Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting
Description
Learn the legends of Quito on this tour through the city’s historic centre. Visit the market where every kiosk tells a story, and uncover local culture and customs as you explore the heart of Old Town. See where the Spanish city was born and revolutions sparked. Take a break with a hands-on sweet treat – making your own ice cream using ingredients you’ll only find in South America.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your friendly guide and head to Quito’s Central Market—a local favorite. Each stall has a story, from medicinal plants to exotic fruits, and even remedies for love!
See Independence Plaza, where the Spanish city of Quito was born in the 16th century and many Ecuadorian revolutions started.
Take in the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Government Palace and learn the roles they’ve played in Ecuador’s rich history.
Next, see the Jesuit church of La Compañía de Jesús, one of the jewels of South America.
You’ll have the option to climb the towers of San Francisco Church, one of the oldest churches in the city, to reach a lookout that’s worth all the stairs.
Finally, your tour ends at the enchanting La Ronda, a street that has become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Can kids join the tour? Yep! Kids aged 6 and up are welcome, as long as they're with an adult.
- What should I wear for the tour? We recommend comfy clothes, walking shoes, a sweater or light jacket, sunglasses, and a hat—Quito’s weather can change quickly!
Reviews(99)
Honestly didn’t know what to expect from a walking tour, but Marcelo completely exceeded anything we could have hoped for. The depth of knowledge he brings is remarkable — he could answer anything, in detail, on the spot. What impressed us most though was how effortlessly he connected with our whole group, from the little kids to the grandparents. Everyone was engaged the entire time. He also stayed well over an hour past the end of the tour because we were all having such a good time. A truly special experience — Marcelo is the real deal.
MARCELO is the best Guide in Quito !! Perfect for a family with children, teenagers and grandparents too. Marcelo is an outstanding guide. His knowledge of Old Town Quito’s history, architecture, and culture is exceptional, and he has a gift for making it all genuinely engaging. He showed us hidden gems we never would have discovered on our own — and went above and beyond, spending an extra with us without hesitation. If you’re visiting Quito, Marcelo is a must. Highly recommend.
We were the only ones in the tour, so we could go at our own pace. We tasted fruits in the market and that was really cool, also did a chocolate tasting as well. We went inside the golden church too. Luis was very knowledgeable and helped us gain insight to life in Ecuador and specifically Quito.
Marcello was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable and thorough. His English was very good. Definitely would recommend.
It was just my husband and me, and it was as if we had booked a private tour! We visited such beautiful and historic sites. Plus we stopped for handmade ice cream! Our tour guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour.
Marcellus is incredibly knowledgeable about the history and details of Quito. This is a easy walk, some uphill portions. We didn’t make ice cream but we tasted some great sorbet in the Bishop’s palance.
Guide was a no show after confirming the day before. Fortunately they are giving me a refund. Better luck next time.
Hello Antonio_R, We're truly sorry for the inconvenience caused by your guide not showing up, especially after your booking was confirmed. This falls well below the level of service we aim to provide to our guests. While we're pleased you received a refund, we understand how frustrating and disappointing this was. Please accept our sincerest apologies, and know that we are working to improve our processes to prevent this happening again. We'd love the chance to welcome you on one of our tours in the future for a much better experience. Warm regards, Intrepid Urban Adventures Management
Marcelo was my guide and he was very knowledgable and great company. Showed me the Market, took me to the Basilica, pointed out important details. Explained the history of Quito Old Town- it was a fascinating walk.
Marcelo was an excellent and knowledgeable guide. The small group size (5) definitely helped. I can highly recommend this tour
We are a 60+couple and signed up for this 3-hour tour. Our guide, Marcello, was well educated on the city and culture. We started at Teatro Sucre and walked to a local market to get the idea of the people and culture. We enjoyed the stories and explanations of the medicinal herbs and plants. The market also provided a great view of - new to us - variety of meats, vegetables, and fruits. We walked to several churches and modern historic buildings / cultural / military. Our stop to try local candy and the ice cream was great - love the Rum Raisin flavor! We ended at the Franciscan Square and the beautiful church. Great morning even for the walking challenged.
