What to do in Metropolitan District of Quito

While Quito may not be unique in its position on the equator, the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Monument made it the most famous example of a city in two hemispheres. The monument is built on the historic site where a French explorer calculated the line of the equator in 1736. Visit the 98-foot (30-meter) monument and stand with one foot in each half of the world.

Peruse intriguing handicrafts and see artisans at work while you browse the stalls of the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal (La Mariscal Craft Market). Shop for anything from clothing and jewelry to art, children’s toys and textiles. Over 100 stall holders ply their trade in the animated Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal, one of Quito’s best markets for crafts and souvenirs.

Experience the wide-ranging and energetic nightlife of Quito amid the bright lights of the vivacious Plaza Foch (Foch Square). Once a rundown intersection in the Mariscal district, today this entertainment square is the beating heart of Quito’s nightlife scene. It’s where locals and tourists alike come to eat, drink, dance and mingle in the bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Plaza Foch is also the setting for live music events and a weekly artisan market.

Find a historical site rich with religious, political and artistic heritage at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito (Catedral Metropolitana de Quito), one of the oldest churches in South America. This 16th-century cathedral features an eclectic mix of architectural styles, from Gothic-Mudéjar (Moorish) to Baroque and neoclassical. Stroll through the historic cathedral to see its ornate naves, chapels, golden high altar and celebrated paintings from the Quito School of Art.

Independence Square (Plaza de la Independencia, also known as Plaza Grande) is the civic heart of historic Quito. Flanked by historic sites such as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, Carondelet Palace (the presidential palace), the Municipal Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace, the square is the perfect base from which to visit all the sites of Quito Old Town.