...

Art and Culture in Historic Quito Tour

El Panecillo
Santo Domingo Church
La Compañía Church
La Compañía Church
Alabado Museum

Discover the rich flavors and historic charms of this world heritage site

  • Discover Old Town Quito on a journey designed to take you through the history, religious and pre-Hispanic art and culture of this iconic Latin American capital.
  • Begin at the iconic El Panecillo Scenic Lookout, where the towering statue of the winged Virgin of Quito offers breathtaking views of the city’s Andean landscape.
  • Explore the grandeur of Santo Domingo Church and Convent, home to masterpieces from the Quito School of Art, amidst serene gardens and historic architecture. Inside the Baroque Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, learn about the art of gold-leaf with a hands-on class given by an expert.
  • Enjoy lunch at Casa Gangotena before uncovering the mysteries of pre-Columbian art at Casa del Alabado Museum, housed in a meticulously restored colonial building.

What's included?

Map Of Ecuador Highlighting Quito’s Location, With The Galapagos Islands Labeled Offshore.

El Panecillo

Explore El Panecillo scenic lookout, an aluminum statue of the winged Virgin of Quito that stands 45 meters tall and was constructed with around 7,000 pieces of aluminum. This location enjoys sweeping views of the city, allowing you to understand better its unique Andean geography and development over the centuries.

Santo Domingo Church and Convent

Enter the Santo Domingo Church and Convent, one of Quito’s grandest Colonial architectural masterpieces, which houses a magnificent religious museum, featuring exquisite paintings, altarpieces, and sculptures from the renowned Quito School of Art. Stroll through its serene gardens, admire the cupolas, and explore the extensive library to fully immerse yourself in the Colonial culture of Quito. 

La Compañía

Step into Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, the crown jewel of Quito’s historic center and a symphony to Baroque architecture. Construction of this church began in 1605 and spanned over 160 years. The church’s dazzling gold-leaf interior captivates visitors, while its mesmerizing facade stands as a testament to Quito’s artistic and spiritual legacy. During your visit, you’ll meet Yolanda, one of Quito’s few female gold-leaf artisans, who will demonstrate her craft. You’ll even have the chance to apply gold leaf under her expert guidance within this magnificent church. 

Casa Gangotena

Enjoy lunch at Casa Gangotena, a historic mansion turned elegant hotel in the heart of Old Town Quito. Treat yourself to a delightful meal in a setting that exudes charm and sophistication, offering a perfect blend of traditional Ecuadorian flavors and contemporary culinary finesse.

Casa del Alabado

Visit Casa del Alabado Museum, a charming museum just a stone’s throw away from the hotel. The museum provides an insightful look at pre-Columbian art and the social developments of pre-Hispanic Ecuador, focusing on the aesthetics and symbolism of the objects rather than their chronological creation. Housed in one of the oldest buildings in the Historic Centre, perfectly renovated to enhance your experience, the museum offers a profound connection to the spiritual and artistic heritage of the region.

Looking to take the stress out of your Ecuador vacation and travel planning?

Our Destination Experts are here to arrange every little detail and give you the smoothest arrival and departure process available!

Are you a Travel Agent?*
Check-in*
Check-out*
At Metropolitan Touring we process the information you provide us with in order to respond to the request made by you in relation to the services we provide and the products we supply. You can exercise the rights of access, rectification and updating of inaccurate data or, where appropriate, request the deletion or elimination, limitation or suspension of the processing of your data or oppose the processing of your data. Contact us at [email protected]


Melissa Altamirano
“Melissa has been fantastic! She answers all my questions, gets back to me quickly, and has mapped out a wonderful trip for us. I couldn’t be happier with the service I have received.” —Mary Kabat
Plaza San Francisco In Quito With San Francisco Church And Convent, And Casa Gangotena On The Left.
Are you a Travel Agent?*
Check-in*
Check-out*
At Metropolitan Touring we process the information you provide us with in order to respond to the request made by you in relation to the services we provide and the products we supply. You can exercise the rights of access, rectification and updating of inaccurate data or, where appropriate, request the deletion or elimination, limitation or suspension of the processing of your data or oppose the processing of your data. Contact us at [email protected]