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Middle of the World

Middle of the World

5.3
3.5/5
36 reviews
Middle of the World stands in the San Antonio area, and locals call it "Mitad del Mundo," meaning "Middle of the World". The country name "Ecuador" in Spanish literally means "equator". In 1736, the French Academy of Sciences sent a geodetic surveying team here to measure the meridian arc and calculate the Earth's shape. To commemorate that scientific expedition, Ecuador erected an old monument approx. 10m high in 1936. The old monument was later moved intact to the town of Calacalí a few kilometers away. The 30m-tall pyramidal monument you see today was built in 1982, following the old monument's design but on a much larger scale. The monument's structure is iron and concrete, clad in cut and polished andesite. Its four faces are aligned with east, south, west, and north, each marked with the corresponding Spanish letter for the direction and inscriptions honoring the French and Spanish scientists of the expedition. Atop the monument sits a metal globe approx. 4.5m in diameter, with the continents shown in relief and a metal band encircling it at the equator. The globe's axis is aligned with the Earth's axis. Inside the monument is a small ethnographic museum displaying the traditional dress and daily life of Ecuador's various ethnic groups. An elevator takes visitors up to an observation deck on the monument's top, offering views of the whole site and the distant Andean valley. Busts of the expedition's scientists line both sides of the avenue from the entrance to the monument. A yellow marker line runs straight from the center of the front steps across the plaza, dividing the ground into two — standing with one foot on each side to take a photo with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern is a common activity here. Around the spring and fall equinoxes, at noon the sun is nearly overhead and shadows almost disappear. On weekends the plaza often features music and dance performances. Interestingly, modern GPS measurements show that the true equator is actually a little over 200m north of the marker, so the line is more symbolic.Quito · 19.9 km from downtown
Basílica del Voto Nacional
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Pichincha

Basílica del Voto Nacional

5.2
4.0/5
57 reviews
Basílica del Voto Nacional is located on the north side of Quito Old Town and is one of the largest Neo-Gothic churches in the Americas. It originated from the "National Vow" of 1883, when Ecuador consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Construction began in 1892, and after approx. a century, it was consecrated in 1988. Its twin towers are 115 m high and can be seen by looking up from many streets in the old town. The details of this basilica that are particularly worth noting are hidden on the walls and towers: the gargoyles commonly used in European Gothic churches have been replaced here by native Ecuadorian animals such as armadillos, pumas, iguanas, sea turtles, and blue-footed boobies, and a sculpture of the Andean condor, a national symbol, stands atop the tower. The crypt also houses the National Pantheon of Ecuador, where several former leaders are laid to rest. Climbing the tower is the highlight of a visit here: follow the stairs all the way up, first crossing the wooden bridge suspended above the nave, then continuing through the bell tower to the Condor Tower, where you can take in the panoramic view of the old town's rolling red-tiled roofs, the statue of the Virgin on El Panecillo hill, and the distant Pichincha Volcano. The second half of the climb consists mainly of steep stairs and wooden ladders. Visitors with a fear of heights should assess their own abilities, as stopping at the bell tower also offers a wide, open view.Quito · 5.8 km from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in Quito

Featured Culture & history in Quito

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Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus
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4.7/5
· 224 reviews
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92% of travelers recommend
FromCAD 20.95
Quito Highlights Audio Tour: Colonial Treasures
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Duration: 1 hr
English
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FromCAD 10.02CAD 12.53
Private Day Tour of Quito and Middle of the World
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5.0/5
· 37 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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37 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 124.26
Quito: City Highlights and Food Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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FromCAD 147.11
Quito: Mitad del Mundo, Cable Car, and Virgen del Panecillo
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 7 hrs
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FromCAD 91.03
Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito
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5.0/5
· 9 reviews
Duration: 270 mins
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FromCAD 132.64
Quito: Guided Street Art Tour with local cocktails
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Duration: 2.5 hrs
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FromCAD 112.03
Quito: Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit
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Duration: 3 hrs
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FromCAD 42.01

Featured Spa & wellness in Quito

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Private Full Day Experience at Papallacta Hot Springs
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5.0/5
· 20 reviews
Duration: 7 hrs
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FromCAD 160.56
Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour
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4.9/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 7 hrs
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FromCAD 349.04
Papallacta Thermals Pools Private Day Trip from Quito
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4.9/5
· 16 reviews
Duration: 8–9 hrs
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FromCAD 300.18
Quito: Termas de Papallacta in the midst of nature
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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FromCAD 91.03
Termas de Papallacta Hot Springs full day tour from Quito
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4.9/5
· 18 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
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FromCAD 291.80
Papallacta Hot Springs: Relax in Ecuador's Andes Mountain Range
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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FromCAD 321.12
From Quito: Termas de Papallacta, Nature, and Landscape Full Day Tour
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FromCAD 77.02

Featured Day tours in Quito

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Quito: Middle of the World Tour with entrances every day
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4.5/5
· 55 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
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Cotopaxi Full-Day from Quito Including Entrances
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4.9/5
· 879 reviews
Duration: 12 hrs
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21 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 82.38
Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip
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4.4/5
· 7 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
English
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FromCAD 445.38
Ecuador Food Tour
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5.0/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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FromCAD 96.34
Quilotoa Lagoon Full-Day Tour from Quito with Entrance Fees daily
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4.9/5
· 364 reviews
Duration: 11 hrs
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100 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 82.38
Travel Spanish in Quito at Ailola Quito
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 120 hrs
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FromCAD 333.69
Mindo Cloud Forest tour from Quito:waterfalls hummingbirds and +
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5.0/5
· 23 reviews
Duration: 9–10 hrs
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23 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 90.75

Featured Food & drink in Quito

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Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation
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4.9/5
· 163 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
English
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39 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 122.87
Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings
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4.9/5
· 281 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
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FromCAD 55.85
Quito Street Food Essentials
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4.9/5
· 178 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
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28 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 146.60
Quito: Night street food, art and drinks
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4.8/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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FromCAD 140.10

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Free things to do in Quito

What travellers say about Quito

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zhulei831230October 19, 2020
3.0
The old town is pretty good, and the view from the top of a nearby mountain overlooking the entire old town is also very spectacular. It is densely packed with old houses of various colors. The most prominent and spectacular one here is the cathedral, which really gives people a feeling of standing out from the crowd.

Quito Old Town

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小凌60October 19, 2020
3.0
The building of the Presidential Palace itself is quite ordinary, not tall and magnificent, but this place is indeed a symbol of independence and politics for the entire country, so many people come here to check in, and it is decorated quite well.

Carondelet Palace

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翱翔的大鲨鱼March 5, 2020
4.0
This is a popular tourist attraction in the southern suburbs of Quito. The so-called equator is the zero degree meridian. It is the boundary between the northern and southern hemispheres. There is a small museum here that you can visit. The nearby attractions are also good.

Middle of the World

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韭娄April 11, 2020
4.0
The National Vow Church is called "Basilica" by the locals. It is 151 meters tall and can be seen from any side of the city. It is indeed tall enough. Inside, it is very simple and there are not many things. There is an additional fee to climb to the top, which is not expensive. We were tired and did not go up. Other churches in Quito are much more luxurious than this one.

Basílica del Voto Nacional

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乖小咪August 19, 2019
5.0
Carolina Park in Quito is a large natural national park in Ecuador. The scenery here is very magnificent, with endless peaks, long and winding coastline, and majestic valleys, all of which make it the most popular natural attraction in Quito.

Parque La Carolina

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_TS***14September 27, 2019
5.0
It's so beautiful, with the ancient Inca and Spanish architecture, it's like entering Europe. The square is very comfortable and leisurely, you can bask in the sun and feed pigeons, and maybe even watch the honor guard performance

Independence Square

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Quito?

Don't miss these attractions in Quito: Quito Old Town, Carondelet Palace, and Middle of the World. If you like Culture & history, try Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus. If you enjoy Spa & wellness, try Private Full Day Experience at Papallacta Hot Springs.

You can give Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation and Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Quito: Middle of the World Tour with entrances every day, Cotopaxi Full-Day from Quito Including Entrances, and Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 5, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Quito is around CAD 49.04 – CAD 445.38. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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