Quito 3-day itinerary

Begin at Plaza Grande, the political and spiritual heart of colonial Quito, surrounded by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and the Archbishop's Palace. Walk north to the Basílica del Voto Nacional and climb the vertiginous tower ladders for a panoramic view across the terracotta rooftops to Cotopaxi and Cayambe volcanoes on clear days. The morning air at 2,850 metres is cool and crisp, and the narrow colonial streets are still relatively empty. Grab a fresh-squeezed naranjilla juice from a stall near San Francisco Plaza.

Visit La Compañía de Jesús, the baroque masterpiece covered floor to ceiling in gold leaf and intricate carvings — it took 160 years to build. Cross to the enormous San Francisco Plaza and enter the church and monastery complex, the oldest European religious building in South America. Browse the Museo de la Ciudad for a well-curated history of Quito from pre-Inca times through the colonial era. The Historic Centre is compact and walkable, with painted balconies, carved doorways, and hidden courtyards around every corner.

Walk to La Ronda as the sun sets and the colonial lanterns flicker on along this narrow pedestrianised street. Watch artisans making traditional crafts in open workshops, listen to Andean folk musicians playing from the balconies, and try canelazo — a warm cinnamon-and-sugarcane spirit drink that is Quito's signature evening beverage. Street vendors sell pristinos (fried pastries drizzled with honey) and espumilla (fruit meringue ice cream). The atmosphere on a Friday or Saturday evening is lively and welcoming.

Take a taxi to the base station and ride the TelefériQo cable car up to Cruz Loma at 4,100 metres on the flanks of Volcán Pichincha. The 10-minute ride lifts you above the entire city basin with views stretching across the Andes to multiple snow-capped volcanoes on clear mornings. At the top, walk the páramo trail — high-altitude grassland dotted with wildflowers and occasional hummingbirds. The air is thin and cold, so bring layers. The sense of scale is extraordinary — Quito sprawls far below in its narrow valley.

Head north to Mitad del Mundo, the equator monument marking latitude 0°0'0". The official monument is a large complex with a museum inside, but the real highlight is the nearby Intiñan Solar Museum, which offers interactive demonstrations about the equator — balancing eggs on nails, watching water drain differently on each hemisphere, and standing with one foot in each half of the planet. The area also has good craft shops and food stalls. The drive from central Quito takes about 40 minutes by bus or taxi.

Return to the Mariscal Sucre neighbourhood, Quito's backpacker and nightlife district. Plaza Foch is the central hub with international restaurants, craft beer bars, and salsa clubs. Try locro de papas — a thick potato and cheese soup topped with avocado — at a local restaurant before exploring the evening scene. The neighbourhood has a younger international vibe with hostels, language schools, and travel agencies lining the streets. It is the easiest place in Quito to meet other travellers.

Catch an early bus from Terminal Carcelén to Otavalo, a 2-hour ride north through the Avenue of Volcanoes. Saturday is the main market day when the Plaza de los Ponchos explodes with colour — hundreds of indigenous Otavaleño vendors sell hand-woven textiles, alpaca scarves, Panama hats, leather goods, and intricate jewellery. The market has been running for centuries and is one of the most vibrant in South America. Bargain respectfully and buy directly from the weavers for the best prices and quality.

Walk or take a taxi 3km from Otavalo to Peguche, a small indigenous weaving village with a sacred waterfall used for Inti Raymi purification ceremonies. The 18-metre cascade is set in a eucalyptus forest with a well-maintained trail. Visit a family weaving workshop in the village to see backstrap loom weaving in action — the Otavaleño are among the most skilled textile artisans in the Americas. You can buy directly from the weavers at prices significantly lower than the main market.

On the return journey, ask the bus to drop you at Lago San Pablo for a lakeside stop with views of Volcán Imbabura reflected in the water. The lake is sacred to the indigenous Otavaleño people and surrounded by small farming communities. If time allows, stop at one of the lakeside restaurants for grilled trout — a highland specialty. Catch a later bus back to Quito arriving by evening. The journey passes through dramatic Andean landscapes with deep valleys and terraced hillsides.