El Panecillo
Quito, Ecuador, 170111
Squint south toward the old town from Quito center and you can’t miss the El Panecillo, a hill that resembles apanecillo (little bread roll) with a statue of the Virgin Mary standing on top. At 9,895 feet (3,016 meters) above sea level, El Panecillo is Quito’s most popular lookout, affording 360-degree views of the city.
The Basics
El Panecillo stands guard over Quito, making it one of the city’s most recognizable and popular attractions. Just about every city sightseeing tour makes a stop at the lookout, including night tours that offer the opportunity to see the city illuminated from this hilltop vantage point. For those visiting independently, there’s no fee for visiting the observation point, but there is a small admission charge to climb to the top of the monument.
Things to Know Before You Go
El Panecillo should be on every first-timer’s must-see list.
If you’re visiting independently, give yourself 30 minutes to take in the sights.
The lookout point on El Panecillo is wheelchair accessible.
Don’t forget your camera; the views from the top of El Panecillo are postcard-worthy.
How to Get There
Although it’s possible to walk up a staircase to the top of the Virgin of El Panecillo, the hillside isn’t the safest area. It’s better to hire a taxi in Old Town or join a guided sightseeing tour.
When to Get There
Your best bet for unobstructed views from the Virgin of El Panecillo is early in the morning before the clouds roll in. On clear days, you can see as far as the Cotopaxi volcano.
La Virgen de Quito
El Panecillo is topped by a 135-foot (41-meter) aluminum statue of the Virgin of Quito, complete with wings, a crown of stars, and a chained dragon. Built in 1976, the now-iconic statue took inspiration from theVirgin of the Apocalypse of the Immaculate Conception statue inside the Church of San Francisco.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!