This is a hill which overlooks Quito. It is topped with a huge statue of The Virgin Mary and can be seen from the city even at night, when the statue is bathed in white light. The hill (shaped like a loaf of bread) is at Quito’s southern end (close to Old Town) and can be reached by either a city bus or via a cheap Uber ride. There is a restaurant (Pimms) on the top and there is no admission fee. The views of the city from the top are great and, in my opinion, superior to the ones from TeleferiQo. There is a $2 admission should you want to climb the stairs inside the silver aluminum statue of the Virgin. BTW, the City hop-on bus generally makes an extended stop here and you can take some wonderful pictures. A must-see!!

Go to the top so you can see how it's made and go inside. You need to pay $1 but it will allow you to go inside the stature, climb a few levels so you can see the city from there and read about the history. Around a stature there is a park with a lot of kiosks with food. Lot's of people. We did not try the food.

Quito a beautiful city with different places to enjoy for enjoy and have a good time with the family. Four years ago I lived in Quito, for me it was a big but very beautiful city, had spaces to share with family or friends. I did not know this city, but my uncle lived there, he took me to know various places for example the carolina park, el recreo shopping center, quicentro sur and el panecillo. The place I liked the most was el panecillo. because I didn't know what it was and when we went I saw that el panecillo was a very big angel. I don't remember the way to go but I can say that it is very cute, in the angel there a door to enter a museum, and while we walked we went up until we went out to a balcony, from there you can see a beautiful landscape of Quito, houses, buildings and mountains. Also, you can find people from other countries because this is a tourist place in Quito. If you don't know el panecillo, I recommend you go with your family or friends to enjoy a beautiful landscape, for me it is an experience that I will always remember.

come during sunset or sunrise for some of the best views of the city in the right light. many food vendors up top, so come hungry. the spiced cider drink was excellent! bring change for the banos.

This gives the Virgin the top place she deserves as probably the best known woman in history. Up there on the mountain, in a happy, dancelike pose she looks over and chams the city of Quito. The views are magnificent. She lights up the Old Town at night and for me, a great landmark to help navigate my way.The little museum is quite interesting showing the stages of construction as well as other facts. Craft stalls and low priced good food stands nearby.

Visible from practically anywhere in the city on a hill of the same name. Too far and steep for walking, a $3 taxi ride from the historic centre to the top for wonderful views of the city and quite a few tourist stalls selling trinkets, souvenirs, woollen clothes etc. Just a short stop for the views, so for $6 or 8/10 with a tip hold the taxi for a short while for the return journey

Walking up from the old city centre is quite a challenge. You can also take a bus or a taxi. The views are great. There are food stalls, souvenir shops and toilets. Inside the aluminum sculpture of the virgin is also worth a visit.

The 125’ silver metal statue of the Virgin Mary is visible from almost anywhere in Quito. I cheated and took an Uber from across town rather than walk up the many stairs to view the impressive statue. This site on a hill provides an amazing panorama of the city before you and you get a sense of how the city grew along the narrow valley. Visiting the El Panecillo is free but it is well worth the single dollar it will cost you to go inside the statue to view how it is constructed, see pictures of its being put together and ascending to the 360 degree walkway for unimpeded views of the valley and city. A wonderful experience. Once I was there and saw the Cathedral in the distance, I decided to walk down the stairs, along the street up to the Cathedral and complete the experience.

A painting from the 1850s shows a very different picture of El Panecillo. Covered with trees without any buildings or statues on top. Indeed it has the shape of a small bread (pane cillo). On the steeper slopes of the southern side of the hill you can still see forest called Bosque del Panecillo, but there are no trails. Priority has been given to the construction of a road for cars and buses. A missed opportunity. You can traverse the hill on foot by taking the staircase, the extension of Calle de las Siete Cruces at the NE side of the hill (mind the dog excrements). Walk back along the road at the south side (splendid views). The summit of the hill is 3016m. The old city is at 2800m. Elevation difference 200m. Distance of the whole hike is about 4 km. It took me one hour.

It’s amazing how my family and I saw this lovely statue from afar when walking through Quito. It’s amazing to see it light up at night. We inquired about the statue and took an Uber to visit, the following morning. It’s interesting how our travel information did not mention this statue. We were glad to take the time to visit as our Uber driver waited for us. After we walked the grounds, we were able to pay a small fee to climb the steps inside to the top. What an amazing view! Afterwards, we did a little vendor shopping at the base of the Virgin Mary statue. Then our Uber driver drove to a lower level of the base to take our family pic with the Virgin Mary Statue in the background.