Best things to do in Quito, Ecuador in 2 days

Last Updated on March 31, 2024

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When I first started planning my trip to the Galápagos Islands, I learned, that in order to get to there, you first need to fly to mainland Ecuador. One of two options was Quito, Ecuador’s capital. Since most flights from US arrive late at night and flights to Galápagos leave in the morning, the trip requires an overnight stay. Of course I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore Ecuador’s capital. With quite a few things to do in Quito, we kept busy for 2 days before flying to the islands.

Quito is considered to be one of the most beautiful capitals in South America. With many well-preserved colonial buildings, various plazas and stunning churches, this title is sure well deserved. Also, situated at 2,850 meters (9,350 feet), Quito is also the second highest capital in the world.

Things to know before you visit Quito

• Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was the first city in the world declared as such in 1978. It’s full of buildings in colonial style, cobble stone streets, beautiful churches and what I loved the most : the mountainous landscape around.

• The city is situated at 2850 m (9,350 f) above sea level, which can be felt upon arrival. The altitude is no joke! The key is to slowly acclimate, which was hard to do for us, since we only had 2 days in Quito and wanted to see as much as possible. Limiting alcohol and drinking plenty of water definitely helps. Another popular way to treat altitude sickness are coca leaves. Even though I personally never tested it, tea made using the leaves, supposedly eases the symptoms.

• weather in Quito is unpredictable – it’s not unusual to experience sun, clouds and rain in one day. This is especially important to keep in mind when checking the weather before your trip. Don’t be discouraged if you see rain in the forecast, because that does not necessarily mean it would rain all day. Our 2 days in Quito were supposed to be rainy, but it never rained once. And as you can see from the pictures, we got quite a bit of the sunshine instead.

• the local currency is an American dollar

• learn some Spanish! – very much like in the Galápagos Islands, knowing some Spanish was very helpful, especially in smaller restaurants and taxis. 

• drinking tap water in Ecuador is NOT recommended!

• when taking a taxi, use only those with orange license plates. These are registered and legit.

Best things to do in Quito in 2 days

Visit Plaza Grande

The main square in the city is Plaza de la Independencia, often called Plaza Grande. This is a very busy and lively place, as most people visiting end up at the square at some point. It also seems to be a popular with locals and definitely a great spot for people watching. 

If you’re looking for a quick bite and a drink, make sure to check out a little Café Fabiolita. This is a family run business, that’s been around for over 40 years. It was a great value, which was a nice surprise given the location and how most places in popular plazas tend to be overpriced. Aside from great food, they also have a great selection of beers from many local breweries.

Visit the Compañía de Jesús church

Out of all the churches in Quito, Compañía de Jesús is definitely the most impressive and often regarded as the most beautiful one. This is mostly because of its spectacular interior, that is literally covered in gold leaf. The church was built in mostly Spanish Baroque style and took over 160 years to complete.

You can walk around and admire the church on your own or visit it on a 30-minute guided tour (in either English or Spanish). The tour is included in the price of the ticket. Unfortunately, taking hotos and recording is not allowed inside of the church.

Open: Monday – Thursday 9.30 am – 6.30 pm / Friday 9.30 am – 5.30 / Saturday 9.30am – 4 pm/ Sunday 12.30pm – 4 pm

Cost: $5 cash only (free on first Sunday each month).

Basilica del Voto National

During your 2 days in Quito, visiting Basilica del Voto National is a must. This beautiful Neo-Gothic church in the Historic Center is one of Quito’s main attractions, one that’s not fully finished yet. The construction of the Basilica began in 1884 and has been going on ever since. A legend says, that the day the work is completed, the world will come to an end.

The massive church is the largest Neo-Gothic church in Latin America and can be seen pretty much from any point in Quito. One of its greatest features are the gargoyles, that are inspired by the animals found in Ecuador and Galápagos Islands. So instead of the usual scary creatures, the outside of the Basilica features tortoises, iguanas and armadillos.

The absolute highlight of visiting the Basilica, at least for me, were the spectacular views of Quito. As you head to the top, there are a couple of levels, where you can stop and take in the views of the city below you. If you choose, you can reach them by taking an elevator.

The elevator however, takes you about 2/3s of the way up. If you’d like to get to the very top, there’s a very steep ladder, that leads all the way to the roof. That’s where you get the absolute best panoramic views of Quito. If fear of heights is not an issue, this is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Quito. The views will be well worth the somewhat scary climb.

Open: Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm/ Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 6 pm

Cost: $2 (to enter the Basilica) and another $4 (to climb to the top)

Take a ride on TeleferiQo

For some amazing views of Quito from above, you can’t miss taking a ride on TeleferiQo. The cable car takes you on a 2.5 km ride ( 10 min ) arriving at the lookout Cruz Loma, located at 4,050 meters above sea level. Weather permitting ( it can get pretty cloudy sometimes), you will have spectacular views of the city spreading in front of you. It’s one of the best things to do in Quito and you really shouldn’t skip it.

The views are not the only attraction, as there’s more to do once you get to the top. If you are an avid hiker, you can use TeleferiQo to get you to the starting point of an incredible trek to the top of Rucu Pichincha. The hike to the summit is 10 km (6 m) long and takes about 3 hours. This is quite challenging, mostly due to high altitude. The summit of Rucu Pichincha sits at 4,784m (15,695ft), so it’s not a good idea to do it on your first or even second day in Quito. Before attempting it, make sure to give yourself proper time to get acclimated to the altitude in Quito.

If you want to take it easy, you can take a little walk up the path towards the Chapel. You will pass horses for rent, llamas for a great photo op and the newest addition: swings.

PRO TIP: Once you get to the top, it will be much colder than in the city, so make sure to bring something warm.

Open: Monday – Friday 9 am – 7 pm/ Saturday and Sunday 8 am – 7 pm

Cost: $9 (adults) / $7 (kids under 18 years old)

Experience nightlife on La Ronda

Calle de La Ronda is a pedestrian street lined with shops, bars and restaurants. This is where you you want to be if you’d like to experience Quito’s nightlife. It’s one of those streets, that is sleepy and quiet during the day, but comes alive right after dark.

Visit the Equator

When you visit a country that is located on the Equator, it’s almost mandatory to visit the equator line. This is very easy to do from Quito, since it’s located just 25 km ( 16 miles ) away. However, there could be some confusion when you first start researching it, as two different spots might come up as ” the Equator “.

• Mitad del Mundo – this is the place, that for years was believed to be the real Equator. In 1736, the French Geodesic expedition led 3 scientist to that spot, which after taking proper measurements, was declared the equator line. It remained as such for a while, until the GPS got invented and it turned out the measurements were off by 250 meters. Still, Mitad del Mundo is worth a visit and one of the best things to do in Quito. A huge, almost 100 feet tall monument stands in the middle of Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, which makes for a great photo op.

Open: every day 9 am – 5 pm

Cost: $5

• Intiñan Museum – just a few minute walk from Mitad del Mundo is Museo de Sitio Intiñan, the real equator line. Way more modest than Middle of the World, with just a sign proudly announcing you are on the equator line “00° 00’ 00’’ calculated with G.P. S. For $5 you can visit it either on your own or with a guide ( English or Spanish ), but I highly recommend taking advantage of the guided tour, which is included in the entrance fee. You will be able to learn a lot about the natives, animals and Ecuadorian culture. You can also participate in a couple of fun experiments, to further convince you you are located between Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Open: every day 9 am – 5 pm

Cost: $5 ( includes a guide in either English or Spanish )

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For a more detailed guide read How to visit the equator in Ecuador

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Visit Pululahua Volcano and Geobotanical Reserve

Pululahua Volcano wasn’t on our itinerary, but was suggested by the guide who we hired to take us to Mitad del Mundo. Visiting it made sense, as it’s located relatively close to the Equator line. It turned out to be a great stop and one of the free things to do in Quito. If you book this Full-Day Ciudad Mitad del Mundo Tour, Pululahua will be one of the stops.

Pululahua is an inactive volcano, that last erupted some 2500 years ago. Since volcanic soil is very fertile, the area was later turned into a farm. It’s still used today by farmers to grow variety of vegetables, that they later sell to local markets. What makes Pululahua crater unique, is that it’s one of only two inhabited craters in the world.

There is a viewpoint from which you get great panoramic views of Pululahua and the landscape below. If you visit in the morning, you’ll have better chances of clear skies, therefore better views. If you have more time, you can also take one of the trails all the way down and get a closer look at the village and the farm. The trek down takes about 30 minutes, but plan for up to one hour to get back up.

Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve is free to visit, but you’ll be asked to register when you arrive.

Open: every day 8 am – 5 pm

Try The Cuy 

A great trip is never complete, at least for me, without trying some local food. Getting to know a destination through traditional food really enhances my overall travel experience. I often go out of my comfort zone and try things I would have never eaten at home.

While doing my Quito research, I became familiar with one of the most traditional meals one can have in Quito: a cuy. Which is basically a roasted guinea pig. It’s usually served with a couple of side dishes. I actually planned on trying this local delicacy, until I got a chance to see my prospective meal being roasted on a pole. Whole body and all. After that sighting I could not bring myself to trying it. I opted out, but if you are looking for a unique and traditional dish, trying Cuy might be one of the things to do in Quito.

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How to get from Quito Airport to the city center

Mariscal Sucre International Airport is located 43 km (27 miles) from the Historic Center of Quito. There are two ways to get from the airport to the center of the city: a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer. There uses to be a direct bus, Aeroservicios, but that is now suspended.

• Private transfer – the most convenient and hassle-free way of getting from Quito Airport to the city center is a pre-arranged pick up. The driver will be waiting for you when you arrive. They will have your flight information, so if you get delayed, they will monitor your arrival and make sure to be there on time. You can book your private transfer from Quito Airport here.

• Taxi – you can also hop in one of the taxis, that are lined up outside of the Arrivals Terminal. The taxis in Quito are regulated and a ride into Quito’s center will cost you a flat fee between $25-35 (depending which part of the city you are heading to).

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If you enjoyed this article, you can download it via the GPSmyCity app – it will give you access to the guide, you will be able to use, even if you’re offline. Download it here.

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