Ilocos is one of the many places in the Philippines which is a recommended travel destination.
It is found in the northwestern coast of Luzon island. Travel time by land is 10 - 12 hours drive from Manila if you will be using the NLEX. Definitely a long drive but guaranteed to be worth the tiring travel.
What do you expect from Ilocos?
1. Ilocos is known for it's rich cultural and historical heritage.
2. Where you can find some of the centuries-old churches.
3. Home for many of the country's heroes, famous political and religious leaders.
4. Great beaches and relaxing nature.
5. Endless adventure.
6. Good food.
7. Several places that is IG-worthy.
Here are the 20 Must-Visit Places in Ilocos:
***Vigan
Crisologo Museum
St. Paul's Church
Calle Crisologo
Syquia Mansion
Salcedo Plaza
Pagburnayan
Baluarte
Bantay Bell Tower
Bantay Church
Banaoang Bridge
***Paoay
Malacanang of the North
Paoay Church
Paoay Sand Dunes
***Pagudpud
Cape Bodeador
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
Bantay Abot Cave
Patapat Viaduct
Paraiso ni Anton
Bangui Windmill
Saud Beach, Pagudpud
CALLE CRISOLOGO
Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur is known for it's cobble-stone alley. It was declared in 1999 as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking through the heritage village allows you to travel-back in Spanish colonial time where several ancestral houses lining up the street are found. These ancestral houses still maintain it's magnificent architectural design with most of the materials made of balustrades, ventanillas and capiz shells.
Today these ancestral houses serves as business establishments that sold home-made souvenirs and varieties of local food such as "bagnet" and "empanadas".
To feel more of the old times one can roam around the village renting a "caleza", a horse-drawn carriage.
Calle Crisologo so far is the most visited place in an Ilocos trip.
ST. PAUL METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL
St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral or Vigan Church is located along Burgos St., in Vigan. It is a centuries-old church that dates back in 1641. The architectural design is made-up of eathquake baroque style.
What caught my attention here is the interior design of the cathedral which is admirable.
A visit to Vigan is incomplete if you will not pay a visit at this religious landmark before going back home from your entire Ilocos tour.
PLAZA SALCEDO
Plaza Salcedo lies in front of St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral.
In the morning, the plaza is busy with people roaming and taking their own photos. Along the sidewalks are several food stalls that caters to native Ilocano dishes most popular of which is the empanada. Empanada is a kind of pastry in which vegetables, eggs and meats are stuff inside.
But the best time to see the place is at night, so you can experience the dancing light fountain. These dancing light fountain adds festivities to the place.
CRISOLOGO MUSEUM
Crisologo Museum is another notable landmark of Vigan. Home of the stateman Floro S. Crisologo which belong to one of the most prominent political clan in Vigan.
This ancestral home turned museum now keep the family's well-treasured memorabilia and old furnitures which gives the visitors a glance of living in old days.
Personally, Crisologo Museum is one of my favorite Ilocos attraction. I had been in Ilocos several times but I never get tired of visiting this place. I am fascinated of how the family was able to preserve well not only their ancestral home but all it's memorabilias and antique furnitures.
The grand living room of the Crisologo I had imagined in the past, may have been a witnessed to many political meetings of Vigan's most prominent politicians as well as grandeur family celebrations of events.
SYQUIA MANSION
The Syquia Mansion is the ancestral home of the wife of the late President Elpidio Quirino.
The mansion like any typical ancestral houses built during the Spanish colonization are made of Bahay na Bato with very high ceiling and hard woods. The house also has grand staircase, several big rooms, old antique furnitures and man-size portraits. Even the Syquia family's vintage caleza is still in exhibit at the ground floor of the mansion..
But what made my attention here is the small hallway at the side of the house which the tour guide explains as the walking area of the "aliping saguiguilid". According to the old stories, ilustrados at that time do not allowed their servants to roam around the main areas of the mansion.
PAGBURNAYAN JAR MAKING
Pagburnayan Pottery Making is an iconic pottery place in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.The word Pagburnayan comes from the word "burnay" which means hand-crafted pottery clay. It is a heritage that the people of Vigan still maintains and preserve up to this time even with the onset of new technologies.
Visiting this place will give the tourist the experience of doing the pagburnayan with the help of the locals.
BALUARTE
Baluarte is a zoological park and a resort owned by Gov. Luis Chavit Singson of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Tourist can either walk or pay for an electronic cab to tour you around zoo park. Ostrich, giraffes, monkeys, deer, tiger and lions are just some of the animals you may encounter in the zoo. The main attraction for me I think is the gallery that houses Chavit Singson's preserve animal hunting trophies of his various safari adventure.
Inside the wide hectares of land you will also see the home of Gov. Chavit Singson. The building is made of gold materials that it will not leave unnoticiable to every visitor's eye. It also has a church inside which is also open to visitors.
BANTAY BELL TOWER
Bantay Bell Tower's main attraction is the belfry that sits on a hilltop near the Bantay Church or Santuario de Nuestra Senora de Caridad, St. Augustine Parish. It was built in 1591. The belfry used to served as a watch tower for the town of Bantay for any impending attacks from pirates. The bell tower is notable from afar because of it's attractive red brickstones.
BANTAY CHURCH
Bantay Church which is also known as the St. Augustine Church lies in the same compound where the Bantay Bell Tower is located. The architectural structure is neo-gothic. I particularly find the facade of the church interesting with it's red-brickstones.
THE BANAOANG BRIDGE
It is not a well-known tourist destination in Ilocos. However, from the recommendation of our tour guide we decided not to skip this itinerary. True to his words, after reaching the place we all agreed that the place is relaxing with it's scenic and relaxing view.
Nothing too fancy here but it was a great treat after that long drive seeing the picturesque view and the great structural design of the bridge. You can also enjoy the cool wind in the area and take some photos.
Yes, a quick stop to stretch a little from a long tiring trip will not hurt.
MALACANANG OF THE NORTH
Malacanang of the North or Malacanang Ti Amianan is a presidential museum built in 1977 located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It used to be a holiday residence for the late President Ferdinand Marcos and his family during his tenure as President of the Republic of the Philippines. The structure is made of Bahay na Bato. It consists of several rooms for the members of the Marcos family with each room showcasing their personal things.
The main foyer of the mansion is explicitly beautiful overlooking the Paoay lake. The grand staircase leading to the second floor is so elegant. The late President's working office is also located in the second floor.
Malacanang of the North is one of the most visited places in Ilocos Norte.
PAOAY CHURCH
Paoay Church or San Agustin Church is inscribed in 1993 UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1710. The architectural design is a charming earthquake baroque style and made-up of coral and brick materials. The church boast of striking design with it's enormous buttresses in the side and back of the structure. It is considered as one of the oldest church in the Philippines.
If you will be going to Ilocos Norte, Paoay Church is a must-visit place. Your Ilocos trip won't be complete without getting a selfie from this splendid architectural design.
PAOAY SAND DUNES
The experience is one of a kind.
The first time I set my foot in the area. I was having second thoughts of joining the rides. The sun was at it's peak at 1:00PM. I am glad I did not missed the chance as it is one of the highlights in our Ilocos tour itinerary.
The area is so vast with fine white sand. You can ride a 4x4 jeep and have the driver brings you in a spectacular driving-show traversing high slopes and into a mesmerizing beach view. The driving skills of the staff here will put you in awe. This activity really test my vocal chords to a high note of unending screaming to overcome my fear. Aside from the 4x4 rides you can also rent an ATV. The final activity is the unlimited sand boarding which is also an exciting sand activity in Paoay San Dunes.
PARAISO NI ANTON
Paraiso ni Anton is for nature-lover who loves green. Different species of flowers are found here. One of the highlight of this place is the springs or"bukal" flowing freely with water source coming from the trees in the mountains.
There are also several souvenir stores here just in case you want to bring something back home.
SAUD BEACH, PAGUDPUD
Saud Beach in Pagudpud is considered the Boracay of the North with it's crystal clear water, white powdery sand and mild waves crushing along shorelines.
Several beach resorts are found here. Most famous is the Blue Lagoon Resort and Hannah Beach Resort. The resorts offer several beach activities from banana boat rides to ziplines.
PATAPAT VIADUCT
Patapat Viaduct is a 1.3 km long bridge that connects the Maharlika Highway from the Ilocos Region to Cagayan Valley. It is found in the northernmost tip of Luzon island. Standing 31 meters above sea level.
The view of the Patapat Viaduct is a good tourist spot one should not missed. The green mountains and deep blue sea view is an IG worthy favorite shot by most visitors. This is also the spot of the famous IG shot sitting in the middle of the road.
BANTAY ABOT CAVE
Bantay Abot Cave is actually a mountain with a hole overlooking a rocky sea with strong waves. The interesting geological formation was sculpted through nature's wrath with the passage of time.
Afar and if you are along the highway, you may not find the place interesting. But once you come closer and have a good angle of the spot you will be amazed with the rock formation of the mountain and how the hole seemed to perfectly curved to create a good spot for IG-lovers.
I did not regret climbing the rocky mountain despite the difficulty of reaching the hole. The view at the top seeing the strong waves from the sea is indescribable. Plus it really gave you the bonus of good IG photos.
Not to forgot also the local little kids that will serve as guide for you in climbing the hill. They are also good photographers who will voluntarily take pictures and even suggest good poses.
CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHT HOUSE
Cape Bojeador Light House is also known as Burgos Lighthouse. It is considered as a cultural heritage structure in Ilocos Norte. The tower has the height of 20 meters. From 1892 up to present the lighthouse remains operational serving as guides to ships heading towards the ports of Salomangue in Ilocos Sur and Currimao which is 60 kilometers away from Ilocos Norte.
The tower is accessible to visitors. To reach the tower you have to climb an extremely tall concrete stairs that will give you a good view of the South China Sea in the background. But that's not where it all ends, as you still have to climb a long, steep and circular staircase leading to the beacon. Of course, the difficult climb is worth all the effort as you will have a full glimpse of the entire area.
KAPURPURAWAN WHITE ROCK FORMATION
Kapurpurawan White Rock Formation is an amazing white rock formation made of limestones sculpted over thousands of years.
The trail to Kapurpurawan is a little bit challenging with the rocky shore. To go there, you can either do some hiking or rent a horse for a minimal fee to reach the formation. Just make sure that you wear a comfortable shoes as the stones are slippery and a hat to cover yourself from the extreme heat of the sun.
Along the entrance you can also find several souvenir stalls selling home-made souvenirs.
BANGUI WIND FARM
Since the location of the wind mills is between the windy sea and mountains. This wind turbines now help the province of Ilocos for a sustainable electric supply.
It is a good one-stop trip to your Ilocos tour where you can take some photos with the turbines in the background.
The sounds of the waves hitting the shoreline gives a relaxing feeling.
At the entrance, there are several souvenir stalls where you can buy miniature wind mills. In our previous trip, we chance upon a local who sold ice creams along the vicinity who are so friendly that they even offered the tourist to take their photos and assist them to get a real good shots.
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Sample 3D2N Ilocos Tour Itinerary:
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Ilocos trip is really something to look forward for every tourist. So may places you can discover and enjoy. And a place you will definitely would not mind going back.
If you have the time I recommend you visit this wonderful place.
Have you been to these places? How was the experience? Please comment down below.
REMINDER: Due to our current COVID19 situation, some information written above may not apply or be updated. I encourage you to please check each information with the authorities for latest updates. Possible restrictions and requirements needed when you visit a place. Please follow health and safety protocols implemented in your origin and destination. Stay safe!