Saquisili:
To learn about the life of indigenous people, it's worth visiting the weekly market in the village of Saquisili, located on Panamericana, not far from the old colonial town of Latacunga. Saquisili is also the starting point for the Quilotoa Loop, a route that goes through a number of high-altitude indigenous villages to the top of Volcano Quilotoa, famous the emerald-coloured lake filling its crater.

The Andes and its volcanoes:
Quito's surrounding Andes are the main reason why most travellers come to Ecuador. There is a multitude of travel agencies in the city offering all kinds of activities - from easy one-day excursions to climbing 6,000m-plus (19,685ft) volcanoes. Towering above the city at 4,700m (15,420ft), Pichincha Volcano is used by climbers for acclimatization. Anyone with good lungs and no heart problems can walk to its top and then decide whether it's worth conquering taller mountains, such as Cotopaxi Volcano, at 5,900m (19,357ft).
If the answer is negative, you can still go by car to the edge of the Cotopaxi's snowcap from where climbers begin accent. Below it, the Cotopaxi Recreation Zone provides endless opportunities for hiking through the beautiful paramo (flower filled high altitude grassland). It can be reached by a weekend tourist train leaving Quito train station at 0800 on Saturdays and Sundays.

La Compañía de Jesús Church:
Although it was built by the Jesuits in the 17th century, this church's most striking feature is the intricately carved 18th-century facade. Inside, almost every inch of the interior is covered with lavish decoration, beautiful statues and a dazzling golden altar.

San Agustín Church and Monastery:
Built between 1605 and 1650, it contains some of the best paintings by Miguel de Santiago. But the place is also historically important, because this is where the first act of independence from Spain was signed in 1809.

Basilica del Voto Nacional:
Rising above central Quito, this neo-Gothic tower is a rather peculiar sight, with its gargoyles depicting Amazonian animals and the out-of-place 1960s-styled clock. The construction continued through most of the 20th century. You can climb to the top of the tower for a splendid view of the city.

El Panecillo:
The giant statue of the Virgin of Quito on top of the Panecillo hill is a local symbol visible from almost everywhere around the city. Naturally, it is also one of the best vantage points in Quito. The statue is a replica of a painting by the local artist Legarda. You can find the original in the San Francisco Church.

Museo del Banco Central:
If you have time for just one museum in Quito, head straight to Museo del Banco Central that displays art from all periods of the country's history: pre-Columbian, colonial and republican. Its most impressive part is Sala de Oro with its rich collection of pre-Hispanic golden objects.

Mitad del Mundo:
Quito lies in close proximity to the equator. To celebrate this fact there is a monument standing on this line just outside the city. It is actually a complex of exhibition halls dedicated to science and astronomy. Outside the premises, there is the quirky Intiñan Solar Museum, dedicated to ancient beliefs and astronomical knowledge of indigenous people.

Bellavista and Guápolo:
Bellavista is a district from where - as the name suggests - a beautiful view opens to the Guápolo valley below. Not surprisingly, rich and famous people tended to build their homes here. One of them is the villa of Ecuador's most prominent painter Oswaldo Guayasamín, turned into Museo Guayasamín after his death. The focal point of the valley is Santuario de Guápolo, a large 17th-century church containing the interesting Museo Fray Antonio Rodríguez which displays religious art and furniture.

La Plaza Grande:
Formerly known as La Plaza de la Independencia, the city's main square is dominated by the cathedral, built in 1562. The cathedral's most attractive part, however, is the 17th-century El Sagrario chapel. On the western side, and elevated above the square, stands the Palacio de Gobierno that has seen quite a few coups and political assassinations in its history as the seat of the national government. The Archbishop's Palace, opposite the cathedral, has been converted into a tourist centre with galleries, shops and a pleasant café.