Quito in Three Days – The Best of Ecuador’s Andean Heart

Quito, the second highest capital in the world is situated within a narrow valley surrounded by scenic Andean mountain range. On a clear day you can see Cotopaxi looming over the city. Quito gives its visitors a solid insight into the times of the Spanish conquistadores and later liberation of South America by Simon Bolivar. As in so many South American cities, the narrow streets in the Old Town look completely untouched. Thus, walking down the old cobbled streets passing some of the continent’s most impressive churches you really feel like you’re taken back in time. While the historic centre is the main attraction, a large number of hotels and renowned restaurants are located in Mariscal, the new part of the city. A quick 5 min taxi ride will get you from one to the other. So how to best experience Quito in three days?

When I think of Quito in three days, I think of… its culinary scene, Andean culture and a spectacular Old Town. Then I also remember the TelefériQo, one of the world’s highest cable cars and the lookout point of El Panecillo, one of nicest view points above the city.

Quito in three days – how to spend three days in Ecuador’s capital

What to do in Quito in three days – Must-sees and dos

Depending on what time you arrive on the first day and how tired you are, you could either join the free walking tour by Free Walking Tour Ecuador at 2.30pm or have a walk around the Old Town by yourself. For a walk around, start at the Independence Plaza, surrounded by the cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Nearby is the Church of La Compañía de Jesús and the baroque-style Church of San Fransisco. Then climb the Basilica del Voto Nacional to have an incredible view over the city.

Top Tip: The Basilica is open longer on the weekends until 6.30pm and you might want to go up for the sunset!

Quito in three days: The Basilica in Quito – a must-visit!

Quito for the Five Senses

TASTE AND SMELL

One of the highlights for your Quito in three days experience is to join the Street Food and Local Drinks Tour with Bondabu. This community focused, social enterprise offers authentic and immersive culinary and street food tours.

For the best craft beer visit Hops Craft Beer Pub, located in the trendy La Floresta neighbourhood.

For a an exclusive and experiential culinary delight, book a table at restaurant NUEMA at Illa Experience, a stunning boutique hotel in Quito’s Old Town. It’s a different dining experience – there is no menu per sé. Renowned chef Alejandro Chamorro prepares changing menus based on seasonally available local ingredients.

Staying at Illa Experience a couple of years ago, this is the place where I had the best Cappuccino of my life (Sorry Italy). Besides, the views from the hotel and restaurant over the sparkling city winding itself over the eastern slopes of the active Pichincha volcano are simply spectacular.

HEAR AND SEE

For live music events, decent food and craft beer head to La Estacion or Dirty Sanchez at Plaza Foch in the New Town.

Another great place for both traditional and contemporary music is bohemian and chic neighbourhood of La Floresta. Stop by Ocho y Medio, an independent movie theatre and cafeteria. Be prepared for it being Hipster Central!

TOUCH

Dog lovers, listen up! Missing your fury friend back home and like to support an animal charity on your travels? For a very heartfelt experience with rescue dogs, join Let us walk with a Rescue Dog, an Airbnb experience of a different kind. You’ll get to visit one of Quito animal shelters and take some of the dogs out for a long walk in nature. A large portion of the cost goes straight to the shelter which are often very underfunded in South America.

Quito for a Challenge

A good itinerary includes a challenge – physical, spiritual or cultural. If you’ve got the time and are up for a challenge, climb Pichincha volcano just outside of Quito. The hike takes approximately six hours (four hours up, two hours down) and it is advised to start early.

The TelefériQo will bring you to the start point at Cruz Loma at about 4100m. From here follow the trail towards Rucu Pichincha. The hike is quite challenging at times with steep sections on volcanic sand, so make sure not to go by yourself. The summit lies at 4696m above sea level!

The TelefériQo in Quito will bring you to Cruz Loma – the starting point for the Pichincha volcano hike

What can you skip?

So what not to bother spending time on in Quito in three days? I’m going to be the one to say it – you can skip La Mitad del Mundo. Although there are a few interesting facts written around the monument and shown in the small adjacent museum, I felt that this place is mostly a tourist trap and quite underwhelming.

Accommodation in Quito

SPLASH OUT

I mentioned it earlier – Illa Experience is the one! This small luxury boutique hotel is geared toward the experiential traveller wanting something a little different. Illa is more than just a hotel – it offers memorable immersive experiences connecting travellers to the locals through workshops with artisans or cooking classes. So feel like a real quiteño for a few days. Prices start at $300 per room.

TREAT YOURSELF

Casa Hotel Baquedano, located in Mariscal is a beautiful boutique mid-range option. Guests rave about the service and the attention to detail. The rooms are beautifully decorated and they’ve got a roof top terrace with comfy lounge chairs to enjoy the view. Prices start at $60 per room.

Quito in three days: Roof Terrace at Casa Baquedano in Quito

GO BUDGET

The rooms, the food, the activities, their values and community engagement – Community Hostel is one of Quito’s greatest hostels. Besides being a hostel, they are also a charity and 10% of their profits go directly to different local NGO’s. Their in house tour operator organises day- and overnight tours to places around Quito such as Mindo, Quilotoa and Cotopaxi. Prices start at around $10 for a bed in a 6-bed dorm.

SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Quito Polo Club! This place is absolutely amazing. It’s located just outside of Quito in the village of Puembo close to the Mariscal Sucre International Airport. The Polo Club offers guests a heavenly stay in the beginning or end of their journey – a perfect escape into nature without being too far from the capital. The large, beautifully designed rooms offer stunning panoramic views out into the gardens and fields. If you bring a few hours with you, you can join one of their horse riding or polo classes.

Quito in three days: Quito Polo Club

Day Tours around Quito

There are quite a few amazing places that can be reached from Quito on a day trip. It all depends on your overall travel plan and how much time you’d like to spend in a given destination. For example, if you plan on going south after Quito, then it’s worth stopping at Cotopaxi National Park for a couple of days rather than visiting one of the world’s highest volcanoes on a day trip. Check out my guide on travelling the Avenue of the Volcanoes from Quito to Cuenca.

The Quilotoa Lagoon is another day trip offered by some agencies but in my opinion it’s just too far to do if you’ve only got three days in Quito. It’s a six hour round trip and to fully enjoy the experience, it will be better to stay in the region overnight or make this your next stop after your three days in Quito.

Quito in three days: Quilotoa Crater – worth a trip!

Initially I thought about moving Otavalo into the “what can you skip” section because Saturday is the only day where a visit to South America’s largest outdoor market is actually worth it. All other days the market purely exists for tourists. If you have got some time to spare, the Saturday market is well worth a visit though. Every week farmers from all over Ecuador sell their produce here. If you’re going on a shopping spree, especially when buying clothes, make sure to check the labels as the market is nowadays filled with souvenirs and clothes made in China, often disguised as Ecuadorian Alpaca wool.

Last but not least there is Mindo Cloud Forest, one of my absolute favourite places in Ecuador.

For me the cloud forest has a special energy, the misty clouds covering the canopy like a blanket at dawn and into the morning – magical.

Personally, the place deserves an overnight visit, but if that’s just not possible then go on a Cloud Forest Day Tour with Community Adventures, the same company that runs the Community Hostel!

Quito in three days: Mindo Cloud Forest Ecuador

Lastly…

Quito has got so much to offer and the choice about how to spend your time there won’t be an easy one! The city is a great starting point for your Ecuador trip and really provides a good insight into what awaits you in the rest of this beautiful Andean country. Enjoy Quito in three days – make the most of it!

Thinking about going to the Amazon next? Check out my Insider’s Guide to the best Amazon lodges!