Private Quito City Tour: Colonial Churches and Local Markets

Climb two church towers for panoramic views, then walk the plazas where independence was declared

A private eight-hour tour of Quito's historic center with hotel pickup and drop-off, visiting the Basilica of the National Vow, Cathedral, Church of the Society of Jesus, San Francisco Church, Independence Plaza and El Panecillo viewpoint. Your bilingual guide shares colonial legends and local knowledge as you explore the city's most significant religious and civic landmarks, with a stop at a traditional market and time for lunch at a local restaurant.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Basilica of the National Vow40m
2. Independence Plaza20m
3. Cathedral of Quito30m
4. Church of the Society of Jesus40m
5. Quito Old Town1h
6. San Francisco Church15m
7. El Panecillo30m

Explore Quito's historic and cultural sites

• Ascend Basilica towers for panoramic view
• Visit Independence Plaza and admire monuments
• Climb Cathedral domes for city views
• Tour Church of the Society of Jesus interior
• Stop at traditional local market
• Enjoy lunch with local recommendations
• Explore San Francisco Church and hear legends
• Visit El Panecillo viewpoint and Virgin statue
• Browse ancestral art and crafts market
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour starts at your centrally located hotel and moves through Quito's Old Town on foot, with your guide handling the route and the stories. You'll climb the towers of the Basilica of the National Vow to see the city spread below, then descend to Independence Plaza where the guide explains the monuments and the daily rhythms of local life around the Archbishop's Palace. The Cathedral's domes come next: another ascent for a different angle on the Historic Center and El Panecillo in the distance.

The Church of the Society of Jesus stops you in front of one of South America's finest examples of colonial Baroque art, with gold leaf covering the interior surfaces. A visit to a traditional market follows, where you'll see the agricultural products and crafts that shape daily life here, then your guide recommends a spot for lunch in the Old Town. San Francisco Church, one of Quito's earliest colonial landmarks, comes after, with the guide sharing local legends tied to the space and its art.

The final stop is El Panecillo, the iconic viewpoint where you stand at the feet of the Virgin of Quito statue and see the contrast between the historic center and the modern city. Your guide then returns you to your hotel. The tour runs eight hours total, and you'll need a moderate level of fitness for the tower climbs and walking between sites. A bottle of purified water is included. Entrance fees to the Basilica, Cathedral domes and El Panecillo viewpoint are separate.

What’s included

• Private tour with hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located hotels in Quito.
• professional bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• bottle of purified water.

Options for this experience

3 options

Grand ExpeditionUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00 and 09:00Driver plus professional guide, with transport: mini van (5 passengers plus guide) or mini bus (6 to 10 passengers plus guide), pickup is included

Family and FriendsUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00 and 09:00Driver and guide with transport: special SUV (for up to 4 passengers) or a mini van available, includes pickup

Mini GroupUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00 and 09:00Driver and guide in an SUV (Toyota, Renault or Kia), pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 09:00

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 9

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Andean Roots Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to climb above the city twice for different views of the historic center and hear the colonial stories that connect the churches and plazas. The private format means your guide can move at your pace and answer questions as they come up, and the eight-hour span lets you see five major churches, two viewpoints and a market without rushing through any of them.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the difference between the Basilica of the National Vow and the Cathedral in Quito?

The Basilica of the National Vow is a Neo-Gothic structure where you can climb the towers and walkways for a sweeping panoramic view of the Historic Center. The Cathedral is the city's main religious seat, and you can also ascend its domes for a different vantage point of the colonial heart and surrounding landscape.

Can I visit the Church of the Society of Jesus on this tour?

Yes, the Church of the Society of Jesus is included as a stop. It's widely considered the finest example of colonial Baroque art in South America, with a dazzling interior where gold leaf covers every detail.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but your guide will recommend authentic local restaurants in the Old Town where you can eat on your own and sample Quiteño flavors during the lunch break built into the day.

What happens at the traditional market stop?

At one of the city's traditional markets, you'll learn about the region's agricultural products and observe local routines and customs. It's a calm window into how Quito's residents shop and live day to day.

How much climbing is involved in this tour?

You'll ascend the towers of the Basilica of the National Vow and the domes of the Cathedral for panoramic views. The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness, and you'll be walking between multiple sites in the Old Town.