About the Port
Set nearly 9,000 feet above sea level in a valley flanked by Andean peaks, Quito is one of South America's oldest capitals, built atop the remains of an earlier Inca settlement. Its historic center, among the largest and best preserved in the Americas, unfolds in a dense grid of colonial churches, convents, and plazas, including Independence Square with its cathedral and the ornate Basilica del Voto Nacional rising above the rooftops.
Walking tours led by local guides trace this old town on foot, pausing at San Francisco Plaza and its namesake church before continuing through streets lined with balconied facades. Quito also serves as the principal gateway for travelers heading onward to the Galápagos Islands, making it a natural point of arrival or departure for wider Ecuadorian journeys. Free time allows for further wandering, from artisan markets to viewpoints overlooking the city's patchwork of red-tile roofs.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Quito.
Ride the TelefériQo Cable Car
A gondola climbs from the city's edge to over 12,000 feet on the slopes of Pichincha volcano, opening sweeping views over Quito's rooftops and the Andes beyond. The ride takes about 10 minutes each way.
Stand on the Equator Line
Mitad del Mundo, roughly 45 minutes north of downtown, marks the equatorial line with a monument and small museums exploring Andean cultures and geography. It's a quick, worthwhile detour if time allows before or after a city tour.
Wander La Ronda Street
This narrow colonial lane in the old town is lined with restored balconied houses turned into small cafés, craft workshops, and galleries. Best explored on foot in daylight hours for a taste of traditional Quiteño life.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Quito
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 4, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Islander II | 6 | $9,034 | |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Islander II | 6 | $6,440 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 10 | $9,944 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 11 | $10,095 | |
| Aug 26, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 8 | $6,652 | |
| Aug 27, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 11 | $10,240 | |
| Aug 28, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 10 | $11,835 | |
| Aug 28, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 11 | $11,985 | |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Islander II | 6 | $5,496 | |
| Sep 5, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 6 | $6,090 | |
| Sep 9, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 8 | $6,843 | |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Islander II | 6 | $4,996 | |
| Sep 18, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 10 | $9,970 | |
| Sep 18, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 11 | $10,120 | |
| Sep 24, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 11 | $10,520 | |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Islander II | 6 | $5,496 | |
| Oct 2, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 10 | $16,621 | |
| Oct 2, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 11 | $16,772 | |
| Oct 2, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 16 | $24,972 | |
| Oct 9, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 16 | $21,803 |
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