Districts · Quito
Quito by district
A first visit fits in a strip about 6 km long: the Historic Centre at the south end, La Mariscal 3–4 km north, La Carolina another 1–2 km beyond, and Guápulo dropping off the ridge on the east side. Everything between clusters is a car ride.A first visit fits in a strip about 3.7 mi long: the Historic Centre at the south end, La Mariscal 1.9–2.5 mi north, La Carolina another 0.6–1.2 mi beyond, and Guápulo dropping off the ridge on the east side. Everything between clusters is a car ride.
About these names
Quito's official parishes and neighbourhood names overlap; this table uses the names taxi drivers and hotels use. In ride-hailing apps, search by street intersection.
- Historic Centre (Centro Histórico)Centro HistóricoseeeatsleepSuits: Churches, plazas, La Ronda, one to two morningsBeautiful and steep, quiet at night. Sleep here only if you accept car rides after dark.4 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- La MariscalLa Mariscal (Mariscal Sucre)sleepeatdrinkSuits: First visit, late arrivals, restaurants and nightlifeFlat, dense with hotels, restaurants and Plaza Foch's bars; loud on Friday and Saturday nights. Use cars after dark.1 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- La CarolinaseeeatSuits: Park, botanical garden, malls, rainy-day optionsThe park is the city's big lung; towers and malls around it. A calm daytime area; less atmosphere after dark.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- GuápuloseeeatSuits: Views, an 18th-century church, bohemian cafésA ridge village with steep stairs and stone lanes. Come by car; walk down, not up.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- ItchimbíaParque ItchimbíaseeSuits: Viewpoint, picnic and a glass-and-iron cultural hallA hilltop park above the old town; go by car in daylight.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- González Suárez and La FlorestaGonzález Suárez / La FlorestaeatsleepSuits: Quieter, leafier, boutique hotels, cafésBetween the Historic Centre and Guápulo; a good second-visit base.District guide →
- BellavistaseeSuits: Guayasamín's Capilla del Hombre and house museumOn a hillside north-east of La Carolina; take a car both ways.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- South Quito (Quitumbe, Chimbacalle)skip as a baseSuits: Bus station and the old railway onlyWorking-class districts; Quitumbe is the long-distance bus terminal, 15+ km from the centre.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) (60–90 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Itchimbía, González Suárez and La Floresta, Bellavista, South Quito (Quitumbe, Chimbacalle). See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Historic Centre (Centro Histórico) (Centro Histórico): Beautiful and steep, quiet at night. Sleep here only if you accept car rides after dark. Suits: Churches, plazas, La Ronda, one to two mornings. Price band $$.
- La Mariscal (La Mariscal (Mariscal Sucre)): Flat, dense with hotels, restaurants and Plaza Foch's bars; loud on Friday and Saturday nights. Use cars after dark. Suits: First visit, late arrivals, restaurants and nightlife. Price band $$.
- La Carolina (La Carolina): The park is the city's big lung; towers and malls around it. A calm daytime area; less atmosphere after dark. Suits: Park, botanical garden, malls, rainy-day options.
- Guápulo (Guápulo): A ridge village with steep stairs and stone lanes. Come by car; walk down, not up. Suits: Views, an 18th-century church, bohemian cafés.
- Itchimbía (Parque Itchimbía): A hilltop park above the old town; go by car in daylight. Suits: Viewpoint, picnic and a glass-and-iron cultural hall.
- González Suárez and La Floresta (González Suárez / La Floresta): Between the Historic Centre and Guápulo; a good second-visit base. Suits: Quieter, leafier, boutique hotels, cafés.
- Bellavista (Bellavista): On a hillside north-east of La Carolina; take a car both ways. Suits: Guayasamín's Capilla del Hombre and house museum.
- South Quito (Quitumbe, Chimbacalle): Working-class districts; Quitumbe is the long-distance bus terminal, 15+ km from the centre. Suits: Bus station and the old railway only.
- Sleep area Historic Centre: suits Churches, plazas, La Ronda, one to two mornings, price band $$.
- Sleep area La Mariscal: suits First visit, late arrivals, restaurants and nightlife, price band $$.
- Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), 60–90 min by the usual route.