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Old Town Quito Ecuador holds the largest and best-preserved historic center in Latin America, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Walk cobblestone streets lined with 16th-century churches housing the famous Quito School of Art, taste traditional Ecuadorian food on La Ronda street, and discover artisan chocolate made from Ecuador’s prized Cacao Fino de Aroma.
I’ve been guiding visitors through these streets for over a decade, and the combination of art, food, and history packed into just a few square blocks still catches me off guard. Most travelers pass through Quito on their way to the Galapagos, but the ones who slow down and spend a full day in the old town always tell me it was the highlight of their trip. This guide covers exactly what to see, eat, and experience in Quito’s historic center — with real locations, current prices, and the insider details that only a local guide would know.
Why Quito’s Old Town Is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1978, Quito became the very first city named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside Krakow. The Quito historic center spans 320 hectares with over 130 monumental buildings and 5,000 properties registered in the municipal heritage inventory. The reason is simple: no other colonial city in the Americas preserved its original urban layout and architectural heritage this well.
What makes it truly special for art lovers is the Quito School of Art (Escuela Quiteña). From the 16th to 18th centuries, indigenous and mestizo artists developed a unique style blending European baroque with Andean symbolism. Artists like Miguel de Santiago, Bernardo de Legarda, and Manuel de Samaniego created works that still fill the churches, convents, and museums of the historic center today. Their sculptures and paintings are not behind velvet ropes in distant museums — they’re right here, in the churches you can walk into any morning.
Best Churches and Colonial Art in Quito’s Old Town
The Quito old town historic center has more than 40 churches and chapels, many of them decorated with masterpieces of the Quito School of Art. Three stand out for the quality of their art collections and the experience of visiting them. Each one takes about 45 minutes to explore properly.
Convent and Museum of San Francisco
San Francisco is the oldest religious structure in Quito, inaugurated in 1560. Inside its walls, the Franciscans founded the city’s first art school, where indigenous artisans learned European painting, sculpture, and woodcarving techniques — then transformed them into something entirely their own. That fusion became the foundation of the Quito School of Art.
The Fray Pedro Gocial Museum inside the convent exhibits hundreds of religious artworks. Two pieces you should not miss: the wooden sculpture Jesús del Gran Poder from the 17th century, and the original Virgin of Quito (also called Virgin of Legarda), carved by Bernardo de Legarda in 1734 — the same figure you see on the Panecillo hill overlooking the city.
The Franciscans were also the first to brew beer in Latin America. You can visit their small Beer Museum as part of the convent tour.
Location: Benalcazar and Sucre streets. Cost: $3 USD (includes Fray Pedro Gocial Museum, convent domes, and Beer Museum).
La Compañía Church — Quito’s Gold Masterpiece
If you only visit one church in Quito, make it La Compañía. It took 160 years to build (1605–1765), and every centimeter of its interior is covered in 23-karat gold leaf. It’s considered one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in all of Latin America.
The church is dominated by works of the Quito School of Art. Look for The Inferno, originally painted in 1620 by Jesuit priest Hernando de la Cruz (the current version is a 19th-century copy by Alejandro Salas). The High Altarpiece was carved by Jorge Vintere and gilded by Bernardo de Legarda. Other notable artists represented include Nicolas Javier Goribar and his series of prophets lining the nave.
A detail most visitors miss: the remains of Mariana de Jesús, Ecuador’s first saint, are kept in the main altar.
Location: Garcia Moreno and Sucre streets.
Quito Cathedral — Where History and Faith Meet
The Cathedral of Quito dates to 1535 and represented ecclesiastical power during the colonial era. Its exterior is neoclassical, but step inside and you’ll find a mix of styles that tells the story of four centuries of renovation: neogothic, Mudéjar, neoclassical, and baroque elements coexist across its four chapels — Las Almas, San Pedro, Santa Ana, and Santísimo Sacramento.
Art lovers should look for works by Bernardo Rodríguez, Joaquín Pinto, Rafael Salas, and the legendary Miguel de Santiago. The museum inside the cathedral complex is small but worth the visit for the collection of colonial-era paintings.
Location: Venezuela and Espejo streets. Cost: $4 USD for nationals, $6 USD for foreigners (includes museum, church, and domes).
Basílica del Voto Nacional — Climb the Towers
You can spot the Basílica’s neo-Gothic spires from almost anywhere in Old Town, and climbing inside them is one of the most thrilling things you can do in Quito. The main nave is impressive — think Notre-Dame but with Ecuadorian animals (armadillos, iguanas, tortoises) carved where European gargoyles would be. The real experience, though, is the tower climb.
You start on a narrow iron staircase, then cross a wooden plank bridge high above the nave floor. It’s not for anyone with vertigo, but the panoramic views from the top are worth every nerve-wracking step. On a clear morning, you can see Cotopaxi and Cayambe volcanoes from up there. Entry to the church is free; the tower climb costs $2. Go early — by 10 AM the line gets long. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
Must-See Plazas & Viewpoints in Old Town Quito
The churches get most of the attention, but Old Town Quito’s plazas are where the city actually comes alive. Street vendors, shoeshine boys, pigeons, political protests — it all happens in the plazas. Two spots in particular anchor any visit to the historic center.
Plaza Grande — Where Quito’s History Unfolds Daily
Every story about Quito starts here. Plaza Grande (officially Plaza de la Independencia) is surrounded by the Presidential Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Municipal building — four centuries of power on four sides of one square. Grab a bench and watch the city go by. On Mondays at 11 AM, the Changing of the Guard ceremony draws crowds — soldiers in colonial-era uniforms march across the plaza with a military band. It’s free and genuinely impressive.
The Presidential Palace sometimes offers free guided tours (check at the entrance on Chile street), and the rooftop café at the Archbishop’s Palace serves great coffee with a direct view of the plaza below. After 12 years of guiding here, I still think this is the best place in Quito to sit, people-watch, and feel the pulse of the city.
El Panecillo — The Best Panoramic View of the Historic Center
The 45-meter Virgin of Quito statue stands on top of El Panecillo hill, and the 360-degree views from up there are absolutely stunning. You can see the entire historic center spread out below you, with volcanoes framing the horizon on a clear day. The statue itself is made of 7,000 pieces of aluminum — the largest aluminum sculpture in the world.
One important tip: take a taxi up, don’t walk. The streets leading to El Panecillo pass through neighborhoods that aren’t safe for tourists, especially with cameras and phones out. A taxi from Plaza Grande costs $2-3 and takes five minutes. You can ask the driver to wait while you take photos (usually another $3-5 for the wait). The viewpoint is free, and there’s a small museum inside the base of the statue for $1. Best time for photos is early morning when the light hits the colonial rooftops.
Where to Eat in Quito’s Old Town — A Local Food Guide
The historic center of Quito is one of Ecuador’s best food destinations. Traditional dishes like empanadas de viento, fritada, seco de chivo, and morocho are served in family-run Quito restaurants along La Ronda street, while artisan chocolate shops offer tastings of Ecuador’s world-famous Cacao Fino de Aroma.
Food in Quito old town food is not just about eating — it’s an expression of the city’s culture. Every recipe carries centuries of indigenous, Spanish, and African culinary traditions. And unlike the modern restaurants in La Mariscal or Cumbayá, the food here is made the old way, with recipes passed down through generations.
La Ronda — Traditional Food and Nightlife
La Ronda is my favorite street in Quito old town. This narrow pedestrian lane was born as a residential neighborhood in the 18th century, and today it’s the best place to experience traditional Ecuadorian food, live music, and the atmosphere of colonial Quito after dark.
Both sides of the street are lined with small restaurants, cafes, and bars. Some have live music on weekends, others play traditional Ecuadorian melodies in the background. The food ranges from small appetizers to hearty main dishes: empanadas de viento (fried cheese pastries), morocho (sweet corn drink), seco de chivo (slow-cooked goat stew), and fritada (braised pork with hominy and plantain).
When you visit La Ronda, you absolutely must try a canelazo — a hot drink made with naranjilla juice, cinnamon, and cane liquor. It warms you up on Quito’s cool evenings and costs about $2–3.
Location: Morales Street (known locally as La Ronda). Best time: Evenings, especially Thursday through Saturday.
Artisan Chocolate in Quito’s Old Town
One of the best surprises in Quito old town is the chocolate. Ecuador produces some of the best cocoa in the world — the country is the largest exporter of Cacao Fino de Aroma, a variety prized by chocolate makers globally. In the old town, you can visit an artisan chocolate factory with a branch from Mindo, known for using no preservatives or artificial flavorings.
The visit is worth it for two reasons. First, you get a full explanation of the cocoa production process, from cultivation to finished chocolate bars. Second, you taste around 8 different chocolate flavors, plus ingredients used in production like ginger honey and hierba luisa sugar. It’s a sensory experience that most visitors rate as a trip highlight.
Location: Benalcazar and Bolivar streets. Duration: About 45 minutes. Cost: $8–12 USD depending on the tasting package.
Mercado San Francisco — Healers, Juices & Local Life
Tucked behind the San Francisco plaza, this market is the real deal — not a tourist attraction, but the place where locals come to buy herbs, get their shoes fixed, and eat $2.50 almuerzos. What makes it unique are the limpias healers on the upper floor. These traditional medicine practitioners do spiritual cleansings with herbs, eggs, and smoke. Even if you’re skeptical, watching the ritual is fascinating. Downstairs, the juice stands blend whatever tropical fruit you point at for about $1. Try the naranjilla — it tastes like nothing you’ve had before.
Museums Worth Visiting in Old Town Quito
The Quito historic center isn’t just churches and plazas. Two museums in particular stand out — and both are small enough that you won’t burn an entire afternoon.
Museo de la Ciudad — Quito Through the Centuries
Housed in the oldest hospital in South America (built in 1565), the Museo de la Ciudad walks you through Quito’s history from pre-Inca times to the present using life-size dioramas and reconstructed rooms. It’s surprisingly well done and not the dusty, forgettable type of city museum. The colonial-era surgery room is both horrifying and fascinating. Entry is $3 for adults, $1 for students. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Casa del Alabado — Pre-Columbian Art That Rivals Any Capital
This one surprises everyone. Casa del Alabado is a beautifully restored colonial mansion that holds one of the finest pre-Columbian art collections on the continent. The ceramics, gold pieces, and stone carvings date back thousands of years — long before the Inca or Spanish arrived. The museum is small (about 45 minutes to walk through), but the curation and lighting make it feel like a gallery in London or New York. Entry is $6. It’s on Cuenca street, a five-minute walk from Plaza San Francisco.
Artisan Shops & Shopping in Old Town Quito
La Ronda has the most concentrated shopping in Old Town — small workshops where artisans make and sell their work right in front of you. Look for hand-carved wooden figures, Panama hats (which are actually Ecuadorian, by the way), and silver jewelry with pre-Columbian designs. On Calle García Moreno near La Compañía, a couple of shops sell high-quality tagua nut carvings — they look like ivory but come from a sustainable palm tree. For something different, the tin art workshops on La Ronda turn recycled metal into decorative pieces you can actually fit in a suitcase.
Quito Old Town at a Glance — Places, Costs & Hours
| Place | Type | Cost (USD) | Time Needed | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convent of San Francisco | Church & Museum | $3 | 45 min | Oldest religious site in Quito, Quito School of Art origin |
| La Compañía Church | Church | $4–$6 | 45 min | Gold-covered baroque interior, 7 tons of gold leaf |
| Quito Cathedral | Church & Museum | $4–$6 | 30 min | Neoclassical façade, Caspicara sculptures |
| La Ronda Street | Food & Nightlife | $5–$15 | 1–2 hrs | Traditional food, canelazo, live music Thu–Sat |
| Artisan Chocolate Shop | Tasting | $8–$15 | 30 min | Cacao Fino de Aroma tasting on Benalcazar street |
Where to Stay in Old Town Quito
Staying inside old town Quito Ecuador puts you steps from everything — churches, plazas, restaurants, all of it. The tradeoff is that some streets get quiet (and darker) after 9 PM, so pick a hotel on a well-lit block near Plaza Grande or San Francisco.
For budget travelers, hostels like Community Hostel and Hostal Sucre charge $15-25 per night and are right in the action. Mid-range, Hotel San Francisco de Quito sits literally on the San Francisco plaza — rooms with plaza views start around $60. And if you want something special, Casa Gangotena is a restored mansion on Plaza San Francisco that feels like stepping into a different century. Rates start around $250, but the rooftop views of the Panecillo alone make it worth a splurge dinner there even if you don’t stay.
Practical Tips for Visiting Quito’s Old Town
Is Quito’s Old Town Safe to Walk Around?
Quito old town is generally safe for tourists during the day, especially around the main plazas and churches where there is regular police presence. Like any large city, petty crime like pickpocketing can happen in crowded areas. Stick to the main streets, keep your phone in your pocket, and avoid walking alone after dark in side streets. If you visit La Ronda at night, go in a group or with a guide.
How to Get to the Historic Center
From Quito’s modern district (La Mariscal or La Carolina), you can take the Trolebus or Ecovía bus to the historic center in about 30 minutes. A taxi costs $4–6 depending on traffic. If you’re coming from the airport, the ride takes 45–60 minutes and costs around $25–30. Many Quito city tours include hotel pickup and drop-off, which is the easiest option.
Best Time to Visit Quito’s Old Town
Mornings are best for church visits — the light through the windows is beautiful and the crowds are thin. For La Ronda and food, go in the evening (Thursday through Saturday is liveliest). Avoid Sundays when many churches and museums close early. The weather in Quito old town sits around 15–22°C year-round, so bring a light jacket for the evenings.
Dealing with Altitude in Quito (2,850m / 9,350ft)
Here’s something most travel blogs mention as an afterthought, but it genuinely matters: Quito sits at 2,850 meters above sea level. I’ve seen plenty of visitors get headaches, feel dizzy, or run out of breath climbing church stairs on their first day. Drink more water than you think you need — at least 3 liters a day. Skip heavy meals and alcohol for the first 24 hours. If you’re coming from sea level, plan a lighter itinerary on day one. Coca tea (agua de coca) helps, and you can find it at most cafés in the historic center for about $1. After 48 hours, most people adjust and feel totally fine.
FAQ — Quito Old Town
What are the best things to do in Quito’s historic center?
The top things to do in Quito’s historic center include visiting La Compañía Church (the gold church), exploring the Convent of San Francisco and its art museum, eating traditional food on La Ronda street, tasting artisan chocolate, and walking through Plaza Grande. A full day lets you cover the main highlights comfortably.
How much does it cost to visit churches in Quito?
Most churches in Quito’s old town charge between $3 and $6 USD for entry, which typically includes access to the museum and sometimes the domes. The Convent of San Francisco costs $3, the Quito Cathedral costs $4–$6, and La Compañía varies by event. Budget about $15–20 for all three churches in one day.
What food should I try in Quito’s old town?
On La Ronda street, try empanadas de viento (fried cheese pastries), fritada (braised pork), seco de chivo (goat stew), and morocho (sweet corn drink). Finish with a canelazo — a warm drink made with naranjilla, cinnamon, and cane liquor. For dessert, visit the artisan chocolate shop on Benalcazar street for a tasting of Ecuador’s Cacao Fino de Aroma.
How many days do you need in Quito?
Most travelers spend 2–3 days in Quito. One full day is enough for Quito old town (churches, food, and art). A second day lets you visit the Teleférico cable car and the Middle of the World monument. If you have a third day, explore the Mindo cloud forest or Otavalo market as a day trip.
Why is Quito’s historic center a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Quito became the first city designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 because it has the best-preserved and least altered colonial historic center in Latin America. The 320-hectare district contains over 130 monumental structures, including churches, convents, and plazas that showcase the unique Quito School of Art — a blend of European baroque and indigenous Andean artistic traditions.
What is the nicest part of Quito to visit?
The historic center — what locals call the Centro Histórico — is hands down the most rewarding part of Quito for visitors. The density of colonial architecture, plazas, and cultural sites packed into a few walkable blocks is unmatched anywhere in the Americas. For a different vibe, La Mariscal (the “Gringolandia” neighborhood) has more nightlife and international restaurants, but it lacks the soul of Old Town.
Is Mitad del Mundo worth visiting from Old Town Quito?
Yes, but manage your expectations. The Equator monument at Mitad del Mundo is about 45 minutes north of Old Town by taxi or bus. The main monument is a bit touristy, but the Intiñan Solar Museum next door — where you can try balancing an egg on a nail — is genuinely fun. Round trip by taxi runs about $25-30, or take the Metrobús to Ofelia station and catch a feeder bus for under $1.
Can you walk everywhere in Old Town Quito?
Most of Old Town’s main attractions are within a 15-20 minute walk of each other, so yes — walking is the best way to explore. The one exception is El Panecillo. The hill climb passes through areas that aren’t the safest, so grab a taxi ($2-3 from Plaza Grande). Wear comfortable shoes because the cobblestone streets are uneven, and remember you’re at 2,850 meters — take it slow those first couple of days.
Experience Quito’s Old Town with a Local Guide
Quito old town packs more history, art, and flavor into a few blocks than most cities manage in entire neighborhoods. The churches alone would be worth the visit, but combined with the food scene on La Ronda and the hands-on chocolate experience, you get a day that covers all the senses.
We run guided Quito city tours that cover the historic center, the Teleférico, and the Middle of the World — with a local guide who knows the stories behind every façade. If you want to add a chocolate tasting or a La Ronda dinner, just let us know when you book.
Contact us to plan your Quito experience. We’ll tailor it to your interests and schedule.
