Quito ranks among the top 10 tourist destinations in Latin America for its history, culture, and nature.

History, modernity, a vibrant colonial center, culture, architecture, gastronomy, and nature have made Quito, the Ecuadorian capital, a top destination in major travel guides. It has also been recommended as one of the best attractions in South America.

The city was included in Lonely Planet's prestigious list as one of the eight best destinations to visit in South America , and highlighted by TripAdvisor in its "Traveler's Choice" ranking as one of the 10 most recommended destinations in the region based on millions of reviews from travelers around the world.

In many publications, Quito appears as one of the most underrated cities on the continent, as it is not only a place to admire, but also to experience the beauty of nature.

Nestled in the Andes mountain range, the Ecuadorian capital has the largest and best-preserved historic center in the region: churches, convents, museums, colonial houses, shops and narrow streets, witnesses of a thousand stories, intertwine daily with the neighbors who live in the area, which in 1978 became the first cultural heritage site of humanity declared by UNESCO .

"Many tourists aren't used to seeing historic centers so preserved yet so vibrant," Diana Carrasco, general manager of Quindetour, told EFE, emphasizing that tourists can experience "unprecedented experiences" thanks to a colonial center that's inhabited and bustling with daily commercial activity .

Additionally, as part of the tours, tourists can enjoy coffee in the homes of neighbors who share their experiences; prepare traditional dishes; witness vibrant commercial activity of all kinds; or witness the outpouring of faith in churches open to the public.

Quito's historic center is home to dozens of churches, chapels, convents, and monasteries. Among them, the Basilica of the National Vow stands out, the largest and most visible from various parts of the city, due to its distinctive neo-Gothic style.

Near the cathedral and the Carondelet Palace—the seat of the Presidency—the Church of the Company is the greatest example of Baroque architecture in Quito and one of the most visited temples due to its spectacular design, thanks to the gold leaf covering its interior.

Just a few steps away, the Church and Convent of San Francisco stands as one of the largest religious complexes in the Americas. It blends different architectural styles over the 150 years it took to build.

Access to the historic center has improved since 2023, when the Quito Metro began operating, connecting the north and south of the city through 15 stations.

But Quito's charm lies not only in the majestic architecture of its colonial center or its legendary trails, but also in the contrast with the modern city. This has been achieved through buildings of different styles, parks, shopping centers, markets, traditional restaurants, and haute cuisine that combine the exquisite flavors of traditional cuisine with the best of international cuisine.

Ancient Quito, which in the ancient Quitu-Cara language means "town in the middle of the world," is guarded by the Pichincha mountain range, which can be reached via a cable car that, from almost 4,000 meters above sea level, offers spectacular views of the modern and colonial areas, as well as the city's parks.

A few kilometers from the city center lies the equatorial line, where a 30-meter-high monument stands , honoring the symbolic division of the northern and southern hemispheres.

In its rural section, the Hidden Route is one of Quito's most notable sites: a rural and cultural route that connects five parishes northeast of the city: Puéllaro, Perucho, Chavezpamba, Atahualpa, and San José de Minas.

This is an ancient path that crosses Andean landscapes, cloud forests, and agricultural areas, where you can experience living traditions, local cuisine, and community hospitality.

Adventure tourism, whether on foot or by bicycle , offers tourists unique views of vibrant nature in the city's surroundings, an ideal tour for those looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with the essence of the Andes.

"It's magical; it never ceases to amaze me," Carrasco said of Quito, a city of contrasts, where winter and summer coexist in the same day, and where past and present intertwine in harmony.