Quito City Tours

Quito is the capital of Ecuador, which stands out for its colonial charm. Strolling through its streets you will discover traces of European, Moorish and Inca architecture. There are tours to suit all tastes, but the experience of learning about local legends, as well as riding a bicycle, tram or tourist bus stands out.

If you plan to visit Quito for 3 days, you will have enough time to get to know the Historic Centre, the Middle of the World, the local markets and Ecuadorian gastronomy.

Quito is a unique city, with plenty of space to enjoy a bike ride. You will be able to pedal through the iconic streets, accompanied by a professional guide. This means of transport allows you to avoid the traffic, while enjoying a safe experience. An activity that gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in local life, while tasting typical food.

Some of the places you can visit are:

• La Floresta: a traditional neighbourhood of Quito, here you will find galleries, luxury shops, traditional restaurants and more.
• Ochoymedio Ecuador: a funky café is located nearby, right in the heart of the city's most important street art street. Drinks are made from Ecuadorian Arabica coffee.
• Avenida Amazonas: a busy thoroughfare, it is also considered the most modern area of the city.
• Botanical Garden of Quito: it is a protectionist space, where you will be able to learn about the typical plants of the region. It is an economical plan that you can access from 2 €.
• Parque La Carolina: located in the financial heart of Quito, its spaces offer recreational areas for all ages. It is completely free, it also has a botanical garden, a dinosaur learning park and a mini zoo.
• Mercado Iñaquito: located on Avenida 10 de Agosto, it is the best place to buy local products.

Details of interest

• Price: from 83 € per person.
• Duration: about four hours.
• Means of transport: the whole tour is done by bike, you must arrive at the meeting point on your own.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to cycle around the city quickly and safely.
• Disadvantages of this option: you can only do this activity if you have medical insurance or travel insurance.

This is a night-time activity, where you can learn more about the city's urban legends. Additionally, it is a completely safe experience, as it is done with a professional guide on board a bus.

You will have the opportunity to explore artistic and cultural corners of the city, while hearing all about its history and legends. Some of the sites you will get to know are:

• The Basilica del Voto Nacional: a neo-gothic building located in the old town, it has an impressive structure and is one of the most emblematic stops.
• The Plaza de la Independencia: also known as Plaza Grande, it is an area with colonial buildings. It is really worth a look, as it is close to the Government Palace.
• Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (Church of the Company of Jesus): it has an impressive architecture, typical of the baroque period. It was built between 1605 and 1765, so it is a historical relic.
• El Panecillo: it is a hill that offers privileged 360° views of Quito. At the top is a statue of the Virgin Mary, which can be seen from different parts of the city.

Many people don't go out in Quito at night, for fear of insecurity. However, you can have a peaceful trip if you plan your itinerary accordingly. In general, I suggest avoiding secluded areas, as well as public transport.

Useful details

• Price: from 19 € per person.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: you'll get to know Quito on board a comfortable bus. You can usually request a return transfer.
• Advantages of this option: it usually offers a cancellation policy, valid up to 24 hours before the experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is an option that sells out quickly, as it is designed for groups of 20 people maximum.

Quito offers a variety of options for family plans, and a guided tour is one of them as it adapts to the needs of a group. It is ideal for sharing while exploring the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the Panecillo, the Plaza Grande and the Church of the Company of Jesus.

This type of experience is inserted in the colonial beauty of Quito, which has monuments considered a UNESCO heritage site. Other sites you can visit are:

• Mitad del Mundo: it is a monument where you can see the division of the earth, known as the southern and northern hemisphere. It also has one of the best museums in Quito, where you will find objects of the Ecuadorian indigenous people.
• La Ronda Street: it is an area with a variety of nightlife options, therefore it is a tourist spot par excellence. Its restaurants and street stalls bring you closer to the Ecuadorian gastronomy.

Details of interest

• Price: from 55 € per person.
• Duration: around twelve hours.
• Means of transport: these tours usually include transport to and from the agreed reference point.
• Advantages of this option: you will be accompanied by a local guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for short itineraries.

Quito is a charming city, you will surely fall in love at first sight. If you want to get an in-depth look, nothing beats a full tour of the main attractions. This experience includes a chocolate tasting, as well as the opportunity to experience the history, culture and customs of the city.

Some of the sites you will get to see during this tour are:

• Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús: the walls of this church are really impressive. It is a jewel of the Latin American baroque, so you will have a great time.
• Church and Convent of San Francisco: it is known as the Escorial of the New World, due to its imposing façade.
• Intiñán Museum: it is a museum located in the Middle of the World, where very interesting experiments are carried out. They are mostly related to gravity and the division of the earth.
• Teleférico de Quito: from here you will get the best views of the city, it is located a few minutes from the centre and it is a magical place. It is not recommended for those who suffer from altitude sickness.
• Rucu Pichincha: it is a rocky and volcanic formation, easy to access from the cable car.

If you plan to arrive directly to the tour, I recommend that you secure transfers between Quito and the airport. This way, you will avoid altitude sickness caused by excessive fatigue.

Details of interest

• Price: from 106 € per person.
• Duration: approximately nine hours.
• Means of transport: these activities are carried out in private transport, usually including pick-up and drop-off only in the Quito area. If you are in the vicinity or outskirts, there is an extra charge.
• Advantages of this option: they usually include entrance to all attractions, as well as a bilingual guide who speaks Spanish and English.
• Disadvantages of this option: good weather conditions are important for this tour.

Ecuadorian gastronomy is very varied, offering fish dishes and other options made with yucca, corn, quinoa, avocado, among others. At night there are many restaurants that offer tastings of typical dishes.

The most interesting are the street food stalls, here you will find the best ceviche made by locals. To learn more about the culinary culture, you can visit:

• José Navarro Park: located on Ladrón de Guevara Avenue, it is a quiet park with different gastronomic proposals.
• La Floresta: it is a bohemian district, where bars and restaurants abound. You will be able to enjoy Ecuadorian gastronomy, while you take a look at the art alleyways.
• Guápulo: it is a charming neighbourhood, ideal to eat without filters. It combines the best of Quito's history, art and landscapes, so you can't miss it.

Interesting details

• Price: from €73 per person.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: these are walking tours, and generally do not include return transfers.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know Quito through the palate, tasting authentic and tasty food. This type of experience includes dinner and a drink.
• Disadvantages of this option: not recommended for pregnant women.

The Middle of the World is a monument in Quito, proclaimed a cultural heritage site. It is very famous, as it is said to divide the hemispheres of the earth.

During the tour you can learn about the history of the division of the planet earth, as one of the best museums in Quito is located here, known as the Museo de la Mitad del Mundo (Museum of the Middle of the World). Other things to do include:

• Take a picture of yourself with one foot in each hemisphere, or pretend you're holding the globe.
• Find out what your weight is in the Middle of the World, as everything is lighter here. You will be surprised to discover that due to less gravitational force, you will lose at least one kilo.
• Take a look at the Coriolis, a tourist attraction where you can visualise the splitting of the water at the equator.
• Have an energetic cleansing, which takes place in the hut of Shaman Taita Carlos, where ancestral medicine is practised.

Details of interest

• Price: from 23 €.
• Duration: around four hours.
• Means of transport: usually includes a return transfer, if you choose this option. The tour is on foot and you can usually make a reservation for up to six people.
• Advantages of this option: it can include entrance to Mitad del Mundo.
• Disadvantages of this option: Tipping is not usually included; throughout Ecuador it is mandatory to leave a 10% tip at hotels, restaurants, bars and some attractions.

If you're a cyclist or simply enjoy cycling, you'll get a lot out of this tour. It takes you to see Quito from a modern perspective, as well as its parks, gardens and traditional markets.

Before you start cycling around the city, you should be aware that Quito is approximately 2,850 metres above sea level. Many people suffer from altitude sickness, which can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. I recommend you rest and eat well before taking the tour.

Some of the places you can visit are:

• Ocho y Medio: a charming cinema, where Ecuadorian films and documentaries are shown. It is close to an emblematic café and colourful murals, typical of the street art of the La Floresta neighbourhood.
• Avenida Amazonas: here you can have a fun photo session, taking advantage of the spaces of the Botanical Garden of Quito, which has greenhouses with native plants and ecosystems typical of the region.
• Carolina Park: this is a recreational area, ideal if you are visiting Quito with children. It has a magnificent energy, which can be felt in every space.
• Quito Moderno: although the city stands out for its colonial areas, it also offers a panorama with great industrial, cultural and urban movement. There are many craft beer bars, which are well worth a visit.
• Mercado Iñaquito: this is one of the best places to buy seasonal products and handicrafts. It has been in the area since the 1970s, so you can't leave the city without experiencing a local market.

It is important to bring identification, but I also suggest you bring sunglasses, camera, hat, scarf, sunscreen, cash and a backpack. This way, you will be equipped for the tour. It is also essential that you bring your water bottle, it is not offered on the tour for ecological reasons.

Interesting details

• Price: from €83 per person.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Means of transport: you will ride around the city on a bicycle, which may include a chain, lock, key, waistcoat and safety helmet. It does not usually include a return transfer, and it is very important to arrive at least ten minutes before the meeting point.
• Advantages of this option: it usually includes the licence, as well as a bilingual guide who speaks English and Spanish.
• Disadvantages of this option: Not suitable for people with health problems.

A turibus, or tourist bus, is a panoramic double-decker bus, ideal for touring the city in comfort. It takes you to the main tourist sites, and the best thing is that you can choose the stops where you want to get off and explore on your own. Specifically, stops usually include the United Nations Boulevard (central stop), the Basilica del Voto Nacional, Plaza de San Francisco and the Panecillo.

Note that in some places the bus stops for about five minutes, in case you want to take pictures and continue the tour. In addition, buses leave every hour, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It's definitely one of the best things to do if you plan to visit Quito in 3 days or less. Some of the monuments you can visit are:

• San Francisco Church and Convent.
• Independence Square.
• El Ejido Park.
• La Ronda Street.
• Mariscal Handicraft Market.
• Contemporary Art Centre.
• La Carolina Square.

Details of interest

• Price: from 15 € per person.
• Duration: around three hours.
• Means of transport: double-decker bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will not be dependent on a guide or a group, as you will have an audio guide in your own language.
• Disadvantages of this option: some areas can be very busy, especially in high season.

If you want to travel back in time in Quito, all you need to do is take a tram tour. This vehicle was widely used in the 1920s, and tourist versions are still preserved in Ecuador's capital. It's a great option if you want to visit the city's Presidential Palace, while enjoying an informative audio guide.

In this activity you can see both the old and the new town, which is why it's always considered one of the best things to do in Quito on your first visit. You'll have the opportunity to stroll through renovated streets, with old houses and galleries.

It's ideal if you plan to visit Quito in 3 days, as you'll be able to extend the tour and see La Mitad del Mundo at no extra charge. Some other places you can visit are:

• El Panecillo.
• San Francisco Church and Convent.
• Independence Square.
• La Ronda Street.

Details of interest

• Price: from 39 € per person.
• Duration: approximately five hours.
• Means of transport: usually takes place in a traditional tram with all comforts.
• Advantages of this option: there is a morning and afternoon timetable, so it fits in with any itinerary.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include tips or entrance fees to the monuments.