Explore Ilocos

Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte are found in Ilocos region. The province of Ilocos Sur is where the Ilocos Region’s myriad of cultures and histories converge to become a living museum of a spirited past. A national shrine, a national landmark, a national museum, heritage museums, ancestral houses, period houses, cobble-stoned streets – they all share space in the timeless land of Ilocos Sur.

Found in the province is the historic town of Vigan, which was inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in November 1999. Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines and from China with those from Europe to create a unique culture and townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia. Its Kamestizoan District is replete with ancestral houses with ancient tiled roofs, massive hardwood floorings, ballustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural styles.

Centuries-old Sta. Maria Church, declared a National Landmark, was used as a fortress during the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Tirad Pass, declared a National Shrine, had been the last stand of the Filipino Revolutionary Forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo during the same period. Bessang Pass served as the backdoor to General Yamashita’s last ditch defensed during the last stage of World War II.

The capital of Ilocos Norte is Laoag City. In this place, you can find and experience different adventures. There are lots of places you can visit here and enjoy. Memorable things you won’t forget. Some of the places that tourists enjoy here are Lapaz Sand Dunes which was created by the interaction of the wind, sea and river. The height of the dunes ranges from 10 to 30 meters,. You can ride a 4x4 here, sand boarding and ATV ride. Malacañang of the North was built as the official residence of the late President Marcos in Ilocos Norte. It is a two storey building which is located near the legendary Paoay Lake. It is open in public and has entrance fee of P20.00. Bangui Windmill is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. It has 20 tri-blades 70 meters high windmills arranged in an arc formation along the Bangui Bay. It is situated north of Laoag City and about 45 minutes ride. Ilocos Norte is one of the provinces of the Philippines that generate renewable energy.

Ilocos Norte is a coastal province so different colors of sand can be found here — the blackest of black in Laoag, the brown sands in Currimao, the white sands in Pagudpud.  Some parts in Pagudpud are also lined with a rocky shore.

Aside from these, Ilocos is also famous for their delicacies. Bagnet, Pinakbet and emapanada are only some of the foods that are native in Ilocos. These delicious foods are just one of the things that show Ilocano culture. Handicrafts, antiques and Ilocano snacks are some of the things tourists can bring home as their pasalubong to your family. All of them would surely be loved by your family.

Ilocos is surely a beautiful place. This is only one of the hundreds of nice places in the Philippines. In Ilocos, you can go to different places, eat a lot of foods and do various things. Ilocos is surely a place where the past and present Philippine culture exists.