Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square), Quito
If you’re looking for the heart of Quito, this is it. Independence Square is a central public area of the city, home to the Carondelet Palace or Presidential Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Municipal Palace. It is located in Old Quito Town and is a pedestrian-only area.
The square offers tree-lined paths where visitors can stroll and admire the fountains, the Independence Monument, and the surrounding buildings or sit outside the Carondelet Palace and marvel at the architecture.
The Municipal Palace’s Information Center offers information about the historical area and tours. Even if the building is modern, it blends well with its colonial architectural surroundings.
There are street vendors selling snacks and souvenirs. The visitors can also enjoy traditional food at an Ecuadorian restaurant or café on a side street.
The square offers tree-lined paths where visitors can stroll and admire the fountains, the Independence Monument, and the surrounding buildings or sit outside the Carondelet Palace and marvel at the architecture.
The Municipal Palace’s Information Center offers information about the historical area and tours. Even if the building is modern, it blends well with its colonial architectural surroundings.
There are street vendors selling snacks and souvenirs. The visitors can also enjoy traditional food at an Ecuadorian restaurant or café on a side street.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Quito. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square) on Map
Sight Name: Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square)
Sight Location: Quito, Ecuador (See walking tours in Quito)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Quito, Ecuador (See walking tours in Quito)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Quito, Ecuador
Create Your Own Walk in Quito
Creating your own self-guided walk in Quito is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Religious Buildings Tour
As a former Spanish colony, Ecuador and its capital city Quito are home to literally dozens of Catholic churches. The Spaniards brought their faith into the new country and built many great temples here, some of which even pre-date the city of Quito itself.
Among the key local landmarks of ecclesiastical architecture is the Santo Domingo Church, dating back to the 16th century and showcasing a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Among the key local landmarks of ecclesiastical architecture is the Santo Domingo Church, dating back to the 16th century and showcasing a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Quito Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled high in the Andean foothills, at an altitude of 2,850m, Ecuador's capital Quito is deservedly nicknamed "The City in the Clouds". Its full formal title, however, is much longer: "The Very Noble and Loyal City of San Francisco of Quito". The name Quito is derived from the Quitu tribe that originally inhabited the area, and is a combination of two words: quitso... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles