleasant café.
San Francisco Church and Monastery
The largest church in the historical district, San Francisco Church is believed to be the first religious building in South America. The construction began in 1536, soon after the city was founded by the Spanish. The nearby San Francisco Monastery houses a museum showcasing many canvases of the Quito School of religious art, including paintings by Quito School's main star, Miguel de Santiago.
Museo Fray Pedro Gocial (San Francisco Museum)
Plaza San Francisco, Cuenca 477 y Sucre
Tel: (02) 295 2911.
Website: www.museopedrogocial.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1730, Sun 0900-1330.
Admission charge: Y.
La Compañía de Jesús Church
Although it was built by the Jesuits in the 17th century, this church's most striking feature is the intricately carved 18th-century façade. Inside, almost every inch of the interior is covered with lavish decoration, beautiful statues and a dazzling golden altar.
García Moreno y Sucre
Tel: (02) 258 1895.
Website: www.ficj.org.ec
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730, Sat 0900-1630, Sun 1300-1630.
Admission charge: Y.
San Agustín Church and Monastery
Built between 1605 and 1650, it contains some of the best paintings by Miguel de Santiago. But the place is also historically important, because this is where the first act of independence from Spain was signed in 1809.
San Agustín
Chile 924 y Guayaquil
Tel: (02) 295 5525.
Website: www.migueldesantiago.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-1700, Sat 0900-1300.
Admission charge: N.
Basilica del Voto Nacional
Rising above central Quito, this neo-Gothic tower is a rather peculiar sight, with its gargoyles depicting Amazonian animals and the out-of-place 1960s-styled clock. The construction continued through most of the 20th century. You can climb to the top of the tower for a splendid view of the city.
Plaza de la Basilica, Carchi 122 y Venezuela
Tel : (02) 228 9428.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
El Panecillo
The giant statue of the Virgin of Quito on top of the Panecillo hill is a local symbol visible from almost everywhere around the city. Naturally, it is also one of the best vantage points in Quito. The statue is a replica of a painting by the local artist Legarda. You can find the original in the San Francisco Church.
El Panecillo, south of Old Town
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat-Sun 0900-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
Museo del Banco Central
If you have time for just one museum in Quito, head straight to Museo del Banco Central that displays art from all periods of the country's history: pre-Columbian, colonial and republican. Its most impressive part is Sala de Oro with its rich collection of pre-Hispanic golden objects.
Avenida Patria, entre 6 de Diciembre y 12 de Octubre
Tel: (02) 222 3258/9.
Website: www.museobibliotecabce.com
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 0900-1700, Sat-Sun 1000-1600.
Admission charge: Y.
Further Distractions
Mitad del Mundo
Quito lies in close proximity to the equator. To celebrate this fact there is a monument standing on this line just outside the city. It is actually a complex of exhibition halls dedicated to science and astronomy. Outside the premises, there is the quirky Intiñan Solar Museum, dedicated to ancient beliefs and astronomical knowledge of indigenous people.
Intiñan Solar Museum
Autopista Cordova Galarza
Tel: (02) 239 5122.
Website: www.museointinan.com.ec
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 0930-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
Bellavista and Guápolo
Bellavista is a district from where - as the name suggests - a beautiful view opens to the Guápolo valley below. Not surprisingly, rich and famous people tended to build their homes here. One of them is the villa of Ecuador's most prominent painter Oswaldo Guayasamín, turned into Museo Guayasamín after his death. The focal point of the valley is Santuario de Guápolo, a large 17th-century church containing the interesting Museo Fray Antonio Rodríguez which displays religious art and furniture.
Museo Guayasamín
Jose Bosmediano 543 y Jose Carbo, Bellavista
Tel: (02) 244 6455.
Website: www.guayasamin.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1700.
Museo Fray Antonio Rodríguez
Orellano, Guápolo
Tel: (02) 256 5652.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 09001300 and 1400-1800.
Admission charge: Y.
