I spent three weeks in Quito studying Spanish. I did a lot of sightseeing as I wanted to make the most of my time and see as much of Quito as possible. Here are a few things to do in Quito that I enjoyed a lot. If you’re considering visiting Quito, there’s plenty to do. There’s also some pretty cool day trips you can take from Quito as well.
Study Spanish at Yanapuma Spanish School
Taking Spanish classes was my main focus while in Quito. I studied at Yanapuma Spanish School in the historic district of Quito. Here you can take individual classes or small group classes. You can study for a week or months, depending on you preference. They also offer a cultural program that allows you to practice Spanish while visiting different places in the city with a teacher.
Visit the Churches
There are so many beautiful churches to visit in Quito, especially in the Historic Center. My favorites were La Basilica and La Compania. The architecture and decor is beautiful in all three. When you visit La Basilica, you can climb the towers to get a great view of Quito. I was a little afraid at first, but happy I decided to go up. La Compania is beautifully decorated in gold. You will be amazed as soon as you enter the door.
El Teleferico
Take the 18 minute cable car ride up to get an amazing view of the city. There’s even a swing for you to ride while looking out over the city. Here you’ll want to get some pictures!
El Panecillo
On this hill, you can get up close to the Virgin of Quito and have an amazing view over the city. While ascending to the top, you can read about the construction of the statue and learn about some of the famous churches in Quito.
Visit the Museums
Ecuador has a very interesting history from the indigineous cultures to the influence of Spain. While I went to many museums, my top two were Museo Nacional del Ecuador (Casa de Cultura) and the Guayasamin Museum and Capilla del Hombre. The Museio Nacional has artwork, artifacts, and representations of the Ecuadorian culture. I visited this museum with my teacher, which was very helpful because she explained the history and importance of the items in the museum. The Guayasamin Museum and Capilla del Hombre showcases the home and artwork of the famour Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin. Here they have tour guides to tell you about the artist’s life, his paintings, and the message he conveyed through art.
Mitad del Mundo
One of the most popular things to do in Quito is to visit the equator at Mitad del Mundo. Here you can put one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one foot in the Southern Hemisphere. Another photo worthy trip! Near the main attraction, there’s also the Intinan Museum where you can see different experiments about the equator.
Walk the Old Town
There’s many plazas, shops, and churches to visit in the Old Town. The President’s Palace is also in the location as well as the famous street La Ronda.
