Ninety seconds on Historic Centre of Quito
The old town is the place for your first slow morning in Quito: its churches and squares sit close together, so you can walk, stop often and let your body adjust to the altitude.
Start at Plaza Grande, the main square, full of benches, shoeshine stands and buskers. Walk on down García Moreno, closed to cars, to La Compañía, the church covered in gold leaf, which charges for entry. The main sights are 15 to 20 minutes' walk from each other.
Plaza San Francisco and its church, free to enter, come next. Pickpockets work this square and the church doors in small groups, so carry little. For the view, climb the towers of the Basílica del Voto Nacional, which have their own ticket.
On Sundays the Ciclopaseo closes a route through the city and the old town to cars until 2pm. Many churches and museums close early that day, so save the interiors for a weekday.
After dark the old town empties. Its lit central squares are patrolled and fine in a group, but avoid side streets alone and take a taxi back.
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