2026 Ilocos Sur Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in January)

Step into the past in Vigan City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial houses, and horse-drawn kalesas bring the 16th century to life. Nestled in Ilocos Sur, this gem is one of the few preserved Hispanic towns in Asia—and it’s absolutely magical at sunset. 🛎️ Travel Tips: ✅ Don’t miss Calle Crisologo—come early morning or evening for the best photos without the crowds. ✅ Visit the Syquia Mansion and Bantay Bell Tower for a peek into Filipino-Spanish history. ✅ Try Vigan empanada and longganisa—local flavors you’ll crave long after you leave. ✅ Take a calesa ride for that full heritage-town experience This isn’t just a city—it’s a living museum, where every turn tells a story of resilience, beauty, and Filipino pride. 🇵🇭 📍Have you walked these timeless streets yet?👇 #ViganCity #CalleCrisologo #UNESCOWorldHeritage #PhilippinesTravel #IlocosSur #ViganDiaries #CulturalHeritage #WanderlustPH #HiddenGemsPH #HistoricVigan #EunoiaExplorer #TravelBackInTime #FoodieFindsPH #PinoyPride #OldWorldCharm #historicallandmarks #localguides #海岛游 #极光 #deliciousfood #philippinestrip

Vigan Cathedral in Ilocus Sur (also known as St Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral) is an imposing creamy-white building built in the "earthquake baroque" style with thick buttresses to support it through earthquakes and typhoons. It faces Plaza Salcedo on one side and Plaza Burgos on another. A separate belltower (or belfry) was built 15 meters away from the main building (it actually stands in another plaza, Plaza Burgos) -- so that if one structure was destroyed in an earthquake, then the other might still remain standing. The belltower is about 25 meters high and it is surmounted by a large bronze weathercock that is said to symbolize St Peter. #decembertravel#holidayvacation#tripinspired#happynewyear

#beach #awesomepic #summerholiday #sunsetview #summervacationtravel #triplocal

Quirino Bridge Bantay Ilocos Sur😊🥰😍 #travel #relax #historicallandmarks #happy

Yes! My first manila trip. Went to Ilocos Region. It is in the Northest coast of the Philippines. The first photo was in Vigan, known for its preserved Spanish Colonial and Asian architecture. The 2nd picture was in Pagudpud and was known as Boracay of the North. we had a great trip! #happynewyear

another adventure at Ilocos Sur @trip.com thank u so much

📅 Itinerary Day1：#travel Day2: #staycation Day3: #citydaytours 🏨 Accommodation 🍴 Food Recommendations 📌 Tips

#philippinestrip Step into the Ilocos Regional Museum Complex — where the soul of Northern Luzon lives on in every artifact, stone, and story. 🇵🇭 Located in Vigan City, this complex isn’t just a museum; it’s a cultural time capsule, housing the National Museum Ilocos Region, the Old Provincial Jail where President Elpidio Quirino was born, and more. From pre-colonial treasures, indigenous textiles, and religious relics, to Spanish-era prints and war memorabilia — every corner speaks of resilience, beauty, and identity. 🧵📜 Feel the echoes of the past in its preserved colonial architecture and curated exhibitions that celebrate the Ilocano spirit — rich, proud, and enduring. 📍 TRAVEL TIPS ✔️ Located in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur — walking distance from Calle Crisologo ✔️ Best visited on weekdays to avoid tourist crowds ✔️ Entrance is usually free or minimal fee (donations welcome) ✔️ Allocate 1–2 hours to explore at a relaxed pace ✔️ Combine with a walking tour of Vigan Heritage Village for a deeper historical experience 🧳 Don’t just pass through history — walk inside it. #IlocosRegionalMuseum #ViganCity #IlocosHeritage #NationalMuseumPH #CulturalPhilippines #ViganAttraction #TravelIlocos #TaraNaSaNorte #HistoricalTravel #HeritagePreserved #PhilippinesMuseumTrail #ExploreVigan #ProudlyFilipino #IlocanoPride #MuseoNgBayan

#staycation

Looking for an exciting family trip to the Philippines? Why not going to the Northern part of Luzon and visit Vigan in Ilocos Sur? Though the weather is scorching hot when visited, I enjoyed the trip learning more about the city’s rich culture and history. Calle Crisologo is the place known for more than a hundred-year old Spanish houses that has been preserved until now. Though car parking is a challenge here, do not hesitate to ask the locals and they are willing to help you finding a safe place to keep your car/van. 🕰️Business Hours: anytime though some stores close at 8 pm 📍Address: Crisologo St. Vigan City 💞Reasons to Recommend: Chance to taste bagnet and Vigan chorizo, empanada, and sinangloan. You can feel the Spanish era, learn more about the Philippine history. Getting There - from Cubao, take a bus (Partas BusLine) and purchase a ticket heading to Vigan. Attractions - Bantay Church, National Museum, Padre Burgos’ ancestral house, Hidden Garden, Syquia Mansion Museum, Ban-aw Resort Hotels - my father is from Ilocos Sur so we didn’t book a hotel.

#travel#naturalwonders

🕰️Business Hours: 24 hours open sea 🏖️Ambiance/Facilities: Relaxing indeed, we stayed only 2 hours but we had so much fun here Access 📍Address: Accessible to the main toad and in the center of commerce, madaming mabilhan ng foods and very accommodating yung mga tao 💰Average Price per Person: Actually we had spend 700 and its all worth it!! ganda 💞Reasons to Recommend:

#vacation

#historicallandmarks

#falltrip

Ilocos Region is one of the tourist spot hear in Northern Luzon herw are the Bantay belltower, the calle crisologo and heritage village in vigan the Baluarte Zoo and many more attractions that can energized and stress out you feelings😍😍😍

#besttrip2023 Vigan, Ilocos Region, Philippines. Architecture from the Spanish colonial era remains. Some areas were damaged by the Ilocos earthquake and are off-limits, but I hope they will recover quickly. The appeal of the Ilocos Region is not only its tourist attractions, but also its food. It has a unique culture and is full of delicious food, such as crispy empanadas, pinakbet with lots of vegetables, and fragrant bagnet. If you thought Filipino cuisine was all about fast food, such as Jollibee, I would definitely recommend you visit the Ilocos Region.

Be a fun loving adventurer and enjoy their exhilarating yet safe slides,navigate your way to the treasure chest in their long winding pool and relax at their sheds and cabanas. Their Port Cafe will offer you scrumptious food with a great view. Me and my family went to spend a whole day lots of fun and we really enjoyed it. Their staffs are really friendly and accommodating. For reservations call: +63917 162 5666 Location: Villa Quirino, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur

Province of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines

vigan city.. the banaoang bridge #cityofvigan #thelegendarybanaoangbridge #philippines #100yearsoldbridge #ilocossur #beforetyphoonegay #provincesofilocossur #bantaysantailocossur

Baluarte! #celebratewithtrip

Bantay Watchtower is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. Bantay Bell Tower used to be the belfry of St. Augustine Parish Church (one of the oldest in Ilocos region established in 1590) and served as watchtower at the same time - against invading pirates - during the Spanish era, hence the term bantay. The belfry itself was built in 1591-1592. It is where the name of the Municipality of Bantay Ilocos Sur was derived. Bantay Tower is located on top of a hill some meters from the church, adjacent to Bantay Municipal compound.

Baluarte is one of the place you should visit when you're at Ilocos Sur. Be amazed how those wild animals are being caught and captured.

Vigan Ilocos Sur it’s good visiting in the morning.It is about 8 hours away from Manila by driving.It is characterized by old buildings and structures.Visiting this place is like living in the modernized past.There is a good feeling and off course there is horse riding as well.Its located in Philippines.I highly recommend because it’s also a good experience living around those places the accommodation and hospitality is good.. #wintergetaway