Quito Walking Tour Explore the Historic Center of Ecuador

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

Mobile ticket

Stroll through the UNESCO-listed historic center of Quito, Ecuador's capital, on a guided walking tour that immerses you in the city's rich culture and colonial beauty. This tour is designed for those who appreciate history, architecture, and local life, offering a relaxed pace to fully absorb the charm of the cobblestone streets. Led by an expert local guide, explore iconic sites such as Plaza Grande, La Compañía de Jesús, and the San Francisco Church. Discover hidden courtyards, artisan shops, and viewpoints that showcase the vibrant essence of Quito.

- Guided walking tour through Quito's UNESCO-listed historic center

- Visit key landmarks including Plaza Grande and La Compañía de Jesús

- Engage with local culture through anecdotes and artisan shops

- Perfect for history buffs, photographers, and cultural enthusiasts

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Basilica del Voto Nacional

The Basilica del Voto Nacional is one of the largest neo-Gothic churches in Latin America and a true architectural icon of Quito. Inspired by the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, its façade is adorned with unique gargoyles shaped like native Ecuadorian animals such as iguanas, turtles, and condors. One of the highlights of visiting the basilica is climbing its main towers, which offer some of the best panoramic views of Quito’s Historic Center and the surrounding cityscape. The ascent includes internal bridges, steep stairs, and a thrilling experience for those who don’t mind heights. From the top, you can admire colonial rooftops, nearby churches, and even distant volcanoes like Pichincha. It’s the perfect spot for breathtaking photos and to truly appreciate the scale and detail of this architectural masterpiece.

30 minutes • Admission Not Included

Palacio Arzobispal

The Archbishop’s Palace (Palacio Arzobispal) is one of the most emblematic colonial buildings in Quito’s Historic Center. Located on the Plaza Grande, right across from the Presidential Palace, it has been the residence of the archbishops of Quito since the 16th century. This elegant two-story structure features traditional Spanish colonial architecture, with whitewashed walls, arched corridors, and a beautiful interior courtyard. Over time, the palace has been carefully restored and now blends religious significance with cultural and commercial use. Today, visitors can explore its charming inner patios, enjoy cafés, artisan shops, and galleries, and admire the historical architecture that reflects centuries of Quito’s ecclesiastical and civic life. It’s a peaceful and photogenic stop in the heart of the city.

20 minutes • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Bilingual Tour Guide

Traditional sweets tasting

Chocolate tasting

Traditional Ice cream

Canelazo tasting – traditional drink

tips

Options

Private Tour

private walking tour: With a private guide, the itinerary can be fully customized to match your interests, schedule, and walking preferences.

Small Group

Shared Tour

More of 10 Passengers: tour with more of 10 travelers.

Reviews

5.00

4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Fun, interesting tour with enthusiastic guide
Nancy D,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Diego was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide who provided very interesting details of the sites we saw interwoven with historical and cultural context. We enjoyed learning Ecuadorean phrases, sampling chocolates, aguardiente and candies too. This a a perfect four hour walking tour for us, who didn’t have much time to explore the old part of Quito!
Fun in the city with Diego!
Mettayya F,,Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Highly recommend! I loved this tour. Diego is so knowledgeable and kind. We visited many churches. I loved the artists that he shared with me. We had a local cocktail, local frozen fruit on a cone, and my favorite was the chocolate brownie and chocolate tasting. It was the best brownie I have ever eaten. Thank you Diego for a wonderful experience.
Amazing and delicious 💖
793anaiv,,Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had an amazing experience exploring Quito's Old Town! It was a tour through incredible sites with super friendly people. I learned a ton by trying out various representative flavors of the city and country. My absolute fave part? Tasting the brownie - hands down, the best one I've ever had!
Amazing Quito walking tour with Diego!
Mettayya F,,Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Diego was an amazing guide. He told so many great stories of the history of the area and Ecuador. He shared a lot of great knowledge about the architecture, foods, plants, animals, jungle customs and agriculture practices. He knew the answers to all of my questions. We had a traditional cocktail, local liquor, frozen local fruit on a cone, chocolate drink and a large variety of chocolates. He taught me a lot of indigenous words and local expressions. He was kind and gracious. Thank you Diego! It was a true please.