Historic Center of Quito tour: Private guide and transportation

Walk through centuries of Quito's architecture with a guide who knows the hidden stories

A private guided tour of Quito's Historic Center covers the Basilica of the National Vow, San Francisco Church, the Presidential Palace, and the Church of the Society of Jesus, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation. The guide speaks English or Spanish and shares the construction history, legends and cultural details of each stop. A cacao tasting rounds out the afternoon. The tour runs three to four hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Basilica of the National Vow10m
2. Presidential Palace10m
3. San Francisco Church20m
4. Church of the Society of Jesus30m · entry included

Explore Quito's Historic Center

• Climb Basilica towers and view city
• Visit first Mercedarian church
• Hear stories at Presidential Palace
• Learn history at San Francisco Church
• Tour Church of the Society of Jesus
• Taste Ecuadorian cacao and buy chocolate

The experience

The Basilica of the National Vow opens the day with a chance to climb the church towers and see the Historic Center spread out below. Your guide walks you through the building's construction and history, then moves to the Presidential Palace, where hidden stories of this historic building come into focus. San Francisco Church and its square get their own explanation: the historical and cultural weight of the place laid out plainly. The Church of the Society of Jesus, a jewel of architecture, gets the most time: you'll see the church itself, the sacristy, and a museum inside with a specialized guide pointing out the curiosities.

Transportation is handled door-to-door in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you move between stops without navigating the city yourself. The tour wraps with an Ecuadorian cacao tasting and a breakdown of the different chocolate bars, with the chance to buy some to take with you. Three to four hours total gives you the major squares and palaces without the full-day commitment.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with pickup and drop-off at your hotel.
• private guide in English or Spanish.
• entry and guided visits to the Basilica of the National Vow, San Francisco Church, the Presidential Palace, and the Church of the Society of Jesus.
• Ecuadorian cacao tasting with chocolate bar samples.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Thursday8 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 18:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 12 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Paola Quintana

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want commentary in English or Spanish. The guide's storytelling is what brings the architecture and history to life, and a private vehicle means you move at a pace that lets you absorb each stop without rushing between sites.

Traveler reviews

4.75★★★★★★★★★★

12 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (1 to 12 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What can I see from the top of the Basilica of the National Vow?

The Basilica of the National Vow has towers you can climb to take in a spectacular view of the entire Historic Center of Quito from above.

Does the tour include a meal or drinks?

The tour does not include meals or drinks beyond the cacao tasting at the end, where you'll learn about Ecuadorian chocolate types and can purchase bars.

Will I be picked up from my hotel?

Yes, the private vehicle picks you up at your accommodation and drops you off at the same place when the tour ends.