Quito is a city that breathes mountains.
From its mist-covered sunrises to the golden sunsets that tint the volcanoes, the Ecuadorian capital lives among greens, valleys, and hills.
But beyond its imposing natural surroundings, Quito has managed to preserve urban lungs that balance the rhythm of the city and connect its inhabitants with the land.
Its parks are not just recreational spaces: they are places where history, culture, biodiversity, and community intertwine. In them, people run, paint, play guitar, celebrate, protest, and fall in love.
Each park in Quito has its own personality: some are quiet refuges for birdwatching; others are epicenters of fairs, art, and everyday life.
La Carolina Park: the green heart of the north
If Quito had a heart, it would surely be La Carolina.
Located in the northern part of the city, this park of more than 60 hectares is much more than a recreational space: it is a meeting point for intergenerational, cultural, and sports activities.
Here, every weekend, thousands of people walk, ride bicycles, play soccer, walk their pets or enjoy a picnic by the lake.
La Carolina is also the setting for gastronomic fairs, music festivals, art exhibitions, and sports activities that reflect the diversity of life in Quito.
Among its attractions are the Quito Botanical Garden, which houses more than 1,200 species of plants and an impressive collection of orchids, and Parque Extremo, with ramps for skaters and cyclists.
Very close by, the Vivarium allows you to get up close to reptiles, amphibians, and endemic snakes of the country.
The best thing about La Carolina is its energy: a space where the city relaxes, has fun, and reconnects.
Parque El Ejido
Located on the border between the Historic Center and the modern area is Parque El Ejido, one of the oldest and most symbolic parks in Quito.
Founded in the 19th century, it was originally a grazing estate, and today it is an urban space rich in history and culture.
Every weekend, its paths come alive with art and craft fairs, where artists display paintings, sculptures, and unique handmade pieces.
El Ejido is also a meeting point for families and a stage for popular expression: festivals, marches, cultural and sports activities are held here.
Among the centenary trees of the park, bronze sculptures and monuments rise up to commemorate historical figures from Ecuador. Additionally, its proximity to the Arco de La Circasiana—a architectural gem from the early 20th century—makes it an ideal photographic spot.
El Ejido is the synthesis of what Quito is: tradition, art, and movement.
Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park
The Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park extends on the eastern slopes of the city, being the largest in Quito and one of the most extensive urban parks in South America.
With more than 500 hectares, it is a true forest within the city: a refuge for biodiversity and for those seeking to disconnect from noise without going too far away.
Its dirt paths, viewpoints, and bike trails make it a paradise for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. From the highest points, you can see the Cumbayá valley and, on clear days, the snow-capped peaks of Cayambe, Antisana, and Cotopaxi.
In addition, the Metropolitan Park has picnic areas, camping zones, and an outdoor sculpture circuit that combines art and nature.
It is not uncommon to find entire families walking, young people camping, or groups of runners preparing for marathons.
Walking through this park is a constant reminder that Quito is embraced by its mountains.
Itchimbía Park
If there is a place that brings together the beauty of the capital in a single glance, it is Itchimbía Park.
Located on a hill facing the Historic Center, it offers one of the most impressive panoramic views of Quito: from here you can see the towers of the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the domes of San Francisco, and the majestic Panecillo crowned by the Winged Virgin.
The park has become a cultural and recreational space, thanks to the Itchimbía Cultural Center, a glass and steel building that stands as a symbol of modernity on an ancestral hill.
This space hosts exhibitions, fairs, concerts, and international events.
In addition, the gardens of Itchimbía, with their flower-lined paths and resting areas, are ideal for a peaceful walk or a picnic at sunset.
When night falls, the lights of the Historic Center illuminate the horizon, and the city seems suspended in time.
Itchimbía not only offers a view: it offers a feeling. The feeling of being between history and the sky.
Bicentennial Park
Where airplanes used to land, trees now grow.
The Bicentennial Park, inaugurated in 2013 on the former grounds of the Mariscal Sucre airport, is one of the most emblematic urban projects of modern Quito.
With 125 hectares, this space combines sports, recreation, and sustainability.
It has wide bike paths, jogging tracks, picnic areas, and themed areas dedicated to environmental education.
The Bicentennial is also a symbol of urban transformation: it went from being an industrial space to becoming a green oasis that improves air quality and offers the people of Quito a place to reconnect with nature.
Every year, it hosts fairs, massive concerts, and festivals like Quito Fest, which brings together thousands of young people around music and alternative culture.
In addition, the park has artificial wetlands and reforestation areas, becoming an example of how the city can reconcile with its natural surroundings.
Other parks worth visiting
Quito is full of green spaces that deserve to be discovered beyond the more well-known ones.
The Cuadras Park, located in the south, offers large spaces for sports, picnics, and birdwatching.
The Río Machángara Linear Park follows the course of the river with paths for walking or cycling surrounded by vegetation.
The Rumipamba Park, in the north-central area, combines archaeology and nature: here you can find remains of ancient pre-Hispanic settlements among native trees and hummingbirds.
And for those looking for something more tranquil, the Tulipe Archaeological Park, in the northwestern part of the district, offers an experience that combines ancestral history and subtropical landscapes.
