The San Marcos Neighborhood

The San Marcos Neighborhood, located in the historic center of Quito, is one of the oldest parts of the city, in the beginning it was a place destined for the indigenous population. The colonial style houses, a church and a convent with the same name makes San Marcos an architectural treasure of the city. Junín is the name of the main street of this neighborhood that leads to the small square, which one side has a parish church of the seventeenth century. The Junín street is home of one of the leading painters of Ecuador, Jaime Zapata; today you can find in the area several workshops of artists (painters, sculptors) and several museums where the neighborhood's history is shown.

Several gastronomic places like “Octava de Corpus” Restaurant, which offers a fusion of international flavors, or “La Cuchara de San Marcos”, with delicious vegetarian options of local and international cuisine complete the visit to this part of the old Quito; also here you can find little “tiendas” or shop places in order to have the perfect souvenir of your visit. Another must in this area is “Cafe Dios No Muere”, a cozy place inspired by former President Gabriel García Moreno one of the personalities in the history of Ecuador.