How many days · Quito · Ecuador
How many days do you need in Quito?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Quito, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the Old Town, the Basílica, El Panecillo and the TelefériQo while you adjust to the altitude. Four days adds the equator and a day trip to Otavalo or Mindo; a week allows Cotopaxi and Quilotoa as well.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 12.1 h (Jan) to 12.1 h (Jan)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Plaza Grande and Carondelet Palace, Church of La Compañía de Jesús, Church and Convent of San Francisco and El Panecillo |
| 2 days | Good | El Panecillo, TelefériQo and Ciudad Mitad del Mundo |
| 3 days | Good | Basílica del Voto Nacional, Calle La Ronda and Capilla del Hombre and Casa Museo Guayasamín |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Otavalo market |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Otavalo market and Cotopaxi National Park |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Quito add up to roughly 17–20 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Half a day), TelefériQo (2–3 hours) and Capilla del Hombre and Casa Museo Guayasamín (2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Grande and Carondelet Palace | 1 hour | Centro Histórico |
| Church of La Compañía de Jesús | 45 minutes | Centro Histórico |
| Church and Convent of San Francisco | 1–1.5 hours | Centro Histórico |
| El Panecillo | 1 hour | El Panecillo |
| TelefériQo | 2–3 hours | Pichincha slopes |
| Ciudad Mitad del Mundo | Half a day | San Antonio de Pichincha |
| Basílica del Voto Nacional | 1–1.5 hours | Centro Histórico |
| Calle La Ronda | 1 hour | Centro Histórico |
| Capilla del Hombre and Casa Museo Guayasamín | 2 hours | Bellavista (Quito) |
| Casa del Alabado Museum | 1–1.5 hours | Centro Histórico |
| Parque Itchimbía | 1 hour | San Marcos |
| Parque La Carolina and Jardín Botánico | 2 hours | La Carolina |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Plaza Grande and Carondelet Palace and Church of La Compañía de Jesús |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Ciudad Mitad del Mundo |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Otavalo market and Cotopaxi National Park |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in January (about 12.1 hours of daylight) than in January (about 12.1 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Quito with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Quito?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the Old Town, the Basílica, El Panecillo and the TelefériQo while you adjust to the altitude. Four days adds the equator and a day trip to Otavalo or Mindo; a week allows Cotopaxi and Quilotoa as well.
+Is a week too long in Quito?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Otavalo market and Cotopaxi National Park.