Quito Places to See: 11 Stops from Pichincha Volcano to

Explore Quito, Ecuador's capital perched at 9,000 feet on the equator. This video guide covers the city's UNESCO-protected Old Town with its historic cathedrals and colonial architecture, contrasts it with the modern New Town district, and extends to nearby equatorial landmarks and volcanic reserves that define the region.

Mode
Places
Start
Pichincha Volcano
End
Cotopaxi National Park
Stops
11
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Pichincha Volcano — Volcanic peak straddling the equator where a historic battle resulted in Quito's liberation from Spain in 1822.
  2. Itchimbia Park — Hilltop park east of Old Town featuring a contemporary cultural center and panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
  3. Basilica of the National Vow — Neo-Gothic basilica offering peaceful sanctuary with ethereal stained glass windows and rooftop walkways for elevated city views.
  4. Church of the Society of Jesus — One of South America's finest churches, featuring a dazzling interior with sun motifs and distinctive volcanic stone façade.
  5. Calle La Ronda — Ancient historic thoroughfare in Quito's Old Town, showcasing colonial architecture and traditional Ecuadorian culture.
  6. Craft Market — Vibrant marketplace where local artisans sell traditional Ecuadorian handicrafts, textiles, and souvenirs reflecting indigenous and contemporary regional craftsmanship.
  7. The Valley of Lulumbamba — Scenic Andean valley offering stunning mountain vistas, agricultural landscapes, and access to indigenous communities and natural ecosystems surrounding Quito.
  8. Intinan Solar Museum — Interactive museum located on the equator line showcasing demonstrations of gravity and physics phenomena unique to Earth's zero-latitude position.
  9. Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve — South America's first national park featuring one of the world's largest volcanic craters, often shrouded in mist, meaning 'cloud of water' in Quechua.
  10. Maquipucuna Cloud Forest Reserve — Lush high-altitude cloud forest paradise near Quito renowned for diverse hummingbird species and rich biodiversity.
  11. Cotopaxi National Park — National park featuring a highly active volcano with high-altitude prairie ecology where hummingbirds have adapted to extreme elevations.

Useful for your trip

Tip
Quito sits at over 9,000 feet above sea level in the Andes, straddling the equator. It is the closest national capital to the sun.
Transport
Take the gondola up Pichincha Volcano to see both the Old Town and New Town at once.
Food
Sample authentic Ecuadorian food like hearty potato soup and deep-fried plantains with cheese at the former Archbishop's Palace, now a cultural center and restaurant.
Transport
Take a taxi to Itchimbia Park, located on a hill to the east of Old Town.
Tip
Visit the Intiñan Solar Museum to stand on the real equatorial line and learn about the Shuar people through war relics like shrunken heads.
Tip
The Mitad del Mundo Monument is less than 800 feet away from the Intiñan Solar Museum. French scientists declared this to be the Equator almost three centuries ago.
Tip
Visit the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, one of South America's first national parks and one of the largest volcanic craters in the world. 'Pululahua' means 'cloud of water' in Quechua.
Tip
The Maquipucuna Cloud Forest Reserve is a lush paradise for hummingbirds, many of which have adapted to the high-altitude environment.
Tip
The Church of the Society of Jesus features sun motifs on its ceilings and a dazzling interior with volcanic stone façade, considered one of the continent's finest.
Tip
Walk across the Basilica of the National Vow's spine at roof level to climb its highest tower for views of Panecillo hill and Mary's winged statue.

Video on this route

Quito Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia

More routes nearby

Map