Best things to do in Quito
So you’ve booked your South American adventure and you’re stopping off at Ecuador’s capital – Quito. Unsure of what there is to see in the city? Here’s our favourite activities:
Take a cable car up the side of a volcano – TeleferiQo
One of the most popular activities in Quito is TeleferiQo. This is a cable car (gondola) that takes you for a ride up the side of Volcan Pichincha – reaching a height of 4100m. As you can imagine, the views over Quito from this height are truly spectacular. Once at the top, you have the option of going for a hike or go straight back down and dip into the amusement games at the the Vulqano Park located at the base station.
Walk through Quito’s old town
The old town is the true Quito. It is a UNESCO heritage site, named so because of it’s well-preserved baroque churches and monasteries as well as winding cobblestone streets and colonial houses. You could walk through the old town countless times and always find something new. Perhaps the most visited place in this section of the city would be the Compania de Jesus Intricate exteriors as well as ornate interiors, decorated with gold leaf, make for an architectural sight you don’t want to miss.
Catch a ride on the Hop on Hop off Bus
Like any major city, Quito has plenty of sights to see. The quickest and easiest way to make sure you don’t get lost or end up on the wrong side of town, is by booking a hop on hop off bus ticket. This will ensure that you get to see everything that you want in one day! Perfect for travelers who don’t have much time in Quito, the hop on hop off bus is efficient, informative and worth the pennies.
Visit the Equator
There’s a debate and plenty of confusion surrounding the location of the real Equator. Whether it lies at the Monumento a la Mitad del Mundo (monument to the middle of the world), or the Intinan Solar Museum, a couple minutes’ drive away, or somewhere else entirely, we’ll probably never know. However, paying these local attractions a visit will give you bundles of laughs – tour guides will try and show you scientific tricks that are said to only happen at the Equator, such as balancing an egg on a nail. There’s nothing to back up these wild claims, but it’s great fun for the family. To remember your visit, grab a photo on both or one of the “Equator” lines.
Have you been to Quito? What were your must-do activities?
For those of you who have Ecuador on your list, it’s worth stopping over at Quito before you head to the Galapagos Islands. These two destinations will create a perfectly balanced itinerary, with historical city sights as well as incredible natural scenery and wildlife.
Contact Lesli@lloydstravel.com or your favourite Lloyds Travel Agent today!