When in Quito, if you wake up to clear skies, you should immediately head to a viewpoint of the city. There are several viewpoints around the city, but the most popular and touristic one is probably El Panecillo. The hill is located just south of the colonial city center making it accessible no matter where you’re staying in the city. The surrounding area is notorious for thieves and known to be dangerous, but the hill itself is safe and patrolled by tourist police. The easiest way to get there is by car, so it would be best to take a taxi or an Uber1. There are parking spaces available and there’s a local guard who charges 1 USD2. Another option would be to take a tourist bus which normally departs from the park La Carolina. The hill has a statue of an aluminum winged Virgin Mary which costs 1 USD to enter. The museum details its history and construction. You can then head to the balcony for a view of the colonial city center. It’s not necessary to have access to the balcony for a great view of the city since you get unobstructed views throughout the hill. There are several stalls at the site with benches to rest on. It’s a popular site with the locals and on some days, there are planned events organized by the municipality.
Across from El Panecillo on the slopes of Pichincha, you can find La Libertad. There is a museum there called ‘Templo de la Patria‘ (Temple of the Homeland) dedicated to the heroes of the Battle of Pichincha. Once again, the surrounding area is known to be dangerous so it’s best to take a taxi or Uber there. The entrance is gated and you have to leave your ID with the guard if you’re parking there. The use of the car park is free and there is no cost to visit the museum. As you walk to the museum, you get a spectacular view of the city. You’ll be able to see the colonial city center, the start of the modern north, and also parts of the south. If the skies are clear, you’ll be able to see the peaks of the volcanos in ‘La Avenida de Los Vocanes’ (Volcano Avenue). When entering the museum, you’ll need to sign in at reception with your ID/Passport number. You’re then free to roam throughout the museum and learn about the history of the Battle of Pichincha. There are painted murals, tombs, and many artifacts from the battle on display. You can also get to the terrace which serves as another excellent viewpoint of the city.
