5 best things to do in Quito
The essentials of Quito with the booking notes that actually matter — which tickets sell out, which slots are quietest, which formats reward the advance purchase. Every booking happens with the provider you choose.
Browse all Quito activities
Attractions, tours, day trips and transport passes from major providers — instant mobile tickets.
The Quito shortlist
- Old Town & La Compañía church — the gold-leafed Jesuit church in Latin America’s best-preserved centre.
- TelefériQo & Pichincha viewpoint — the cable car to 4,050m; walk the ridge if acclimatised.
- Middle of the World monument — the equator line 30 minutes out; the intiñan museum does the experiments.
- Basilica del Voto Nacional — climb the towers; the gargoyles are native animals.
- Cotopaxi volcano day trip — the snow-capped cone and the paramo, two hours south.
Flying in, Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) serves the city — attraction districts sit 30–60 minutes away at typical city speeds.
Compare Quito activity providers
- Klook — Quito activities — the widest catalogue, instant QR tickets, strong on transport passes and day trips.
- KKday — Quito experiences — local-led formats and small-group tours.
- Tiqets — museums and landmarks with instant mobile entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Quito?
Old Town & La Compañía church — the gold-leafed Jesuit church in Latin America’s best-preserved centre. Start there, then build the itinerary around it.
Do I need to book Quito attractions in advance?
The headline attractions reward advance booking — timed-entry systems and quota tickets mean walk-up availability is worst exactly when you want to visit. Everything on this page links to providers showing live availability.
How many days do you need in Quito?
Three to four days covers the shortlist above at a humane pace for a first visit; add days for the day-trip formats rather than compressing the city itself.
Is a city pass worth it in Quito?
Run the arithmetic honestly: a pass wins when you would genuinely visit three-plus ticketed attractions in its window. Our provider links show pass options side by side with single tickets — compare before committing.