El Panecillo ("the little bread roll") is a volcanic hill that rises 200 metres above the Historic Centre, crowned by the enormous aluminium figure of the Virgen de Quito that has been the city's most recognisable landmark since 1976. The views from the summit are among the best in Quito — a 360-degree panorama that takes in the Historic Centre below, the modern city spreading north, and the ring of volcanoes that surrounds the city on all sides. On clear mornings (the best time to visit), both Pichincha to the west and Cotopaxi to the south are visible.
The hill is accessible by taxi or on foot (though the walk up from the Historic Centre is steep and has had safety issues — take a taxi from the Plaza San Francisco and walk down). A small fee is charged to enter the base of the statue; climbing inside the statue is also possible for an additional cost and gives views through the figure's crown. The souvenir stalls at the summit are cheerfully aggressive but the sellers are generally good-natured about negotiating.