Quito Old Town Tour: Churches, Viewpoint & Traditional Food

The Church of the Society of Jesus is covered entirely in gold leaf inside.

A private layover tour of Quito Old Town takes you through the colonial heart of the city with a live guide in English or Spanish, stopping at the Basilica of the National Vow, the Church of the Society of Jesus, and El Panecillo viewpoint overlooking the city and surrounding volcanoes. The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle and runs six to eight hours, giving you time to walk the old town streets and try traditional Ecuadorian candies before returning to the airport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Basilica of the National Vow30m
2. Quito Old Town1h
3. Church of the Society of Jesus1h
4. El Panecillo30m

Explore Quito Old Town highlights

• Visit Basilica of the National Vow
• Try traditional food in Old Town
• See the church where city started
• Visit Church of the Society of Jesus
• Admire views from El Panecillo

The experience

Quito Old Town is where the city began, and this private tour moves through it at a pace that lets you actually see the colonial architecture instead of rushing between stops. Your guide takes you to the Basilica of the National Vow, a Gothic-style church built among older ones, then into the Church of the Society of Jesus, where the interior walls are covered in gold. The old town itself is where you find the traditional food: places selling Ccolaciones, mistelas and other candies that have been made the same way for centuries.

El Panecillo is the natural viewpoint in the city, and on a clear day you can see north and south across Quito and the volcanoes that ring it. The drive up gives you a sense of how the city spreads across the valley. Your private guide handles the route and the timing, and the air-conditioned vehicle means you're not walking the whole day in the altitude.

This tour works because a layover usually means choosing between the airport lounge and nothing. Six to eight hours gives you real time in the old town (enough to walk, to stop for food, to stand in front of the churches) without the rush of a quick dash through the highlights. You pick your language (English or Spanish) at checkout, and the driver guide knows where the best places to try the traditional candies are.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a driver guide who speaks English or Spanish.
• stops at the Basilica of the National Vow, the Church of the Society of Jesus, and El Panecillo viewpoint.
• time to walk Quito Old Town and explore the traditional candy shops.

Options for this experience

2 options

A Private Tour of Quito's Old Town: Flavors, Colors and HistoryGuide in English or Spanish · 11 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Pickup is included

Layover- Quito OldtownGuide in English or Spanish · 16 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 17:00Layover pickup from the airport: if you have a layover in Quito, we can visit the Old Town in 5 hours. We will collect you from Quito airport and drop you off there. Private tour. Duration: about 5 hours. Street food is available if you would like to try it. Airport to Quito to airport. Includes pickup.

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 day16 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 17:00

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tours Around Quito and Ecuador

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a layover long enough to leave the airport but not long enough for a full day in the city: six to eight hours is the window where you see the colonial center, the gold church, and the viewpoint without rushing or missing your flight.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

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 (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

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 is El Panecillo and what can you see from there?

El Panecillo is the natural viewpoint in Quito, where you can see the old town, the north and south of the city, and on clear days the volcanoes that surround Quito.

Is the Church of the Society of Jesus really covered in gold?

Yes, the Church of the Society of Jesus has gold leaf covering the interior walls, which is why locals call it the gold church.

Can you eat during this layover tour?

The tour includes time in Quito Old Town where you can buy and try traditional Ecuadorian candies like Ccolaciones and mistelas, though food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

How long does this tour take?

The tour runs six to eight hours, which fits inside a typical layover and leaves time to get back to the airport.

Does the tour include pickup from the airport?

Pickup is included in the tour options. Confirm your airport arrival time when you book so the driver can meet you.