Things to Do in Quito

Quito sits at 9,350 feet above sea level, making it the second-highest capital city in the world after La Paz, Bolivia.

The historic centre of Quito, with its 16th-century colonial architecture, is one of the largest and best-preserved in South America and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

Quito straddles the equator just 14 miles south—you can visit the Mitad del Mundo monument to stand with one foot in each hemisphere.

The city was built on the ruins of an Inca city and served as the northern capital of the Inca Empire before Spanish conquest in 1534.

Quito's year-round spring-like climate means temperatures hover around 60–75°F (15–24°C) daily, with little seasonal variation.

The city is surrounded by active volcanoes, including Cotopaxi and Pichincha, both visible on clear days and popular with trekkers.