Quito Ecuador

The city boasts of 40 churches, 16 convents and monasteries, 12 museums and a rich cultural heritage.

You will enjoy exploring the city, by viewing the monuments and churches and getting to know the vibrant life of the local people.

Quito city is a mix of old colonial architecture with upcoming modern complexes resulting in an old world charm of the city.

There are plenty of attractions in the form of trendy shopping malls, high quality restaurants, colonial museums, churches, historical monuments and outdoor markets.

As you enjoy your evening walking on the cobbled roads, trying to summarize the breathtaking view, you will definitely understand why Quito is a World Heritage site.

Quito Ecuador is one of the most compelling cities in the country. Nestled in a long, narrow valley in the Andes Mountains, between the the Volcano Pichincha to the west and the Machangara River Canyon to the east, Quito enjoys a spectacular natural setting.

Quito Ecuador History

These indigenous people also intermingled with the coastal people called the Caras which helped formulate the next generation, the Shyris in 1300 AD by intermarriage who later joined the Puruhas who's descendants had many brutal battles with the Incas.

When the Spaniards arrived in the early 16th Century, Quito was already a major stronghold of the Incas under Huayna Capac and subsequently his son Rumiñahui Atahualpa.

The city was subsequently burned to the ground however, as the onslaught of the Spanish conquest to capture Quito resulted in the pride of the Incas destroying their own city even though many were captured and so there were no Inca remains to gloat over or live in.

The new colonial city of Quito was re-founded by Spanish lieutenant Sebastian de Benalcazar, Pizarro's lieutenant on December 6th, 1534 and was rebuilt at the beginning of the Panecillo hill above the old city's ruins with actual Inca stonework's in many of the new floors and walls still visible today in the church and Cathedral of San Francisco.

Quito Ecuador Weather

There are two seasons in Quito, rainy and dry. The rainy season is called winter and the dry is considered summer.

Quito's summer lasts about 4 months, from mid June to September. The rainy season goes from October through May.

But even through this rainy season, You will enjoy enough sunny days to travel around the city, and when the sun hides, Quito has plenty to offer indoors.

The average sunlight hours in Quito range between 4.3 hours per day in March and 7.1 hours per day in July.

There are an average of 2,058 hours of sunlight per year with an average of 5.6 hours of sunlight per day.

On clear days you may also view other snowcapped volcanoes such as Cotopaxi in the far distance adding to this truly unforgettable, impressionable ambiance of a large Ecuadorian city which combines both old and new.

To the north of Quito Ecuador is located the modern sector which includes the international and national airport as well as the main embassies, businesses, banking services, restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, parks and tourist agencies.

The central and southern area in contrast houses various museums, churches, galleries, cathedrals, colonial buildings, balcony furbished homes and outdoor markets within narrow cobbled streets.

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Quito Ecuador Attractions

The 7 tonne gold leaf covering the ceiling which has always been the highlight of the church is something to watch out for. It is an unmatched spectacle.

San Francisco Church: this is Quito's oldest church and monastery, built by Francisco Cantuña. This church has been in existence since the foundation of Quito in 1534.

The white washed walls, gold leaf ceiling, stained glass windows and the baroque carvings bring alive Quito's historical times. It is believed that the church's foundation lies on the palace of Huayna Capac, an Inca Emperor.

Main Square: Also called La Plaza Grande, this square became an important place in the 16th century when the Spanish built a well here for their water supply in fear of the Incas who might poison the water.

Later on, it became a buzzing entertainment and social center for Quito Ecuador citizens. The square is bordered by the Government palace on the west, City Hall in the east, Archbishop's Palace in the north and the Cathedral in the south.



El Teleferico: has turned out to be Quito's major attractions since it opened in 2005. The Teleferico cable car is an excellent option to have stunning panoramic view of the Pichincha Volcano and Quito's landscape.

There are eighteen gondolas and the trip up to the mountain range lasts for only 10 minutes, but as you reach the altitude of 4,050 meters, you will be welcomed by a grand scenery with an additional bonus of coffee, snacks, and horse rides.

Once you reach there, you can easily start your hiking journey to the snow capped volcanoes. At the base of the mountain, there's an amusement park, restaurants and cafes.

Middle of the World Monument: is a piece of land where a monument is built to mark the location of the equator that passes through the country (the country is named so after this intersecting line).

Actually the equator line passes a few hundred feet away from the monument which can be traced using a GPS positioning system.

The monument houses a three storied museum which explains the culture and tradition of Ecuador's indigenous tribes.

Also nearby is located the Intiñan Solar Museum, an astronomy museum, which is worth a visit if you are interested in knowing the Coriolis Effect, etc.

Other Attractions in Quito Ecuador

• La Catedral church
• Church of Santo Domingo
• Church and Convent of La Merced
• Basilica del Voto Nacional
• La Compania Church
• Guapulo Church
• San Agustin Church

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