All Quito, expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Quito
Award winning travel
Quito Tours & Travel Packages 2025/2026
85 Quito trips. Compare tour itineraries from 19 tour companies. 1,086 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.
Popular Quito Tours
See all 85 Quito tripsAward winning travel
Small Group Quito Tours
See all 33 Quito trips
Best Quito Tours by Duration
Best Quito Tours by Price
Top Quito Attractions
- Exploring the beautiful and well preserved Historic Center, declared one of the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978
- Learning about the extensive native and Spanish colonial history that formed the city
- Taking a cable car to see Pichincha Volcano
- Climbing the to the top of Cotopaxi, a still active volcano
- Taking in the views from El Panecillo
- Walking to the top of the towers and admiring the Gothic architecture of the Basílica del Voto Nacional
Quito Tours & Travel Guide
Quito Attractions & Landmarks Guide
Quito is Ecuador’s capital, and the highest official capital city in the world, by altitude, and the closest capital city to the Equator. Quito’s historic center was also among the first declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the late 1970.
This city has seen many iterations, and though a rocky reputation has tended to rear its ugly head every few years, especially when it comes to safety and tourism, Quito remains a popular destination for tours to Ecuador.
Many distinct and unique call backs to Moorish Spain are found throughout Quito, vestiges of when Spanish Colonial influence and presence ran through Ecuador and much of South America.
The historic center of Quito is by far its best feature. Declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, this beautiful area has been left largely undisturbed by time and development, save restoration projects. Thus, walking around the ancient streets, past architecture that is both Spanish Colonial and in some places even older, is like walking back in time.
10 Top Things to Do in Quito
Quito is a wonderful city, albeit perhaps slightly less exciting than its more colorful counterparts in Ecuador like Guayaquil and Cuento. Especially after you’ve exhausted your selfie-taking angles at the bright yellow Equator line (known as La Mitad del Mundo “The Middle of the World”).
But if you love Spanish Colonial history, traditional local food, and especially love exploring old churches, Quito is the place for you. Many of these sights are a part of the “Historic Center”. This large open air plaza is surrounded by impeccably preserved Spanish Colonial architecture, and is the crux of any Quito tour.
1. Equator - For first time visitors, the Equator site is a novelty, and quite exciting to see. Technically La Mitad del Mundo is no longer the official equator line. With more accurate GPS technology, tt was realized to be 240 meters north of the established line. Even though this fact is fairly well known, hoards of travelers still use the monument for the fun photo op.
2. Basílica del Voto Nacional - The largest neo-gothic basilica in the Americas, there are spectacular views to be had from the towers, which are 377 feet (115 meters) tall. The architecture stands out quite a bit from elsewhere in Quito, and in fact, elsewhere in Ecuador.
3. Iglesia de la Campania - This stunning and enormous church is a key attraction for any visitor to Quito. A fixture of Quito’s Old Town, the church began to be built in the early 1600s - around the same time as when the city was founded. It took around 150 years to be completed however, lending to its majesty, scopy, and size.
4. El Museo Francisco - Right next door to Iglesia San Francisco, this museum is well worth walking through, especially for history buffs. The museum is chock full of beautiful paintings, furniture, and sculptures, which represent much of Quito’s 16th century history.
5. La Merced - Another church, this one built in the 1800s, is a great place to visit for art history lovers - several paintings depicting volcanos erupting over colonial Quito await you as you explore the halls. There is also a fun legend associated with its entrancing bell tower. Apparently the bell tower is the only unblessed part of the church - and therefore possessed by the devel. And only those strong enough to resist the devil can ring the bell.
6. Museo de la Ciudad - This museum is housed in one of Quito’s oldest Spanish Colonial buildings, constructed in 1563. It’s a wonderful walk through experience, with several different kinds of exhibits that depict daily life in Quito through six centuries of inhabitants.
7. Museo Nacional - For a look at some impressive pre-hispanic artifacts, and a history lesson on the Quito before the Spanish arrived, head to Museo Nacional. Colonial art is also on display here, but it’s the older items that hold attention, dating back to 12,000 BC. This museum encapsulates all the cultures that converge in South America, both native and European.
8. Cable Car to Volcano Pichincha - Don’t despair, there is actually more to see beyond churches in Quito! The city’s location among the mountains and volcanos of the Andes attracts many outdoorsy and active travelers to the region. One of the best and most enjoyable ways to see these impressive sights is by cable car, suspended high in the air. Pichincha is the closest volcano to Quito, so if you’re short on time, the cable car to see it is a great option. Go early in the day to avoid the fog which often socks the city in around the afternoon.
9. Climb Cotopaxi - Another volcano excursion. The climb to the top of Cotopaxi is strenuous but well worth it to say you stood on one of the tallest still-active volcanos in the world. There are two ways to do Cotopaxi. For the more physically fit, and those that enjoy hiking, you can climb the full 5,897 meters from base to summit. Or if you’re less inclined to want to hike the entire way, you can park just over 4,500 meters up and hike from there. It will be chilly, so dress in layers!
10. Take in the view from El Panecillo - This hill offers panoramic 360 degree views of all of Quito, and is a great way to get an idea of how large the city is. The hill marks a division between north and south Quito and is visible from nearly everywhere in the city. There is a large statue of Virgin Mary - a replica of the one inside the Iglesia San Francisco.
When to Visit Quito
Due to its positioning along the Equator, the weather in Quito is extremely temperate. It stays fairly cool throughout the year, and there are only two seasons: the dry season and the wet season.
The dry season, which is classified as “summer” is between June and September. Average high temperatures tend to be in the low 70s (F). Low average temperatures remain in the high 40s F.
The wet season, Quito’s “winter”, lasts from October to May. The average high temperatures are typically in the low 70s and high 60s F. Average low temperatures are typically in the high 40s F.
Quito Reviews & Ratings
I have now had 5 Intrepid experiences
I have now had 5 Intrepid experiences and have found the tou...
I thought the trip was good, but
I thought the trip was good, but there were a few things that kept ...
Excellent local guide, amazing location, ethically sensitive
Excellent local guide, amazing location, ethically sensitive and w...
Amazing trip. Amazing guide. Great itinerary. Fell
Amazing trip. Amazing guide. Great itinerary. Fell in love with the Galápagos Islands.
nemo111 was very good- helpful crew nice
nemo111 was very good- helpful crew nice food, naturalist jairo gusqui lopez was excellent- good knowledge looked after his group. got to see many animals up close ...
Related Trips & Tours
Traveling to Quito, an FAQ
1. Does Travelstride have all the tour operators?
Travelstride has the widest selection of tours and tour companies. All the largest companies are on the site and most smaller local operators though we are adding new operators daily. Unlike other websites and agencies, we show you all the options, regardless of whether or not we are paid by the company.
2. How does the Member Savings program save me money?
Travelstride membership is absolutely free. You receive special benefits including saving up to $700 on select tours with top tour operators. The main requirement is to write a review after your trip to access the savings.
3. Can I trust the tour operator and trip reviews on Travelstride?
Yes. Travelstride has both expert reviews, written by Travelstride staff and local experts as well as traveler reviews written by people like you who have used the company and traveled to that destination.
4. What does ‘Stride Preferred’ mean?
Stride Preferred and Stride Premier are status categories to help you sort quickly through known and reliable travel companies. Since there are thousands of tour operators around the globe, Preferred or Premier badges are awarded to companies that Travelstride has determined meet the highest standards of professionalism, customer satisfaction, and quality.