Private Quito City Tour 2025: Panecillo, Middle of the World, and More

Itinerary: One-Day Tour in Quito, Panecillo, and the Equator Line

This cultural tour begins at 8:30 am from your hotel.

In our transportation, we head to Historic Quito. From here, we start the walking tour. We will visit the following tourist attractions: the Basilica of the National Vow, an impressive example of neo-Gothic architecture; the Plaza Grande, surrounded by significant buildings such as the Presidential Palace, the Metropolitan Cultural Center, the Cathedral, the City Hall, the Archbishop's Palace, the Plaza Grande Hotel, and the Church of La Concepción...

...we will continue walking along García Moreno Street to explore the Church of El Sagrario and the Church of the Society of Jesus. Our tour will also take us to the first church built in Quito, San Francisco.

We will try to enter as many of these historic buildings as possible.

Next, we go to the viewpoint on Panecillo Hill, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the avenue of volcanoes, old Quito, modern Quito, and more.

After our exploration, we travel to northern Quito to visit the Middle of the World. Here, you will discover two of the most popular tourist attractions: the Intiñan Museum and the Middle of the World Tourist Complex. We will visit both places, with the Intiñan Museum being the closest to the true equatorial line... come and discover the true Ecuador!

End of the tour. We will return to your hotel around 5:00 pm.

Tour Costs

This Cultural Tour Includes:

• Private tourist transportation service
• Certified tour guide

Not Included:

• Entrance fees
• Meals
• Tips

Information About the Tourist Attractions Described in the Program

Basilica of the National Vow: Considered the largest in South America, it measures 140m in length, 115m in height, and 35m in width. It was inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The first stone was laid in 1892, funded by donations from people who wanted their names engraved in stone, voluntary work, and a salt tax.

Plaza Grande: Also known as Independence Square, it serves as the heart of the historic center and is the reference point for the city's altitude of 2818m (9245.407 feet). In the center of the square stands a monument honoring the heroes of independence, erected here in 1905.

Presidential Palace: This is a complex of buildings adapted to function as a single structure, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. In fact, the entire facade belongs to the 18th century. Guarding the main entrance to the government palace, you will see the Tarqui Grenadiers, wearing a uniform used in the Battle of Tarqui.

Archbishop's Palace: Located on the north side of Plaza Grande, the history of this building dates back to the 16th century with the arrival of the first priests who came to evangelize the inhabitants of Quito. It features impressive Andalusian architecture and is a perfect spot to enjoy a good meal, as the area is full of excellent restaurants.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito: This is the most important building for the Catholic community in Ecuador as it is the seat of the country's main archbishop. The building dates back to the 16th century.

Church of the Society of Jesus: Considered by locals and visitors alike as the most beautiful church in Ecuador, its construction lasted 150 years, spanning the 17th and 18th centuries. It is said to be one of the finest Jesuit temples built in the world.

Church and Convent of San Francisco: Possibly the first church built in Quito, this entire religious architectural complex is considered the largest in South America. It covers 40,000 square meters of construction on three and a half hectares. Here, the first colonial artistic expressions of Ecuador were born.

Virgin of Panecillo Viewpoint: El Panecillo is a hill in the center of the city, crowned by the statue of the Virgin of Quito, which was placed there in 1975. From the top, you have a spectacular view of Quito's historic center, the surrounding volcanoes, and the southern part of the urban area.

Intiñan Museum: This site is world-renowned for demonstrating experiments related to the equator. It is an educational way to learn about various global phenomena.

Monument to the Middle of the World: This is Ecuador's most visited tourist destination, frequented by both locals and foreigners. It preserves the history of the French expedition that arrived here in the 18th century, during which it was determined that the equatorial line crosses the country at the site where the monument now stands.