Last updated on December 20, 2023.

There are a few points of interest in the UNESCO World Heritage listed historic city center of Quito, Ecuador, that aren’t museums or churches. This entry talks about a small handful them.

 

Plaza de San Francisco

The wide open Plaza de San Francisco is surrounded by very nice colonial buildings. The Church and Monastery of San Francisco are located there.

Plaza de San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador
Plaza de San Francisco

 

Plaza de Santo Domingo

At Plaza de Santo Domingo, you’ll find the Church of Santo Domingo on a wide open plaza. In the center is a monument to Mariscal Antonio José de Sucre, Ecuador’s national hero.

Plaza de Santo Domingo in Quito, Ecuador
Plaza de Santo Domingo

 

La Ronda

A block downhill from Plaza de Santo Domingo is the quaint little street of La Ronda. This street, one of the oldest in the city, is full of nicely restored buildings. In many of the buildings are restaurants and bars with live music at night. La Ronda really comes alive in the evening, especially from Wednesday to Saturday.

La Ronda in Quito, Ecuador
La Ronda
La Ronda in Quito, Ecuador
Walking down La Ronda

 

Central Bank of Ecuador

A block from Plaza Grande is the Central Bank of Ecuador (Banco Central del Ecuador), which holds a monetary museum.

Banco Central del Ecuador in Quito
Central Bank of Ecuador

 

Calle Espejo

The pedestrianized Calle Espejo, which is lined with trees, runs from Plaza Grande. There we found the historic Bolívar Theatre (Teatro Bolívar).

Calle Espejo in Quito, Ecuador
Calle Espejo with the Bolívar Theatre on the left

 

Plaza del Teatro

The bustling Plaza del Teatro contains the Sucre Theatre (Teatro Sucre), built in 1878.

Plaza del Teatro in Quito, Ecuador
Plaza del Teatro
Teatro Sucre in Quito, Ecuador
Sucre Theatre

 

Plaza de San Blas

Plaza de San Blas sits at the edge of the historic city to the northeast. It’s a nice open area with a fountain and an interesting view. The 1568 Church of San Blas (Iglesia de San Blas) sits at one end of the plaza.

Plaza de San Blas in Quito, Ecuador
Plaza de San Blas
Plaza de San Blas in Quito, Ecuador
Plaza de San Blas
Iglesia de San Blas in Quito, Ecuador
Church of San Blas

 

Architecture

Pay close attention to the colorful buildings while walking through the city. The beautiful architecture of Quito immediately captured me from the start.

Quito, Ecuador
Colorful buildings in the historic city center
Quito, Ecuador
Quito
Quito, Ecuador
Quito
Quito, Ecuador
A street in Quito

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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