San Francisco (St Francis) plaza is the public square in front of the church and convent of St Francis. Located in the historic district of Quito at the corners of Calle Sucre and Sebastian Benalcazar and Simon Bolivar and Sebastian Benalcazar, this square has a rich history, probably dating back to Incan times. In modern Quito, there is a Metro exit nearby and the square is surrounded by a lot of wonderful dining and drink options. I personally enjoy taking in the European vibe this plaza has to offer and watching the many pigeons in the square while sipping on a coffee or hot cocoa.
Across the square on the southwest side is the beautiful Casa Gangotena Hotel, which deserves its own blog post. Well worth a visit or even a stay if it is within your budget to do so. The staff are very friendly and speak English. They will let you tour the facility if you ask.
Slip inside this unassuming doorway near the hotel for a tall glass of microbrewed cerveza or a casual bite to eat. Upstairs in this same location, is the Minka Chocolate Experience which is fun and educational for the entire family. There is also a nice upscale boutique on the second floor called QusYris which has reasonable prices and an upscale vibe. My wife bought a ring here that she loves. Finally, there is also a Cafe del Fraile (Friar’s Cafe) on the second floor with a wonderful view of the church and plaza.
St Francis Church, Museum, and Convent
A word about the church and convent: the St Francis church is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Quito in my opinion. There is beautiful art and architecture inside with gold gilding everywhere. You cannot take photos inside as it degrades the gilding. You can climb to the top of the towers or tour the convent which is definitely worth your time. The museum contains a lot of art and statuary that is very graphic in nature, showing the suffering of Christ so this may not be on your to-do list if that bothers you or if you are travelling with small children.
Safety:
It is important to mention that this area has a lot of people in it, and there are pick-pockets here. The police have a strong presence, but a traveler would do well to be cautious. Many locals sell trinkets and food items here. I would discourage you from consuming any food items being sold here if not being sold from a restaurant or in a sealed container (ie. bottled water). Avoid anything with dairy being sold from carts. I try to be out of this part of town by sundown as a general rule due to increases in crime at night.
Bonus tips:
You can purchase corn from the venders on the southwest side of the plaza for about $ 1 USD to feed the pigeons, or there are venders that charge $0.50 USD to stir the birds up behind you for a photo op with the church in the background. You can also hire a professional photographer ahead of time to meet you and take photos. My wife and I did some maternity photos with our first son here and I will link the photographer’s contact information below.
A Gringo in Quito 