Attractions of Ecuador

To help inspire or plan your trip to Ecuador, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Ecuador which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Go to Region of Ecuador-> Ecuador mainland

Ecuador mainland - Historical attractions

Quito
Quito Quito, located at 2,850 metres in the western cordillera of the Andes, is the second highest capital city in the world and is situated in a dramatic setting in a long narrow valley beneath the imposing Pichincha Volcano and surrounded by snow capped mountains and extinct volcanoes. The city was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Incan city and has one of the best preserved historic centres in Latin America. The old part of the city is a beautiful mix of narrow, cobbled streets and colonial architecture, including the Church and Jesuit college of La Compañía with its gilded altars, walls and ceilings, and the San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries. The lively Plaza Grande, Plaza San Francisco and Plaza de la Independencia are well worth exploring. Elsewhere the hilltop El Panecillo (The Little Bread Loaf) has superb views over the city and surrounding mountains while in the nearby village of San Antonio lies ‘La Mitad del Mundo’ (the middle of the world), the Equatorial Line Monument where you can have a foot in each hemisphere. UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Quito

Quito

Quito

Quito, located at 2,850 metres in the western cordillera of the Andes, is the second highest capital city in the world and is situated in a dramatic setting in a long narrow valley beneath the imposing Pichincha Volcano and surrounded by snow capped mountains and extinct volcanoes. The city was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Incan city and has one of the best preserved historic centres in Latin America. The old part of the city is a beautiful mix of narrow, cobbled streets and colonial architecture, including the Church and Jesuit college of La Compañía with its gilded altars, walls and ceilings, and the San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries. The lively Plaza Grande, Plaza San Francisco and Plaza de la Independencia are well worth exploring. Elsewhere the hilltop El Panecillo (The Little Bread Loaf) has superb views over the city and surrounding mountains while in the nearby village of San Antonio lies ‘La Mitad del Mundo’ (the middle of the world), the Equatorial Line Monument where you can have a foot in each hemisphere.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Quito

Cuenca
Cuenca The historic city of Cuenca is Ecuador's third largest city and has a beautiful and well preserved colonial centre. The city was founded in 1557 on the ruins of the Inca settlement of Tomebamba but little trace of this heritage remains. Cuenca's town centre is characterised by fine colonial churches, narrow, cobbled streets and whitewashed and red-tiled buildings, making for a vibrant and atmospheric city. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca

Cuenca

The historic city of Cuenca is Ecuador's third largest city and has a beautiful and well preserved colonial centre. The city was founded in 1557 on the ruins of the Inca settlement of Tomebamba but little trace of this heritage remains. Cuenca's town centre is characterised by fine colonial churches, narrow, cobbled streets and whitewashed and red-tiled buildings, making for a vibrant and atmospheric city.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca

Inca Ruins of Ingapirca
The 15th century Inca ruins at Ingapirca are the largest in Ecuador. The site was originally inhabited by the Canari people until they were defeated by the Inca who constructed their own buildings. The fortress complex here has a solar observatory and typically fine Inca stonework.