QuitoCapital
Ecuador · Country profile
Quito is the capital of Ecuador, a high-altitude city that spreads through the valley of the Guayllabamba beneath the great volcanoes, with the old town, one of the largest and the best-preserved colonial centres of the Americas, rising at its heart. The historic district, a world heritage, crowds the churches, the plazas, the monasteries and the painted balconies of the Spanish era, and the modern city spreads the towers, the malls and the neighbourhoods of the present up the hillsides. The equator, the imaginary line that gives the country its name, runs a short way outside the city, and the great peaks of the Andes rise around the whole valley. Colonial, spectacular and deeply Andean, Quito is one of the most dramatic settings of any capital on earth.
About Quito
Quito is the capital of Ecuador. The city's documented population is around 1,937,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the US Dollar (USD) and Spanish is spoken; the dialling code is +593. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Mariscal Sucre International Airport.
The Colonial Centre, the Plazas and the High-Altitude Air
Quito is a high-altitude capital of immense colonial beauty and a dramatic Andean setting, and its old town, one of the finest in the Americas, is the essential experience. The historic churches, the plazas and the museums of the centre hold the treasures of the Spanish age, while the modern city, with its markets, its nightlife and its galleries, carries the present. The altitude is the real factor in the rhythm of the trip, and the first days move slowly in the thin air. The city is the natural base for the whole country, within easy reach of the volcanoes, the equator and the highlands.
The Acclimatisation, the Light Layers and the Cable Car of the Skies
The altitude is the first consideration, and the acclimatisation, the water and the slow pace of the first days are essential. The weather is mild but changeable, warm by day and cold by night, with the rain common in the afternoons, so the layers and the waterproofs matter. The old town is the essential walk, and the cable car of the city over the mountains gives the great aerial views. The Spanish is the language, the US dollar is the currency and the city is safe in its main areas with the usual care at night. The equator monuments and the volcanoes of the region are the classic day trips. Take the city slowly and the whole highland world opens up.
The Panecillo, the Gold of the Altars and the Crafts of the Markets
The old town of the city, with its great churches, the monastery of San Francisco and the cathedral of the plazas, is one of the finest colonial ensembles in the Americas, and the gold of its altars is the famous treasure. The viewpoint of the Panecillo with its winged statue gives the classic panorama over the colonial rooftops and the mountains. The cable car of the city, the teleferico that climbs the eastern volcano, gives the highest and the most spectacular views of the whole region. The markets and the crafts of the city, from the historic squares to the local districts, and the famous Ecuadorian chocolate and the coffee add the everyday pleasures. The city is colonial, spectacular and deeply its own.
Report an error or suggest an update
- Country
- Ecuador
- Population
- 1,937,000
- Coordinates
- -0.1292, -78.3575
- Capital
- Quito
- Region
- South America
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +593
- Country code
- EC
Getting to Quito
Airports we list for Quito:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Ecuador
Other cities we cover in Ecuador:
Frequently asked questions
Is Quito the capital of Ecuador?
Yes — Quito is the capital of Ecuador.
What currency do I need in Quito?
The local currency is the US Dollar (USD). Languages spoken in Ecuador include Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Ecuador?
The international dialling code for Ecuador is +593.
Which airport should I fly into for Quito?
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is the airport we list for Quito.
How far is Quito from the nearest airport?
Quito is about 282 km from José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport.
Flying out of Quito? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.