Ecuador

7 Best Landmarks in Ecuador

The landmarks travelers rate highest across Ecuador, with what makes each worth the trip.

Ranked by traveler review volume across 94 tracked places in Ecuador. Updated monthly.

  1. Quito

    Landmark · Quito

    Quito is the capital of Ecuador, set in a valley on the eastern slopes of the active Pichincha volcano in the Andes.

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  2. Malecón Simón Bolívar

    Landmark · Guayaquil

    Malecón Simón Bolívar is Guayaquil's premier waterfront promenade, stretching along the Guayas River.

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  3. Virgin of El Panecillo

    Landmark · Quito

    The Virgin of El Panecillo is a 41-meter aluminum monument perched atop El Panecillo hill, visible from much of Quito.

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  4. Plaza de San Francisco, Quito

    Landmark · Quito

    Plaza de San Francisco is one of Quito's oldest and most iconic public spaces, located in front of the massive San Francisco Church and Convent, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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  5. National Unity Bridge

    Landmark · Guayaquil

    The National Unity Bridge (Puente de la Unidad Nacional) is a vital transportation link crossing the Daule River, connecting downtown Guayaquil with the western suburbs and the province of Santa Elena.

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  6. Velero Bridge

    Landmark · Guayaquil

    The Velero Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge with a distinctive design inspired by a sailboat, featuring a single tall pylon and fan-shaped cables.

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  7. Plaza Civica

    Landmark · CuencaFree entry

    Plaza Civica is a charming public square located in the heart of Cuenca, Ecuador, near the Mercado Artesanal Rotary.

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Good to know

What is the best-known of the landmarks in Ecuador?

Quito in Quito is the most reviewed, with 4,888 traveler reviews and a 4.5 rating. That makes it the safe choice if you are only fitting in one.

Which of Ecuador's landmarks is worth going out of your way for?

Malecón Simón Bolívar in Guayaquil rates highest at 4.4 out of 5 across 3,688 reviews. Smaller crowds than the headline entry usually explain the gap.

Which city in Ecuador has the most landmarks?

Quito, with 3 on this list, ahead of Guayaquil on 3. The list spans 3 cities in total, capped at three per city so one big city cannot crowd out the rest of the country.

How is this list of landmarks ranked?

By how many travelers reviewed each place, filtered to those rated well enough to be worth your time, drawn from 94 tracked places in Ecuador. No one pays to appear on it, and the order is refreshed monthly as new reviews land.

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