Datasets:

Kinjal123

/

rat10000

like 0

The Plaza is a wonderful site. There are churches and the President's house. We got to see the guards out front in full uniform. There are lots of people in this area and gives you a glimpse into the culture and the history of the country.

No artistic value around. But you could listen to open air concerts and live exhibitions of local performers. Expect more passion than skills.

The main plaza in Quito, full of history and local color. A great place to take a break from sightseeing and people-watch.

When we visited this plaza, there was a peaceful protest/demonstration by the indigenous people of Ecuador.

I could sit here all day and people watch! There is always something going on, from live music, artisans selling their wares, street food, card playing and so much more!This Plaza on a Friday really starts hopping and is family fun. It is just wonderful!

The plaza de las Independencia is large courtyard with statues of the independence of Ecuador from Spain in 1805, plus other beautiful statues and government palace and offices a short walk. Many shops, a 5 star Grand Hotel nearby a great place to visit while in Quito.

The Presidential Palace is impressive and there is a wonderful winged statue which represents freedom. Guards in traditional uniforms keep watch.

The best way to feel a city is to sit in the local plaza and take in the sights and the people. This plaza is especially nice, as you are surrounded by lovely buildings. You can enjoy a beer, snack or coffee while watching the people go by. You will find the people of Ecuador to be especially friendly. They always speak, and most often they are wearing a big smile. One can learn a lot by spending a couple of hours relaxing in the plaza.

the central square with many attactions around it. visit the president palace for free after 1700. drink beer under the iglesia' drink coffe at the chocolate shop under the iglesia

No matter how many times I visit, I am awed by the beauty of the park, the people and the architecture of the surrounding buildings. Great place to hang out and people watch.

You cant visit old Quito and not pass through this grand plaza, with cathedral, Gothic hotel, and the presidents palace surrounding the square.

Collecting donations for earthquake victims on one side, a puppet show on the opposite side and lots of kids playing games. Busy, vibrant place, but difficult to find a place to sit.

A lovely plaza that's great for people watching and nice restaurants and shops surrounding it. It's nice to pass through while exploring the Old Town.

The Plaza is a pretty small park like setting in the middle of downtown Quito! It offers great views as well as nearby restaurants and shopping.

A great place to find restaurants and places of interest to visit, or just sit down and watch all life happen around you.

We visited Independence Plaza and everything is of walking distance from there (by everything, I mean LOTS of the attractions you'll want to visit in Quito). Amazing architecture and history

Unfortunately the day we went the local were protesting taxes, so we didn't stay long. It is a nice little area for some good photos as well as the food and souvenir shops around the square

Central square with the Presidents Palace and the Cathedral. The two guards in front of the presidents palace stood motionless as expected. Demonstrators on a small scale and vendors on a large scale to be seen on the square.

A lot of locals and tourists congregate here. Got a shoeshine for only one dollar. Was a great starting off point for the rest of the old town tour.

This is a must stop on your trip to the historic center. There is a good chance that you will walk past it on your way to the churches in the historic center but this is a must. This is a nice place to chill and regroup when walking around.

Always good to visit the grand plaza in any city, this was nice and clean and well patrolled by the local police. It felt very safe and there are good cafes and restaurants adjacent.

There are many museums and churches near this beautiful plaza. We saw many beautiful indigenous people there mixed with the general population. It is immaculate. Not one person was even smoking a cigarette! We ate an open air lunch of delicious lamb stew right on the plaza. The vendors are more aggressive here than elsewhere, but if you need a shoe shine or a beautiful woven wrap, this is the place.

A great place to take in the history of Quito. Each building has a story and you can visit some of them.

Part of my evening walking ritual was a walk through Independence square, lovely place, green and the sound of water, surrounding by grand buildings, nice place to walk or just sit and relax

All of Quito seems to pass through here daily. Shoe shiners, vendors, govt. workers, soldiers, police, students, preachers, everybody. Best times are Sundays (when the whole world comes to hang out and watch each other) and Mondays 11:00AM for the changing of the guard (definitely worth it). Cafes in cubicles under the cathedral, store in cubicles under the president's palace, and shops & restaurants in the old bishop's palace. See this place!

It is in the centre of Old Quito and facing the goverment palace. Very good for having rest when you are looking around.

Very good part of a walking tour. Takes you through the main part of the old city. Check out the other parts of the PUMA layout of the old city.

We were in Quito for a month and probably visited the Grand Plaza at least every other day! We enjoyed the visit of the President of Turkey and the changing of the guard which takes place every Monday at 11 am. Don't miss the tour of the government palace, which you can tour on days when a booth is present at the south end of the building. Not charge, just have to have your passport. It's great fun to people-watch, seeing vendors of lovely scarves, of coca tea, of fancy whipped cream concoctions, etc. Musicians are almost always there with good music and appreciative crowds. Also, don't miss the fabulous hot choclate with chunks of cheese at one of the little cafes underneath the cathedral.

This is a peaceful place to relax. The plaza is surrounded by four important structures: the cathedral of Quito, the president's home/office, the bishop's home, and the city government building.

This is the center of the old town, and the starting point for the visit of palaces, churches and museums. It is well connected a block away with trams and buses, it has a few unremarkable shops and a luxury hotel. The remaining two sides are occupied by the presidential place and the main church. In the center there are nice gardens with place to seat and watch the locals. It is relatively save to walk around as there are security guards in every corner

This is a great place to relax, especially like us who were on a walking tour and had just walked up and down the towers in the Basilica! Great place to get pictures of the old world architecture, hear the old men ramble about their day and watch school children play. It reminds we of any other great square in the middle of an old town, lots of trees and benches to sit and rest.

A very busy plaza with a lot of people. Just nice to sit in and people watch. From this location there are several other plazas close by as well as museums and churches to visit

Good spot to sit and take a breather whilst touring the old town.I wouldn't advise catching a taxi from here as you will be stuck in traffic. Walk a couple of blocks either way to where it is more free flowing.

A lot do to here including a visit to the Ecuadorian Presidency. The soldiers before entering are the best.

Nice location in front of Presidential palace. You can sit in the garden and enjoy the historic buildings and beautiful landscape and greenery, mountains in the background. Nice place to take few good photographs.

Friendly, safe feeling. Lots of good restaurants and small places to eat and get ice cream around the plaza. Lots of good walking nearby.

Located in the centre of Quito and surrounded by historical buildings including the President's home, Plaza Grande is a great place to sit, have a coffee, watch some street performers and watch the world go by.

As it is an interesting place for locals and foreigners to meet, great location to have a coffee or sandwich or simply stroll around and admire colonial architecture. Free entry.

Loved visiting the Plaza grande. Of particular interest is the column in the center of the square. The symbolism of the column is very fun, particularly the Spanish lion retreating from the South American Condor.

The square is normally a busy place, with lots of old folks sitting on the park benches. But every Monday at 11, the Changing of the Guard occurs. This is a fun spectacle, with extra big crowds, and vendors selling ice cream, hats, etc. etc. The best part is that if the President is in town, he will usually appear on the balcony right at 11 and wave to the crowds. The square is packed with police at that time, and you may notice sharpshooters on the top of the hotel bordering the square, but this is a terrifically friendly way of staying in touch with the voters. I'm not sure if anything like this happens anywhere else in the world, so if you're in Quito on a Monday morning, be sure and stop by.

Located in the center of Quito and surrounded by historical buildings, this plaza is a must-see for visitors. It's always busy and it's a wonderful place to relax and take it all in.

We enjoyed an hour lounging here waiting on our bus...it's fun to watch the people & listen to the independence celebration bands...though it is a might bit unnerving when people are protesting the President for trying to take more power....

You will most likely come across this plaza a few times, wandering through the old town's wonderful streets. It houses the cathedral and palacios. It's a pretty plaza with lot of people watching. Sip an espresso in one of the shops next to/under the cathedral and watch life go by. How could you not love it;)

Visited the Plaza on day celebrating the founding of Quito. Horses. Brass bands. Dancers. Very colorful. Free.

Lovely square surrouded by interestng buildings one of them the presendential palace and another nice catherdral, great statue in the middle representing liberty and independence hence the name-Independence Sqaure. Worth a look while in Quito.

Very nice square where locals gather. It has a park like setting, lots of flowers, trees, monuments and benches to relax and enjoy

Also known as Plaza Grande, it is the historic center of Quito. Among its many attractions are the Iglesia de la Cathedral, Palacio Arsobispal ( the Archbishop's Palace), Palacio de Gobierno (Presidential Palace), and the Edificio de la Administration Urbana (City Hall).One of its main features is the Monument to the Independence Heroes of August 10, 1809, the date remembered as the first cry of independence. Our guide related an interesting anecdote about the meaning of this monument: At the top is the Andean vulture, the largest flying bird on the planet, and a bird of vast power and strength; beneath it is a lion, the symbol of England. The lion is retreating from the vulture! Now that you know the meaning, be sure to visit, appreciate and understand the monument!

Full of life and restaurants. Quite beautiful. Close to many museums and churches. Also has a tourist info where people speak some english. A good starting point to explore the town.

Visited here as part of a 10 day tour, and arrived in time on a Monday to watch the guard change. The plaza was filled with people; like a weekly celebration! There were music, marching band, horses, and the president came out to wave to the people. Aside from this weekly event, this is a good place to people-watch and check out not only the palace, but the archbishop's residence, statue of heroes, city hall. Take a bench, rest your feet and enjoy the views!

In a generally tired and slightly ragged old town this is the jewel. Get a take out coffee and cake and sit in the square to see all walks of life pass by. If you are lucky you'll attract a madman who'll cough on you and your cake like I did. On a serious note the tourist info at the corner of the square offers walking tours with municipal police/guides. I really enjoyed my tour... while the details were a little lost in translation (through no fault of the guides) their pride and passion for their job, city and country shone through and made the experience memorable!

I like the square but my 5 stars is for the changing of the guard which takes place every Monday at 11 am.It is like going back in time to how I imagime South America was with soldiers in 19th century uniforms playing slightly out of tune music !You even get to see the President !

The Plaza is a small place but the atmosphere is fascinating. With the Grand Hotel on one side and the Church on the other side the view is fantastic. You may rest on one of the many benches and have your lunch from the local food being sold from several kiosks which are fresh and cooked in front of you.

You can't visit the Old Town of Quito without enjoying some time in the Plaza Grande-- it's truly a lovely place to be. The people-watching is outstanding, and the benches will provide a nice respite for tired feet. It's wonderful to be around the beautiful colonial architecture, and it'll really give you a nice feel for the country in a succinct way. Its central location, of course, means that you'll already be nearby to all of the fantastic churches that you'll want to see, too (like La Compania and St. Francisco), as well as being well-located for great dining. It's a must-see. If you're lucky, you might also run into a procession coming out from a local church, and if you happen to be staying in Quito on a Sunday, it's the place to be to enjoy the pedestrian and bicyclists who flood the nearby streets.

I recommend visiting this square to see the street vendors to swanky restaurants, stall holders to all manner of shops, Presidential and religious power. A great starting place for a walking tour of the Old City.

This is a must do. Great people watching an seeing how the locals live. Beautiful grounds very well maintained and very clean. A definite must when in Quito

Great place to people watch and relax. There's a church, the presidential plaza, the Statue of Liberty statue where you see tons on doves on it. We did not get to see the changing of the guards because the President was holding a meeting there at the square. A great part of Old Town so make sure you get there. You will kill a few places to see with one stone. Also vendors along the side of the plaza but not in the center.

The best place to sit and soak up the atmosphere of Quito - it is a beautiful square, surrounded by historic buildings, some small cafes, lots of people selling ice-creams, water and shining shoes and just a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by.

The plaza is a must see for visitors. During the day there are many folks to observe, both tourists and Ecuadorians. It is well policed most of the time. Having written all that, it is good for less than half an hour. There are souvenier shops around the plaza and because you are downtown, plenty of places to eat, both shops and restaurnats. The Palace guard changing Mondays is a good watch.

We were returning to our car after spending hours visiting Colonial town when we realized that Plaza de la Independencia is not only pretty, it is a place where the people come and voice their voices to the President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa. I have seen demostrations, propaganda, celebrations, and the last one big screens outside the Presidental Palace were showing the Presidential Address to the nation. Quito is relatively a small town, considering the big cities, but certainly it is a unique city with so much to offer visitors and residents alike. Just as any cosmopolitan city, please be aware of your sorroundings and be smart.

If you are interested on the Ecuador History, you might visit this plaza. Have a lot of history on it and its near to all the important places in Ecuador.

This was a nice plaza. It was different that alot of others because it featured more trees and bushes and other natural features. Usually it's alot of cobblestones. One surprise: It's not that Grande. Kinda small compared to the other big plazas in South America.

What a beautiful part of the Old Town section of Quito! A bustling square surrounded by incredible old buildings. Lots and lots to see here.

Major meeting place for all generations and once again part of your compulsory Quito experience. Enjoy!

This is a very pleasant square, with the government palace on one side, a cathedral on another, etc.--since it is only a block from San Francisco square the crowd is less than similar squares in other Latin American capital cities. There are benches, trees, and lots of good people-watching.

The Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, La Compania de Jusus are all right there. If you stay long enough you might even get to watch some 99%ers protest.

Fantastic - especially when people make party, dance and have a fiesta. Picknick on the grass was a typical situation we shared

Pretty square with flowering trees church, monument and Government buildings cafe and lots going on.

We came here on a Sunday and there was some kind of music party going on. The plaza is beautiful and has main buildings in each side: cathedral, government building, archbishop palace. And we had a great snack in cafe Fabiolita just beneath the cathedral.

This is the center of all the action, including loitering, protests, and strikes. The day we were here, the area was too crowded with people causing a ruckus that we couldn't enjoy it. The square was nice, with lots of interesting things to see, but I think some things could be better managed, seeing it is a highly acclaimed UNESCO city.

There are a group of musicians who play from the Plaza Grande most days. Don't miss them. They are fun to hear and play good Ecuadorian music. Many locales just hang out and listen to them play. The Plaza is great people watching (just move on past all the shoe shine kids). The shops and food off the Plaza are also quite good.

I spent loads of time at this plaza during the two weeks I was in Quito. It is really quite cute, there's lots of people and vendors selling ice cream and things you don't need. Lots of tourists too, makes it fun to make the 'guess where they're from' game.You do have to be careful of thieves though, the first time I was down on a bench, some fool with his right arm covered by a jacket tried to sneaky turn and open my bag. Not all will be so obvious I imagine.Good place to sit down and talk to strangers.

This is a lovely large square which has everything: a central garden, beautiful colonial building, the government palace, a classy hotel, shops and restaurants and it is surrounded by pedestrian alleys and most monuments of old Quito

We lined up, got a ticket and waited an hour to see the government palace but was worth it. The guide was informative and friendly and we got a real insight in how the Ecuadorian government worked and works now. The artworks on display are beautiful as is the architecture and courtyards with flower (especially rose displays) and fountains. A great 2 hours!

We were in Quito over the weekend and made full use of the Plaza both for people watching, relaxation and a central spot from which to visit the many historic buildings in the vicinity. There are many benches and shade from palm and other large canopy trees. We saw many families as well as a variety of indigenous people, entertainers, musicians and evangelical preacher. Food vendors are everywhere selling anything you could ask for. Particularly intriguing were the meringue cones that many were eating. Great place to take a time out.

We had some really interesting conversations with locals while waiting for the address. There was lots of colour and pomp. Got our shoes shined, entertained by a girls choir.

A good place to spend some time -- shopping along the little shops under the palace, with the street vendors, sightseeing and people watching

My husband and I came here several times throughout our stay when we needed a rest. The plaza has lots of seating, some shade trees, and is surrounded by small shops and cafes (which we found were still inexpensive given their convenient location). Every time we went there seemed to be something going on to watch- a high school marching band, impromptu singing/guitar performance, people giving speeches, protesters marching- such a variety.

As a student of the Spanish language, I found the Plaza to be a great place to strike up conversations with the retired gentlemen who show up daily to watch the world go by. They are courteous, curious, and downright fascinating to talk with. And as you converse you can watch the tourists go by.

A true meeting place for the locals.........an old gentleman feeding the birds, couples holding hands, people sitting on the benches reading or checking their mobile devices in the sunshine :-) I truly felt like I belong, not just a passing tourist.

nice square to go and spend sometime walking around please mark this as helpful in the link bellow, since it is a free contribution to this website

A definite highlight as we happened to be in Quito on Monday. The guard changes at the palace weekly, Mondays at 11 am. Don't miss it if you're in Quito at that time of the week. We arrived early and watched the pageantry unfold. School children and other guests get special seating and attention, but we had first row seats on the semi-circular stairs on one side of the Plaza. Music, horses, and more people watching than you could do almost anywhere else. The President made his appearance (not always available) so security was also interesting to observe. All in all, a rare treat for travelers!

Enjoyed the people watching here. Lots of locals and tourists on a sunny Sunday. Plenty of benches to relax. The statue in the center is very cool.

Perfect for a relaxing Sunday and people watching. The plaza is filled with locals and tourists. It's very clean, plenty of places to sit and relax. The statue in the middle that represents Quito Independence is very cool! Lot's of detail to look at.

Beautiful old square with statues and period architecture all nicely preserved. Very busy with people including a huge public demonstration the day we were there that was quite rowdy. It felt a little unsafe in some parts of the square

Within the area is the President's Palace - had a photo taken with a guard, but didn't do a tour. There are many lovely places to eat, cathedrals and many old buildings which add grandeur to this square. There is plenty of lighting and places to sit, with plenty of green space and a central grand monument, well worth spending time here exploring the area.

Centrally located square that is close to many other attractions. I would start your visit here and walk to the other parts of old town.

..watch Quito's people and citylife. Impressive when president Correa appears on balcony... Take a break.

A great place to take in the beat of this vibrant city. It contains the presidential palace, shops, hotels and lots of eateries. Off of the plaza - more of everything.

If you are in Quito on a Monday, don't miss the change of the guard at 11:00am. It was worth the wait. Also, don't miss the Presidential Palace tour. It also is worth the wait. You can get tickets at a booth on the side of the Presidential Palace. They will give you a ticket with the time frame you will attend. You don't need to sit around waiting. Come back five minutes prior to your designated tour schedule. We were lucky enough that President Correa came out and met our group for a Kodak moment.

Monument in the centre of this square and benches and grass area around it, makes this a pleasant area to wander around.Well worth a visit

Whilst Quito may not offer the most exciting historical centre in Latin America, it is certainly enjoyable and packed with enough historical buildings and amazing churches to fill a morning or afternoon's sightseeing. Independence square is at the centre and a great place to relax on a bench, overlooking the fountain and people watch. We were there just before May day and it was a hive of activity, with political demonstrations being prepared, whilst at the same time there were various religious processions taking place. Don't miss the little arcade to the right hand side of the square, facing the presidential palce, it has a number of restaurants around the courtyard, spread over several floors and a great little gift shop on the 2nd floor

A great place to people watch and take in some of the local color. I was amazed at the number of people that gathered in this plaza at the end of a day.

Don't miss the changing of the Guard. A lot of pageantry and colourful costumes, Great for pictures. The President or the Vice-President or both are usually there. Great location for people watching.

Don't miss the changing of guard on Mondays at 11 am. The President or Vice-P usually there. Good show.

A great place to just take a break, people watch or just admire the beauty of the Presidential Palace and other buildings surrounding the square.

Seek out the founders of Quito plaques. Stroll the presidential palace. Listen to the square discussions. Relaxing evening.

A very pretty square with lots of people and greenery. Almost right in the middle of Centro Historico (Old Town). Surrounded by interesting colonial buildings such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, and the Archbishop's Cathedral, as well as a number of shops, restaurants, and hotels. Centered by the Independence monument. Lots of activity here; we even saw a small number of people participating in what seemed to be a political protest of some kind. Take care of your belongings while walking around, and be vigilant against pickpockets.

We were repeatedly drawn to the stunning plaza in the centre of Quito's historic district--the gardens there are exceptional and it is bordered by beautiful buildings including the Cathedral of Quito and the Presidential Palace. The locals love it too and come here to relax and watch the goings on. By far my favourite plaza in Quito.

This is a great place to people watch. There are generally dozens of people hawking their wares from fresh limes to coca tea or umbrellas if there is a chance of rain. There are numerous tourist police around the area, but even with this, it is wise to hold your bag in front of you if there are crowds gathered to watch a puppet show or other entertainment. This is also the main place for protests, so watch the crowds. Sunday, they close streets around the park to cars, so there are often thousands of people walking the area. This is a great family day.

this is the heart, the center of quito. a beautiful old colonial square boarded by the presidencial house and the cathedral