Villa de San Francisco de Quito, better known as Quito, is the capital of the Republic of Ecuador, a country in north-western South America. Ecuador is one of the most environmentally diverse countries in the world and includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, large sections of the Amazon rainforest known as Ecuador’s El Oriente, and parts of the mighty Andes Mountains ranging here in height from 1,500 metres (4,921 ft) to 6,310 metres (20,701 ft).
When the Spaniards colonised the land they called it El Ecuador, or “The Equator”, a fitting name as the country lies smack on the earth’s equator. Just a short distance north of Quito is Ciudad Mitad del Mundo or “Middle of the World City” where a monument was built to mark the imaginary line where the equator divides the planet into north and south.
San Francisco de Quito is the capital of Ecuador, and at 2,850 metres (9,350 ft) above sea level, it is the second-highest capital in the world. The city and its surroundings offer a wealth of attractions to explore.
Quito is located in a narrow valley in the Andean Highlands in the north-central part of the country, spread along the lower slopes of the dormant Pichincha Volcano and bordered by the Panecillo and Itchimbia hills.
At an elevation of 2,850 metres (9,350 ft), Quito is the world’s second-highest capital city (after Bolivia’s La Paz); is the capital city closest to the equator; and is one of the oldest capitals in South America.
While many travellers visit Quito on a quick stopover on their way to the Galápagos Islands, the El Oriente and other parts of Ecuador, the city and its surroundings are well worth a few days’ stay.
A not-to-be-missed experience outside Quito is the Otavalo market which is located 1.5 to 2 hours by bus north-east of the city. The market is renowned for its wide variety of textiles and local crafts.
Other day trips from Quito include Cotopaxi, the glacier-capped active volcano and the second-highest point in Ecuador; Laguna Quilotoa Crater; and Lagunas de Mojanda just south of Otavalo. The summit of Fuya Fuya (4,263 m / 13,986 ft) on the west side of Lagunas de Mojanda offers spectacular views of the lakes below and the many surrounding volcanoes.
Panoramic Mountain Views
For the best panoramic views, get on board the Quito TelefériQo, a gondola lift that takes twenty minutes from the edge of the city centre up the eastern slope of Pichincha Volcano to the Cruz Loma lookout. It is one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, rising from 3,117 metres (10,226 ft) to 3,945 metres (12,943 ft).
For even better views, take a 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) round-trip hike on the high altitude trail to the summit of a stratovolcano, Rucu Pichincha (4,698 m / 15,413 ft) that will take about 4 to 5 hours to complete.
Another viewpoint is El Panecillo, a 200-metre-high (656 ft) hill of volcanic origin that pops up right from the middle of the city just three kilometres south of Quito’s Basilica. El Panecillo translates to “The Small Bread Loaf” and separates Quito’s northern and southern sections. Its peak is at an elevation of 3,016 metres (9,895 ft) and is home to a 45-metre-tall (148 ft) stone statue called “Virgin of El Panecillo”. Constructed of seven thousand pieces of aluminium, the statue was inaugurated on March 28, 1976. On clear days, it is possible to see many of the region’s volcanoes from here.
Quito’s Old Town
Founded by the Spanish in 1534 on the ruins of an ancient Inca city, Quito’s well-preserved old town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. It remains the best-preserved and least altered historic centre in Latin America and has retained much of its colonial atmosphere.
Known as El Centro Historico, it is packed with interesting alleys, fountains, squares, and Spaniard-built churches and monasteries, including the largest neo-Gothic church in all of the Americas, La Basílica del Voto Nacional — Quito’s Basilica.
The spires of its many churches rear up against the dramatic backdrop of volcanoes that surround the Quito Basin. The city is known for its quaint squares, fountains, gardens, steep narrow streets, and balconied houses with iron-grilled doorways.
The city offers remarkable examples of the Baroque School of Quito (Escuela Quitena) architecture that combines indigenous and European artistic styles. The San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries as well as La Compañía Church and Jesuit College have elaborate interiors which are perfect examples of this architecture—a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art.
A great spot for old town views is from the towers of Quito’s Basílica. Climb the towers for a spectacular aerial vista of the city.
The Basilica
After all these years, it remains technically unfinished for a very good reason. According to local legend, once the Basilica is completed, it will be the end of the world. So, may it remain unfinished for a long time to come!
Visitors are permitted inside this concrete marvel with its fabulous all-around stained-glass windows. The small side chapel, La Capilla de Sacramento, features an intricate mosaic tile floor, painted walls, columns and a beautiful high altar of Saint Mary.
While the architecture is impressive, the main reason to visit is for the adventurous climb of 90 metres (295 ft) to the top of the towers. Alternatively, pay to take the elevators though they are not always operational. Note that the final “ladders” are very narrow and quite steep, but the brave and determined who make it to the top are rewarded with panoramic views of Quito and its surroundings.
The Basilica’s exterior is famous for its mystical gargoyles—carved grotesques (mythical figures) with a spout designed to convey water from the roof away from the side of the building. Gothic churches are often defined by their gargoyles, and at Quito’s Basilica, the mythical figures have been substituted with several native Ecuadorian animals.
As you cross the bridge to enter the towers, look for the carved Andean condors. The stonework is splendid and the condors appear ready to fly away.
☛ Read more: Posts of South America
Blog post and photos by Peter who has been travelling almost full-time since 2005 and has been to over 122 countries. He visited several countries, such as Japan, more than 20 times. Peter is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of GlobeRovers Magazine, an independent travel magazine focused on intrepid destinations.