The Basilica del Voto Nacional is a soaring neo-Gothic church in Quito’s old town, the largest of its kind in the Americas, famous for its gargoyles carved as Ecuadorian animals such as iguanas and tortoises. A ticketed visit allows the brave to climb steep stairways and ladders up into the towers for vertiginous, spectacular views over the historic centre and the surrounding mountains. Combining striking architecture with an adventurous ascent and unforgettable panoramas, it is one of the most memorable and rewarding sights in the capital.