Three days is enough to see the best of Quito without rushing, as long as you respect the altitude and sequence the days sensibly. The city sits at around 2,850 metres, the best views are higher still, and the most dramatic landscapes are a drive away. This plan starts gently in the colonial centre, moves up to the viewpoints on day two and saves the longest outing for day three, when your body has had time to adjust.
Day one: the Old Town, slowly
Start at Plaza Grande with a coffee, then walk the short distance to Plaza San Francisco and step into the big Franciscan church and convent. Continue to La Compañía de Jesús, whose Baroque interior is covered in gold leaf, and break for a long lunch rather than a hurried one. In the afternoon, consider a guided food walk, which is a pleasant way to cover the centre while sampling local dishes and learning the history. End on La Ronda, the narrow lane of balconies and small restaurants that fills up at dusk. Keep the pace gentle, drink water and go easy on alcohol, because the altitude amplifies tiredness on the first day.
Day two: views and the middle of the world
Take the TelefériQo cable car in the morning, when the sky is usually at its clearest, and spend an hour or two on the páramo at the top, dressed in layers. Then head down for an easy lunch and spend the afternoon on one of two choices. The first is the Basílica del Voto Nacional, with its gargoyle-like Ecuadorian animals and a tower you can climb for another view of the city. The second is El Panecillo, the hill with the Virgin of Quito, which gives the clearest picture of how the city is laid out. If you prefer a day outside the centre, the Mitad del Mundo monument and the Pululahua crater make a good half-day, and the two fit comfortably together.
Day three: choose a day trip
This is when you leave the city, and the right choice depends on your interests. Cotopaxi is the classic for volcano lovers, a near-perfect snowy cone with lakes and high-altitude walks in the national park around it. Otavalo, with its famous craft market and the Cuicocha crater lake, suits travellers who want culture and shopping. Mindo, in the cloud forest, is the pick for birds, butterflies and waterfalls. Papallacta, with its thermal pools, is a good choice if you want to relax after two days of walking. All of them are best booked a few days ahead, and Saturday is the busiest day at the Otavalo market.
If you have a fourth day
Add a second day trip, or give the Old Town a second morning to visit museums and smaller churches that you skipped. Travellers heading to the Galápagos or the Amazon often fit a night in Quito at either end of their trip, and the plan above can be compressed to two days if you must.
Practical tips
Carry water and sun protection, because the ultraviolet index is high at altitude, and bring layers, since mornings are cool, midday is warm and evenings are chilly. Use taxis or ride-hailing for anywhere outside the walkable centre, and check opening hours for churches, which often close at midday or on certain holidays. Morning is the best time for views, because clouds build up later in the day on most days of the year, so schedule your high points first and your lunches and museums for the afternoon.
Where to stay
For this itinerary, a base in the Old Town makes days one and two simple and cuts down on taxi fares, and day-trip operators will usually collect you from central hotels. If you prefer a larger hotel with a pool, the modern district to the north also works, as long as you allow extra time to get to the Historic Centre. See our where to stay guide for choices across budgets.
A note on pacing
Many visitors try to fit too much into their first day and pay for it with headaches and tiredness. Treat day one as a warm-up, and you will enjoy the next two much more. If you feel unwell at altitude, rest, drink water and eat lightly, and seek medical advice if symptoms are severe or do not improve.
