Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square), Quito

If you鈥檙e looking for the heart of Quito, Independence Square captures it. Established in the 18th century as a central meeting place, the square is surrounded by historic landmarks including the Carondelet Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, the Archbishop鈥檚 Palace, and the Municipal Palace. While the square itself is pedestrian-friendly, streets around it are open to vehicles.

Visitors can stroll along tree-lined paths, admire the fountains and the Independence Monument, or pause to take in the architecture around the Carondelet Palace. The Municipal Palace houses an Information Center where travelers can learn about the area鈥檚 history and available tours. Despite its modern design, the building complements the colonial architecture nearby.

Street vendors offer snacks and souvenirs, while side streets host caf茅s and Ecuadorian restaurants where visitors can sample local cuisine. The square鈥檚 atmosphere blends the city鈥檚 history, civic life, and everyday energy, providing a vivid glimpse of Quito鈥檚 social and cultural heart.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Quito. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: 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.

Download The 911爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

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:

Quito Introduction Walking Tour

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.

Quito Introduction Walking Tour

Born from Inca dreams and Spanish conquest, Quito stands high in the Andes鈥攏ot just between valleys and volcanoes, but between worlds: indigenous, colonial, and modern.

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in South America. Its name is believed to derive from the Quitus, an Indigenous group that lived in the area long before the Inca conquest. The... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

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

911爆料网