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
[…] definitely not disappoint. Here is a suggested three days and two nights itinerary from Laoag to Vigan and beyond for those who want to experience or re-experience the timeless charm of […]
Bonjour , super tes infos je retourne avec une copine en janvier février et on fait Banaue , Sagada Vigan et ensuite Babuyan Calayan
Tu n’aurais pas une bonne adresse à nous fournir pour dormir à Claveria avant de prendre le bateau car je suppose qu’on devra y dormir une nuit .
J’ai vu les endroits que tu proposes à Calayan mais tu n’as pas leur adresse mail ? L’endroit avec bungalow face à la plage nous plaît beaucoup Apollo Beach Resort
Penses tu que février c’est cool pour y aller quelques jours voir une semaine avant de reprendre un vol pour ????? On a pas encore fait notre choix d’îles lol !
Que penses tu de Camiguin là haut ? Il y a deux ans on a fait l’autre Caminguin et c’était génial
Merci pour toutes les infos que tu pourras nous donner car on ne trouve pas grand chose sur ces îles
Flora
[…] For more information o n Vigan, check out Lakwatsero’s Travel Guide to Vigan. […]
Hello po, planning to visit vigan this october sana. But have no idea how much would I be spending for transpo(bus), lodging and food. For almost 3days and 2nights. Tapos kung may alam din kayo na pension house na mura lang din na malapit sa mga attractions dun. Salamat.
I and my friend want to visit Vigan comes April. Is it a good time of the year to go there. You see we are only two and we are both
We are tertiary students (a lady and gentleman), have searched from websites to learn that there will be a week-long celebration of “art-festival” called “Viva Vigan” in May in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, two of us tourists from Hong Kong attempt to travel Vigan City to join such an amazing experience for a Four to Five-days (4 ~ 5) trip, the details of the trip are followings :–
4 days trip – 01/05 (Sunday morning am) – 04/05/2016 (Wednesday evening pm); or
5 days trip – 30/04 (Saturday evening pm) – 04/05/2016 (Wednesday)
We have a numbers of Questions as follows :–
What is the shorter or faster ways (transportation) to get Vigan City such as direct flight to Laoag City, Baguio–Loakan Airport, or Tuguegarao Airport, to shorten the long–distant transportation, 1–hour bus travelling from Laoag City to Vigan City instead of 6–hour bus travelling from Manila to Vigan City ?
How many flight within (to and from) Manila and Laoag City ?
Another problems is public security or social problem in Philippines. As you know since the Manila hostage crisis that seven Hong Kong tourists were killed in 2010. My brother told me he went to a countryside in Kalusunan a couple of years ago and felt unsafety there. As you know since the Manila hostage crisis that seven Hong Kong tourists were killed in 2010. We worry about the public security problems. But I read many websites described Vigan city, those tourists after travelling the city told they felt comfortable and enjoyed so much. Is there safety or any social security problems there, could any of you give us any travelling tips, to avoid any tricks, or help for tourist if any problems ?
Does it provided any RELIABLE Local Guide or Local Tours travelling Vigan City ? If any, how much does the product cost ? In what currency ?
Thank you so much for all you guys. Looking forwards to hearing from you soon.
I want to read the replies of all quest asked. Because their questions arethe same as mine. Can i read them now after i typed my name and email add?
van rental for 5 pax laoag, vigan, pagudpud for 2 days all
how much is the van rental?