Quito, nestled between mountain ranges of the Andean Mountains, is Ecuador’s capital city and has many wonders to be discovered. If you google a map of the city, the first thing you might notice is the irregular elongated shape which is a result of large mountain ranges on each side restricting East to West growth. Despite this obstacle, you will see many houses “climbing” up the mountainsides, which is a beautiful sight, especially at night.
Located at an impressive 2,850 meters (9,350 ft) above sea level and just south of the equator, Quito’s population was estimated in 2021 at about 2.9 million habitants. The main industries consist of textiles and metals, as well as agriculture – don’t forget to try the chocolate while you are here!
Quito has a very rich history from both pre and post colonial times and now proudly hosts the best-preserved historical center in South America, a UNESCO heritage site since 1978. The city also has a beautiful range of metropolitan parks buzzing with hummingbirds, various museums and art galleries, and many intriguing historical sites to visit. If you are only here for a few days it will be difficult to decide what to do, but among our personal favorites are the Teleférico, The Panecillo, The Botanical Gardens in Carolina Park, and of course the Historical Center.
If you want to get the most out of your visit to Quito, trust our expert guides to lead you through the city while you learn the interesting history of the second highest capital city in the world!