Visible from the surrounding hillsides, Cathedral of Quito is one of the oldest and largest Catholic churches in Latin America, and is a highlight of any Old Town sightseeing tour. Half-day and full-day tours combine a ride along the Teleférico Quito, a cable car up the Pichincha Volcano where you can hike trails or explore them on horseback, and excursions to the Middle of the World Monument and the Intiñan Museum. If you have more time, combine a trip north to the markets of Otavalo and enchanting Lake San Pablo, west to the cloud forests in Mindo, east to the Amazon basin or south to the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Cathedral of Quito is located along Plaza de la Independencia, between Venezuela and Garcia Moreno Streets, in the historic core of Quito. The closest metro station is Estación Marin Central on E3 metro line. From there, walk for a couple minutes. The closest bus stops are Plaza Chica, Benalcazar y Chili, and Benalcázar y Olmedo, which are within a 650-yard (600-meter) range.
The cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday, from morning until evening. On Sundays, visitors may join a mass. Peak season in Quito runs from June to September, coinciding with the Ecuadorian dry season. Throughout the year, the high-altitude climate is consistently temperate with chilly nights. To experience the city in festival mode, visit from February to April for Carnival and the religious holiday, Semana Santa.
Aside from the Quito School paintings, don’t miss the mausoleum of Marshall Antonio Jose de Sucre, the right-hand man to Liberator Simon Bolivar; the relic body of the Holy Child Urcisino, a Christian martyr persecuted for his faith; the baroque altarpiece with a large canvas painting of the mystery of the Assumption of the Virgin by Manuel de Samaniego; and a replica of the statue atop El Panecillo by Bernardo de Legarda.