"Vigan - that "Spanish" feel.." Top 5 Page for this destination Vigan by myspices

Vigan Travel Guide: 417 reviews and 1,221 photos

Cobblestone streets and Kalesa

Vigan in Ilocos Sur, North Luzon is a city of cobblestones and kalesa. It is the capital of Ilocos Sur . It is about 318km from the Angeles City. The journey by bus will take about 7hours.

Vigan - the heritage city is founded in 1572 by Juan de Salcedo. It was converted into a city on Jan. 22, 2001 by King Fernando of Spain. Vigan City was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage because of its unparalleled culture and architectural treasures. It is full of history, the traces of it which the city faithfully maintains and preserves. It is the best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. The architecture represent the combination of the influences of Spain, China and Europe - making Vigan a unique place of interest.

Hearing the click-clad, click-clad sound of the kalesa on the cobblestones in the early morning is a freshing sound to wake up to compared to your alarm clock. Enjoy the laid back surroundings of Vigan, the many historical buidings and the slow swaying ride on the kalesa ... you will love Vigan!

Must DOs in Vigan
==
1) Calle Crisologo Street - cobblestone street with quaint little shops
2) Ride a Kalesa around the town of Vigan
3) Plaza Burgos - the most "hang-out" place
4) Plaza Salcedo - nice fountain and "cart-wheel" swings
5) St Paul's Cathedral & Belfry
6) Burgos Museum
7) City Hall/Municipal Hall - the unique structures
8) Leona Florentina statue
9) UNESCO marker
10) Syquia Mansion
11)Simbaan a Bassit
12) Public Market
13) Bell Tower
14) St. Augustine Parish Church of Bantay
15) Pottery Factory/Weaving Centre

Must Try
==
1) Empanadas - a local pancake
2) Have dinner at one of cafes on the cobblestones.

The Crisologo Street

children at Crisologo - cheeky and mischevious

Also termed as Calle Crisologo. Situated in the heart of the Mestizo District (a.k.a. "Kasanglayan" - where the Chinese live) . During the day, little shops lined the street, selling many local art and crafts, hand woven table runners, mats, bags and furnishings. At night, the street is dimly lit and quiet except for the sound of children playing on the street with occasional click-clad sound of the kalesa.

Sway with the Kalesa ride

you have to try this..

Kalesa or Calesa - horse-drawn carriages is a convenient and cheap way of moving around the city of Vigan. It's fun and musical : click- clad, click- clad, that's how it sounded. For short ride it's 7.5pesos (same as the price of the tricycle ride). The Municipal has approved kalesa driver to charge a fee of 150 pesos per hour.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Easy, Laid back - good place to relax
Cons:shops are closed too early
In a nutshell:a taste of Spain ...

Last visit to Vigan: Oct 2006
Intro Updated Nov 15, 2006
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Reviews (32)

Map of Vigan - places of interests Favorites (2)

You can obtain a very informative map (free) from the Vigan Heritage Village Center located along the Crisologo Street.... more travel advice

Around Vigan city and vicinity Transportation (3)

Forms of transport to move around the surroundings in Vigan :- 1) Kalesa - 7.5pesos for short distance and 150pesos for... more travel advice

Board Partas bus at Partas station, Vigan - Vigan

From Vigan to Baguio Transportation (3)

From Vigan, you can board the Partas bus at the Partas Bus station which is near to the Lyric cinema and the Public... more travel advice

Partas Bus bound for Laoag will stop at Vigan - Vigan

From Clark, Pampanga to Vigan/Laoag Transportation (3)

We board the Partas bus at Dau, Malacabat near Angeles City at 1.00am which was bound for Laoag as we have missed the... more travel advice

Things to Do (15)
See All Visit a Pottery Factory - Ruby Jar...
Shopping (2)
See All Jars, Vases and Pots
Nightlife (1)
Stroll, Relax.. have a Cuppa

Restaurants (8)
See All Local lunch - the "turo-turo" way
Hotels (1)
Like a Museum within..
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Comments (11)

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teevee Mar 10, 2011 at 10:12 AM

This is one spot i really wanted to have a footprint but too far north. Enjoying the views of your pages for now lol. There's a Salcedo market in Manila on Sundays..me likes!
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nimato Nov 18, 2009 at 3:46 AM

Browsing on these pages, I could easily say these are the best Vigan pages in VT!
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mvtouring Jul 18, 2009 at 1:32 PM

very interesting page. I think I would like to ride in a Kalesa one day. ;-)
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machomikemd Oct 25, 2008 at 1:55 AM

hi feejin. your favorite fried fish in the philippines is called Milk Fish (Bangus in Tagalog) and the dish is called "Daing Na Bangus" you can see the description in my Manila Local Customs Page :-)
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blacksnail Sep 3, 2008 at 3:59 AM

wow.. i nvr know there is such a beautiful place in Phillipines!
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Yla Apr 16, 2008 at 1:44 AM

Thanks for the rich information on Vigan. Quite needed for my second trip next week :-)
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barbskie Sep 7, 2007 at 3:34 PM

Philippines has lots of improvements. Vigan sound a great deal aside from those famous tourist spots . Thanks for sharing. Hope i can manage to visit this place in the future.
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moonlighting Dec 29, 2006 at 12:33 AM

Such a shame i haven't been to Ilocos. Your photos and captions are beautiful!
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bike_packer Dec 22, 2006 at 1:08 AM

hey, feejin! your vigan page is very informative. and yes, the pictures alone can tell the stories of the fun of your ilocos travels. thanks very much for visiting our country. happy holidays!!!! or ishould say, from a christian >> Happy Christmas!!
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cHeLLe28 Dec 14, 2006 at 1:50 AM

hi would you know what is the last trip leaving vigan going to baguio?