You step off the plane at Mariscal Sucre International, and your lungs immediately notice something is missing. Oxygen. At 9,350 feet above sea level, Quito isn't just a city; it's a high-altitude challenge to your cardiovascular system. Most people treat this place as a quick pitstop on the way to the Galápagos, which is a massive mistake. Honestly, the things to see in quito are often more culturally dense and visually staggering than anything you'll find on the islands.
It’s old. It’s chaotic. It’s breathtakingly beautiful if you can handle the steep hills.
The Old Town Isn't Just for Tourists
The Centro Histórico is a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason. It was the first one ever designated, back in 1978. While most "old towns" in Latin America feel like polished museums, Quito’s heart is still very much a living, breathing neighborhood. You'll see grandmas selling espumilla (a guava meringue that looks like ice cream but won't melt) right next to 16th-century gold-leafed cathedrals.
The crown jewel is undoubtedly the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús. People call it the "Sistine Chapel of Quito," but that’s almost an understatement. The interior is covered in roughly seven tons of gold leaf. It is blinding. When the sun hits the nave at the right angle, the whole place glows with an intensity that feels almost supernatural. It took 160 years to build. You can't just rush through it. Sit in the pews. Look at the Moorish influence in the geometric carvings on the ceiling. It’s a dizzying blend of Spanish Baroque and indigenous artistry.
Just a few blocks away, the Plaza San Francisco offers a completely different vibe. It’s massive. The monastery there is one of the largest architectural complexes in the Americas. Local legend says a man named Cantuña sold his soul to the devil to finish the atrium on time, but tricked him by hiding one last stone. If you look closely at the walls, you’ll see the "missing" stone. It’s these little quirks that make the city feel alive.
Why the Panecillo is Better Than a Map
You see that giant winged woman on the hill from everywhere in the city? That’s the Virgen de El Panecillo.
She’s made of 7,000 pieces of aluminum.
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Getting up there is a rite of passage. Don’t walk it, though. Seriously. The stairs leading up are notorious for opportunistic muggings, so just grab an Uber or a registered yellow taxi. Once you’re at the top, the view explains the city’s geography better than any guidebook. Quito is a "noodle city." It’s long and skinny, squeezed into a valley between massive Andean peaks. To the north, the modern high-rises. To the south, the working-class neighborhoods that stretch forever. And right in the middle, the colonial core.
If the weather is clear—which usually happens before 10:00 AM—you can see the Cotopaxi volcano looming in the distance. It’s a perfect snow-capped cone that looks like a child’s drawing of a mountain. But it’s active. Very active.
The Middle of the World: Science vs. Tradition
When looking for things to see in quito, everyone eventually lands on Mitad del Mundo. This is the big monument where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere.
Except you aren't actually at the equator.
The French Geodesic Mission in the 18th century calculated the line here, but they were off by about 240 meters. The "real" equator, according to modern GPS, is actually at the Museo de Sitio Intiñan, just down the road. It’s a bit more "tourist trap" in its presentation—think shrunken heads and demonstrations of water swirling in different directions—but it’s technically the correct spot. Honestly, go to both. The big monument is great for the iconic photo, but Intiñan is where you can try to balance an egg on a nail.
Pro tip: The equator sun is brutal. You are closer to the sun here than almost anywhere else on Earth. Wear sunscreen even if it’s cloudy. You will burn in fifteen minutes. I’ve seen people turn lobster-red on "overcast" days. Don't be that person.
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The Telefériqo: High Altitude and Higher Stakes
If 9,000 feet wasn't enough for you, take the Telefériqo. It’s one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, whisking you up the side of Pichincha Volcano to about 13,000 feet.
The temperature drops instantly.
At the top, the air is thin. Really thin. You’ll see people trying to hike to the Rucu Pichincha summit from the drop-off point. Unless you’ve spent a week acclimating, don’t do the full hike. Just walk to the "Swing in the Clouds." It’s a giant swing set where you can fly out over the edge of the mountain with the entire city spread out below you. It’s terrifying. It’s also the best photo op in the country.
If you start feeling a dull headache or nausea, that’s altitude sickness. Drink mate de coca (coca leaf tea). It’s not a drug in this form; it’s a traditional Andean remedy that actually works by improving oxygen uptake in the blood.
La Mariscal vs. La Floresta: Where to Actually Eat
Most tourists end up in La Mariscal, often called "Gringolandia." It’s loud, full of hostels, and great if you want a cheap beer and loud music. But if you want to see how Quiteños actually live, head to La Floresta.
This neighborhood is the cultural hub. It’s full of street art, independent cinemas like Ocho y Medio, and incredible food.
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Every night, the Parque de las Tripas (officially Parque Vicentina) comes alive. This is where you find the best street food. You have to try morocho, a thick, sweet corn-based drink, and tripa mishqui—grilled beef tripe. If the smell of grilled meat doesn't draw you in, the crowd will. It’s social, it’s loud, and it’s authentic.
Hidden Gems Most People Miss
- Casa del Alabado: This is a pre-Columbian art museum in a restored 17th-century colonial mansion. The curation is world-class. Instead of boring chronological displays, they organize artifacts by "worlds"—the underworld, the middle world, and the sky world.
- Guayasamín’s House & Capilla del Hombre: Oswaldo Guayasamín is Ecuador’s most famous artist. His work is dark, emotional, and focuses on the suffering of the indigenous people. His former home and the purpose-built "Chapel of Man" are hauntingly beautiful.
- Monasterio de Santa Catalina: You can buy natural medicines and honey made by the cloistered nuns. You talk to them through a rotating wooden window so they remain unseen.
Moving Around and Staying Safe
Quito’s transport is... an experience. The trolleybus (El Trole) is incredibly cheap but gets packed. Like, "can't move your arms" packed. It’s a prime spot for pickpockets. Keep your bag on your chest.
Ubers are technically in a legal gray area but everyone uses them. They’re safer and more reliable than hailing a random cab on the street at night.
Is Quito safe? Mostly. Like any major city, it has its rough spots. Stay in the well-lit areas of the Old Town or the northern neighborhoods like Carolina or Floresta. Avoid the parks after dark.
Actionable Steps for Your Quito Trip
If you're planning to check out the things to see in quito, follow this specific sequence to avoid getting sick or exhausted:
- Day One: Acclimate. Do not go to the Telefériqo on your first day. Walk slowly around the Old Town. Drink twice as much water as you think you need.
- The Morning Rule. In the Andes, the weather is almost always clear in the morning and rainy in the afternoon. Do your outdoor sightseeing (Panecillo, Equator, Mountains) before 1:00 PM.
- Sunday Strategy. On Sundays, the city closes the main roads to cars for the Ciclopaseo. You can rent a bike and ride from the north to the south without worrying about traffic. Many museums in the Old Town also have reduced or free entry.
- Carry Cash. While big restaurants take cards, the best experiences—the street food, the artisan markets, the small buses—require small bills. Anything over a $20 bill is treated like a rare artifact; people will struggle to give you change.
- Book the Free Walking Tour. There’s a "Community Hostel" walking tour that leaves every morning. It’s tip-based and covers the markets and hidden nooks of the Old Town that you'd never find on your own.
Quito isn't a city that reveals itself to people in a hurry. You have to slow down, literally, because of the altitude. But if you give it three or four days, you'll find a place that is deeply proud, slightly chaotic, and visually unlike anywhere else on the planet.