Quito Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Quito (+ Map)
TL;DR
Discover how to see the very best of Quito in just 3 days – colonial streets, the equator, epic viewpoints, and even a volcano adventure.
Planning a trip to Ecuador and wondering how to make the most of just three days in Quito? You’re in the right place. We know the struggle: Quito is packed with history, culture, and natural wonders, but fitting it all into a short stay can feel overwhelming. Between colonial churches, the equator, and even volcanoes, how do you choose without missing out?
We spent time exploring Quito ourselves – joining walking tours, visiting hidden gems, riding the famous TelefériQo, and even venturing out to Cotopaxi. This means our itinerary isn’t just theoretical; it’s tried, tested, and filled with practical tips you won’t find in guidebooks.
This itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors, curious travellers, and anyone who wants a mix of history, adventure, and epic views without wasting precious time. Think of this as a friend guiding you through Quito – we’ll share what worked for us, what to skip, and a few insider tips to make your trip smoother. Pack your walking shoes and a sense of adventure – Quito is waiting!
3 Days in Quito Ecuador Itinerary
Quito Itinerary Map
Day 1 – Free Walking Tour & Centro Historico
Morning – Free Walking Tour
We love to start our time in a new city with a free walking tour, and Quito was no different. We chose the Free Quito Walking Tour and can highly recommend it.
Of course, we ticked off all the highlights, such as the Basílica del Voto Nacional, the Plaza Grande, and the St. Francis Church and Monastery. What made this tour stand out were the hidden gems (we won't give away spoilers) and the tastings. We had the best brownie of our lives (and trust us, we have a lot of comparison) at Yumbos Chocolate. Even if you don’t choose to go on this tour, check them out if you’re remotely interested in chocolate!
Afternoon – Centro Historico
In the afternoon, tick off the points in Quito’s historical centre that you didn’t visit with your free walking tour. Here are our favourites (all of them are marked on our map):
- You can enter the Basílica del Voto Nacional and enjoy the views from the tower.
- Quito is famous for its churches. If you don’t want to pay, we can recommend the Church of the Tabernacle, Church of the Society of Jesus, and St. Francis Church.
- Free museums like the Antiguo Círculo Militar and the Museo Numismático are real hidden gems – even if you only go for the stunning architecture.
- There are art exhibitions at Biblioteca Municipal “Federico González Suárez”, and you can check out the rooftop for amazing free views.
- We loved the rooftop terrace of Hotel Sucre Quito.
- The Palacio Arzobispal is great for food. Despite the horrific reviews, we had a nice traditional Fanesca at Menestras del Negro.
End your day at Virgen del Panecillo for lovely views across Quito. Standing at a total height of 41 m (135 ft), it is the tallest statue in Ecuador and among the tallest in South America – surpassing the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is also the tallest aluminium statue in the world. For a small fee, you can enter the statue of the Virgin!
Afterwards, we can recommend enjoying the sunset at Pim's right next door.
Day 2 – Mitad del Mundo & TelefériQo
Morning – Mitad del Mundo
Did you even visit Ecuador if you didn’t visit the equator? Lucky for you, Mitad del Mundo or the Middle of the World is only a short ride from Quito by taxi, tour, or public transport.
The centrepiece is the 30-meter (98 ft) monument, which honours the 18th-century French Geodesic Mission that measured the Earth’s shape near the equator.
It is surrounded by a themepark-like structure with several “museums”. The expedition wouldn’t be complete without plenty of photo ops and a tiny train.
Right next to it, you can find the Intiñan Equator Museum. Here, you can learn about the science behind the equator and conduct (more or less scientific) experiments. The place is equally tacky and filled with photo spots as the Mitad del Mundo, but it’s also equally fun to visit.
Afternoon – TelefériQo
One of Quito’s must-do experiences is the TelefériQo, a cable car that carries you from the edge of the city up the slopes of the Pichincha Volcano. Opened in 2005, it’s one of the highest cable cars in the world, climbing from 3,117 m (10,226 ft) to 3,945 m (12,943 ft) in just 20 minutes. The ride itself is breathtaking, with sweeping views of the city and the Andes.
At the top, you’ll find panoramic lookouts, photo spots, and a trailhead for those adventurous enough to hike toward the summit of Pichincha, an active volcano. There’s also a café and a few shops.
Be prepared: the altitude makes it much cooler than downtown Quito, and fog often rolls in during the mornings. Some visitors may even feel mild altitude sickness.
Day 3 – Day Trip to Cotopaxi
You can’t think of Ecuador without thinking of Cotopaxi, and a day trip from Quito is by far the easiest (and a surprisingly cost-efficient) way to visit one of the highest active volcanoes on earth.
Yes, it’s a long day trip, but Cotopaxi is only around 50 km (30 mi) south of Quito, so we think that Quito is the best base you can choose.
On your Cotopaxi tour, you will
- Visit the Laguna de Limpiopungo, where you can spot some birds.
- Learn about the local flora, fauna, and geology at the interpretation centre.
- Hike up to the José Rivas Refuge at 4864 meters (15960 ft) above sea level.
While the hike is not long, it is quite challenging because of the altitude. We were super blessed with clear views and would not have missed this experience for the world, even as not the world’s most avid hikers.
Where We Stayed in Quito
We stayed at Viajero Quito Hostel. Let us start by saying that, in contrast to the Viajeros in other destinations, the one in Quito is not really a party hostel. Rather, it’s a quiet hostel with some nice social activities like yoga or bonfires.
The location in the Centro Historico is amazing. The building with the courtyard is very cosy and so are the rooms. They serve food and drinks, which is great if you don’t want to go out at night.
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. You would help us a lot if you do so. Thanks.
