In 1978, Colonial Quito was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The historic center located at the foot of the Andean Mountains sits at an altitude of 2,850m (9,350 feet) above sea level. This section of town is relatively well-kept and nicely lighted at night, so you may appreciate the monuments, plaza, and buildings. The colonial section is comprised of hundreds of colonial building and a dozen or more churches and monasteries, as well as various plazas.
The center of town is the Independence Plaza, which is surrounded by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and the Archbishop's Palace. Here you will find various restaurants and cafés to take a break while visiting. If you want to have a full view of the old part of town, take a cab and go up to the El Panecillo. There you will have a panoramic view of the old town.
Quick Tips:
Bring a jacket, since the temperature will vary by more than 30°F within 24 hours. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen (the sun in Quito really burns), and carry some bottled water.
Best Way To Get Around:
The best way to move around in Quito is by taxi. The cabs are very cheap, as you can go to almost anywhere within Quito for less than . There are plenty of cabs in the street with meters, and the city is relatively safe as compared to other Latin American cities.