Vigan is located in Ilocos Sur. In this blog post we will tell you a 2 days Vigan itinerary. It’s known for its preserved Spanish colonial and Asian architecture. And because of its beauty and its well-preserved Spanish-era streets, Vigan has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vigan is one of the oldest towns in the Philippines. If you go there you will experience the ancient feels of the city. You can not just enjoy the view, but Vigan can also make your tummy happy with the delicacies they have!
Read here our where to stay in Vigan.
SIM CARD AT MANILA AIRPORT
I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Manila airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Manila. Read here Philippines sim card for tourist and best Philippines eSim
WHERE TO STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES
You can get accommodation starting from 800-1000 PHP (less than $20 USD) for a room in a guesthouse. Can you imagen if you are two of you traveling in the Philippines, it will be $10 USD each.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING AND AGODA!
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review
You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included
GETTING TO VIGAN BY BUS FROM MANILA
If you are getting to Vigan from Manila by bus. There are buses that are en-route directly to Vigan like Viron, Ancieto and Partas bus. The ride will take at least 8 hours on the road and will costs around 700 PHP. This is perfect if you want to enjoy the sight seeing on the way to Vigan.
Click here to book online the bus ticket Manila to Vigan!
GETTING TO VIGAN BY BUS FROM CLARK
If you are getting to Vigan from Clark Pampanga, you can ride the shuttle or jeepney going to Dau Integrated Bus Terminal. Look for a bus going to Vigan or Laoag. Travel time can take up to 8-9 hours depending on the traffic. From Dau to Vigan there are Parta buses going there and it costs 600 PHP one way.
Read here how to get from Laoag to Vigan, our full blog post how to get to Vigan and how to get from La Union to Vigan!
DAILY BUDGET TO VISIT VIGAN
For budget or DIY travelers, you’ll surely choose cheaper options especially when it comes to accommodation. before, Vigan used to be expensive to go to, but since the place began one of the best destination for travelers, foreign or local, DIY or budget travel is now very possible. Including accommodation, food, transportation and some entrance fees on the side, you can go around Vigan for a day for 1500 PHP or even less!
With 1500 PHP can be a good budget with food, transportation and accommodation plus entrance fees to some spots since most of them are with donation or free of charge. You can go for local food for 50-70 PHP in local carinderias and around 150 PHP in local restaurants in Vigan where you will find Filipino food and Western food.
For accommodation a budget room would cost minimum 1000 PHP ($20 USD) and you can go up to 5000 PHP. There are Airbnb options starting from $15-25.
WHERE TO STAY IN VIGAN? CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING
VIGAN ITINERARY
If you want to explore Vigan we consider 2 Days Vigan itinerary is enough for the small city. If you can stay longer we will suggest a few more plans.
DAY 1 VIGAN ITINERARY
For the first day in your itinerary in Vigan after reaching the city. We will suggest to visit around city center. You can ride a calesa and going around. The most popular places are Crisologo and Crisologo Museum, Visit Father Jose Burgos’ House, Syquia Mansion,
Of course food tripping in Vigan. Make sure you try the typical food in Ilocos Empanada and Longaniza. Prices are so affordable and you will find everywhere in Vigan.
VISIT SYQUIA MANSION
The Syquia Mansion is a Majestic, 19th-century stone mansion that features grand, opulent rooms, period furnishings & art. The Syquia Mansion tour is free, but a donation may be given to the caretaker.
VISIT FATHER JOSE BURGOS’ HOUSE
Padre Burgos House or also called National Museum, is the ancestral house and birthplace of priest patriot Fr. Jose Burgos. It is one of the notable historic structures of Vigan, the capital of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is a two-story structure located near the Provincial Capitol and close to St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral.
EXPLORE CRISOLOGO STREET
Calle Crisologo dominates the Mestizo district, with its cobblestone streets, malecón, horse-drawn carriages and rustic mansions, you will surely feel like you’ve been transferred to a different place, rather, to a different time!
Full of souvenirs and picturesque everywhere, you feel like walking around old towns in Spain!
VISIT CRISOLOGO MUSEUM
This Museum is the house of the late former politician Floro S. Crisologo. It is now turned into a museum with memorabilia & furniture. The Crisologo Museum is found along De Los Reyes Street in Vigan.
RIDE A CALESA
Experience riding the colonial era’s way of transportation! Kalesa is a horse-drawn carriage used during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. Up to this day, Kalesas can be seen anywhere in Vigan City and it’s one of the must experience activity while you are there. You can ride it for 200-300 PHP for an hour.
TRY LONGANIZA
Vigan longanisa is an Ilocano sausage delicacy with plenty of garlic and spices in the mixture. This longganisa is distinct from other native longganisa version because it is small and plump, it is not sweet unlike how the more popular longganisa tastes like.
Instead, The way to describe its taste is, it is spicy, salty, tangy and garlicky. You can see longaniza everywhere as street food, in local carinderias and restaurants in Vigan.
TRY EMPANADA
The Vigan empanada is much in keeping with the Vigan people’s love for vegetables in their cuisine. It is similar to a thin taco that is fried to a crisp, with vegetable and meat filling. Rice flour is used for making the crust or the shell.
The galapong or rice flour dough is made a day before it is used so it is a must taste if you are in Vigan. Empanadas with meat and vegetables you can find them everywhere. For 35 PHP as street food you can taste a good ones!
DAY 2 ITINERARY IN VIGAN
For your day 2 itinerary in Vigan you can visit Baluarte. It can be the perfect place to spend the day especially if you are traveling with kids in the Philippines.
After visiting Baluarte. You can visiting Bantay Bell and cruising Mestizo River in the afternoon before going for food at night. Sinanglao a beef soup typical from Ilocos. And Bagnet is another delicacie that you can’t miss to try when visiting Vigan.
VISIT BALUARTE CHAVIT SINGSON
Baluarte Chavit Singson or Baluarte Zoo is a zoological park in Vigan, Ilocos Sur Philippines that is owned by Chavit Singson. Baluarte is just ten minute drive from Vigan City. It features a number of live animals like ostrich, tigers, lions, ducks, camels, kangaroos, and deers among others that lives peacefully at the zoo.
There is also a butterfly garden and a gallery which showcases the owner’s collection from his trip to Safari. There is no entrance fee. Operating hours is 6AM to 6PM.
VISIT BANTAY BELL TOWER
The Saint Augustine Parish Church, commonly known as Bantay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Bantay, Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. The church was dedicated to St. Augustine of Hippo.
It is also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity. Bantay Bell Tower is one of Vigan’s most iconic structure. Built in 1951 you can see the panoramic view of Vigan in this historical tower.
CRUISE MESTIZO RIVER
Mestizo River is a stream and is located in Province of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos, Philippines. Mestizo River has so much importance in history in Vigan. It was used to transport goods in the old times.
SINANGLAO
Sinanglao is beef or carabao innards boiled in beef soup stock. The seller would then slice the innards and coagulated blood in your bowl and pour the boiling stock flavored with vinegar and kamias on it. You then add leaks and onion rings, according to your taste.
BAGNET
Bagnet is the double-fried crispy pork specialty of Ilocos. It’s a cross between chicharon and lechon kawali where the lean meat is crispy but not dry and the pork skin is fried to a crisp. You’ll taste the natural taste oh so yummy taste of the pork!
MORE DAYS VIGAN ITINERARY
EXPERIENCE PAGBURNAYAN
Pagburnayan Jar Making is also a well know activity that most tourists that visits Vigan wants to experience. It is located in Brgy. Pagburnayan in Vigan. Pagburnayan is a place where they used the old and authentic methods in pottery.
The root word “burnay” is an earthenware jar crafted by potter’s hands with the aid of a potter’s wheel. It uses fine sand (anay) as a tempering material and fired at a high temperature in a huge brick-and-clay ground kiln that make it is harder and more durable than other terra cotta.
MINDORO BEACH
This beach is located in Barangay Mindoro, located five kilometers east of the town center. The beach, which faces the West Philippine Sea, has dark but fine sands. It’s also one of the favorite places to go to by the the tourists because like most places on the Philippines in west coast, it offers a beautiful view of the sunset.
There are cottages where guests can chill and rest. One of the features that grabs the attention of the people visiting is the concrete breakwaters that looked like giant jackstones.
WHERE TO STAY IN VIGAN
From modern to colonial era style hotels to budget friendly and luxury hotels, Vigan has it all for you! You can splurge on the most luxurious stay or do a DIY and be on the budget side. No matter what you choose, Vigan will still ne enjoyable, for sure.
HOTEL FELICIDAD
Set in a restored, colonial heritage house, Hotel Felicidad offer Spanish-inspired architecture and air-conditioned rooms and suites with free WiFi. Located in Vigan, the hotel has a 24-hour front desk. Each soundproofed room and suite features a flat-screen cable TV and safe.
A seating area, dining table and private bathroom with shower and free toiletries are included.Other facilities include a tour desk, airport and shuttle services at a surcharge. Free parking is also available. Hotel Felicidad Restaurant serves both local and international cuisine. Room price starts at 3000 PHP a night.
Click here to check their rates and availability!
BERMUDEZ TRANSIENT ROOMS
Bermudez Transient Rooms in Vigan is located in Vigan, within 1.8 km of Calle Crisologo. With free WiFi and private parking are available on site. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at the guesthouse. Room starts at 1000 PHP a night.
Click here to check their rates and availability!
PARADORES DE VIGAN
Located in Vigan, Paradores de Vigan has a fitness center. The rooms has air conditioning, a microwave, a fridge, a electric tea pot, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. Featuring a private bathroom, rooms at the hotel also have free WiFi, while some rooms also feature a balcony.
All guest rooms in Paradores de Vigan are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a hair dryer. An Asian breakfast is served at the property. Room starts at 4999 PHP a night.
Click here to check their rates and availability!
BALAY KAHEL
A garden and a terrace, as well as a shared lounge are offered in-house at Balay Kahel, which is located in Vigan, just one kilometer away from Bantay Bell Tower. The apartment is in an area where guests can engage in activities such as fishing and darts.
This air-conditioned apartment comes with 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV, and a kitchen. There’s a bathroom with a bath, a bidet and free toiletries. A car rental service is available at the apartment. One night can costs 1400 PHP.
Click here to check their rates and availability!
Hope it’s useful our Vigan itinerary for 2 days. Are we missing something or do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments below
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.