Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting
Quito, Ecuador

Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting

Outty Ranking 79 4.7 · 100 traveler reviews4 hoursFrom $29
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Outty Ranking

79/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 100 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting worth booking?

Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting is a 4-hour experience in Quito, Ecuador, from $29 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 100 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
79 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (100)
Duration
4 hours
From
$29 per person

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.

What you get

    About this experience

    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.

    What's included

    Included

    • Explore Quito’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and colonial landmarks
    • Admire La Compañía de Jesús church and its gold-covered interior
    • Make Ecuadorian ice cream with native ingredients
    • Visit Quito’s Central Market and learn about local traditions
    • Join a small-group walking tour (max 12 guests) led by a local Quito guide
    • End at La Ronda, Quito’s iconic cultural street

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off

    What you'll see and do

    1. 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!

      30 minutes here

    2. Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande)

      See Independence Plaza, where the Spanish city of Quito was born in the 16th century and many Ecuadorian revolutions started.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Take in the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Government Palace and learn the roles they’ve played in Ecuador’s rich history.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania

      Next, see the Jesuit church of La Compañía de Jesús, one of the jewels of South America.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. 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.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. Finally, your tour ends at the enchanting La Ronda, a street that has become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Quito

    Entrance of the Teatro Sucre (Plaza del Teatro), Old Town Quito. View on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/zNjR21pBqSaEj24g8

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Old town Plaza Grande

    Options you can book

    • Private Tour

    • Small Group Tour

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 12 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Intrepid Urban Adventures - Latin America

    Know before you go

    • 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!

    Photos

    Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting, photo 2Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting, photo 3Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting, photo 4Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting, photo 5Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting, photo 6Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 100 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    9 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Small groups

    2 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    100 verified traveler reviews for Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    83
    4 star
    10
    3 star
    3
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    4
    Sort
    948sallyb · June 2026

    Marcelo Made Quito Come Alive! 😃

    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.

    via Tripadvisor

    N3056UJnicolec · June 2026

    MARCELO - Best tour guide in QUITO 🇪🇨

    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.

    via Tripadvisor

    Wendy_C · June 2026

    We were the only ones in...

    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.

    via Viator

    Jane_S · May 2026

    Quito Old Town

    Marcello was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable and thorough. His English was very good. Definitely would recommend.

    via Viator

    Daria_W · April 2026

    It was just my husband...

    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.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    4 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $29 to $111
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    35
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 79

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)81
    Review evidence (18% weight)82
    Booking momentum (14% weight)78
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)70
    Local standing (8% weight)33
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Quito.

    How much does Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting cost?

    +

    Prices start at $29 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Quito usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting take?

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    Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Quito is not rushed.

    Is Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 100 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Quito, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting?

    +

    Around 35 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Quito can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Quito and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Quito within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Quito?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Quito experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotopaxi Volcano full day tour with all the entrances, every day, Cotopaxi tour from Quito -horseback ride and hike-NO TOURISTY way, Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Including Entrances and Activities. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Quito?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Quito?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting?

    +

    Included: Explore Quito’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and colonial landmarks; Admire La Compañía de Jesús church and its gold-covered interior; Make Ecuadorian ice cream with native ingredients; Visit Quito’s Central Market and learn about local traditions; and Join a small-group walking tour (max 12 guests) led by a local Quito guide. Not included: Gratuities; and Hotel pickup and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting?

    +

    Entrance of the Teatro Sucre (Plaza del Teatro), Old Town Quito. View on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/zNjR21pBqSaEj24g8 Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Quito. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting?

    +

    Across 100 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, good for families. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    What booking options are available for Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting?

    +

    There are 2 options to choose from, including Private Tour, Small Group Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting.

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