Location: Quito
Top Things to do in Quito
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What to do and see in Quito, Pichincha Province: The Best Art Museums
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. Casa Museo Guayasamin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,254 reviews
This museum features exhibits related to the Ecuadorian contemporary artist Oswaldo Guayasamín including posters, signed prints and colonial religious art.
Reviewed By tortuga1959 - Bern, Switzerland
A great museum with a very interesting history behind. Guaysamin was a very special artist with huge talent.
2. Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
This art museum features paintings and sculptures from 1830 to present day plus a large collection of pre-Columbian and colonial musical instruments.
3. Museo de Arte Fray Pedro Bedon
4. Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
This museum features the finest Ecuadorian art and facilities for artistic performances, traveling exhibitions and film screenings.
Reviewed By georgesB4777WE - Miami Beach, United States
This is a modern exposition center which contains a cinema, some exposition space and museums of modern art, musical instruments. Also, and most importantly, it houses the National Museum of Ecuador. I visited the art museum which contains works of native artists and it was OK. But the real gem is the National Museum, which features and displays Ecuador’s history and culture. This is a fabulous museum, very informative and one that is not to be missed. BTW, all museums are free. The Casa is in the Parque dela Arbolito and should be on any visitor’s itinerary.
5. Centro Cultural Metropolitano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
This museum houses a rich collection of colonial art.
Reviewed By seattaxi - Cambridge, United Kingdom
This building houses a number of activities including the national library and a contemporary arts gallery, currently showing a yoko ono exhibition. It is worth climbing up to the flat roof for a view over the rooftops
6. San Francisco Museum and Convent (Museo Fray Pedro Gocial)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Located inside the adjacent convent to the Church of San Francisco, this museum features an impressive collection of 17th-century paintings and other works of religious art.
Reviewed By fayeg859 - Brea, United States
We visited this in February 2020. It was a very hot & humid day, but glad we were able to take our time in the museum. It sure has some interesting artifacts and lovely trees and garden area.
7. La Capilla Del Hombre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,651 reviews
Reviewed By dtroppy
We didn't want to leave the museum or the artist house that was on tour. Gorgeous painting make this a must see when visiting Quito.
8. Plazanaya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
25 years offering tourists visiting our country the best and unique products made by local artists and designers. We offer jewelry, hats , alpaca knitting, textiles, t shirts, ceramic pieces, wood art and more. VISIT US! Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm Sunday by appointment ( 0998-96-5555 ) Phone 593 02 2221841
Reviewed By pfefmeister - San Francisco, United States
We thought this to be the best store to shop for Ecuador handicrafts. They have a large selection with not too expensive prices. I ended up getting my Panama hat here, good quality for $80, after comparing at other stores. My wife also filled out her suitcase with more souvenirs. Maybe 4 blocks from Plaza Foch down Moreno towards Old Town.
9. Museum of Colonial Art (Museo De Arte Colonial)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 21 reviews
Housed in a restored 17th-century colonial mansion, this museum features a permanent exhibit of Spanish colonial furniture and a vast collection of sculptures and paintings from the School of Quito.
10. Centro de Arte Contemporaneo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By rrivadeneira
the cac offers great alternative works that vary from each visit. it depends on the month you go and the exhibitions. on september 2017, the cac hosted an exhibition that featured works inspired by the lgbtiq+ community. the building itself is amazing. it offers free parking and you can ask for a museum guide on entry. the place is a little bit far so take a taxi, it should cost around $2 from centro histórico and up to $4 or $5 from la carolina park. you shouldn't walk alone to the cac. beware of your surroundings. the cac's entrance and parking, also works as a scenic viewpoint where you can see part of quito's urban and natural landscape.
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