Ilocos Sur: Vigan, Culture and Scenery
Accommodation in Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur combines impressive urban history with nature experiences and a distinctive food culture. The historic city of Vigan City is particularly intriguing: it is considered the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia and was founded in the 16th century. Those who want to include culture, crafts and scenery in their trip will find a variety of ways to explore the region, rather than just one way of experiencing it.
Vigan’s cityscape and crafts
Vigan’s historic district comprises 233 historic buildings arranged along a grid of 25 streets. Calle Crisologo gives this urban experience a particularly vivid character: centuries-old houses line the street and display Spanish-influenced architecture preserved over the centuries. You can explore its cobblestones on foot or by kalesa, a horse-drawn carriage. Calle Crisologo is closed to vehicles. If you prefer to explore the city on foot or in a carriage, you can choose between these two options.
Pagburnayan in Vigan City offers another encounter with local tradition. There, visitors can experience the traditional making of red clay pots called Burnay. This craft complements the view of the historic buildings with a practical insight into working with clay. Vigan’s history is also on display in its museums: Syquia Mansion has been converted into a public museum and displays artifacts belonging to the family and the late president, as well as paintings and furniture. At Crisologo Museum, visitors can learn about local history. At Plaza Salcedo, the Dancing Fountain combines a light and water show with traditional and contemporary music.
Churches, waterfalls and views
Santa Maria Church, also called Nuestra Señora dela Asuncion Church, is one of four churches in the Philippines recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites and exemplifies the Baroque style. It stands on a hill overlooking the town. Visitors must climb three flights of stairs to reach the church. The stairs are therefore worth considering when planning your visit; at the same time, the view over the town is a special feature of this place.
At Pinsal Falls, a different kind of nature experience takes center stage: two waterfalls, about 85 feet high, plunge into a crystal-clear pool. The pool is suitable for a short swim. Those who would rather reach a viewpoint can hike to the top of the falls; from there, the view extends across the entire town. Mapisi Rock adds another distinctive feature to the landscape. Natural forces have split the rock formation down the middle, and it offers views of the sea. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between a waterfall and pool, a hike with a view, and a striking rock formation overlooking the sea.
Regional cuisine and travel interests
Regional specialties also give Ilocos Sur a distinctive character. Visitors can try Vigan Longganisa. Vigan empanadas are orange, deep-fried pastries filled with vegetables. The two dishes offer different ways to discover local cuisine: Longganisa highlights a regional sausage specialty, while the empanada stands out for its color and preparation.
The Ilocos Sur Festival takes place every year from January to February. If you want to plan your trip around this period, this recurring event offers a separate reason to learn about the regional festival. When looking for a vacation rental in Ilocos Sur, you can first decide what you want to focus on: historic urban culture in Vigan, nature and views at Pinsal Falls, or regional specialties and the festival. This lets you choose destinations based on your interests without treating the different experiences as a single excursion.
For the broader travel overview: Ilocos.
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