What to do in Quito when it rains
Grey skies over Quito are a chance to go deep on its museums and galleries, poke around an indoor market, and find the cosiest café in town.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador Avenue 12 de Octubre, y y Vicente Ramón Roca 1076, 170143 Quito, Ecuador
- Contemporary Art Center of Quito Montevideo, y y Luis Dávila, 170103 Quito, Ecuador
- Carondelet Palace QFJP+5X2, García Moreno, 170401 Quito, Ecuador
- Yaku Water Museum El Placer Oe11-271, 170130 Quito, Ecuador
- Museo Interactivo de Ciencia 170111 Quito, Ecuador
- Kia E-Ground Madrid, y y Ave 12 de Octubre, 170143 Quito, Ecuador
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Olga Fisch Folklore Flagship Store Av. Colon E10-53, 170517 Quito, Ecuador
- Delta Enmarcaciones Gral Baquedano E5-35, 170524 Quito, Ecuador
- Nudo Street Art Gallery Lugo &, 170143 Quito, Ecuador
- Mon Atelier Ecuador José Tamayo y Luis Cordero, 170143 Quito, Ecuador
- Casa San Marcos Junín y Juan Pío Montúfar E1-36 y, 170401 Quito, Ecuador
- N24 Galería de Arte Isabel La Católica N24-274 Y, Galavis, 170143 Quito, Ecuador
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Playón de la Marín 01, 170404 Quito, Ecuador
- Independence Square and Chile St Venezuela, García Moreno N5-16, 170401 Quito, Ecuador
- Historic Center of Quito 170401, Quito, Ecuador
- La Casona de la Ronda Hotel Juan de Dios Morales y C. Guayaquil Oe1 160 y, 170130 Quito, Ecuador
- Parque El Arbolito QGQ3+H38, Tarqui, 170136 Quito, Ecuador
- LA ECUATORIANA QF37+2VV, Av. Mariscal Sucre, Quito, Ecuador
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- La Mariscal Artisan Market Jorge Washington 611, 170143 Quito, Ecuador
- Mercado de San Roque Av. Mariscal Sucre, 170111 Quito, Ecuador
- Mercado Central QFJV+25M, Av Pichincha, 170136 Quito, Ecuador
- El Desvio EL DESVIO, Av. Simón Bolívar, 170145 Quito, Ecuador
- Plaza Arenas Vargas n4120, 170130 Quito, Ecuador
- Mercado La Magdalena QF5C+938, Cacha XV, 170602 Quito, Ecuador
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- McDonald's Av. Francisco de Orellana E6-15, 170517 Quito, Ecuador
- Paccari Experience House Julio Zaldumbide N24-713 Y, 170150 Quito, Ecuador
- Vista Hermosa (Centro Histórico) Mejía Oe4-45, 170401 Quito, Ecuador
- Panadería Panasutra Av. Diego de Almagro, Whymper y Alpallana, 170518 Quito, Ecuador
- Café Mosaico Manuel Samaniego N8-95, 170136 Quito, Ecuador
- McDonald's 6 de Diciembre, y y Avenida Patria Esquina, 170143 Quito, Ecuador
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- EL Recreo Av. Pedro Vicente Maldonado S11-122, 170111 Quito, Ecuador
- Mall El Jardín Mall El Jardín, Av. Río Amazonas, 170518 Quito, Ecuador
- Quitus Craft Market San Gregorio, 170129 Quito, Ecuador
- Centro Comercial Espiral Jorge Washington N20-80, 170143 Quito, Ecuador
- Centro Comercial El Tejar Imbabura N4-60, 170401 Quito, Ecuador
- Multicentro Shopping Center La Niña y Av. 6 de Diciembre 26-169 y, 170522 Quito, Ecuador
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.