Plaza de San Francisco
Plaza de San Francisco is a famous public square in the Historic Center of Quito. It is constructed upon ancient Incan ruins, including the place of Emperor Atahualpa. The large plaza is home to several notable buildings, including the Church and Convent of St. Francis, which dates back to the 16th century and is the oldest edifice in the city.
Travel Back to the 1600s
The Old Town
The Ecuadorian capital is home to one of the best-preserved historic centers in all of Latin America. The tapered streets are lined with centuries-old colorful buildings (many of which date back to the 17th century), charming cafés, interesting plazas, and numerous churches. The area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978 and is undoubtedly one of the most interesting places in Quito.
The Bank National Museum
Even the most devoted museum-goer will feel unexcited by this suggestion. However, don’t easily discard a visit to the Museo National de Banco Central del Ecuador. The museum is home to a vast collection of over 1,500 items and artifacts, including pre-Inca relics that are over six millennia old. The exhibition covers the entire history and progression of Ecuador.
Visit the “Fake” Equator in Quito
The Equator
You simply cannot go to Ecuador and not visit the equator. After all, the country is named after it. The spot of the equator is marked with a 30-meter-tall monument known as Mitad del Mundo. Unfortunately, GPS studies proved that the structure is built on the wrong spot. The “real” equator is situated just a few hundred feet away, at the Intiñan Solar Museum.
Now that you know more about the Ecuadorian capital, make sure to include these four sites, as well as others, in your itinerary.