12 Things to Do in Quito Ecuador: Culture, Food, Nature

Mouthwatering street foods, temples inside volcanoes, and a world of colorful textiles. These are just a fewthings to do in Quito Ecuador, the capital city located high in the Andes mountains.

12 Things to Do in Quito Ecuador

There is a wealth of things to do and beautiful places to see in Quito, day trips, culinary tours and Old Town sightseeing, just to mention a few. So before you arrive you might want to make a list to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Ecuadorians are very friendly, many visitors enjoy chatting with and getting to know the locals while they explore this gorgeous town.

1. Quito by Night

Jump on one of the city’s old trolleys and marvel at the attractions lit up at night. There are usually less people which makes it a lot more fun. To be on the safe side at night it’s best to travel with a group or your tour company. Is it safe to travel to Ecuador?

The illuminated cathedrals are dazzling. One of the popular things to do in Quito is to stop and climb a hill with a view overlooking the city (pictured below).

2. Museo Templo de Sol Pinto Ortego Maila (Temple of the Sun)

This unique museum which was built to honor the sun gods is constructed inside the crater of the Pululahua Volcano (which is now extinct). Here you can lose yourself in art and history while you experience Quito’s rich culture.

3. Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal

Grab that Panama Hat or poncho before heading home while wandering the lane-ways of this artisan’s market. At Mercado Atresanal La Mariscal you can buy directly from the artisans themselves.

Traditional fabrics, textiles and jewelry are all available alongside any souvenirs you may want to take home with you.

4. Iglesia de La Compañia de Jesus

This church is a lavish example of ornate baroque architecture combined with Quinteño-colonial art which forms a masterpiece. Allow yourself time as it is ornately carved from floor to ceiling. And while the sheer beauty of it is a photographer’s dream, you’ll have to commit it to memory as there is no photography allowed.

5. Quito City Hop-on Hop-off Tour

This city tour is exactly as it sounds, you can hop on an open roofed double decker bus and explore Quito. You have complete freedom to hop off anywhere you like along the 11 stops to explore further, and hop back on once you’re done to continue exploring the city at your leisure. Visit QuitoTourBus.com

6. Quito Culinary Tour and cooking class

Ecuador has some mouthwatering dishes so this is the perfect way to take a little piece of Quito home with you. On this culinary tour of Quito you’ll learn about local ingredients and how to prepare them into traditional dishes.

Start in the market to see all the exotic produce. And then visit one of Quito’s oldest bakeries where you’ll lose yourself in the world of Ecuadorian baked goods.

7. Experience Quito’s Gastronomy

Here are a few ways food lovers can discover the flavors of Quito:

• Foodies Evening Walking Tour of Quito’s Old Town: Combine your dinner with some adventure as you learn about and get to taste traditional Ecuadorian foods. Anything you fall in love with you can buy more of. The guides and locals are happy to chat, so you may even score some recipes to take home!
• Dinner and Chocolate Tour: Take a step back in time and learn the history of cacao before tasting the most highly awarded chocolate of Ecuador. While being entertained by local drummers you’ll experience a traditional Ecuadorian dinner with beer or wine, and then hand make some delicious drinking chocolate. Don’t be surprised if you’re encouraged to grab a drum and join in. This is a tour full of good food, laughter and great company.
• Cultural Tour of Quito Including Artisan Chocolate Tasting: Treat your taste buds to some artisan chocolate. Afterwards stroll through the historic Guapulo neighborhood on a guided walking tour to get a feel for the city. Next you’ll enjoy Quito like a local by sipping a canelazo at a bohemian style café.

8. Otavalo Markets

Get out of town for the day and visit South America’s largest market spanning an entire city block.

You’ll see Quito’s surroundings on a scenic and beautiful country drive, where you’ll stop on the equator for a bit of fun so you can have one foot in each hemisphere. Than wander the markets full of textiles, traditional fabrics, souvenirs, jewelry and pretty much anything else you can think of. Here’s more about visiting the market.

9. Mindo Cloud Forest

After planting a foot in both hemispheres, the fun continues on this tour where you have the choice to explore one of the world’s most unique and biodiverse forest ecosystems.

You could swim in a waterfall, satisfy the bird lover within and go looking for exotic beauties, amaze your eyes with an orchid tour, or indulge that naughty little voice in your head that says ‘chocolate, we want chocolate’ on a chocolate tour. Here are the details on visiting Mindo Cloud Forest.

10. Quilotoa Lagoon and Indian Markets

Hike or ride a mule to the edge of a volcanic crater where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the lakes emerald waters. Stop at the Indian markets and be entertained as you walk around to look at traditional textiles and pick up some souvenirs.

This is one of the things to do in Quito Ecuador which satisfies the adventurer and nature lover in you in one day! Includes lunch and all transfers.

Read more about our Volcanic Wonders of Ecuador tour which includes visiting Quilotoa lagoon.

11. Street Food and Art

Delight the foodie within and tantalize your taste buds by trying the multitude of mouthwatering street foods that Quito and Ecuador are famous for.

Some of the most impressive art in Quito is not in galleries but out in the streets depicted in murals and graffiti, so it’s dinner and a show while you explore Quito like a local.

12. Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world)

You can literally straddle both hemispheres at the equator. Satisfy the scientist, nature lover and adventurer within at the museum located within Pululahua Geobotanical Reserveand. Your mind may be blown as you see displays of strange physics at work where the earth’s poles meet. This tour comes in half day or full day tours.

Looking for more than just Quito? Here’s a sampling of what you can experience with 3 weeks in Ecuador.

And there you have it – 12 things to do in Quito Ecuador. What activities are on your bucket list?