Vigan City DIY Travel Guide 2026 – Overrated or Worth a Visit?

Vigan is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Philippines. 

Nowhere else can you find a place that has preserved the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines as well as this city. 

However, as I was planning to visit, I noticed some people calling this place “touristy” or “not worth the long travel.” 

I also couldn’t find a proper guide of this place to tell me if it was worth a visit. 

So I went.

Spent FOUR days in the city (when most people only spend a day). 

And I’ve come back with THIS Vigan Travel Guide!  

In it, I’ll show you:

• Fun Facts About Vigan
• How to Get to Vigan
• How to Get Around Vigan
• Where to Stay in Vigan
• 6 Cool Tourist Spots to Check Out
• Where to Eat in Vigan
• FAQs

All to give you a MUCH better idea of what Vigan is actually like, and whether it’s worth a visit or not. 

So hop into my kalesa and let’s explore Vigan! 

Fast Facts About Vigan

• Known For: Preserved Spanish-era cobblestone streets and architecture.

• Location: Ilocos Sur

• How to Get There: Partas Bus from Manila (Cubao or Pasay). Book online here!

• Language: Ilocano

• My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Definitely on the touristic side. However, the city is doing a great job of preserving the Spanish era vibe and architecture, making it one of the most unique spots in the Philippines! 

3 Fun Travel Facts About Vigan

Before we dive into all the planning details, let me get you excited with some fun facts about Vigan!

#1: Vigan is One of Only Six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines

That’s right. 

It’s SO unique and well-preserved here that Vigan actually got recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site! 

To put that in perspective, there are only six World Heritage sites in the Philippines. The others being: 

• Baroque Churches of the Philippines
• Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (a.k.a Banaue Rice Terraces)
• Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
• Puerto Princesa Underground River, and
• Mount Hamiguitan

If that’s not reason to go and visit, then I don’t know what is! 

There are a few other old Spanish towns in the Philippines (Such as Silay or Taal Heritage Town), but none of them come close to Vigan. 

#2: The Whole Downtown Area Has Cobblestone Streets (Not Just Calle Crisologo)

If you’re thinking that the famous Vigan walking street (Calle Crisologo) is the only part of Vigan that has the Spanish vibe, you’d be wrong. 

Most of the downtown area has cobblestone streets and old buildings that look like they’ve been up for hundreds of years. 

Yes, Calle Crisologo is the only walking street, the only place where no cars are allowed. But the cobblestoned area was definitely bigger than I expected. 

Outside the downtown area (where the old makes way to a more modern urbanized area), you’ll still find a few reminders of the past. 

#3: Vigan is More Than Just a Picture Spot

Look…

The best thing about Vigan is definitely the old streets and buildings. 

But that’s definitely not all this place has to offer!

I stayed in Vigan for four days and got to enjoy the food, unknown spots, and much more from Vigan. 

I get slightly annoyed when people don’t even spend the night here. I get that you’re in a rush, but there’s definitely plenty to see here aside from the main walking street. 

So don’t think that Vigan is just a picture spot!

Okay…

With that out of the way…

Let’s get into the details of visiting Vigan. 

How to Get to Vigan

The main way to get to Vigan is by riding a bus from Manila directly to Vigan. The trip takes 7 – 9 hours, depending on traffic. Fare ranges from PHP850 to PHP1,500 depending on bus time and class. 

Partas Bus is probably the best bus line to do this. They have a terminal in Cubao and Pasay, and you can even book tickets online with them. 

That said, there are dozens of bus lines (such as Farinas, GV Florida, Maria de Leon, etc.) that go from Manila to Vigan from dozens of terminals (Sampaloc, Avenida, Cubao, and Pasay are the most popular terminals). 

So just pick and choose which one suits you best! 

How to Get to Vigan From Baguio

There are several buses heading to Vigan from Baguio. You’ll find them waiting along Gov Pack Road in Baguio. 

Partas Bus also has buses here. They have a “Laoag” signboard, but all buses heading to Laoag from Baguio also pass Vigan, so you can ride those. 

Aside from Partas, there are many other bus lines on Gov Pack Road. Just ask around who’s heading to Vigan! 

How to Get to Vigan From Laoag, Ilocos Norte

There are also MANY buses from Laoag to Vigan. 

Of course, there’s Partas Bus, which costs PHP192 from Laoag to Vigan, but there are many, many other options. 

You can head to the Pan Ilocandia Transport Cooperative (PITCO) station for the cheapest rides. But just about every bus terminal in Laoag (GV Florida, Farinas, Maria de Leon, etc) will have trips to Vigan. 

This is great because if you don’t want to endure a grueling 8-hour bus ride, you can instead fly from Manila to Ilocos Norte and then take a bus from there. 

Although if you’re already flying to Laoag, I would definitely recommend exploring Ilocos Norte a bit before heading to Vigan! 

How to Get Around Vigan

There are NO motorbike rentals in Vigan! 

Instead, you’ll have to go for one of these transpo options: 

• Walking – The good news is that most of Vigan’s main tourist spots are all within walking distance from each other. From the bus terminals to Calle Crisologo to the main food spots, you don’t actually need to ride anything for the most part. 

• KALESA! – One of the main tourist things to do in Vigan is to ride a Kalesa! A Kalesa ride around the old city costs PHP200, and they can take you to the museum. You can also just hire a kalesa to take you anywhere you want, just haggle with the driver for a price since there are no set prices.

• Tricycles – Tricycles are the main mode of transport around Vigan. A trip anywhere in the old city should only cost PHP20/head. Meanwhile, if your hotel is outside the downtown area (like mine was), it costs PHP30/head in the morning to go downtown, and PHP50/head at night. For longer distances, you’ll have to strike up a deal with your driver. 

• Buses/Modern Jeepneys – For longer distances, head to the Vigan Terminal. You’ll find plenty of buses and modern jeepneys heading medium to long distances there. I came here to ride a bus to the Old Quirino Bridge (which I’ll talk more about in a bit). If you’re looking for Partas or Farinas, they have their own terminals somewhere in the Old City (just check Google Maps). 

• Rent a Motorbike – Aha! Yes, there are no motorbike rentals IN Vigan. But you can also rent in Laoag City (2Wheels Motorbike Rental), and just drive to Vigan yourself. The trip here only takes about 2 hours, and you can head back to Laoag once you’re finished. 

Where to Stay in Vigan

The best place to stay in Vigan is anywhere in the old city. 

You can find plenty of places to stay on Agoda or any other hotel booking site. 

The closer you can get to Calle Crisologo, the better. If you’re in that area, you can walk pretty much anywhere, and finding transport options won’t be difficult at all. 

If you’re looking for budget options, you’ll find plenty a few kilometers away from the city center. I stayed in the Pantay Daya area, and a tricycle ride to the city center only costs PHP30 during the day, and PHP50 during nighttime. 

Here are a few suggestions: 

• Ciudad Fernandina Hotel – Beautiful hotel that lights up at night. It’s also a few steps away from Calle Crisologo, and you can walk from here to most spots in Vigan.

• Cordillera Inn – Located along Calle Crisologo, you’ll hear the kalesas passing by the inn and get to explore souvenir shops, restaurants, and other attractions nearby.

• Escolta’s Homey Lodge – Quaint lodge located in Calle Crisologo. Also, one of the cheapest to find around the area. If you’re on a budget, this is the place to stay.

• Red Doorz at Teofila Lodge – Where I stayed! This lodge is just 2 kilometers away from the city center. And as I mentioned, a quick tricycle ride to the main spots only costs PHP30. They also offer breakfast here, and the room is pretty decent. 

• Happy Grey Hotel Vigan – This is the cheapest place I found in Vigan. You’ll still get value for your money as the place offers everything you’ll need for a good night’s stay.

6 Vigan Tourist Spots You Need to Check Out

Now for the fun stuff. 

What can you actually DO in Vigan???

Let’s find out!

What to do in Vigan #1: Walk Around Calle Crisologo

Of course!

Calle Crisologo is the MAIN attraction of Vigan. 

It’s why so many tourists come here in the first place. 

If you haven’t heard of this before, Calle Crisologo is the main walking street of Vigan. It’s a cobblestone road, with NO cars allowed, so you can walk around and pretend you’re back in the 1800s again. 

Here you’ll find all the touristy stuff:

Restaurants, cafes, kalesa rides, pasalubongs items like crispy bagnet, and a ton of souvenirs.

While it can get crowded (especially on weekends and holidays), visiting Calle Crisologo is a MUST when in Vigan! 

What to do in Vigan #2: Ride a Kalesa Around the Old City

I know it’s touristy, but riding a Kalesa around the old Vigan city is actually quite fun. 

A Kalesa ride around the city costs PHP200 (some people say it’s only PHP150, so I guess it depends on the driver and your haggling skills). 

Some drivers stop by the Padre Burgos National Museum, or you can just ask your driver to keep moving. 

Aside from that, you can also ask your driver to take you to the Bantay Watchtower across the bridge. You may have to add a few more pesos, since it’s not exactly in the old city anymore. 

All in all, it’s quite enjoyable. 

Do you see anything you can’t see on foot?

No. 

But is it fun?

Heck yes!

What to do in Vigan #3: Watch the Dancing Fountain at Plaza Salcedo

Every night, the fountain at Plaza Salcedo lights up and goes on a lovely dance with music. 

This isn’t your everyday dancing fountain. 

The fountain here is quite big, so it’s quite a spectacle when it dances. 

The show lasts for about 30 minutes, then it goes quiet and back to its regular duties as a plaza fountain. 

The show starts at 7:30 pm every night. During weekends, there’s another show at 8:30 pm too! 

What to do in Vigan #4: Visit the Santa Catalina Beach

Here’s a spot that most people don’t know about: 

The Santa Catalina Beach!

It’s about 5.5 km away from the city center, and it’s a lovely spot to watch the sunset. The beach is facing west, so you get a front-row seat to a fiery and spectacular end to the day. 

The sand here is gray, which is probably why it isn’t super popular. However, it’s still a nice place to swim. 

There’s no entrance fee or anything here. There are also very few shops around (all were closed when I visited), so be prepared for it. 

To get here, you’ll need to you can hire a tricycle. I have no idea how much they’ll charge you for this trip, so just use all your haggling skills. 

Also, there are no tricycles waiting in the area, so it’s best to ask your driver to wait for you to take you back to Vigan when you’re done. 

Or… you can be like me and just run to Santa Catalina Beach! 

It’s just 5km, a good exercise. It’s also so refreshing to swim after running! 

What to do in Vigan #5: Check Out the Old Quirino Bridge

I’ll be honest here…

The Old Quirino Bridge is… just a bridge. 

I believe it has some historical significance, but I’m not sure. Anywho, it was destroyed by Typhoon Egay in 2023, so you can’t walk across it anymore. 

But that’s not the point. 

The point is that the green river that flows underneath this bridge is super pretty. 

Beside the old bridge, you’ll find steps that’ll take you down to the water. If you’re brave, you can swim here like the locals do. If not, just head down to the banks and observe. 

On the other side of the bridge, there’s a lovely viewpoint where you can sit down, enjoy the view, and wait for the sun to go down. There’s also a cafe on this side, so you can grab some drinks while chilling. 

Super nice and cozy place away from the crowds!

To get here from Vigan, head to the Vigan Terminal and take any southbound bus or modern jeepney, and tell them to drop you at “Banaoang Bridge.” I rode a non-aircon bus heading to Abra, and the fare was only PHP40. 

If you’re coming from Manila or Baguio, buses actually pass by this bridge before entering Vigan, so just alight here. 

You can also hail a bus from here to head back to Vigan. 

What to do in Vigan #6: Eat The Special Dishes of Vigan!

Food! Glorious food! 

Aside from the European vibes of Vigan, this city is also a culinary delight. 

There is PLENTY of cool and delicious stuff to try out here. 

Speaking of which…

What to Eat in Vigan (And Where to Get Them)

Okay, I made a whole new header for this one. 

But here’s the special foods of Vigan!

• Vigan Empanada – A big, crispy, and super delicious empanada! Made from Vigan longganisa, shredded cabbage, egg yolks, etc., paired with Vigan’s special vinegar (sukang Iloko), this is a MUST-eat in Vigan. There are plenty of stalls selling Vigan empanada, but the most popular shop is Irene’s Empanada, where they make it fresh as you order (I ordered the double-meat empanada, and it only cost PHP75). 

• Vigan Longganisa – Vigan longganisa has a more garlic-y flavor compared to normal Pinoy longganisas, and, again, it’s SO good. I know I’m sounding like a broken record here, but it really is! You can find Vigan Longganisa in a lot of eateries all over Vigan (I ate mine for breakfast at my hotel). You can even buy strings of Vigan longganisa at the market beside Partas Bus Station!

• Crispy Bagnet – Another Ilocano specialty! Crispy bagnet is basically lechon kawali (crispy deep-fried pork), but it’s boiled with spices before frying. Bagnet is so popular here, you can even buy it in Calle Crisologo, sold as a pasalubong item wrapped in food wrapper. Most of the restaurants have this dish too, but if you want a budget option, head to Plaza Burgos and look for the stalls selling Ilocano dishes there (there are also plenty of other Ilocano foods you can try here for cheap). 

• Sinanglao – An Ilocano soup made from cow innards and a little bit of bile! If you’ve had papaitan before (another Ilocano cow bile soup), sinanglao is the tamer version of it. It’s rich, tasty, and just has a tiny hint of bitterness. First Sinanglaoan is a small home eatery that’s said to be the first to serve this soup. It only costs PHP90 per bowl, and the lines here get quite long, so come early! 

• Royal Bibingka – A gooey rice cake snack that’s the perfect pasalubong item! There’s also some cheese on top, which makes it super yummy. I bought a whole box for myself. It costs PHP170 for 8 pieces, and just ate it slowly 😅. You can get this at Tongson’s Royal Bibingka, just at the end of Calle Crisologo.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling Vigan

Before I go, here are a few frequently asked questions about Vigan!

Is Vigan a Tourist Trap?

Yes and no. 

Yes, Vigan is very touristy. The people here are definitely trying to make the place feel European so that tourists can enjoy themselves. 

However! The answer is also no. 

No, because Vigan WAS actually like this a hundred years ago. The people here didn’t build Vigan to be a theme park; they simply preserved what was already there. 

Also, I highly encourage tourists to visit! Because if it weren’t for tourism, Vigan would fade into just another modern town. 

What is Vigan Known For?

Cobblestone streets, old Spanish architecture, Capiz windows, and kalesas!

It’s also one of only six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines, so there’s that. 

Is Ilocos and Vigan the Same?

No. Ilocos Sur is a province, while Vigan is the capital city of Ilocos Sur. 

Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte is a completely different province (that’s also worth a visit!). 

How Many Days Should I Stay in Vigan?

You can see all the main attractions of Vigan in just 1 day. 

However, I highly recommend staying for at least 2-3 days! 

The more you walk around the cobblestone roads, you’ll discover a few details that you’ll miss if you’re in a rush. 

Also, there are several off-the-beaten-path things, like Santa Catalina Beach, that’ll be tight to visit if you only stay one day!

Do I Need a Tour to Visit Vigan?

No! Vigan is one of the easiest places to visit DIY because all the main attractions are so close together. 

You can just walk if you want. 

If that’s not your thing, hop on a tricycle and get around for really cheap! 

Ready to Visit Vigan?

Yes, Vigan is touristy. 

However, NOWHERE else in the Philippines is the Spanish-era as well preserved as this place. 

So grab a Vigan empanada, hop on a kalesa, walk on the cobblestoned streets, and pretend you’re back in the 1800s all over again. 

That’s Vigan for you! 

As always, I hope this article was helpful!

If you have any questions, just leave them down below. 

If you’re also heading to Laoag or Pagudpud, check out my Ilocos Norte travel guide here. 

And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram or Facebook for more! 

Cheers!

– Manoling