Pichincha, Ecuador

Quito

Quito's historic centre is full of gilded churches, plazas and balconied streets, all at 2,850 metres in a valley ringed by volcanoes.

Quito: Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings
Featured walk: Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Quito is Ecuador's capital and one of the highest capital cities in the world. Its historic centre was among the first places added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The old town is compact but hilly, and the thin air makes slopes feel steeper. Plaza Grande, the Compañía church and San Francisco are within a few blocks of each other.

What makes Quito distinctive

  • One of Latin America's best-preserved colonial centres
  • Gold-covered church interiors
  • Views of volcanoes from El Panecillo and the TelefériQo
  • The equator monuments just north of the city

Walking tours in Quito

Hand-picked guided walks in Quito, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.

Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in Quito · History walks in Quito

Compare with other cities: Free walking tours · Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide sells many of the same walks and some that Viator doesn't. Their list for Quito is chosen and ranked by GetYourGuide, not by us.

Search Quito on GetYourGuide

The button loads content from GetYourGuide, which may set cookies. Links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book.

Main sights

Ticket links are affiliate links: if you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Centro Histórico

    The colonial old town.

  • La Ronda

    A restored colonial street of cafés and craft shops.

  • La Mariscal

    The modern district of hotels, bars and restaurants.

Free self-guided walk

Plazas and churches of the old town

A free self-guided walk through Quito's Centro Histórico, from the Basílica del Voto Nacional to Plaza Grande, La Compañía, San Francisco and La Ronda.

1.9 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Old town plazas

    From Plaza Grande to Plaza San Francisco and Santo Domingo.

  2. La Ronda

    The narrow colonial street below the old town, lively at night.

  3. Parque La Carolina

    A large park in the modern city.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Hilly, with steep streets in the old town.

  • Altitude

    At about 2,850 metres, walk slowly for the first day or two.

  • Safety

    Take care with bags in crowds; use a registered taxi or an app at night.

When to visit

  • June to September

    The drier season, with sunny mornings.

  • October to May

    Wetter, with afternoon showers.

  • Year-round

    Days are mild and nights cool all year; carry layers.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Mariscal Sucre International Airport is about 45 minutes to an hour from the city by road.

Local transport

  • Trolleybus and metro

    The Trole bus and the Quito Metro run north to south through the city.

  • Taxis

    Cheap and plentiful; use the meter or an app.

Questions travellers ask about Quito

How do I deal with the altitude?

Rest on the first day, drink water, and avoid heavy meals and alcohol at first.

Can I visit the equator?

Yes. The Mitad del Mundo monument and the Intiñan museum are about 45 minutes north of the city.

How many days do I need?

Two or three days, plus extra for trips to Cotopaxi, Otavalo or the cloud forest.

Quito: Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings
Country overview

Ecuador

A colonial capital high in the Andes

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.