The Most Beautiful Towns in the Ecuadorian Andes
The Andes run down the spine of mainland Ecuador from north to south – home to beautiful towns where Spanish colonial buildings, indigenous cultures, and modern architecture give each community a unique sense of identity. Here’s our selection of the best ones to visit.
Contemplating a trip to Ecuador? You can now visit with Culture Trip in the company of a Local Insider on our exclusive eight-day Ecuador adventure, which includes visits to the Andes, Amazon rainforest and the capital, Quito.
1. Tulcán
Architectural Landmark
Relatively few tourists venture this far north in Ecuador, right next to the Colombian border, but those who do will come across one of the country’s most intriguing sights. Tulcán is renowned for its unusual cemetery featuring over 300 elaborately trimmed cypress bushes, sculpted in all manner of shapes and patterns, including archways, animals, and people. In 2005, the cemetery was renamed after the man who founded it in 1936, Josè Maria Azael Franco.
2. Ibarra
Architectural Landmark
4. Sigchos
Architectural Landmark
The road leading to the tiny town of Sigchos in the Cotopaxi Province passes through some of the most alluring mountain scenery in Ecuador. The town is a pleasant place to stroll around with its central plaza, charming church and hillside statue of the Archangel Michael brandishing his sword high overhead. Sigchos is also a highly convenient starting or finishing point of the Quilotoa Loop – one of Ecuador’s most popular multi-day hiking trails, which passes by the Quilotoa volcano, known for its emerald green crater lake.
5. Riobamba
Farmers' Market, South American
Riobamba was one of the very first settlements established under Spanish colonial rule in Ecuador in 1534, and is the capital of the Chimborazo province. Its well-maintained old center contains one of the oldest churches in the country, the baroque-style Balbanera Church, which sits against the dramatic backdrop of the Chimborazo volcano – Ecuador’s highest peak at 6,263m (20,548ft).
6. Azogues
Architectural Landmark
Farmers still walk cattle from field to field using roads along the borders of Azogues, high in the Andes mountains in the Cañar province. This small city is tied not only to its agricultural roots but its Catholic ones, with plenty of attractive colonial churches dotted throughout the streets.
7. Cojitambo
Architectural Landmark
Both village and an Incan archaeology site, Cojitambo is a must-visit destination for ancient history buffs. The view from the timeworn ramparts of the Incan fortress looks out over the quiet streets of modern-day Cojitambo. The towering volcanic cliffs above the town are also one of Ecuador’s best rock-climbing sites.
8. Cuenca
Church
9. Saraguro
Architectural Landmark
10. Loja
Park, Architectural Landmark
11. Vilcabamba
Church, Architectural Landmark
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.