About
The Historic Centre of Quito is the old heart of Ecuador's capital, set in the Pichincha province high in the Andes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its colonial core, which is widely regarded as the best-preserved colonial centre in Latin America.
What you will see
The district is built around streets and squares laid out in the colonial period, and it holds numerous churches, convents and historic buildings from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Walking through it is the main way to experience the area, since the buildings sit close together and many of the most striking ones face onto the streets themselves.
What makes it a worthwhile visit
- A large concentration of religious architecture from the 16th to 18th centuries, across churches and convents.
- Historic civic buildings that show how the city developed under Spanish colonial rule.
- A compact area that suits a slow, on-foot visit, with plenty to look at between one building and the next.
Because the centre is an active part of the city rather than a museum behind walls, it also gives a sense of everyday Quito, with its streets, markets and local life carrying on around the historic sites.
Planning your trip
The centre is found in the Historic Center area of Quito, at postal code 170401. For questions before you go, the contact number listed is +593-2-257-2445. Give yourself time to explore on foot, and consider combining your visit with other parts of the city to get a fuller picture of Quito.
