Virgin of El Panecillo Viewpoint Quito

The 41-m tall Virgin of El Panecillo stands over Quito like a guardian angel looking out for the city. But you’ve probably never heard of this huge religious monument.

There are statues around the world famed for their colossal size and you’re bound to know of the main ones such as Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and the Statue of Liberty in New York. But have you heard of the Virgin of El Panecillo (La Virgin del Panecillo) in Quito?

Standing at a towering 41-m tall, the Virgin of El Panecillo is the tallest aluminium statue in the world. In fact, it’s a full 3 m taller than Christ the Redeemer, which makes you wonder why it isn’t as well known.

In this quick guide I’ll explain how to visit Quito’s Virgin Mary including the cost, opening times and safety information.

Is El Panecillo worth visiting?

The Virgin of El Panecillo in Quito is definitely worth visiting to see its monumental size and intricate design. The winged Virgin Mary stands atop a huge globe with a snake coiled around her feet, signifying triumph over evil.

You can go inside the statues too and climb to the viewing platform for commanding scenes of Ecuador’s capital city. Notable landmarks include the Basílca del Voto Nacional (Basilica of The National Vow), the tallest basilica in the Americas.

A tall statue of the Virgin Mary with wings rises above surrounding trees. This is the Virgin of El Panecillo in Quito.

There’s also a small concrete outdoor theatre at El Panecillo Hill – where the statue is located – and artists put on shows. I saw a circus act here that included a fire dance as the evening drew in.

On top of that, there are plenty of food stands here serving all your typical Ecuadorian dishes such as my favourite, encebollado, a delicious soup loaded with shredded fish, plenty of tangy onion and chunks of chewy yuca.

A man visible from the torso up smiles at he camera. Behind him is a city on a cloudy day. This is the view from the Virgin of El Panecillo in Quito, Ecuador.

Cost and timings

While you can visit the statue and El Panecillo Hill at any time, there are specific opening hours to go inside and up to the viewing platform. These are Monday to Sunday 9:00 – 17:00 and entry costs just $1 US.

A tall statue can be faintly seen atop a hillside in the distance. In the foreground there is a city and buildings reach near the top of the hill. — El Panecillo seen from the Basílica del Voto Nacional.

The towers of a large basilica. The tower has detailed architectural adornment and a clock face. Behind the tower a tall statue can be seen faintly atop a distant hill. This is the Basilica del Voto Nacional in Quito.

Where to stay in Quito

My accommodation recommendations based on personal experience or excellent ratings across major booking platforms.

Community Hostel: a budget hostel with a fun vibe. There are great views from the rooftop terrace.
Apartamento 32 Juana de Arco: a holiday apartment with all amenities in the historic centre.
Friends Hotel & Rooftop: A mid-range hotel in the historic centre offering veggie and vegan meals.
Hotel La Basílica: A centrally-located, higher-end hotel with beautiful rooms and church views.

How to get to the Virgin of El Panecillo

You can get to the monument with a taxi or on foot. From the city centre a taxi costs around $5 US and takes roughly 20 min. Considering this is only a 5-km distance, $5 is slightly expensive, so a cheaper way to get here is with Uber or Didi, which costs around $3 US for the same journey.

A tall statue of the Virgin Mary standing atop a globe and snake. This is La Virgen del Panecillo in Quito, Ecuador. — Up close you really see all the intricate details of the monument.

From the city centre there’s a direct walking route to the top of El Panecillo Hill which takes around 30 min to cover (2 km). Leave the centre along the street García Moreno, which brings you to a long flight of steps climbing the Panecillo hillside to the top.

However, there are some safety concerns about walking here, which I’ll explain next.

Is El Panecillo safe?

During the day, El Panecillo Hill is generally safe as there’s a police presence here and so many other tourists. Just keep an eye on your valuables as pickpocketing is always a risk no matter the hour and place.

A tall statue of an an gel stands atop a hill overlooking an urban area. Houses are on the hillside. — The hillside neighbourhood you need to walk through to reach El Panecillo.

I wouldn’t be at El Panecillo late at night and definitely wouldn’t walk here after dark. The neighbourhood which wraps around the hillside, which you’ll need to pass through, has somewhat of a dangerous reputation and I was told tourists have been robbed here.

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Virgin of El Panecillo quick facts

Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras designed the statue, commissioned by the religious order of the Oblates.
The monument was erected in 1973, assembled with 7,400 pieces built in Madrid, Spain.
La Virgen del Panecillo is an enormous replica of the Virgin of Quito, a 1.2-m-tall wooden sculpture created by Bernardo de Legarda, a historically important artist from Quito, in 1734.
The monument is the tallest aluminium statue in the world.
El Panecillo means small loaf of bread in English.
In Inca times El Panecillo Hill was a place of worship to the gods.

A dramatic, cloudy sky illuminated by orange sunlight. A hill and city shrouded in shadow are below the clouds. This is Quito in Ecuador.

Enjoy the scenes from the Virgin of El Panecillo

Well now you know about the incredible Virgin of El Panecillo in Quito. The impressive statue and the surrounding views are brilliant sights and should be on everyone’s Quito to-do list.

You can easily combine checking out the Virgin of El Panecillo with other nearby attractions such as the historic centre and Basilica del Voto Nacional for a day of sightseeing.

More Quito guides:

Virgin of El Panecillo Viewpoint in Quito