Location: Quito
Top Things to do in Quito
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8 Literary, Art & Music Tours in Quito That You Shouldn't Miss
With a rich pre-Colombian history, Ecuador's capital was founded on the ruins of an Incan city but offers everything a modern traveler might need. It remains the least-altered historic center in Latin America and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito’s important sites include baroque gems like San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries, as well as La Compañía church and college. This huge city sprawls across a breathtaking Andean valley surrounded by volcanic peaks.
Restaurants in Quito
1. Walking Tour Quito
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Walk in the historic center of Quito, it is totally special if you are accompanied by friends, here you will discover the wonders of the historic center and new friends while we walk. Places like the Plaza de la Independencia, San Agustin Church, the catacombs, Republica del Cacao, the change of presidential guard (Mondays) and others are what we will discover in this experience that you will do it yourself. It is also a good time for you to realize the best selfies of your passage through the heritage city of Quito.
Inclusions: Guía bilingüe
Exclusions: Propinas, Snacks, Soda/Pop
Reviewed By EdinKrnic
Very good agency located in Friends hostel. They have daily tours around Quito and also Galápagos and Amazonas.
2. Free time in Quito? Lets go to Otavalo in one day!
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Is a good way to travel out of Quito and for a hole day trip; cheap with a local private vip funny interesting openminded tour guide driver, good music and confortability of its car. 420 friendly
Inclusions: Private transportation, GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Exclusions: Lunch, Alcoholic Beverages, Bottled water
Reviewed By Alexa Y
Daniel was a great guide and the drive from Quito was beautiful. The thermal springs and spa itself were amazing! I did the 45 min deep body massage and I highly recommend. If you go on a weekend, I would recommend leaving early, Daniela will work with you to figure out what time you want to leave and how long you want to stay, he is very flexible. If you're interested in Spa treatments, I would schedule them in advance or as soon as you arrive so that you can get the time slot you want. I waited a few hours and it started to get a little more crowded (not full but there were others there) and I hate to wait til the afternoon for my massage. Overall, it was a very relaxing day.
3. HIPstoric Quito Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
A Hip tour of Quito Old Town Highlights: - Discover the hippest locales in Quito – trendy coffee shops, yesteryear coffee roasters, artist workshops, and vintage toy makers. - Experience the modern and traditional street food scene in Quito. - Meet artists and artisans and learn how they handcraft Panama hats, Fedora hats, Driver Caps, and more. Walk around bohemian neighborhoods and streets – San Marcos and La Ronda Our HIPstoric Quito Day Tour is a unique tour visiting hip and cool sites in Old Town Quito. Take advantage of your spare time in Quito and explore Old Town like a true hipster. This is not your typical, generic Quito day tour. Avoid the crowds, visit off the beaten path sites and get to know the city in a different way. Whenever I travel around the world, I do my best to stray away from the crowds and try to find something unique that only I deem special. Nevertheless, its that search for something special that makes exploring an unknown city so great. - Andres
Inclusions: Private transportation, Snacks, Coffee and/or Tea, Hotel Pick-up, Bilingual Guide
Exclusions: Additional Food and drinks, Souvenirs, Tips for the guide, Entrance fees
Reviewed By emilyhR9040PS
I was lucky enough to have Andres for multiple days and I could not be happier! We had an amazing time in Ecuador and most of that is because Andres was so great! Andres showed us through so much of Ecuador, he is very knowledgable, patient, and very accommodating to whatever we needed or wanted to do. He got us through Quito, Otavalo and even out to the jungle. Even after his job was finished, he still stayed in contact to make sure we knew good places to go, places to eat and gave great directions.
4. Urban Art Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Join us through the Coolest side of Quito´s urban art. Meet the artists and their studios. Make your own art piece.
Inclusions: Art supplies , Gift, Your art piece
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Greg S
My group of 6 friends did this tour (booked on Viator) yesterday. Overall we liked the tour guide Jose, he had a good personality. But due to value, food chosen, and hiccups made by him, we would not recommend this tour. First issue is the driver came to our hotel looking for another couple. He left when the hotel reception told him “Brinn” isn’t staying at the hotel. Apparently, Brinn is another couple who booked this tour but were staying at another hotel. By the time they figured out the mistake, we started the tour 45 minutes late. Instead of being cognizant of this, Jose started the tour with a 45 minute, long winded conversation about the center of the world. This tour is called “Street Food with Drinks.” This is an exaggeration- we had “drink” (singular) and no street food. We went to a bar and had a local cocktail (very tasty). Went to a hole in the wall and had a tamale, chicken gizzards and an empanada. Finally, went to a cafe and had an herbal tea. Overall, it was about $60 worth of food for our group and it $462 ($77 a person). And the food was forgettable. Maybe the pandemic has made the street food tour less than ideal. It is a fact that many places have shut down since last year. But perhaps the tour should be put on hold until the situation in Quito improves.
5. Eduardo Vega's Ceramics Exhibition in Quito
At a walking distance from hotels in Quito, Kalahari handmade decor is the most complete gallery in the city offering you a variety of handmade pieces from the best Ecuadorian artists and artisans. This magnificent exhibition includes the biggest selection of the creamiest Eduardo Vega in Quito. If you get lucky, you might meet Eduardo Vega in person! He usually visits Quito and our gallery once a month.
Inclusions: Local taxes, Driver/guide
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By Satanyah
I specifically went to find this store. There taxi driver was unable to find it. He pointed to an area where a building had been destroyed. I also emailed and got no response.
6. Quito Gastronomic and Urban Art Tour
We will visit the traditional Guapulo neighborhood, where we will walk through its cobblestone streets, will continue our wonderful tour until La Floresta neighborhood; here we will find a bohemian and artistic space, where we can admire some impressive and captivating culture expressions in many murals and graffiti’s. After that, we will visit some workshops of independent artisans, in order to enjoy of their informal exhibition. Finally we will have the opportunity to taste the delicious local gastronomy, offered in the streets and at the same time we will learn the traditions that surround the preparation of these delicious dishes. Return to the hotel on your own
Inclusions: Transport Bilingual Guide
Exclusions: Any expense not specified as Included Tips Lunch or Dinner
7. Soprano Singer in Quito Historical Center Churches
Later we will continue to the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the representative places of the city and full of history, from where we will walk to the Plaza Grande, historical and political center of the city, surrounded by innumerable attractions including: the Cathedral, the Palace of Government, the Archbishop's Palace and the La Compañía church.
Inclusions: Transportation in 1914 Trolley
Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, Coffee and/or Tea
Reviewed By ATWtravler
We took the Cable Car (Tarabita) over and back and hiked the trail down to the "Large" waterfall. Limited tourists now so no lines and only a couple other people. Trail maintenance and steps are in disrepair, 20 mins down, 30 mins up. The Large waterfall is just a small 12-15 ft cascade over a few rocks and the forest is not really very impressive. We hike regularly in Hawaii where we live and those hike are much more scenic in terms of lush greenery, flowers, birds and real waterfalls. Maybe something to do if you are in the area but definitely not as a daytrip from Quito.
8. Otavalo Condor Rescue Center and Native Cultural Experience
Take in breathtaking views of San Pablo Lake Spot vultures, owls, and eagles at a bird rescue center, and have a close encounter with the majestic Andean Condor See hawks and falcons display their amazing flying skills during an exciting flight demonstration Enjoy traditional cuisine at a local native workshop Pick up some colorful crafts at a traditional indigenous market Learn How Textiles were made before the spanish conquest
Inclusions: Private transportation, Lunch, Entrance Fees, English Speaking Guide
Exclusions: Gratuities, Extras
Reviewed By I2508NKfranciscog
I did this tour years ago. I had the chance to visit Quito again and found that now this tour is part of this new amazing Company. Had an amazing time, even better than before. Thank you Pablo, way over my expectations, highly recommend.
