El Panecillo is the hill at the south end of Quito’s Old Town, topped by the Virgen del Panecillo, a winged aluminum statue of the Virgin Mary that you can see from almost anywhere in the center. As of 2026, entry to the statue costs about $1. Take a taxi up rather than walking, and go in the morning for the clearest views.
From our rooftop in the Centro Histórico we look straight across at El Panecillo, so it’s one of the first things guests ask about at breakfast. This guide covers how to get up safely, what it costs, when to go, what you’ll see and how to fit it into a day in the Old Town.
Quick answer: El Panecillo Quito essentials
- What it is: a hill about 200 m above the city (roughly 3,000 m above sea level) crowned by the Virgen del Panecillo statue.
- Price (as of 2026): about $1 to enter the statue’s base and climb to its viewing platform.
- Getting there: taxi or ride app from the Old Town. Don’t walk up the stairs or streets.
- Best time: morning for clear skies and volcano views; the dry season (June to mid-September) gives the best odds.
- Time needed: about an hour at the top, plus the short ride each way.
- Combine with: the Basílica, La Ronda and the Mercado Central, all in the Old Town below.
What is El Panecillo?
El Panecillo (“little bread loaf”) is a rounded hill of volcanic origin that separates Quito’s historic center from the south of the city. It rises about 200 m above the streets around it, to roughly 3,016 m (9,895 ft) above sea level.
Long before the statue, the hill had another name. Indigenous people called it Yavirac, and colonial-era accounts describe a temple to the sun on top that the Spanish destroyed. Today it’s a lookout point, a neighborhood and the city’s most recognizable landmark.
What is the Virgen del Panecillo?
The Virgen del Panecillo is a monumental statue of the Virgin Mary made of thousands of numbered aluminum pieces. Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras created it, and it was inaugurated on March 28, 1975. It stands about 41 m (135 ft) tall including its base.
The design copies the famous Virgen de Quito, a small wooden sculpture carved by Bernardo de Legarda in 1734 and celebrated for its sense of movement. Look for the details that make her unusual:
- Wings: unlike most Madonna statues, this Virgin has angel’s wings.
- Crown of stars: a nod to the Woman of the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation.
- Globe and chained dragon: she stands on a globe, stepping on a serpent-like dragon held by a chain.
She’s often described as the world’s tallest aluminum statue. Up close, you can see the panels that make up her robes.
How do you get up El Panecillo?
Take a taxi or a ride app. This is the one piece of advice we give every guest. There are stairs at the end of Calle García Moreno and streets that climb up through the neighborhood, but that walk has a history of muggings and has loose dogs. It isn’t worth the risk to save a couple of dollars.
- Order a ride with Uber, Cabify or InDrive, or take a registered taxi with the meter running. Taxi minimum fares in Quito are about $1.45 by day and $1.75 at night as of 2026, and the ride from the Old Town is short.
- Ask to be dropped at the top, by the statue, not at the bottom of the hill.
- Plan your ride down. Either agree a price for the driver to wait, or order another app ride from the top when you’re ready to leave.
Our reception is open 24 hours and can call a taxi for you. For more on getting around the center, see our guide to staying safe in Quito.
How much does El Panecillo cost in 2026?
El Panecillo is one of the cheapest views in the city. Your main cost is the taxi, not the ticket.
| Item | Approximate cost (as of 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry to the statue base and viewing platform | about $1 | Pay in cash, small bills |
| Taxi minimum fare (day) | about $1.45 | Meter or app price |
| Taxi minimum fare (night) | about $1.75 | Use an app after dark |
| Uber or similar within the city | about $2–5 | Depends on traffic and demand |
Prices in USD, as of September 2026.
Opening hours at the monument change from time to time, so plan your visit for daytime and check at the entrance. If you’re watching every dollar, our Quito on a budget guide has more cheap and free ideas.
When is the best time to visit El Panecillo?
Morning is best. Quito’s skies are usually clearest early in the day, and clouds tend to build over the mountains by afternoon, especially in the rainy months. On a clear morning you get the sharpest view of the city and the volcanoes around it.
- Dry season (June to mid-September): the best odds of clear skies. July and August are the driest months.
- Rainy season (October to May): still worth going, but go early. March and April are the wettest months.
- Late afternoon: the light over the city is lovely, but stay inside opening hours and take a taxi both ways. Don’t linger on the hill after dark.
For month-by-month weather, see our best time to visit Quito guide.
What will you see from the top?
Climb the narrow stairs inside the statue’s base to the viewing platform and the whole of Quito opens up. The city stretches north and south along a long, narrow valley, with the Pichincha volcano rising to the west.
Looking north
The Old Town is right below you: church domes, red-tile roofs and the twin spires of the Basílica del Voto Nacional. Beyond it, the modern north of the city runs up the valley.
Looking south
The south of Quito spreads out along the valley floor, the side of the city most visitors never see.
Bring a jacket. At about 3,000 m, the hilltop is often windy and cooler than the streets below. If you’ve just arrived, take the stairs slowly; our altitude sickness guide explains why.
See El Panecillo from breakfast. Our rooftop bar & restaurant looks across the Old Town to the Virgen del Panecillo and the Basílica. Breakfast runs from 7:30am to 1pm every day, it’s open to non-guests, and it’s a good place to check the sky before you head up.
How do you combine El Panecillo with the Old Town?
El Panecillo takes about an hour, so it fits easily into a half day in the Centro Histórico. Here’s a simple route we suggest to guests:
- Breakfast on our rooftop and check whether the statue is in clear sky.
- Taxi up to El Panecillo in the morning, while the views are sharp.
- Taxi back down to the Old Town and explore the plazas and churches. Our free walking tour leaves from the hostel and covers the history you just saw from above.
- Lunch at the Mercado Central, 2 minutes’ walk from the hostel, for fish, soups and fresh juices.
- Climb the Basílica del Voto Nacional in the afternoon for the reverse view, looking back at the Virgin.
- End in La Ronda for a canelazo and empanadas, staying on the main street at night.
Want another angle on the city? The TelefériQo takes you much higher on Pichincha, and Itchimbía Park, on the opposite side of the Old Town, looks straight across at El Panecillo for free.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to walk up El Panecillo?
We don’t recommend it. The stairs at the end of Calle García Moreno and the streets up the hill have a history of muggings, and loose dogs are common. A taxi or ride app is cheap and quick, so there’s no good reason to walk. Order a ride back down too.
How much does it cost to visit the Virgen del Panecillo?
As of 2026, entry to the statue’s base and viewing platform costs about $1, paid in cash. Your bigger expense is the taxi from the Old Town, which starts at a minimum fare of about $1.45 by day. It’s one of the cheapest viewpoints in Quito.
How tall is the Virgen del Panecillo?
The statue stands about 41 m (135 ft) including its base, and it’s made of thousands of numbered aluminum pieces. Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras created it, based on Bernardo de Legarda’s 1734 Virgen de Quito, and it was inaugurated in 1975.
What is the best time of day to go to El Panecillo?
Go in the morning. Skies are usually clearest early, before clouds build over the mountains, especially in the rainy season from October to May. Late afternoon light is beautiful too, but visit within opening hours and take a taxi both ways rather than staying after dark.
Can you see El Panecillo from Community Hostel Quito?
Yes. Our rooftop bar and restaurant has views of the Virgen del Panecillo and the Basílica, and it’s open to non-guests. Breakfast is served from 7:30am to 1pm daily, so you can check the weather over the hill before you go.