Walking tours in Quito deliver the best bang for your buck, combining local expertise with the city’s most compelling sights.
These well-crafted routes through Ecuador’s capital focus on two main draws: food discoveries and historical exploration. The standout tours include tastings of local chocolate and traditional sweets while weaving through the UNESCO-listed Old Town.
I’m especially fond of the small-group format that includes the towering Basilica del Voto Nacional and insights into the fascinating Chulla culture.
The most worthwhile options offer morning pickups and skip-the-line privileges at major sites.
What makes these tours special is their mix of hands-on cultural experiences with essential historical context – exactly what smart travelers need to understand this complex city.
Let’s look at the top walking tours that make the most of your time in Quito.
Key Points
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Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito offers personalized experiences showcasing local cuisine, history, and culture for first-time visitors.
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Explore Old Town Quito through a 3-hour walking tour focused on sightseeing and cultural heritage, including an ice cream tasting.
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Experiential Walking Tour in Quito provides private tastings of traditional candies and snacks, skip-the-line access to iconic churches, and a convenient start and end at Plaza Grande.
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Walking Tour Quito offers an immersive exploration of the city’s historic Old Town, led by bilingual guides highlighting the rich history and local foods.
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Walking Among Chullas provides a unique tour showcasing the vibrant culture of the Chulla community, including a visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional and a chocolate tasting.
Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito With Tastings
What better way to experience the rich cultural heritage and gastronomic delights of Quito than by embarking on this engaging Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour?
With a 99% traveler recommendation and a Badge of Excellence, this 395-reviewed tour offers an immersive experience for a maximum of 15 travelers.
Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour showcases local cuisine, history, and architecture, including tastings of traditional sweets, chocolate, the canelazo drink, and a hearty lunch.
Travelers praise the guides’ enthusiasm and the tour’s personalized experiences, making it an excellent choice for first-time visitors to Quito.
Read our full review: Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito With Tastings Review
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Explore Old Town Quito: Sightseeing, Food, Culture Small Group Walking Tour
On the streets of Quito’s Old Town, travelers can embark on a captivating 3-hour walking tour that immerses them in the city’s rich sightseeing, food, and cultural heritage.
This small group tour, limited to a maximum of 12 participants, showcases the city’s highlights, including the Independence Plaza, La Compaña de Jesús church, and the picturesque La Ronda street.
Along the way, travelers will enjoy an ice cream tasting featuring South American flavors and gain insights from their knowledgeable, English-speaking guide.
The tour concludes at Independence Square, providing an immersive cultural experience in the heart of Quito’s historic center.
Read our full review: Explore Old Town Quito: Sightseeing, Food, Culture Small Group Walking Tour Review
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Experiential Walking Tour in Quito With Tastings
Travelers on Quito’s Experiential Walking Tour embark on an immersive cultural journey, sampling local delicacies and exploring the city’s historic Old Town. Rated 5.0 out of 5 by 79 reviewers, this private walking tour provides a personalized experience with knowledgeable guides.
Guests enjoy free tastings of traditional candies and snacks, as well as skip-the-line access to major attractions like the Basilica del Voto Nacional and Iglesia de la Compania. The tour starts and ends at the iconic Plaza Grande, ensuring convenience for participants.
With stroller accessibility and no serious medical conditions required, this tour is suitable for a wide range of travelers seeking an authentic taste of Quito’s rich history and culture.
Read our full review: Experiential Walking Tour in Quito With Tastings Review
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Walking Tour Quito
The Walking Tour Quito offers an immersive exploration of the city’s historic Old Town, building on the delectable experiences from the Experiential Walking Tour.
Led by a bilingual guide, the tour takes visitors through Quito’s charming streets, highlighting its rich history and cultural heritage.
With a maximum group size of 10, the tour provides an intimate and personalized experience.
Travelers can expect to visit local churches, sample market foods, and gain fascinating insights into the city’s past.
Highly recommended by 100% of previous participants, the Walking Tour Quito is a must-do activity for those seeking an authentic Quito experience.
Read our full review: Walking Tour Quito Review
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Walking Among Chullas
Although the name may sound intriguing, the “Walking Among Chullas” tour in Quito offers a unique and immersive experience that showcases the vibrant culture of the city’s indigenous Chulla community.
Priced at $90 per person, the tour includes entrance tickets, lunch, bottled water, and a knowledgeable national guide. Visitors will explore the Basílica del Voto Nacional, enjoy a chocolate tasting, and stroll through the lively Plaza San Francisco, all while learning about the Chulla way of life.
With a maximum group size of 16, this tour provides an intimate and personalized encounter. While non-refundable, the 4.5/5 rating from previous travelers indicates a worthwhile investment in discovering Quito’s cultural richness.
Read our full review: Walking Among Chullas Review
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Quito Old Town Private Walking Tour – Local Market – Fruits & Chocolate Tasting
For those seeking an intimate and immersive introduction to Quito’s historic Old Town, the Quito Old Town Private Walking Tour – Local Market – Fruits & Chocolate Tasting offers a captivating experience.
This 3-hour small-group tour, limited to 12 participants, takes visitors on a personalized journey through the city’s Old District. Highlights include a local market visit, a street food tasting, and the chance to sample canelazo drinks and chocolate.
With a professional certified guide fluent in English and Spanish, the tour provides an in-depth exploration of Quito’s rich cultural heritage. Priced from $65 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, making it a convenient and enjoyable way to discover the city.
Read our full review: Quito Old Town Private Walking Tour – Local Market – Fruits & Chocolate Tasting Review
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Quito Full-Day Walking Tour With Activities
Quito Tour Bus’s Quito Half-Day Walking Tour with Activities offers an immersive cultural experience in Ecuador’s capital. Priced from $45 per person, the tour accommodates up to 15 travelers and includes a visit to the iconic Basilica church, a chocolate tasting, and other entrances.
The highlight is a cooking class at Claroscuro restaurant, where participants learn to prepare local dishes. Knowledgeable guides lead the activities, enhancing the cultural experience. Recent reviews praise the tour’s energy and the expertise of the guides, with one traveler highlighting Pam’s outstanding knowledge and friendliness.
The tour starts at the Basilica del Voto Nacional and ends at Independence Square, providing a comprehensive exploration of Quito’s historical and cultural landmarks.
Read our full review: Quito Full-Day Walking Tour With Activities Review
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Quito Walking Tour: Sweet Chocolate Delights Await
Amidst Quito’s captivating colonial architecture, the Quito Walking Tour: Sweet Chocolate Delights Await invites travelers on a mouthwatering exploration of the city’s rich chocolate heritage.
Operated by the highly-rated Mirlo Tours, this private and customizable tour takes participants through the Mindo Cloud Forest, where they’ll discover the art of chocolate-making.
Along the way, they can opt for additional activities like birding, visiting a butterfly sanctuary, and riding a cable car to a waterfall.
With a knowledgeable naturalist guide, private transportation, and a delicious lunch included, this tour promises a truly sweet adventure in Quito.
Read our full review: Quito Walking Tour: Sweet Chocolate Delights Await Review
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Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping
Quito’s cultural heritage and culinary delights converge on the Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping.
Led by certified guides, this 5-hour tour immerses travelers in the historic heart of Ecuador’s capital. Highlights include tastings of empanadas, chocolate, liquors, and ice cream, along with visits to iconic sites like the Basilica del Voto Nacional and Fundación La Compañía de Jesús.
The tour concludes at Yumbos Chocolate, where travelers can indulge in the country’s renowned cacao.
Priced from $39.92 per person, this highly-rated experience (100% recommended) offers an excellent value for those seeking to explore Quito’s Old Town through its food and history.
Read our full review: Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping Review
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Break Down
Quito offers a variety of engaging walking tours that showcase its rich cultural heritage, diverse gastronomy, and historic landmarks. From exploring the charming Old Town to indulging in the city’s renowned chocolate delights, these tours provide an immersive experience for visitors. Whether you’re interested in sightseeing, food tastings, or cultural insights, Quito’s walking tours cater to diverse interests and preferences.