As the oldest and arguably the most beautiful city in the Andes, Quito has a wealth of attractions. The art and architecture of the Old Town is world renowned, the museums are a source of endless fascination, the shops and markets are a bargain hunter's paradise, and Quito's nightlife is one of the world's best-kept secrets. A few days in Quito are enough to get a good taste of the city, but a lifetime isn't enough to decipher all its mysteries.

The first thing any visitor should do in Quito is to make a determined effort to take it easy. The excitement of a new place, limited time, high altitude dizzyness and a desire to do everything at once may conspire to make you immediately want to rush out and explore the city. But altitude affects young and old, fit and unfit equally, so first let your body adjust to the thin air and subtle vibrations of this ancient mountain realm.

 

Last updated 21st July 2006

|Article contributed by Dominic Hamilton|||