Quito Night Tour: Old Town & Plaza Grande with Free Time

Quito's Old Town After Dark: A Guided Walk, Then Your Time

You board a double-decker bus at 7pm and travel through Quito's illuminated Old Town, then spend 90 minutes on a guided walk through Plaza Grande and the Street of the Seven Crosses with your bilingual guide. After the walking tour ends, the time is yours to explore cafés, chocolate shops, and local restaurants at your own pace before returning to your pickup point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening tour and Old Town exploration

• Arrive at Naciones Unidas Boulevard bus stop
• Board bus and receive Quito overview
• Travel through Quito Old Town
• See San Francisco Church and art center
• Walk with guides at Plaza Grande and Seven Crosses
• Free time to visit cafes and chocolate shops
• Enjoy local dishes and try traditional canelazo

The experience

The bus pulls away from Naciones Unidas Boulevard at 7pm, and Quito's colonial streets start to glow. Your bilingual guide walks you through what the city looks like when the day crowd clears: the San Francisco Church lit against the dark sky, the Center for Contemporary Art casting long shadows across the plazas. You're on a double-decker bus, so the view from the upper deck shows you the shape of the Old Town before you step into it. The ride itself is part of the tour. The guide talks you through what you're seeing, and you get a sense of how the neighborhoods connect.

Then you stop for 1 hour and 30 minutes in the heart of Quito's historic center. Your guide leads a walking tour through Plaza Grande and the Street of the Seven Crosses: the kind of narrow colonial streets where every corner has a story, though your guide will tell you the ones that matter. You're not rushed through. The pace is slow enough to notice the architecture, the way the light hits the old buildings, the small details. After the guided part, the time is yours. Some people duck into a café filled with history and order a canelazo, the warm spiced drink locals drink at night. Others find one of the artisanal chocolate shops tucked into the side streets. The restaurants around the plazas serve local dishes, and you can eat at your own pace without anyone waiting for you to finish.

The whole evening is about three hours from pickup to drop-off. It's not a sprint through landmarks. It's a night in Quito's Old Town where someone who knows the place shows you what to look at, and then you get to wander. The bus is wheelchair accessible, and the walking tour moves at a pace that works for most people. You don't need to arrange your own transport or figure out which streets are safe at night. The guide handles that, and you just show up at the bus stop ready to go.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel or central pickup at Naciones Unidas Boulevard, round-trip transport on a double-decker bus, a bilingual guide for the entire tour, a 1.5-hour guided walking tour through Plaza Grande and the Street of the Seven Crosses, and free time to visit cafés, restaurants, and chocolate shops in Quito's Old Town.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 19:00

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Quito Tour Bus

Is this one for you?This works well if you want to see Quito's historic center at night without arranging your own transport or navigating unfamiliar streets after dark. The guide handles the route and timing, leaving you free to linger over dinner or a drink once the walking part ends.

Traveler reviews

4.71★★★★★★★★★★

51 verified traveler reviews

5 ★41

4 ★6

3 ★3

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

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 time does the tour start and where do I meet the bus?

The tour departs at 7pm from bus stop 1 on Naciones Unidas Boulevard. You should arrive in advance of the departure time.

How long is the entire tour?

The full evening is approximately three hours from pickup to drop-off, including the bus ride, guided walking section, and free time.

How much free time do I have in the Old Town?

After the guided walk through Plaza Grande and the Street of the Seven Crosses, you have free time to explore cafés, restaurants, and shops on your own. The guided portion is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the double-decker bus and transportation are wheelchair accessible. The walking tour moves at a pace suitable for most fitness levels.

What should I eat or drink on this tour?

During your free time, you can try canelazo, a traditional warm spiced drink, or visit local restaurants and cafés in the Old Town. Artisanal chocolate shops are also available.

What attractions will I see?

You'll see the San Francisco Church, the Center for Contemporary Art, Plaza Grande, and the Street of the Seven Crosses during the guided portion of the tour.