1. Take a leisurely walk in Calle Crisologo (free)
It is the most beautiful street I’ve ever seen so far in the Philippines. This street is lined up with ancestral houses where the rich used to live during the Spanish era. Most of these houses are now converted to commercial use such as hotels, restaurants, shops, even a club and so on.
Vigan itself is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage City and most likely Calle Crisologo has a big role in its enlistment. The best time to have that leisurely walk is from late afternoon till evening. You can also ride a kalesa if you want to have a tour during the day.
2. Get a dose of history in Vigan’s museums (donation or with minimal entrance fee of 10-20pesos)
Visiting some of Vigan’s museums will give you a nostalgic sense of how life was like back then. If you’re into antiques and history, then this is absolutely a must see for you. Stopovers in Father Burgos and Crisologo Museums are part of the kalesa tour.
3. Get personal with Baluarte’s Tiger and other animals (free)
Aside from its free admission, the best part of our visit in Baluarte’s zoo-like environment was seeing the animals in person especially Gov. Chavit Singson’s tiger. Do I need to say more?
4. Experience the Hidden Garden (donation)
If you want to know how you can improve your garden at home, then venturing into the maze like Hidden Garden will give you a few ideas or better yet hire the owner of this place to do the landscaping for you.
5. Watch the making of Vigan’s Clay Pot (free)
If you are seriously into clay pot making, then this place is definitely for you. Everything you need to know about clay pot making will be shown to you.
6. Pray in St. Paul’s Cathedral or Vigan Cathedral (free)
For Catholics, you can visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and have a moment of silence while praying. You know that it’s good to be at peace with God while travelling.
7. Capture quirky photos in St. Augustine Church and Bell Tower (donation)
Aside from praying, you can take some quirky photos with the bell tower in the background. Here’s a little trivia for you: This bell tower was used to be a watch tower to warn the town of an impending invasion. Also, a few scenes of FPJ and Jericho’s Panday were shot here.
8. Dance all night at Club Legacy (pay for your drinks)
Who would expect a club right at the heart of Calle Crisologo? Well, we did. It was recommended to us by a friend. Thanks to our friend, we truly had a great night plus we met some new friends.
Unfortunately, we didn’t bring our camera so I guess you’ll just have to settle with the above photo taken outside the club. My advice: Just go and experience it yourself. You’ll never know unless you try.
9. Eat Vigan Delicacies (pay the bill)
When you’re in Vigan, you have to try their delicacies from Vigan Longganisa to Empanada, Bagnet and so on. Click here to read my review of Vigan’s restaurants.
10. Splurge in antiques and pasalubong (pay for your stuff)
You’ll find great bargains in Calle Crisologo since it is fully loaded with antiques and pasalubong shops. Just be wiser with your spending.
Helpful Tips
• The good news is you can do all these within 24 hours. I know because my cousins and I were able to do it.
• Ask for Kuya Ian to be your kalesa driver/tour guide in the front desk of Hotel Salcedo de Vigan if you’re staying there. Aside from him being incredibly nice and accommodating to us, we also learned a lot of Vigan’s history from him. For only Php150 per hour (regular kalesa fare including tour), he’ll take you to most of Vigan’s tourist attractions mentioned above.
• There are currently no Flights to Vigan but you can always take the Manila-Laog flight then take a bus or van to Vigan from Laog.
Photo Credit: We own all the photos shown in this article.
Check these out:
How to Get to Vigan
Where to Stay in Vigan
Where to Eat in Vigan
Top 10 Things to Do in Vigan
thanks for sharing… very informational, esp me and my family have plans to go there by May…
you’re welcome Jo-an!
very helpful.. as me and my family has plans to go there by May… Thanks for sharin!
When we went to St. Augustine Church, it was Palm Sunday and the church was packed. I ran into the priest in the restroom. I thought he was going to chastise me for wearing a tank top, shorts and flip flops. Instead he said: “Runner ka ‘no?” I replied, ‘Di po Father’ Then nag-bless ako…hehehe
There is a tourist information center on Calle Crisologo where you can use the restroom for free. You can also get maps and ask the information officer for tips on what to see and where else to go. After Calle Crisologo, we hit Max Restaurant! Ang sarap.
[...] Dylan of WanderingDylan.com blogged about Legacy Super Club, his statement made me curious. I forced Edmar to go with me and [...]
Touristy, it must be so. True, I love walking anorud myself. Mataas na ata ang araw when we agreed for a calesa tour.I have a favorite building there. Looks very vintage. My friend was ashamed of me kasi I was even sniffing the doors. Haha! Anyway, I think Vigan deserved better preservation.
Great list! Hay kelan kaya ako makakapag-Vigan ulit. Hindi ako nauloty nung Ilocos trip ko hanggang sa Norte lang ako. The last time I went to Vigan is 14 or 15 yrs old pa ako with the family na walang dalang camera
yes when we went there. Too bad we didn’t ask for the horse’s hunk name. Haha!Wow, I’ve been wanting to come up with a Pic of the Week for my trnailevg dolls, too. Great minds, huh?
Mr. Dylan, the cathedral is named in honor of St. Paul not St. John.
I like your presentation of Vigan.
I am from Vigan.
Oops, thank you Viktor. I stand corrected. Will change it immediately.
awesome suggestions! been to Vigan twice but i’ve never tried the kalesa ride… thanks for sharing Dylan..
Thanks Mervs.
Haha, my friend and I were too cheap to get a kalsea tour. We thought it was way too touristy, and we liked being able to walk around, explore, and snap pictures. My friend is quite the avid photographer, and I’m a sucker for architecture, whether it’s a well-known building or not, so we both enjoyed exploring Vigan on foot. Not a very big city, anyway. =P
Great list! Hay kelan kaya ako makakapag-Vigan ulit. Hindi ako natuloy nung Ilocos trip ko hanggang sa Norte lang ako. The last time I went to Vigan is 14 or 15 yrs old pa ako with the family na walang dalang camera
Thanks Mica. Punta ka na before UK.
Galing na ako at yes, surprising yung Legacy
)
What happened to you in Club Legacy?
Helpful Guide…
Follow this and you’ll enjoy your trippin’ in Vigan.
Thanks for dropping by Robert.