The Philippines is no stranger to being named one of the best destinations in Asia, especially with a rich and diverse culture. For example, most of the old architecture you will find in the country are heavily inspired by the Spanish Baroque style that dominated the country in the 16th century.

Today, most of these old buildings are survived by the oldest churches now considered famous Iloco tourist spots, often dating back to when the first Spaniards settled here. Much like how the whole country of the Philippines has a diverse culture from different religions and backgrounds, Ilocos specifically have a deeply-rooted culture that dates back centuries. For instance, many natives here have assimilated their tribes’ culture to co-exist with Spanish colonization.

If you plan on looking for the best destinations in Ilocos, you’ve come to the right place! With this list, you can dive into some wonderful tourist spots, specifically in the Ilocos region to gain insight into its thriving culture and history.

When you think about the Philippines’ rich heritage, there’s no better place to visit than the Ilocos region. The regional culture alone will bring you closer to nature and the country's history will give you an insight into the storied places and surely enhance your appreciation of Philippine heroes.

The various cuisines in the region is heavily influenced by different cultures, such as Chinese, Spanish, and Malay. The amazing roster of food perfectly complements the diversity of the culture and the people’s lively nature.

Whether it’s about spending a holiday to get tanned at the beach or visiting the historical sites to learn more about the country’s history, such as riding a kalesa in a lot of Vigan tourist spots, you cannot go wrong with the number of things you can do in the Ilocos region. It’s no surprise as in the past few years, the local government has elevated Ilocos’ tourism industry.

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A good Philippines Ilocos tour wouldn’t be complete without trying out something new, and that’s where the village of Pagburnayan in Vigan City comes in. This town is known for its centuries-old traditional method of making clay jars, called “Burnay.” Artisans who make these regularly still pride themselves in the skillful process, and these products are more than just decorative souvenirs, as they are still being used to ferment various local food products, such as vinegar and wine.

Thanks to the bountiful West Philippine Sea, the coasts of Western Luzon offer a long stretch of beautiful white sand beaches. The location is accessible, being only slightly north of smaller towns like Pinili, tourist spots in the area are mostly composed of old Spanish watchtowers. Currimao beach features an extensive range of white sand, rocky, and coral beaches.

As one of the oldest surviving churches in the region, Bantay Church and Bell Tower dates back to the late 16th century. During this time, the uphill location of the building served an important function: for the locals to see invading foreign forces from far away. This is by far one of the most well-known San Juan tourist spots that feature a style that is heavily inspired by the elegance of Baroque and gothic architecture.

This church's most distinctive feature is how it cleverly blends the designs of Chinese, Javanese, and gothic architecture. The plain field further highlights the beauty of the church. In 2018, the church's restoration was announced and began in 2019, which only boosts the sheer appeal of this tourist spot.

This 500-meter-long street in Vigan City is one of the most well-known destinations in the country because of its lively European-style neighborhood. This is a pedestrian-only street, so tourists can experience the feel of centuries-old culture in Vigan. Tourists can explore the street either on foot or via kalesa, a horse-drawn carriage that now became an iconic remnant of the city’s history.

An Ilocos tour wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the taste of the local cuisine, especially if it has a lot to offer. Read on and explore some local cuisine of Ilocos region that will inspire your cooking and give you a reason to come back for another tour. In choosing a place to do a food trip, Ilocos, Philippines makes for a mighty contender.

Ilocos’ iconic bagnet is a deep-fried crispy pork belly. It is pretty similar to lechon kawali, but the main difference is the texture because the chicharron-like texture of bagnet is commonly achieved by frying the pork belly twice. There are many variations of bagnet, like how some people follow a bagnet kapampangan recipe.

Vigan empanada recipe is mostly characterized by using Vigan longganisa as the main ingredient of the filling. It originated in Batac, Ilocos Norte, and the town has a lot of Spanish influence, so the recipe is similar to taco. The main difference between this type of empanada and the others is its distinctive bright orange color.

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Ready to dive into the wonders of the Ilocos region? Look no further because you've just unlocked a treasure trove of rich culture, history, and delicious cuisine. And guess what? You can experience it all with the help of Traveloka!

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