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Basilica of the National Vote

Basilica of the National Vote: Our most recommended tours and activities

Quito: City Highlights and Food Walking Tour

1. Quito: City Highlights and Food Walking Tour

Explore Quito, the oldest capital in South America, from all of its angles. Get to know the main historical plazas, buildings, churches and parks. Admire downtown's colonial architecture with its mix of 16th century and modern style buildings. Get away from the main sites and explore lesser-known gems, like the main flea market in town, where you'll understand another side of every day local life. Eat at a top street food stop, and explore one of the main markets. Finish the journey sampling some of the best chocolate and coffee from the hands of a top chocolatier.

Quito: Street Food Essentials

2. Quito: Street Food Essentials

After years of research we’ve carefully selected the best street food stands in Quito in the most unexpected and hole in the wall locations. This tour prizes taste over aesthetic or price and is sure to make you craving the recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. You’ll try exotic fruits and juices, seafood delicacies and the best local bites, made with fresh ingredients. We will finish the journey with a top chocolate, coffee and cocktail tasting. In addition to getting a real taste of Quito, you will explore the city’s back streets, downtown’s flea market and cool off beaten path architecture, street art and more. We will wander through the parts of Quito that are home to the locals that dwell here and we will eat the food that natives have been enjoying for decades. By the time the tour is finished, you will understand the magic that makes our town one of the tastiest cities in Latin America, while feeling the impact that street food has on how we have built our culture.

Quito: City Sightseeing Guided Night Walking Tour

3. Quito: City Sightseeing Guided Night Walking Tour

This excursion takes from two and a half to three hours. Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel at 7:00 p.m. to start a short evening drive along Quito's most interesting sites, like The Church and Square of San Blas, founded in 1568; the Sucre Theatre, an exceptional building of the 19th century; the Convent of El Carmen Bajo and many other architectonic jewels! You will do a wonderful full walk along the main streets, plus quick stops in the most beautiful spots of Quito's colonial town, in order to see the incredible structures, buildings, monasteries, churches and squares lighted up by the moonlight and splendid colours! This is the best and safest opportunity to enjoy the lovely atmosphere of Quito at night. It is also possible to visit the charming neighbourhood of La Ronda where we can try one the most famous home-made-cocktails of the sierra region called “Canelazo”, which is a mixture of a hot cinnamon tea, passion fruit juice and a few drops of a safe local “moon shine”. After your unforgettable walk, you will drive up to the top of "El Panecillo" hill, which is located at 3.200 meters above sea level (10,000 ft), to appreciate the beautiful contrast of colourful lights on the squares and avenues, distributed in the irregular topography of the city. On the way back to the hotel you will stop in front of the Basilica de Quito, an extraordinary church built with neo-gothic style! You will be back in your hotel approximately at 9:30 p.m.

Quito old town and local life

4. Quito old town and local life

From your hotel, the tour starts with a visit to Santa Clara Market where we will see exotic fruits that you will see just in Ecuador. Smell some delicious flavors coming from the typical food that Quiteños eat here. History, art and culture is something that you will see everywhere in Quito old town. You then continue onto Panecillo Hill, a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the city. Leaving the old town, head to the cable car Teleférico, traveling to 4,200 meters above sea level to view all of Quito.

City tour Quito Private

5. City tour Quito Private

You'll begin the tour at 9:00 from the lobby of the hotel and go towards the center of the first city named Historic Cultural Heritage of Humanity.  Follow the Gran Colombia Avenue past the church of the Basilica del Voto Nacional (The Basilica of the National Vow), to the Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square) through the colonial streets. Continue on a walking tour visiting the Cathedral, Government Palace and Archbishop, the church of the Jesuits where you can appreciate its adornments and gold altars, the tabernacle and the church of San Francisco built in the sixteenth century. After you arrive at the Panecillo’s Balcony where the statue of the Virgin Mary is located and where you can to admire a beautiful landscape of Colonial Quito and modern. The tour ends with your return to your hotel.

Top sights near Basilica of the National Vote

Other Sightseeing Options in Basilica of the National Vote

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What people are saying about Basilica of the National Vote

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 14 reviews

We wanted to go to authentic local places to try local cuisine and Ernesto at Bondabu Ecuador did not disappoint. It was one of the best tours we've ever taken. Ernesto talked about local culture and how it impacted local cuisine. He took us to local places away from the tourist areas, and it was great to hear his insights. The three-hour tour ended up being five hours as we had a great time with him.

Nico, our guide, was fantastic. We got to hear about history, see churches, and eat native food. Food, drinks, and transportation are included. Quito is at a high elevation, so make sure you are comfortable with the altitude before taking this tour, as you will be walking most of the time.

Ernesto was absolutely terrific! The tour was informative, enjoyable, and the stops for lunch and a chocolate tasting gave us a glimpse into authentic Quito. (For an extra special bonus, ask Ernesto to take you to “Güero Güey”, the absolute best taqueria in town!)