What to do and see in Quito, Pichincha Province: The Best Museums

April 12, 2022 Concepcion Newsome

With a rich pre-Colombian history, Ecuador's capital was founded on the ruins of an Incan city but offers everything a modern traveler might need. It remains the least-altered historic center in Latin America and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito’s important sites include baroque gems like San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries, as well as La Compañía church and college. This huge city sprawls across a breathtaking Andean valley surrounded by volcanic peaks.
Restaurants in Quito

1. Casa Cultural Trude Sojka

Pasaje Muller N24-J With Toledo, Quito 170150 Ecuador +593 99 873 3572 [email protected] http://www.casaculturaltrudesojka.wordpress.com/
Excellent
76%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 17 reviews

Casa Cultural Trude Sojka

2. Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila

Calle Eduardo Kingman Oe12-174 Av. Manuel Cordova Galarza, Mirador Volcan Pululahua, Quito 022 Ecuador [email protected]
Excellent
95%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7,730 reviews

Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila

The Temple of the Sun Temple Painter Ortega Maila is a masterpiece built by the indigenous painter and sculptor Ortega Maila after a great research of design and ancestral architecture to maintain his art and culture of the Andes. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour with a guide. The tour includes an aromatherapy session and coca leaf tea courtesy of the museum.

Reviewed By I2924GCdanielt - Prague, Czech Republic

Great place to visit, within the hour tour you can experience aromatherapy, coca tea, and view world-wide class paints.

3. LOV Galeria de arte . enmarcaciones

Garcia Moreno E2-54 y Manabi, Cumbaya, Quito 170157 Ecuador +593 95 884 3533 [email protected]
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

LOV Galeria de arte . enmarcaciones

We are a special place dedicated to art and decoration. Our specialty is framed art and custom picture framing with new and interesting designs and ideas.

4. Insomnia La Casa del Terror

Wilson E 6-19 Reina Victoria, Quito 170150 Ecuador +593 99 393 5352 [email protected] http://insomnia.com.ec/
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 125 reviews

Insomnia La Casa del Terror

The fearless moments in your life , adrenaline and emotions

5. Agave Spirit

Quishuar N 3-29 Casitahua, Pomasqui, Quito 170177 Ecuador +593 99 900 1791 [email protected] http://agavespiritecuador.com/
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Agave Spirit

The first Museum - Factory and Distillery in Ecuador, created in honor of the culture of Andean agave; Here you will find knowledge, uses, tools, agave garden, tastings and all the magic of this ancestral Ecuadorian tradition

6. National Museum of Ecuador

Avenida Patria Between Avenida 6 de Diciembre and Avenida 12 de Octubre, Quito 170150 Ecuador +593 93 952 0395 [email protected] http://muna.culturaypatrimonio.gob.ec
Excellent
58%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 438 reviews

National Museum of Ecuador

The National Museum recognizes the multiplicity of identities of Ecuadorian society, its permanent transformation and mobility, and seeks to establish itself as a space for participation, dialogue, confrontation and representation in the public sphere. For this end, the Museum establishes a new model of relationship with the public, citizens and the community, that goes beyond specialized audiences.

Reviewed By georgesB4777WE - Miami Beach, United States

The National Museum - NaMu - is now open after a recent renovation and is a not to be missed visit. It is one of the museums located in the Casa de la Cultura (the circular modern building in Arbolito Park) and admission is free. It gives an oversight of the history of Ecuador from pre-Colombian to the modern era. The narratives and information are also in English and are informative. Very interesting ancient artifacts, historical timelines and a marvelous gold exhibition of relics and masks on the ground floor. On the second and third floors there are also thematic exhibits on Ecuador’s history, economy, society, and culture. Once again, nice and informative exhibits, including some modern art. I would allocate at least three hours for this visit. This is a “must see”!

7. Casa Museo Guayasamin

Mariano Calvache E18-94 y Lorenzo Chavez Barrio Bellavista, Quito 170150 Ecuador +593 2-244-6455 [email protected] http://www.guayasamin.org
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,254 reviews

Casa Museo Guayasamin

This museum features exhibits related to the Ecuadorian contemporary artist Oswaldo Guayasamín including posters, signed prints and colonial religious art.

Reviewed By tortuga1959 - Bern, Switzerland

A great museum with a very interesting history behind. Guaysamin was a very special artist with huge talent.

8. Museum of Maria Augusta Urrutia (La Casa Museo Maria Augusta Urrutia)

Calle Garcia Moreno 760, Quito 170150 Ecuador +593 2-258-0103 [email protected]
Excellent
53%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 113 reviews

Museum of Maria Augusta Urrutia (La Casa Museo Maria Augusta Urrutia)

This impressive museum houses paintings by Victor Mideros and fine displays of French porcelain, silver dinnerware and colonial art.

Reviewed By Sedge2013 - Winchester, United Kingdom

We loved the place real insight into visionary’s take on providing for the poor . Also an insight into wealthy woman’s home . Took some finding but the bathroom is worth it !

9. Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno)

Av 12 de Octubre 555 y Patria, Quito 170150 Ecuador +593 2-222-3392
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno)

This art museum features paintings and sculptures from 1830 to present day plus a large collection of pre-Columbian and colonial musical instruments.

10. Intinan Museum

Autopista Manuel Cordova Galarza, a 200 metros del redondel de la Mitad del Mundo, San Antonio de Pichincha, Quito 170180 Ecuador +593 2-239-5122 [email protected] http://museointinan.com.ec/
Excellent
62%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,412 reviews

Intinan Museum

Located close to the Equator Monument, this onsite museum features interactive exhibits on how the Incas determined the middle of the earth, plus interesting science experiments such as balancing an egg on a nail and the affects of the Coriolis force on earth.

Reviewed By carolelovestravel - Ottawa, Canada

From the Main Mitad del Mundo monument, we walk about 400 meters on the main road and turn onto a sandy entrance to what appears a little sketchy. We continue to find a small entrance into a great venue. We are greeted by someone who guides us to an outdoor seating area where we wait for a fee minutes. Soon a guide introduces herself and she proceeds to take us through various exhibits which include head shrinking rituals, Amazon tribes people, ancient art, artifacts and the must see and do Equator line experiments where the question of the direction water drains north vs south of the equator is finally answered! Balance an egg, test your strength and stand on the actual GPS confirmed Equator line. A great, informative, fun and hands on experience.

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