With a request in my timeline about a recommended places to visit along Vigan City, I came up with this write up for you to have a look and perhaps be your reference when traveling to this wonderful city.
If you are going to visit Vigan City for the first time, let me share to you a brief overview of this place.
Vigan City is actually the capital of Ilocos Sur and this place was build-up by the Spaniards during the Spanish colonization in the country.
Due to the historical structures around here, this place was listed by UNESCO World Heritage on December 2, 1999. You can see different artifacts and some old houses which was build even during the 1900's. It is very historical.
In order for you to enjoy visiting this place, I have listed some of the recommendable places of interest which I myself experienced here.
1. Exploring Calle Crisologo
This place is where you can explore a different display of souvenirs, antiques, and jewelries which may be found only in here. Majority of the displays were handmade out of hard sea shells, souvenir shirts, decorative items, and other man-made fabrics out from pineapples fibers.
This place is also good to stroll with any time of the day but it is more happening during mid-day. If you intend to get a good photo-shots here, it is advisable to make it a try during night time from 7PM to 9 PM as the house's light and the environment gives an ambiance as if you are in the olden days. It is very relaxing.
2. Trying out Kalesa
Kalesa is actually a form of transportation being drawn by a horse. During the early 1940’s to 1980’s, this mode of transportation was very popular among the residents here in Ilocos Region.
Kalesa was introduced by the Spanish Colonizers way back in the 18th Century. Also because of these kalesas, the city’s air quality is considered clean. The Kalesas in Vigan through the use of tamed horses helps to minimize air pollution brought by commercialized transportation modes such as motorbikes, jitneys, tricycles and the like.
3. Trying out Vigan Empanada
Vigan Empanada is also known as Ilocos Empanada. This is a famous street food in Ilocos Region among local and even to international tourists. This food is actually crispy outside with a mixture of meat, mix vegetables and some species that makes it superb.
Vigan Empanada is much better when you seasoned it with “Sukang Ilokano” or Ilocos Vinegar. The taste is so nice.
4. Bagnet
This is actually deep-fried crispy pork cracklings which are famous here and some part of in the country especially along the National Capital Region (NCR). This is also locally known as "Chicharon Baboy". It is pork belly deep-fried in its own fat. Once fried, it is air-dried up to drain the fat. The process is repeated over and over until the pork reached is maximum crispiness. This is actually similar to “Lechon kawali”.
5. Dancing Fountain
This is located at Plaza Salcedo Lagoon. We only went here during the day time. But it is more interesting to come over to this place during night time to see the dancing fountain. The show is fantastic. Accordingly, the show starts at 7:30 PM from Mondays to Fridays. However, the water show is more happening during special events.
Some visitors were also cited dancing together with the music as the water show is ongoing. It is really fantastic. By the way, please remember to bring extra clothes for you to change from as sometimes the water may splash on you especially when it is windy.
6. Okoy (fitters)
These are street food in Vigan City. It is made out of small shrimps mixed with glutinous rice and deep-fried it into a round shape. It is actually crispy and it’s nice to eat while strolling the wonders of Ilocos region.
By the way, this street food is much better when mixed with Sukang Ilocano of (Ilocos Vinegar).
7. Pinakbet
Pinakbet is a mix vegetable available in the Ilocos Region. It is considered as an indigenous Filipino dish with a mixture of shrimps and some seafood. Some restaurant also used shrimps paste otherwise known as ‘alamang” to this dish.
This is very popular within the Ilocos region and some part of Luzon especially for vegetarians.
Other places which are also famous here while we didn’t managed to explore are the following:
Bantay church and bell tower
National Museum Ilocos Region Complex
Pagburnayan
Hidden Garden and Bulala pottery makers
Crisologo Museum
Baluarte
Syquia Mansion Museum
The Saint Paul Cathedral
Archbishop’s Palace
Abel Iloco weavers in Barangay Camangaan
How to get here:
Ilocos Sur is actually accessible by any form of transportation. There is a direct bus from Manila to Ilocos Sur and some others parts of Luzon such as Baguio City, Pangasinan, Tarlak, La Union, or even in Benguet Province.
Local tourist usually used buses to get to Ilocos region and from there, they can just use tricycles or the kalesas to get around the city.
However, for places of interests that requires number of hours or for a whole day trip, the best thing to do is to hire a private car or van especially if you are bringing your family with you.
How about accommodation?
For accommodation, it would not be an issue as there is a lot of hotels (be it economy type or budget hotel or even up to 3-4 star hotels) available here. In terms of Airbnb booking, I am not sure about it if there are recommendable Airbnb hotels or accommodation places here.
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