Walk back in time in Vigan and feel the vibes of colonial Philippines. This Vigan travel guide provides relevant information to help you plan your visit to the famed UNESCO World Heritage City of Ilocandia. Know the latest travel requirements, information on getting there, accredited accommodation, activities, sample itinerary, budget and more.
About Vigan
Travel back to colonial Philippines in Vigan, the capital city of Ilocos Sur and one of the very few remaining Hispanic towns in the country.
Established in the 16th century as Villa Fernandina, Vigan is endowed with its timeless and well preserved beauty. It portrays an Spanish-era Philippines with its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages called “calesa“, ancestral houses and old structures that have survived the war and stood the test of time.
Undoubtedly, Vigan has successfully preserved its heritage, getting the nod of UNESCO for inclusion in the prestigious World Heritage Site list in 1999 as a best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.
Today, Vigan is a fusion of old and new, of east and west, of traditional and modern living. Experience the best of the Philippines in the Heritage City of the North – Vigan!
How to Get to Vigan
From Manila by Land
Vigan is at least six (6) hours of land travel from Manila. Several bus lines serve the route including Partas (Contact No: 725-1740, 725-1256, 725-7303, 724-9820), Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus and Viron Transit that travel directly daily. Meanwhile, Florida Bus Line (Contact No: 731-4473, 781-5894), Baliwag (Contact No: 524-7111, 525-1067, 525-3064, 525-6769, 525-2338, 525-2294), Fariñas (Contact No: 743-8582), Maria De Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines and F. Franco Transit have daily trips to Laoag, passing by Vigan. The shortened trip is via North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
You can book your bus or private transfer from Manila to Vigan and vice versa below.
BOOK YOUR BUS/PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM MANILA TO VIGAN
From Manila by Air
Mindoro Airport of Vigan is a community airport intended to serve the whole province of Ilocos Sur. InterIsland Airline and Sea Air used to fly there from Manila but the operation of the route was cancelled due to low traffic. To date, the airport serves only chartered flights.
The nearest airport with regular commercial flight is Laoag in Ilocos Norte. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly to Laoag daily from Manila, travel time is an hour. Vigan is only two hours away from Laoag.
From Clark
For those coming from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Field, Pampanga, ride the shuttle or jeepney going to Dau Integrated Bus Terminal, fare is around P50. In Dau Terminal, transfer to a bus going to Vigan or Laoag.
From Abra/Tuguegarao to Vigan
If you’re coming from Tuguegarao or Abra, GMW Liner and Florida Liner operate buses between the two with stop in Vigan.
From Baguio
There are buses at Baguio City Bus Terminal going to Laoag with stop at Vigan. You can book your bus from Manila to Vigan and vice versa below.
BOOK YOUR BUS FROM BAGUIO TO VIGAN
Getting Around and Away
Tricycle is the common method of transportation around Vigan but still the best way to explore its attractions is by riding a “calesa” for P150.00 per hour per carriage. Jeepneys, vans and buses are advised for those going to Sta. Maria, Laoag, Paoay and other neighboring towns.
Where to Stay in Vigan
Experience living in the ancestral houses turned hotels. Some of the favorites include:
Top-Rated / Highly Recommended Accommodations in Vigan
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Hotel Veneto de Vigan |
Hotel Luna |
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Hotel Felicidad |
Ciudad Fernandina Hotel |
Top-Rated Budget Accommodations in Vigan
Things to Do in Vigan and Nearby Areas
- Walk along the cobblestone street of Calle Crisologo and Calle Plaridel and admire its old structures
- Visit the century-old St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral and Simbaan a Bassit
- Checkout Crisologo Museum, Father Burgos Residence & Museum, Religious Museum, Leona Florentino Ancestral House, Fil-Spanic Friendship Park, Buridek Museum, Baluarte Vigan (Vigan Fortress), Hidden Garden, Plaza Burgos , Plaza Salcedo and Syquia Mansion
- Experience jar-making at Pagburnayan
- Try Vigan Heritage River Cruise
- Watch the dancing fountain in Plaza Salcedo Lagoon
- Shops for antiques and other native products
- Watch the abel weavers in action
- Swim and see the sunset at Mindoro Beach
- Taste Empanada, Vigan Longanisa, Dinengdeng, Poqui-Poqui and other Ilocano delicacies
- Visit the nearby St. Augustine Churh of Bantay and its detached belfy
- Go to Magsingal Church, Belfry & National Museum
- Dine in Cafe Leona, Cafe Uno, Bistro Amarillo, Granpa’s Inn Restaurant, Caferia en la Veranda, Caferia del Maestro or Gordon’s Hotel Garden by the Ruins
- Buy Royal Bibingka, Vigan Longanisa and other pasalubong at Tongson’s Royal Bibingka
- Drop by at the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, another UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Head to Laoag, Paoay, Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpud
Sample Itinerary
Here a sample three-day itinerary of Laoag and Vigan:
Day 0: Departure
2000H: Depart by bus from Cubao
Day 1: Laoag
0800H – 0830H: Arrive in Laoag / Proceed to hotel to leave bags
0830H – 0930H: Breakfast at Cuisine de Iloco
0930H – 1200H: Stroll in and around the historic plaza: see the sinking bell tower, St. William’s Cathedral, Provincial Capitol, Tobacco Monopoly Monument and Museo Ilocos Norte
1200H – 1300H: Lunch at Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant
1300H – 1500H: Rest at hotel / Waash-up
1500H – 1800H: La Paz Sand Dunes
1800H – 1900H: Back at hotel / Wash-up
2000H onwards: Dinner at Kahel de Luna / Socials / Lights off
Day 2: Paoay and Santa Maria
0600H – 0800H: Call time / coffee / pack-up / check-out / proceed to jeepney terminal
0800H – 0830H: Laoag to Paoay
0830H – 1000H: Explore Paoay Church / Breakfast at Herencia Cafe
1000H – 1200H: Proceed to Bus Stop / Paoay to Vigan
1200H – 1300H: Check-in at hotel / Rest
1300H – 1400H: Lunch in Cafe Leona
1400H – 1800H: Proceed to Santa Maria Church and Pinsal Falls
1800H – 1900H: Return to hotel / Wash-up
1900H onwards: Dinner at Lampong’s Restaurant / Night walk at Calle Crisologo, Socials /Lights off
Day 3: Vigan
0500H – 0600H: Blue hour at Calle Crisologo
0600H – 0730H: Breakfast! Empanada!
0730H – 1200H: Vigan Cathedral, Calle Crisologo, Simbaan a Bassit, St. Augustine Chuch of Bantay, Crisologo Museum, Father Burgos Residence and Museum, Religious Museum, Leona Florentino Ancestral House, Fil-Hispanic Friendship Park, Buridek Museum, etc.
1200H – 1400H: Lunch / Proceed to Bus Terminal
1400H: Departure for Manila
Other Tips
- Best time to visit is during dry season from November to May
- There are ATMs in town and credit cards are accepted in major establishments
- Globe, Smart, Sun, Touch Mobile and Talk n’ Text have mobile signal
[…] it as side-trip to Ilocos Norte. I haven’t got a chance to stay long in here. You can check Lakwatsero.com‘s list of inns and restaurants you can consider in staying at Vigan. Besides the main […]
if mag rent a car po kmi from manila to vigan how much it cost??? if anyone can provied me some info pls..
tnx.
Hello po.may kilala po akong tao n pwede nyo pong irent..hi ace commuter po ung car nya and lagi po syang may trip to ilocos vigan laoag pagudpod ung tour nya. Comment lng po ulit kayo pag interested kau and i will giv3 you the details
how much po rent nung van?
im coming from manila going to vigan how to get there?? i need help
hi
how about if im from cebu..
whats the best route that i will take???
tnx
Hi 😉 happy new year! My family will be there this month, would like to confirm ln po if ok ln isama nmin ang pet chihuahua nmin during the trip, i mean allowed po b s lodging? Thanks
Ok lng po…
nice place……
Cheap hotel but cozy, please. Advise and post link if u may,, planning to go there on sept. Eh,, please thanks.. ^_^
I’m looking for a buddies to visit this place
I want to go there when I go to Philippines in October
Hey, are you looking for companion. are you going to vigan as well? Im planning by myself, we can go there. Message me at my facebook if you’re going. Trix Dela Vega
I am also planning to go to Vigan.
how to get to hidden garden and baluarte from the plaza burgos?any map?
how to get to baluarte and hidden garden , from the vigan pplaza , metropolitan cathedral
Hi. I heard that there are new express ways to pass thru to shorten the travelling time: SCTEX & the latest one towards La Union. Would you know how long the travelling time will be if we pass thru those Express Ways? Also since i am a PWD, i will be using my wheelchair in going around. I am just unsure if the cobblestone roads could accommodate my already wobbly wheelchair. Aside from the kalesa, are there bicycles with sidecars that can be rented instead? Thank you!
Hello Ms. Belinda,
From NLEX exit, go straight to SCTEX (more or less 30 minutes). From SCTEX, enter TPLEX (more or less 30 minutes) then the exit will be in Carmen, Rosales in Pangasinan. From there, turn right to Villasis-Rosales Bridge.
By the way, TPLEX connecting Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union is still under construction. More or less, it will take you four to five hours to travel from TPLEX exit to Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Have fun! =)
My family will have plans to go to vigan what 8s total eatimate travel time from manila to vigan. Iam planning to bring my car. Also have read in your site that after nclex have to enter sctex (what us my exit point going again inside the TPLEX)
thank you and i find your site a good help fir us first timers going to the north. More power and god bless
Hi, SCTEX and TPLEX cut the travel time from Manila to Vigan to at least seven. Take NLEX, exit/enter at SCTEx (after Dau Exit), then enxit/enter at TPLEx (after Hacienda Luisita).
Sorry, Ms. Yaqui po pala. Hehe. =)
I’ve follow your trip quite a while and I find it very interesting! you stay up to date from all your trips. Soon I’m travelling Philippines partly Luzon
I have done it a ages ago, memory faded 😉
My question is: Is it posibble to take a bus from Vigan to Bontoc or Sagada without going to Bagiuo? Thanks!
Greetings from Belgium
Is that place safe to a foriegner?
Precisely cendy, its safe.
hello, i would like to ask if its safe to go there alone? cause im planning to go there on May to explore..please give me some advice
..thanks
Im planning to go there alone as well 🙂
Friend its very safe we been there last week.
Hi there! Vigan is always my dream vacation. I am from zamboanga city and i want to know how can i get to vigan from here. can you let me know the travel to get there?
Hi. i was hoping na pwede kayo magsend ng updates through email? Pano ba magsubscribe sa inyo?
‘going there on the 14th 🙂
Vigan, interesting place would like to see when I visit the Philippines…thanks for all information…
My brother has been wanting to visit Vigan too, he’s been planning for it and I hope it can be fulfilled next time he goes home to the Philippines.
Weve been der grabe sa ganda, kaso one whole day lang km ng family k kc galing ng kami ng pagudpod n laoag bitin tlga vigan escapade ko, ryt now honestly gustong gusto kng bumalik dun try da empanada hanap
K s heritage at bagnet s palengke its da best
wwooowww..I nice shot..ganda ng mga kuha mo mga pics…
This is nice guide for those who want to go and see the heritage city of Vigan. Just don’t forget to get some good eats near the plaza burgos such as empanada and sinanglao.