24 hours in Quito

Breakfast: Hay Pan de Jerome

Start your day at Hay Pan, a small bakery right in the centre of Quito. Here you can get fresh rolls and pastries, but you can also taste a full breakfast menu. A nice way to start your day with a well-filled stomach and a real Ecuadorian coffee.

Photo: Hay Pan de Jerome

To do: Visit the Pichincha volcano

For a nice view over Quito take the cable car: El Teleférico to the Pichincha volcano. Take a taxi from the city centre to the west of the city where the cable car takes you up from 3100 meters to 3900 meters, making it one of the highest cable cars in South America. The trip by cable car takes about 18 minutes and you will pass 3 different microclimates during your trip up. Once you reach the final destination Cruz Loma, you will have a beautiful view over Quito. If you want to see more of the surroundings, you can make nice hikes here.

Lunch: High Tea from Casa Gangotena

After a refreshing walk, you will undoubtedly be hungry. A must, for an overnight stay as well as lunch or dinner, is Casa Gangotena. The hotel-restaurant is connected to Relais & Châteaux, so you can be sure that every meal you order here is of excellent quality. Looking for something special? Then take your time for lunch and choose the Quiteño style high tea with excellent coffee, tea, sandwiches and pastries. Choose real Ecuadorian coffee or tea made from fresh tea leaves. Be surprised by the various savoury and sweet dishes. And as it should be with a high tea, a scone is also waiting for you.

Photo: Casa Gangotena

To do: Visit Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús

This baroque church is made of volcanic rock and was completed in 1765, 160 years after construction began. The church has different architectural styles and is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Ecuador. The inside is covered with gold leaf and you can find carvings, paintings and sculptures.

Photo: Atlas Obscura

Dinner: Zazu

After a day full of impressions you can relax and enjoy an excellent dinner at Zazu. The Ecuadorian Chef Wilson Apala serves modern dishes with Latin American influences. Local ingredients are used for the dishes. Many vegetables are grown in their own greenhouses and they work together with local farmers and fishermen to ensure that their dishes are always of good quality. This restaurant is also connected to Relais & Châteaux for good reason.

Photo: Relais & Châteaux

Going out: the rooftop terrace of Casa Gangotena

On the third floor of Casa Gangotena, you will find a panoramic roof terrace, where you can enjoy delicious drinks. From here you have a beautiful view over the city of Quito which is filled with lights in the evening.

Stay the night: Illa Experience Hotel

The Illa Experience Hotel is a unique place to stay and is within walking distance of the central square. The hotel is located in a historic mansion, which makes your stay truly authentic. Each floor has a different interior inspired by a historical period.