Vigan, the city most popular for its best-tasting longanisa, is not your typical summer getaway destination. While it’s no doubt home to some of the country’s best beaches, where you can spend a day tanning your body under the heat of the sun with the calming sounds the ocean making you feel at peace, it is not this that Vigan is mainly known for.

Touted as one of UNESCO’s world heritages, Vigan will definitely mesmerize you with its unique culture that reflects the historical influence of China and Europe. Be amazed as we give you the list of awe-inspiring tourist spots in Vigan, the city where “time stood still.”

12 Beautiful Tourist Spots in Vigan

There’s nothing more exciting for history lovers than visiting places that speak volumes about a country’s past. For the history buff itching to know what our ancestors were up to and ancient architecture fanatics who want to see centuries-old edifices, the city of Vigan is the ultimate travel destination. Vigan was a significant trading post during pre-colonial times and remains a significant piece of Philippine history.

If you’re planning to fly to the Ilocos region, below are some tourist spots in Vigan you should stop by.

1. Calle Crisologo

Calle Crisologo is the famed cobbled street where you can see a long line of historical structures from centuries ago. Surely, a walk on this street feels like reliving the past as if you time-traveled to the 1500s–1800s. Of all the tourist spots in Vigan, Calle Crisologo is the most visited and photographed.

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2. Padre Burgos House

Now considered a museum rather than a residential house, this tourist spot is the ancestral home and birthplace of one of the GomBurZa martyr priests, Fr. Jose Burgos. It preserves the memorabilia of the late priest and his family, including some fascinating antics and crafts retrieved from Ilocos Sur.

3. Hidden Garden

A garden with a restaurant that serves local delicacies, the Hidden Garden of Vigan has the perfect landscape and perfect food that will surely leave you amazed. This garden allows you to stare at beautiful plants while enjoying exquisite cuisines of Vigan.

4. Plaza Salcedo

Named after the Spanish conquistador Juan De Salcedo, this sweet little place sits at the very heart of the city and is frequented by tourists especially at night when the dancing fountain light show starts.

5. Saint Augustine Parish Church

Also known as the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad (Shrine of Our Lady of Charity), the Saint Augustine Parish Church houses the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary.

6. Vigan Bell Tower

Located just steps away from the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, the Vigan Bell Tower served as a watch tower for pirates and soldiers during the Spanish era. This is how the tower got its name, Bantay, which basically means “to guard.”

7. Pagburnayan

One of the iconic tourist spots in Vigan is the pottery place Pagburnayan. It is home to the meticulously hand-crafted earthenware pots molded from the locally sourced bantog clays. Clay pottery has been the source of income of most Biguenos since time immemorial. Certainly, the flourishing pottery business in Vigan is a testament to the world-class talent of the Biguenos.

8. Crisologo Museum

Crisologo Musem is a picture of beauty, but behind it there lies a past too dark, people wish it never happened. It was in the same place, in October 1970, that Cong. Floro S. Crisologo, was shot in the head.

Following the horrendous murder of a significant political figure, the Crisologo Museum was established. Albeit tragic, the event was never enough reason for the late congressman’s family to plot a revenge; instead, they preserved the house to eternally commemorate the selfless contribution of the politician.

9. St. Paul Cathedral

Also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the St. Paul Cathedral is considered a significant religious beacon not only in Vigan but in the entire country. The cathedral showcases a Baroque architectural structure, which has been the center of Catholic devotion since 1574.

10. Baluarte

Baluarte is a zoological park established and developed by local politician Chavit Singson. The park in an interactive wildlife sanctuary promotes conservation and protection of endangered species while giving a space to locals and tourists for leisure.

11. Palacio De Arzobispado

Palacio de Arzobispado is the sole surviving archbishop palace from the eighteenth century. The palace also served as the headquarter of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and the American invaders under Col. James Parker. Also, antiquated portraits of bishops, archdiocesan manuscripts, and other canonical artifacts can be found in the Museo Nueva Segovia at the Palacio de Arzobispado.

12. Syquia Mansion

A visit to Vigan would be incomplete without stopping by the Syquia Mansion. The sixth president of the Philippines, Elpidio Quirino, used to live in the mansion during his administration. The name Syquia is the former president’s Hispanic surname.

Vigan is definitely a captivating city that can surely enchant those who appreciate history, vintage architectural designs, and ecclesiastical artifacts. As a matter of fact, the city has a lot more to offer other than what’s on this list. For a city whose beauty remains unparalleled, a vacation in Vigan is definitely worth taking a time off anything that keeps you busy.

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