Quito Walking Tour
Quito, Ecuador
Why Walk Quito
Quito's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest and best-preserved colonial quarters in the Americas. The city sits at 2,850 meters in a narrow valley flanked by volcanic peaks, giving it a dramatic setting unlike any other capital. The Plaza Grande is the heart of the city, overlooked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and the Archbishop's Palace with its arcaded restaurants. The Church of La Compania de Jesus is considered the most ornate in the Americas, with seven tons of gold leaf covering its interior. The Basilica del Voto Nacional, a neo-Gothic church still technically unfinished, offers terrifying but exhilarating walks across its towers. The lively La Ronda street, a narrow colonial lane, has been restored with artisan shops, cafes, and live music venues. The TeleferiQo cable car ascends to over 4,000 meters on the flanks of Pichincha volcano for views of the city and surrounding peaks.
Free Quito Walking Tour with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free Quito walking tour with audio narration. Explore Plaza Grande and Presidential Palace, Church of La Compania de Jesus, Basilica del Voto Nacional, plus hidden gems like Itchimbia Cultural Center and Guapulo neighborhood, without booking a group tour.
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Must-See Stops in Quito
- •Plaza Grande and Presidential Palace — the colonial heart of Quito's UNESCO-listed old town, where the Carondelet Palace's guards in ceremonial uniform flank Ecuador's seat of government
- •Church of La Compania de Jesus — a Jesuit church with seven tons of gold leaf covering its interior walls and ceilings, considered the most ornate church in the Americas, built over 160 years
- •Basilica del Voto Nacional — the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas, uniquely decorated with Ecuadorian animals like iguanas and Galapagos tortoises instead of traditional gargoyles
- •La Ronda street — a narrow colonial lane restored as Quito's cultural heart, with artisan workshops making candles and tin art, live music, and canelazo (hot cinnamon drink) bars
- •TeleferiQo cable car — a gondola ascending to 4,100 meters on the flanks of Pichincha volcano, providing breathtaking views of Quito's valley and surrounding snow-capped peaks
Hidden Gems in Quito
- •Itchimbia Cultural Center — a glass-and-steel cultural space on a hilltop park with panoramic views of the colonial center and surrounding volcanoes
- •Guapulo neighborhood — a steep, winding neighborhood below the Hotel Quito with colonial churches, artisan workshops, and valley views
- •Mercado Central — a bustling market where locals eat encebollado (tuna and onion soup), hornado (roast pork), and fresh jugos (juices)
Walking Tip
Quito's 2,850-meter altitude combined with steep hills can leave you breathless — take it very slowly on your first day, drink plenty of water, and avoid climbing the Basilica towers until you have acclimatized.
Best Time to Visit
June through September is the driest season with the clearest skies for volcano views, though Quito's temperatures are spring-like year-round.
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