9 Best Quito Tours

Quito is the capital of Ecuador, which stands out for its colonial charm. Walking through its streets you will discover features of European, Moorish and Inca architecture. There are tours for all tastes, but the experience of learning about local legends stands out, as well as riding a bicycle, streetcar or tourist bus.

If you plan to visit Quito for 3 days, you will have enough time to visit the Historic Center, the Middle of the World, the local markets and the Ecuadorian gastronomy.

Quito is a unique city, with adequate spaces to enjoy a bike ride. You will be able to pedal through the iconic streets, accompanied by a professional guide. This means of transportation allows you to avoid traffic while enjoying a safe experience. An activity that gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in local life, while tasting typical food.

Places visited on this tour

• La Floresta: is a traditional neighborhood of Quito, here you will find galleries, luxury stores, traditional restaurants and more.
• Ochoymedio Ecuador: a funky cafe is located nearby, right in the heart of the most important street art street in the city. Drinks are made with Ecuadorian Arabica coffee.
• Avenida Amazonas: it is a very busy artery, it is also considered the most modern area of the city.
• Botanical Garden of Quito: it is a protectionist space, where you can learn about the typical plants of the region. It is an economic plan that you can access from 2 €.
• Parque La Carolina: located in the financial heart of Quito, its spaces offer recreational areas for all ages. It is completely free, it also has a botanical garden, a dinosaur learning park and a mini zoo.
• Mercado Iñaquito: located on Avenida 10 de Agosto, it is the best place to buy local products.

Details of interest

• Price: from 83 € per person.
• Duration: about four hours.
• Means of transport: the entire tour is done by bicycle, you must arrive on your own at the meeting point.

This is a night activity, where you can learn more about the urban legends of the city. Additionally, it is a completely safe experience, since it is done with a professional guide on board a bus.

Places visited on this tour

You will have the opportunity to explore artistic and cultural corners of the city, while hearing all about its history and legends.

• The Basilica of the National Vow: a neo-Gothic building located in the old town, it has an impressive structure and is one of the most emblematic stops.
• The Plaza de la Independencia: also known as Plaza Grande, it stars an area with colonial buildings. It is really worth a look, as it is close to the Government Palace.
• Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús: it has an impressive architecture, typical of the baroque period. It was built between 1605 and 1765, so it is a historical relic.
• El Panecillo: is a hill that offers privileged 360° views of Quito. At the top there is a statue of the Virgin Mary nestled, which can be seen from different points of the city.

Many people do not go out in Quito at night, for fear of insecurity. However, you can have a peaceful trip if you plan your itinerary accordingly. In general, I suggest avoiding lonely areas, as well as public transportation.

Details of interest

• Price: from 19 € per person.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: you will get to know Quito aboard a comfortable bus. Generally you can request a round trip transfer.

Quito offers a variety of options for family plans, a guided tour is one of them since it adapts to the needs of a group. It is ideal for sharing while exploring the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the Panecillo, the Plaza Grande and the Church of the Company of Jesus.

Places visited on this tour

This type of experience is inserted in the colonial beauty of Quito, which has monuments considered a UNESCO heritage site.

• Middle of the World: is a monument where you can see the division of the earth, known as the southern and northern hemisphere. It also has one of the best museums in Quito, where you will find objects of the Ecuadorian indigenous people.
• La Ronda Street: it is an area with a variety of nightlife options, therefore it is a tourist spot par excellence. Its restaurants and street stalls, bring you closer to the Ecuadorian gastronomy.

Details of interest

• Price: from 55 € per person.
• Duration: about twelve hours.
• Means of transportation: these tours usually include round-trip transportation, based on the agreed reference point.

Quito is a charming city, you will surely fall in love at first sight. If you want to take an in-depth look, nothing better than a full tour with the main attractions. This experience includes a chocolate tasting, as well as the opportunity to experience the history, culture and customs of the city.

Places visited on this tour

• Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús: the walls of this church are truly impressive. It is a jewel of Latin American baroque, so you will have a great time.
• Church and Convent of San Francisco: it is known as the Escorial of the New World, due to its imposing façade.
• Museo Intiñán: it is a museum located in the Middle of the World, where very interesting experiments are carried out. Mostly related to gravity and the division of the earth.
• Teleférico de Quito: from here you will get the best views of the city, it is located a few minutes from downtown and is a magical place. It is not recommended for those who suffer from altitude sickness.
• Rucu Pichincha: it is a rocky and volcanic formation, it is easy to access from the cable car.

Details of interest

• Price: from 106 € per person.
• Duration: approximately nine hours.
• Means of transportation: these are activities that take place in private transportation, usually including pick-up and drop-off only in the Quito area. If you are near or in the outskirts, you must pay an extra charge.

Ecuadorian gastronomy is very varied, offering fish dishes and other options made with yucca, corn, quinoa, avocado, among others. At night there are many restaurants that offer tastings of typical dishes.

The most interesting are the street food stalls, here you will find the best ceviche made by locals.

Places to visit on this tour

• José Navarro Park: located on Ladrón de Guevara Avenue, it is a quiet park with different gastronomic proposals.
• La Floresta: is a bohemian district, where bars and restaurants abound. You can enjoy the Ecuadorian gastronomy, while you take a look at the art alleyways.
• Guápulo: is a charming neighborhood, ideal for eating without filters. It combines the best of Quito's history, art and landscapes, so you can't miss it.

Details of interest

• Price: from 73 € per person.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: these tours are on foot, and generally do not include round-trip transfers.

The Middle of the World is a monument of Quito, proclaimed cultural heritage. It is very famous, as it is said to divide the hemispheres of the earth.

During the tour you can learn about the history of the division of the planet earth, since here is located one of the best museums in Quito, known as the Museum of the Middle of the World. Other things you can do are:

• Take a picture of yourself with one foot in each hemisphere, or pretending you are holding the globe.
• Find out what your weight is in the Middle of the World, since everything is lighter here. You will be surprised to discover that due to less gravitational force, you will lose at least one kilo.
• Take a look at the Coriolis, a tourist attraction where you can visualize the division of water on the equatorial line.
• Have an energetic cleansing, which takes place in the hut of Shaman Taita Carlos, where ancestral medicine is practiced.

Details of interest

• Price: from 23 €.
• Duration: about four hours.
• Means of transportation: usually includes round-trip transportation, if the option is selected. The tour is on foot and you can usually make a reservation for up to six people.

If you are a cyclist or just enjoy bike rides, you will get the most out of this tour. It takes you to see Quito's modern perspective, as well as its parks, gardens and traditional markets.

Before you start pedaling through the city, you should be aware that Quito is located at approximately 2,850 meters above sea level. Many people suffer from altitude sickness, which can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. I recommend you rest and eat well before taking the tour.

Places visited on this tour

• Ocho y Medio: a charming cinema, where Ecuadorian films and documentaries are shown. It is close to an emblematic café and colorful murals, typical of the street art of La Floresta neighborhood.
• Avenida Amazonas: here you can have a fun photo session, taking advantage of the spaces of the Botanical Garden of Quito, which has greenhouses with native plants and ecosystems of the region.
• Carolina Park: it is a recreational area, ideal if you visit Quito with children. It has a magnificent energy, which can be felt in every space.
• Modern Quito: although the city stands out for its colonial areas, it also offers a panorama with great industrial, cultural and urban movement. There are many craft beer bars, which are worth a visit.
• Mercado Iñaquito: one of the best places to buy seasonal products and handicrafts. It has been in the area since the 70's, so you can't leave the city without experiencing a local market.

It is important to bring identification, I also suggest you bring sunglasses, camera, hat, scarf, sunscreen, cash and backpack. This way, you will be equipped for the tour. It is also essential that you bring your water bottle, it is not offered on the tour for ecological reasons.

Details of interest

• Price: from 83 € per person.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Means of transportation: you will tour the city on a bicycle, which may include chain, lock, key, vest and safety helmet. The transfer to and from the meeting point is not usually included, and it is very important to arrive at least ten minutes before the meeting point.

A turibus or tourist bus is a panoramic double-decker transport, ideal for touring the city comfortably. It takes you to the main tourist sites, and the best part is that you can choose the stops where you want to get off and explore on your own. Specifically, stops usually include the Boulevard of the United Nations (central stop), the Basilica of the National Vow, the Plaza de San Francisco and the Panecillo.

Note that in some places the bus stops for about five minutes, in case you want to take pictures and continue the tour. In addition, buses leave every hour, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Without a doubt, it is one of the best things to do if you plan to visit Quito in 3 days or less.

Places to visit on this tour

• San Francisco Church and Convent.
• Independence Square.
• El Ejido Park.
• La Ronda Street.
• Artisan Market Mariscal.
• Center of Contemporary Art.
• La Carolina Square.

Details of interest

• Price: from 15 € per person.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Means of transport: double-decker bus.

If you want to travel into Quito's past, all you need to do is take a streetcar tour. This vehicle was widely used in the 1920s, and tourist versions are preserved in Ecuador's capital. It is a great option if you want to visit the Presidential Palace of the city, while enjoying an informative audio guide.

In this activity you can get to know the old town and the modern town, so it is always considered one of the best things to do in Quito on your first visit. You will have the opportunity to walk through restructured streets, with old houses and galleries.

It is ideal if you plan to visit Quito in 3 days, as you will be able to extend the tour and get to know La Mitad del Mundo without additional charges.

Places visited in this tour

• El Panecillo.
• San Francisco Church and Convent.
• Independence Square.
• La Ronda Street.

Details of interest

• Price: from 39 € per person.
• Duration: approximately five hours.
• Means of transport: it is usually done in a traditional streetcar with all comforts.