Quito (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkito] ⓘ; Quechua: Kitu), officially San Francisco de Quito, is the capital and second-largest city of Ecuador, with an estimated population of 2.8 million in its metropolitan area. It is also the capital of the province of Pichincha.

Feb 20, 2025 · In this travel guide, we’ll show you the 25 BEST things to do in Quito, Ecuador that will blow you away. This includes the best day trips from Quito so you can use the city as a …

Mar 13, 2025 · Quito, city and capital of Ecuador. It is situated on the lower slopes of the volcano Pichincha, which last erupted in 1666, in a narrow Andean valley at an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,850 metres), just south of the Equator.

A capital city high in the Andes, Quito is dramatically situated, squeezed between mountain peaks whose greenery is concealed by the afternoon mist. Modern apartment buildings and modest concrete homes creep partway up the slopes, and busy commercial thoroughfares lined with shops and choked with traffic turn into peaceful neighborhoods on Sundays.

With a rich pre-Colombian history, Ecuador's capital was founded on the ruins of an Incan city but offers everything a modern traveler might need. It remains the least-altered historic center in Latin America and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nov 6, 2024 · Quito offers a wide range of attractions, from historic sites to natural escapes. Here’s our list of must-see spots in Quito that truly showcase the city’s charm and diversity.

Perched sky-high in the Andes at the foot of the snow-capped Pichincha volcano, Quito is—quite literally—breathtaking. Thanks to one of the largest and best-preserved colonial cores in Latin...

Sep 27, 2022 · Would you like to walk on the equator line found in South America? Enjoy colonial architecture in the place designated as the first UNESCO World Heritage City? Then, pack your bags, prepare your itinerary, and head to Quito Ecuador, now!

Jan 22, 2025 · Founded by 16th-century Spanish conquistadors on the site of an ancient Incan city, the capital of Ecuador boasts the biggest and best-preserved historic center in the Americas. Featuring an artful blend of European and indigenous architectural styles, dozens of churches, museums and colonial mansions line cobblestone streets.

Jun 22, 2023 · Quito, formally San Francisco de Quito, is the capital city of Ecuador, and at an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,800 meters above sea level), it is the second highest official capital city in the world, after La Paz, Bolivia.