Quito Old Town walking tour: 3 hours, cacao tasting
Five centuries of colonial architecture, one morning on foot
A three-hour walking tour of Quito's Old Town led by an English-speaking guide through the city's colonial heart. You'll enter the Basilica of the National Vow (Ecuador's tallest church), the Archbishop's Palace, the Cathedral of Quito, and San Francisco Church, walk Independence Plaza where the city was founded, and finish with a cacao tasting and samples of traditional Ecuadorian sweets.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Quito Old Town highlights
- Visit Basilica of the National Vow
- See Military Forces Palace and furniture
- Enter Archbishop's Palace
- Explore Independence Plaza and statue
- Visit Cathedral of Quito
- Taste traditional candies and sweets
- Visit San Francisco Church and learn legend
- Enjoy chocolate tasting
- Basilica of the National Vow 40m
- Archbishop's Palace 10m
- Independence Plaza 10m
- Cathedral of Quito 10m
- San Francisco Church 15m
What’s included
- Snacks and a cacao tasting.
- a live guide speaking English throughout the tour.
Times
- Every day 09:30 12:00 15:00 17:00
Before you book
Operated by Ayllu Tour
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
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The experience
The tour starts at the Basilica of the National Vow, the tallest church in Ecuador. Your guide will walk you through its history and the legends tied to it, then move into the Archbishop's Palace: a baroque structure that once housed the Spanish colonial government and now serves as the home of the city's bishops. You'll see 20th-century furnishings inside and learn how the building's role shifted after independence.
From there, the route takes you to Independence Plaza, where Quito was founded. You'll see the presidential palace and the famous Independence statue while your guide explains the city's founding and its break from Spanish rule. The Cathedral of Quito, a baroque church built in the 17th century, comes next. You may catch a mass in progress and hear about Catholicism's place in the city's history. San Francisco Church, the most iconic in the Old Town, closes out the church stops with its own colonial legend.
Before the tour ends, you'll walk a street lined with shops selling traditional Ecuadorian candies and sweets. You get free samples and a brief explanation of how these products are made. The final stop is a cacao tasting: Ecuador is one of the world's four main cacao exporters, and this is where you taste why.
Is this one for you?The tour covers three hours of walking through Quito's colonial center, so comfortable shoes and a moderate pace suit it best. If you're new to the city's altitude, take it slow. The guide will set a manageable rhythm, but the elevation can catch visitors off guard.
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Top questions
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 the Basilica of the National Vow and why is it significant?
The Basilica of the National Vow is Ecuador's tallest church, located in Quito's Old Town. Your guide will explain its history and the legends connected to it during the tour.
Will I enter all the churches or just walk past them?
You'll enter the Archbishop's Palace, the Cathedral of Quito, and San Francisco Church. At the Basilica of the National Vow, you'll learn about the building and may see inside depending on what's happening during your visit.
What happens at Independence Plaza?
Independence Plaza is where Quito was founded. You'll walk around the plaza, see the presidential palace and the famous Independence statue, and hear the story of the city's founding and independence from Spain.
Is the cacao tasting included, or do I pay extra?
The cacao tasting is included in the tour. You'll also get free samples of traditional Ecuadorian sweets and learn how they're made on a street lined with local shops.
How much walking is involved over the three hours?
The tour is a walking tour through Quito's Old Town, covering the colonial center on foot. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, though the altitude of Quito (about 9,350 feet) may affect those sensitive to elevation changes.
Quito Old Town walking tour: 3 hours, cacao tasting
2h–3h · EN
from US$ 5 per group
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