Stories · Ecuador
5 days in Quito
Not a list: a thread to follow, at your own pace.
Quito is earned slowly. This story follows a simple logic: the icons early in the morning, the neighbourhoods when the city wakes up, and evenings left to chance. 5 days, one thread, no stress.
Day 1 · Fresh air
To start, it’s Basílica del Voto Nacional. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (17,526 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Getting there: how to get there. To get a feel for it: what visitors say.
Then, I make my way to La Guaragua. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. 4.5 out of 5 across 336 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
In the afternoon, meet me at Parque La Alameda. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or go through Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Quito does the rest.
Day 2 · Museums and culture
Early in the morning, head to Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (13,000 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or also check Tiqets.
Around noon, I make my way to Intiñan Equator Museum. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.7 out of 5 across 4,300 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.
Lunch without a plan: the first noisy room you pass is often the right one.
After lunch, it’s Capilla del Hombre. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.8 out of 5 across 2,771 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Quito is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 3 · Day trip
In the morning, I make my way to Middle of the World. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.7 out of 5 across 35,353 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Day 4 · Fresh air
In the morning, meet me at Quito Botanical Gardens. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (9,030 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.
Late morning, meet me at Parque La Carolina. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.5 out of 5 across 49,738 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
Lunch without a plan: the first noisy room you pass is often the right one.
Later, head to Mindalae - Ethnohistoric & Crafts Museum of Ecuador. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. 4.5 out of 5 across 776 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Quito does the rest.
Day 5 · Museums and culture
Early in the morning, it’s Centro Cultural Metropolitano. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. 4.7 out of 5 across 1,526 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
Then, meet me at Palacio Arzobispal. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. 4.7 out of 5 across 455 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, meet me at Independence Square. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.6 out of 5 across 21,075 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Quito does the rest.
If you’re still hungry
Other places I wish I could have fitted in: Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, Virgin of the Panecillo, TelefériQo Cable Car, Museum of the City, Church of the Society of Jesus and Casa del Alabado Pre-Columbian Art Museum. Slip them in wherever a day feels light.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
Safe travels. And get lost at least once; that is where Quito begins.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.