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Quito — travel, stays & events guide
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Quito, EcuadorOpen-Meteo forecast.
Quito city overview
Quito is a city in Ecuador shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forQuito, Capital city in Ecuador, Quito planning base 3, Quito planning base 4
RegionEcuadorEcuador
Time zoneAmerica/Guayaquillocal time
Founded204historical origin
City history
The city was later refounded at its present location on 6 December 1534 by 204 settlers led by Sebastián de Benalcázar, who captured leader Rumiñahui, effectively ending all organized resistance.
The second important vestige of human settlement was found in the current neighborhood of Cotocollao (1500 BC), northwest of Quito.
The conquistador Diego de Almagro founded Santiago de Quito (in present-day Colta, near Riobamba) on 15 August 1534, renamed as San Francisco de Quito on 28 August 1534.
In January 1535 the San Francisco Convent was constructed, the first of about 20 churches and convents built during the colonial period.
In 1563 Quito became the seat of a Real Audiencia (administrative district) of Spain.
Quito briefly proclaimed its de facto independence from Spain between 1765 and 1766 during the Quito Revolt.
On 10 August 1809, a movement was again started in Quito to win independence from Spain.
This initial movement was defeated on 2 August 1810, when colonial troops arrived from Lima, Peru, and killed the leaders of the uprising and about 200 other settlers.
Their victory established the independence of Quito and the surrounding areas. Republican Period In 1833, members of the Society of Free Inhabitants of Quito were assassinated by the government after they conspired against it.
On 9 July 1883, the liberal commander Eloy Alfaro participated in the Battle of Guayaquil, and after further conflict he became the president of Ecuador on 4 September 1895.
In 2010, the Museo de Sitio La Florida opened to preserve some of the artifacts from the tombs and explain this complex culture.
The new Mariscal Sucre International Airport, a 45-minute drive from central Quito, opened to air traffic on 20 February 2013.
A new subway system opened with one line on 1 December 2023.
The first church (El Belén) was built before the city was officially founded.
Worth seeing
Quito
Quito is a practical Quito planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in Ecuador
Capital city in Ecuador is a practical Quito planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Quito planning base 3
Quito planning base 3 is a practical Quito planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Quito planning base 4
Quito planning base 4 is a practical Quito planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Quito planning base 5
Quito planning base 5 is a practical Quito planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Quito planning base 6
Quito planning base 6 is a practical Quito planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Quito before booking Quito hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Quito by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Quito, EcuadorFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Quito airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Quito day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Quito events in the shared event index yet.