Overview to Quito: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
- Quito Information
- Eating & drinking in Quito
- Things to do in Quito
- Where to stay in Quito
- Quito street map
Encircled by forested volcanoes and founded on Inca remains, Quito is rather impressive a sight from the outset. This initial impression is eroded slightly by the low oxygen levels and high pollution, but it’s to the city’s enormous credit that it manages to totally overcome these obstacles and draw in huge numbers of travelers each year.
Backpackers from all over the world congregate around La Mariscal in Northern Quito and, given the city’s confusing layout, it may be a good idea to start off by chatting with some fellow travelers before beginning to explore.
Northern Quito, or the New Town, is also where most travelers in the city stay. It’s young, modern and well-heeled, and boasts the massive Parque El Ejido – home to the Museo Del Banco Central, Ecuador’s finest museum.
Quito’s best sightseeing district is located to the west of the Parque. With its winding, cobbled streets, an entire day should be set aside to explore the Old Town. Of its more than thirty churches, the most beautiful is arguably the Iglesia de San Francisco and its neighboring plaza.
To the south (along Sucre) lies the impressive Casa de Sucre, followed by the Plaza Santo Domingo and its austere church. From here, it’s a short walk east to Santa Catalina and then north to the Plaza de la Independencia – the Old Town’s main square, which is dominated by the cathedral.
It’s well worth continuing southwest from the Old Town towards El Panecillo, the giant hill crowned by a magnificent statue that looms over the entire city. From here, stretching out in every direction as far as the eye can see, there are some truly great views of a great city.
