The Colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, walkways surrounding the plaza add to the charm. You can go all out and stay at the Plaza hotel, dine there (not too expensive), or choose any of the surrounding areas. A tour there is informative and well-paced.

This was across the street from La Real Audiencia. Great market and gathering place at night. Wonderful church.

Check out the Monday Changing of the Guard at 11am.

Be sure to visit here on Monday mornings if you are in Quito. "changing of the guard" in front on presidential palace..bands, horsemen, even saw the president of Ecuador.

Obviously this is the hub of old town and it's where people congregate. They have a tourist office in one corner and directly opposite the cathedral is a building that houses some gift shops and nicer restaurants around a little courtyard.

Everything happens in this plaza. Nice to just sit and 'people' watch. A very pretty plaza with lot's of palm trees and benches. Around the outside lots of hole in the wall shops selling all sorts.

Nice place to see local bands and musians preform. the Staues are nice and the shops surronding the Plaza are very nice. Stop in at the Barbour shop located under the the mian terrace of the presidential Palace and have a shave for the guys(old school with a straight razor) Never had such a close shave.

The central plaza is where everyone seems to gather, both tourists and residents. The park has beautifully tended gardens and benches where locals sit and read and rest. There are several churches to visit adjacent to the plaza so it is a great starting point to tur around.The Palacio del Arquebispo on one side of the park has three floors... More

Beautiful square, surrounded by the Archbishop's palace, presidential palace, the cathedral (great colonial architecture, good conditions), and the city hall (ugly modern architecture). Old men sitting on benches with newspapers, swarms of shoeshiners, musicians on cathedral's doorsteps... All these make this place unique and attractive. One may feel as travelled in time a century back.