If you’re planning a trip to Ecuador’s capital, a free walking tour in Quito is one of the best ways to get your bearings, meet fellow travelers, and fall in love with the city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town in just a few hours. This guide covers everything a first-timer needs to know before joining us.
What Is the Free Walking Tour Quito?
Our free walking tour runs six days a week, twice a day, and takes you through Quito’s Centro Histórico with an English-speaking Ecuadorian guide. You’ll walk through the main plazas, step inside a colonial church, and visit a workshop in La Ronda, hearing the stories that make Quito the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Americas.
Curious what the route actually looks like? Read our guide to Quito’s Old Town highlights for a plaza-by-plaza breakdown.
Guide Tourists Quito
Where and When to Meet
All tours start at Community Hostel, located at Pedro Fermin Cevallos N6-78 in Quito’s Old Town.
- Morning tour: gather at 10:20am, departs 10:30am, Monday through Sunday
- Afternoon tour: gather at 2:20pm, departs 2:30pm, Monday through Saturday
- Rain or shine!
Staying nearby makes the whole trip easier. See our full guide to staying at Community Hostel for details on rooms, rates, and why it’s the best base for the tour.
Plaza Grande and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito
What to Bring
- Your camera
- A rain jacket
- A warm layer (fleece) — Quito can have all four seasons in one day
- Sunscreen
- Tips for your guide 🙂
Before you go, read our 10 things to know before your free walking tour for a few extra tips guests always ask about.
Hungry After the Tour?
Extend the experience with our Friday Foodie Walking Tour, a paid food tour through Quito’s markets and La Ronda. Read more in our full food tour guide.
Group of tourists in the Center of Quito with the Panecillo in the back
Ready to Join Us?
Reserve your spot today — space is limited on a walk-in basis. And if you want to go beyond Quito, our partner Community Adventures Ecuador runs day trips and multi-day packages to Cotopaxi, the Amazon, and the Galápagos. Not sure whether to start with a free tour or book a paid one? Check out our comparison: Free Walking Tour vs. Paid Tours in Quito.
