Quito’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved colonial centers in the Americas. Explored on foot with a private guide, it rewards time but also gives up its highlights willingly to those with just a morning or an afternoon.
We tailor the day to your group’s interests and available time, drawing from the landmarks and experiences below. Half-day and full-day options are both available.
The historic center’s central square and natural starting point. Flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Cathedral, the plaza has been the stage for much of Ecuador’s political history. A good place to get your bearings before heading into the streets beyond.
Considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the Americas, La CompañÃa’s interior is covered floor to ceiling in gold leaf. The symmetry of the design, offset by indigenous decorative elements, makes it one of the most arresting interiors in the city.
One of the oldest plazas in South America, San Francisco is dominated by the vast façade of the church and convent of the same name, built on the foundations of an Inca palace. The interior patios are peaceful, and the choir ceiling is worth seeking out.
Construction began in 1886 and the BasÃlica was not consecrated until 1988 — over a century of work that produced Quito’s most dramatic skyline. Modeled loosely on Notre Dame, it replaces the traditional gargoyles with Galapagos animals. The towers offer sweeping views over the city.
Explore a traditional Ecuadorian food market. Stalls are piled high with produce, including exotic fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish and meat.
For groups with a particular interest in Ecuadorian food, we can arrange a cooking class in a local restaurant kitchen. A chef guides you through the preparation of a classic Ecuadorian meal using locally-sourced ingredients, after which you sit down to eat what you’ve made.
A short drive from the historic center, the Chapel of Man is the life’s work of Ecuador’s most celebrated artist, Oswaldo GuayasamÃn. A stone pyramid set on a hillside above the city, its galleries hold monumental murals — stark, powerful tributes to the people of Latin America. One of the most significant cultural sites in the country.
Mitad del Mundo, the “Middle of the World” monument, lies on the outskirts of the city. Here, you can stand on the Equator and learn about the history of the French geodesic mission that established this line in the 18th century, and about the indigenous cultures of the region.
A hilltop park popular with locals, with a paved loop path that takes in views over the city alongside lakes, gardens and open spaces. A quieter counterpoint to the density of the historic center, and a good place to end the day.
The tour above is a selection of highlights rather than a fixed itinerary. Your guide will help shape the day around your group’s interests and available time.
For something centered on Ecuador’s cacao heritage, see our Chocolate Arts Tour.
This experience is available as part of a Quito mainland extension. Contact our team to build an itinerary around your available time and interests.