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Plaza Grande is the focal point of the Old Town. You can’t miss it and locals congregate there just about any time of day. Mornings are the least busy but you’ll never have it to yourself. Nice evenings are particularly busy. It’s a great place to relax and take in local life. It’s also particularly scenic with pretty landscaping and a few nice fountains and statues. Nothing is spectacular in its own right but the overall effect is quite satisfying. It’s lined on three of four sides with beautiful buildings that include an attractive cathedral, the exquisite presidential palace and the archbishop’s palace which now houses storefronts. Leave a Comment Directions: At the very heart of the Old Town, sided by Garcia Moreno, Venezuela, Chile, and Espejo.
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Colonial Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is definitely worth a visit. The area used to be dangerous to tourist, but recently it has been cleaned up and there is a large presence of security. However, this does not mean that there are no pick pocketers there. Always bring as little as possible to this area (not large bags, etc) and make sure you keep your money in a safe place!
The most important places in Colonial Quito is Plaza de la Independencia and Plaza de San Francisco. The Plaza de la Independencia is the most important one, and home to the 400-year old Palacio Presidencial and a Cathedral. Ask a local about the legend of the rooster on top of this church. In front of Palacio Presidencial you will find neatly dressed guards who are more than happy to be in a picture. Plaza de San Francisco is dominated by the gigantic Monasterio de San Francisco. The plaza itself is dominated by poor kids wanting to shin your shoes. However, if you sit on the steps of the monastery a few minutes on a late afternoon, you will get a pretty good sense of the spirit of this part of town. Leave a Comment Address: Central QuitoDirections: Ecovia stop La Marin. Take the pedestrian street Chile to the right (when facing south) to get to Plaza de la Independencia. From there, take a left on García Moreno and a right on Sucre to reach Plaza San Francisco.
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Although this church was technically closed for renovation when we happened on it, we noticed that a few tour groups seemed to be getting to go inside. We quickly decided that we looked as much like Germans as the group of German tourists that were entering at that moment, and we just followed them in the door like we owned the place. The guards fell for it, and we were in!
Once inside, we just gasped. This church looks mighty impressive from the outside, but the inside is positively staggering. Just about every surface in the church is covered with gold--yup, that is real gold, about seven tons of it (according to the tour guide we were eavesdropping on). Ornately carved panels, ceilings, altars...all shining with gold. Don't miss the painting to the right side of the door, depicting Hell with all of the various sins and their corresponding punishments. Very scary--I think this was used to keep Quito's kids on the straight and narrow. Leave a Comment
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At the far south side of the Old Town stands the impressive Arco de la Reina, built in the 18th century to protect church goers and seemingly tourists of today as it more or less divides where you should and shouldn’t venture in the city. It certainly is not a sharp distinction as a very good museum lays just on the other side as well as the beautiful Monasterio de Carmen Alto. The monastery is a working one and the cloistered nuns cannot be viewed though do sell their wares (including traditional sweets) through a revolving door that keeps them hidden. Leave a Comment Address: corner of Garcia Moreno & RocafuerteDirections: Far south side of town, a great quiet area to wander around.
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As if the Plaza Grande were not enough, Quito’s “other” square is perhaps Ecuador’s most spectacular man made sight. Coming across Plaza San Francisco is like stepping back in time with its massive cobblestone courtyard and the oldest church in Ecuador, the imposing Monasterio de San Francisco. I guess even the shoe shine boys realize this is the real deal as this is where they congregate to make a buck. Luckily they are not as persistent as in Cuzco and you can enjoy the square in relative peace. If it gets to be too much outside there is more than enough to keep you busy with the monastery including an extensive museum and one of the most beautiful altars in all of South America. Unfortunately, it was under construction while we were there so I guess that’s another reason to come back. The monastery dates back to the early 1500s and took nearly 70 years to complete. Leave a Comment Address: corner of Cuenca & SucreDirections: two blocks from the Plaza Grande.
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Plaza Santo Domingo is another huge scenic square that is a regular meeting ground for street performers as well as political demonstrations and parties. There is a general festive feel but especially so in the evenings when the square’s namesake 17th century church is a glow from floodlights as is the statue of Mariscal Sucre that stands sentinel. Leave a Comment Address: Flores & RocafuerteDirections: At the south end of the Old Town.
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La Compania de Jesus is to churches as gold is to rings. If you like ornate and you like gold, this is THE church to visit in Ecuador. Dating back to the early 1600s the green and gold dome of the main altar is visible from around the city, most notably Plaza San Francisco but it's real claim to fame is the gold laden interior which reportedly is emblazoned with seven tons of gold. They charge an exhorbitant $2.50 to enter but if you go on Sundays right after the mass you can get in for free. Leave a Comment Directions: Sucre & Garcia Moreno.
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Plaza San Blas is one of the city’s prettiest if simple squares and certainly one of the more quiet ones too. Its focal point is an unadorned white church dating back to the 16th century as a place of worship for indigenous people though rebuilt in the 18th century. In many ways it serves as the gateway to the Old Town. Heading north you'll go through the citiy's great parks en route to the New Town. Leave a Comment Address: corner of Guayaquil & CaldasDirections: The dividing area between New and Old Town.
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Plaza San Francisco is the most attractive square in Quito. The architecture all around the square is enchanting and the proportions are perfect. The square is dominated by the Monastery of San Francisco, and the rear of the Compañia de Jesús church (see respective tips).
For such an attractive space, it is untouristy. There are no souvenir shops or postcard vendors.
I was there at night too, and I didn't feel unsafe because it was quite busy. It was early, however, since night falls early in Ecuador. Leave a Comment
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The Gothic spires of Basilica del Voto Nacional are easy to spot from just about anywhere in town due not only to their height but also their vantage point high atop a hill on the northeastern side of the Old Town. Beautiful from afar the cathedral is stunning within as well with huge ornate stained glass windows galore. But its true calling card is the view from the top and perhaps more so the climb itself which involves some portions not advised for those with a fear of heights. Fear not, the whole thing is quite safe. Just don’t look down and enjoy the views from the top once there. Well worth the $2 entrance fee. Leave a Comment Directions: corner of Venezuela & Cachi
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Avenida Naciones Unidas y Republica de el Salvador, Quito - Swissotel Quito
Av 12 de Octubre 1820 y Luis Cordero Casilla 17-21-565, Quito - Los Alpes
Tamayo 233 y Jorge Washington, Quito - Mansion Del Angel
Wilson E5-29 y Juan Leon Mera New Town, Quito - Hotel Patio Andaluz
Calle GarcÃa Moreno N6-52 Entre MejÃa y Olmedo, Quito - Embassy Hotel
President Wilson E8-22 & Avenida 6 De Diciembre, Quito - Dann Carlton Hotel Quito
Av. República de El Salvador No. 513 e Irlanda San Francisco de Quito, Quito - Cafe Cultura (Robles 513 y Reina Victoria.)
Robles 513 y Reina Victoria, Quito - Howard Johnson Hotel - Quito La Carolina
Alemania E5 -103 y La Republica Avenue, Quito - Republica Hotel (Calle Azuay Quito Ecuador)
Calle Azuay y Avenida Republica, Quito - Hotel Rio Amazonas Internacional
Cordero 1342 y Amazonas esq., Quito - Mansion Real - Ecuador
Calle Reina Victoria y Roca Esquina, Quito - Jw Marriott Quito
Av. Orellana 1172 y Amazonas, Quito - Republica Hotel (Calle Azuay )
Calle Azuay y Avenida Republica, Quito - Rio Amazonas Intl Hotel
Cordero 1342 y Amazonas esq., Quito
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on September 7, 2007
