Holiday in Quito
City in Ecuador — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇪🇨
Country
Ecuador
Type
City
Best time to travel
June to September — drier months. Quito has 'eternal spring' year-round (10-20°C). December to May is slightly wetter.
Budget/day
Getting there from Germany
Flight from Frankfurt/Amsterdam to Quito (UIO) via Bogotá, Madrid, or Panama, approx. 14-17 hours.
Deals for Quito:
What makes Quito special as a destination?
Quito, Ecuador's capital, was the first city ever to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site — even before Venice and Paris. Located at 2,850 meters in an Andean valley, surrounded by volcanoes, the old town is a baroque dream with gilded churches, colonial squares, and architecture that blends the heritage of the Spanish Conquista and the indigenous Quechua culture. The Basilica del Voto Nacional offers a stunning view of the city from the bell tower, overlooking the snow-capped Cotopaxi. At the equator monument Mitad del Mundo, you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. The Mariscal area pulses with backpacker bars and international restaurants. Tours to Cotopaxi, the Amazon rainforest, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, and the Galápagos Islands start from Quito.
What are the top highlights in Quito?
The top highlights in Quito include Old Town (Centro Histórico), Basílica del Voto Nacional, Mitad del Mundo, TelefériQo, Cotopaxi (Day Trip).
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Old Town (Centro Histórico)
The first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world — colonial plazas, 40 churches, and the presidential palace.
Basílica del Voto Nacional
Neo-Gothic basilica with Galápagos animals as gargoyles — climbing the bell tower is adventurous.
Mitad del Mundo
The equator monument — stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere.
TelefériQo
Cable car to 4,100m up the Pichincha volcano — one of the highest viewpoints in the world.
Cotopaxi (Day Trip)
The highest active volcano in the world (5,897m) — hike to the refuge at 4,800m in breathtaking scenery.
Hotels in Quito
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Reise-SIM für Quito
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Quito?
The best time to visit Quito is June to September — drier months. Quito has 'eternal spring' year-round (10-20°C). December to May is slightly wetter.. 10-21°C year-round In winter: 10-20°C, slightly more rain
Recommended travel time
June to September — drier months. Quito has 'eternal spring' year-round (10-20°C). December to May is slightly wetter.
Summer
10-21°C year-round
Winter
10-20°C, slightly more rain
How much does a holiday in Quito cost?
Budget travellers: 20-35 €/day, mid-range: /day, luxury: 90-250 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
20-35 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
90-250 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Quito?
Flight from Frankfurt/Amsterdam to Quito (UIO) via Bogotá, Madrid, or Panama, approx. 14-17 hours.
Book a package holiday to Quito
Compare thousands of package holidays to Quito and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Quito?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Altitude sickness: At 2,850m, the thin air can be noticeable — start slowly, drink plenty of water, Coca tea helps.
Sunday = Ciclovía: On Sundays, main roads are closed to cyclists — rent a bike and experience the city car-free.
Old Town vs. Mariscal: Centro Histórico for culture during the day, Mariscal for nightlife and restaurants in the evening.
Cotopaxi Tour: Guided day tours from 50 € — book early, weather at the volcano is unpredictable.
What should you eat in Quito?
Typical specialities in Quito: Locro de Papa — Creamy potato soup with cheese and avocado — Quito's soul food, especially on cool days., Hornado — Whole pig roasted in a wood oven with Llapingachos (potato pancakes) — the festive dish of the highlands., Ceviche de Camarón — Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche in tomato sauce — different from the Peruvian version, both delicious., Empanada de Viento — Fried, airy empanadas sprinkled with cheese and sugar — best at the market., Canelazo — Hot drink made from Naranjilla fruit, cinnamon, and liquor — perfect against the Andean air..
These specialties you must try!
