Where to stay in Quito — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Quito is Ecuador's capital, perched in the Andes at 2,850 m (9,350 ft) — the world's second-highest capital after La Paz. Spread across the slopes of Pichincha volcano and sitting almost exactly on the equator, its Centro Histórico became one of the very first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978, alongside Kraków. Within a few blocks you'll find gilded baroque churches, Spanish-colonial plazas, and Andean peaks in every direction. One thing to plan for: the altitude is real, so take it easy your first day or two — sip coca tea or a warm canelazo, skip the alcohol at first, and acclimatize before going full throttle.
Why stay in Quito
The Americas' first World Heritage Old Town
Centro Histórico was among the very first UNESCO sites inscribed in 1978 — one of the largest and best-preserved colonial districts in South America, walkable all day around its plazas and churches.
Gold-leaf baroque churches
La Compañía de Jesús dazzles with over 7 tonnes of gold leaf inside, while Basílica del Voto Nacional is the largest neo-Gothic church in South America — with gargoyles shaped like Ecuadorian animals.
Stand on the equator for real
Mitad del Mundo, about 24 km north of the city, lets you put one foot in each hemisphere, with a museum and hands-on experiments at the 0° line.
Andean views from 4,100 m
The TelefériQo cable car climbs the flank of Pichincha to around 4,100 m in minutes, opening up sweeping views over the whole city and the snow-capped volcanoes ringing it — Quito's best lookout.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Quito
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Centro Histórico (Old Town)The heart of the UNESCO district — walk to La Compañía, Plaza Grande, San Francisco and La Ronda. Best for history lovers; safe by day, stick to main streets and taxis at night.
Coming soonLa MariscalThe most tourist-friendly area around Plaza Foch, packed with hostels, restaurants, cafés and nightlife all within walking distance. Great for first-timers and budget travelers.
Coming soonLa FlorestaQuito's hip, bohemian quarter — indie cafés, art-house cinemas, galleries and street art. Widely considered the city's best food scene; leafy, walkable and safe.
Coming soonLa Carolina / González SuárezThe business district around Parque La Carolina plus the upscale clifftop residential strip. Five-star chain hotels, valley views, and the calmest, safest feel in town.
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Local dishes to try in Quito
- 1🥔
Locro de Papa
A creamy highland potato soup made with cheese and milk, topped with avocado and crumbled cheese. Pure comfort food and perfect for Quito's cool air.
📍 Andean potato soup - 2🥔
Llapingachos
Crispy griddled potato patties filled with cheese, served with a fried egg, chorizo, salad and peanut sauce (salsa de maní). A beloved Ecuadorian plate.
📍 Cheese-stuffed potato patties - 3🐷
Hornado
Pork marinated with garlic and cumin, then slow-roasted until the meat is tender and the skin shatters. A highland classic found in markets and local spots.
📍 Slow-roasted pork - 4🦐
Ceviche
Ecuadorian-style ceviche with shrimp or seafood in lime, tomato, red onion and cilantro, served cold with chifles or toasted corn. Bright and refreshing.
📍 Citrus-cured seafood - 5🐟
Encebollado
Often called Ecuador's national dish — a tuna-and-yuca soup topped with pickled red onions. Locals swear by it as a morning hangover cure.
📍 Tuna soup - 6☕
Canelazo
A warming Andean drink of aguardiente (cane spirit), naranjilla juice and cinnamon. Just the thing against the chill at 2,850 m — try it along La Ronda.
📍 Warm Andean drink
- 1⛪
Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesús
Quito's most jaw-dropping baroque church, lined inside with more than 7 tonnes of gold leaf. A short walk from Plaza Grande and the centerpiece of the Old Town.
📍 Gilded baroque - 2⛪
Basílica del Voto Nacional
The biggest neo-Gothic church in South America. Climb the towers for panoramic city views, and spot the gargoyles shaped as Ecuadorian animals like armadillos and tortoises.
📍 Largest neo-Gothic - 3🗿
El Panecillo + Virgen de Quito
A central hill crowned by a 41 m winged Virgin Mary statue — taller than Rio's Christ the Redeemer — with 360° views over the whole city. Take a taxi up rather than walking.
📍 Central viewpoint - 4🚡
TelefériQo (Pichincha cable car)
A cable car up the flank of Pichincha to Cruz Loma at around 4,100 m. Adult tickets run about $9 for some of the best city and volcano views you'll find.
📍 4,100 m views - 5🌍
Mitad del Mundo
The equator monument roughly 24 km north of the city, where you can straddle both hemispheres, with a museum and fun experiments. Tickets around $5.
📍 Equator 0° - 6🎨
Casa Museo Guayasamín
The home-museum of Oswaldo Guayasamín, Ecuador's most famous modern artist, alongside his Capilla del Hombre, in the city's north. Tours take about an hour.
📍 Ecuadorian art - 7🎶
La Ronda
A narrow colonial street in the Old Town lined with artisan shops, restaurants and live music. It comes alive at night — grab a warm canelazo and listen to a band.
📍 Bohemian lane - 8🛍️
Otavalo Market
One of South America's largest indigenous craft markets, about 95 km north and busiest on Saturdays. Browse handwoven textiles, jewelry and traditional goods.
📍 Andean craft market
Things to do in Quito
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Quito — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Quito hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.4LuxuryCasa Gangotena Boutique Hotel
#1 Location · right on Plaza San Francisco
★ 9.3Luxury
★ 9.2LuxuryHotel Plaza Grande
#3 Heritage boutique · above Plaza de la Independencia
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในQuito
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
JW Marriott Hotel Quito
#2 boutique service · top-rated in Latin America
Hotel Patio Andaluz
#7 old-town boutique · UNESCO World Heritage
Swissôtel Quito
#5 business-district luxury · beside the World Trade Center
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Quito dates
🚆 Getting around Quito
Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO)
The international airport sits about 40 km northeast of the center. A taxi downtown runs roughly $25–30 by day (more at night) and takes around 45–60 minutes.
Quito Metro Line 1
Fully running since late 2023, with 15 stations from Quitumbe in the south to El Labrador in the north, including San Francisco in the Old Town. Fares are about $0.45 a ride.
BRT buses (Trolebús/Ecovía)
Bus rapid-transit lines run north-south along the city's main spine, with a San Francisco stop in the Old Town. Cheap but crowded at rush hour — watch your belongings.
Taxis + Uber
Taxis and Uber are the safest, easiest option for visitors, especially at night or heading up El Panecillo. Use an app or have your hotel call one — don't flag cabs on the street late at night.
Pay in US dollars (USD)
Ecuador has used the US dollar as official currency since 2000. Carry small bills and coins for taxis, buses and markets; cards work at hotels and larger restaurants.
Where to go next near Quito
CuencaA neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to where to stay in Cuenca, Ecuador — UNESCO old town, the riverside El Barranco — plus real attractions, food and how to get around.
See this city's guide →
BanosEcuador's adventure capital under Tungurahua volcano — the famous canyon swing, waterfalls, hot springs and rafting.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Quito
Do I need to worry about altitude sickness in Quito?+
Plan for it. At 2,850 m, many visitors feel lightheaded, tire easily, or sleep poorly the first day or two. Take it slow, drink plenty of water, sip coca tea or canelazo, skip the alcohol at first, and your body will adjust on its own.
Is Quito safe for tourists?+
Yes, with basic precautions. The Old Town and main plazas are safe and patrolled by day, but petty theft happens in crowds and on public transport. At night, stick to main streets and take taxis or Uber. The safest neighborhoods are González Suárez, La Floresta and La Carolina.
Which neighborhood should I stay in?+
For history, choose Centro Histórico, within walking distance of every church and plaza. For nightlife and budget stays, pick La Mariscal around Plaza Foch. For an artsy café scene, go La Floresta; for upscale and quiet, La Carolina or González Suárez.
Ready to book your Quito stay?
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