Visiting Vigan.

I find anything old and vintage very romantic and nostalgic, I would always jump into opportunities to visit cities or houses or own pieces of old things.

It was between September and October when my friend Jingjing asked me to go to Vigan with her. I haven't been to Vigan and I heard so many wonderful stories about it, so without second thoughts, I said yes.


It was already dark when we arrived in Vigan by bus from Laoag. After dropping off our things at the hotel, we decided to walk to the town and to the famous Crisologo Street. Everything looked beautiful in orange lights, it almost felt like walking in the cobblestones streets of Paris at night. The street cafes were swarming with people eating and laughing, yet there was a sense of peace to this place.


Vigan is included in UNESCO's World Heritage List and it is truly worth visiting. The old houses here are all very well preserved. It is quite a joy to walk around and imagine what it was like to live in this charming little town.


One of the things I love about traveling is observing the locals' way of life. It's quite refreshing to see them sit infront of their houses, read the paper, sip coffee while tourists go there to actually get fascinated at the houses they go home to everyday.


Things to do in Vigan:

- Walk around the famous Calle Crisologo
- Take loads of pictures
- Visit the Cathedral and explore the town
- Buy bibingka for pasalubong
- Do a Calesa tour
- Check out the Abel (handwoven blankets)
- Have conversations at Plaza Burgos
- Dine in street cafes
- Shop for pasalubongs
- Visit the Baluarte and the Hidden Garden
- Experience moulding jars in Pagburnayan
- People-watch at Plaza Salcedo
- Go to Museo de San Pablo
- Have longganisa for breaksfast
- Bring home some Bagnet


What to Wear:
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You'd be walking a lot or riding in calesas or tricycles.

Transportation:
So many calases and tricycles in town and they can take you anywhere. Bus terminals are also just 5-minute tricylce ride from town. Busses travel to Laoag (where the airport is), Manila, Baguio, and other nearby provinces.

We took a Partas bus from Laoag to Vigan and back to Laoag (for our flight back to Manila).

Partas Transportation Company Inc.
816 Aurora Blvd, Cubao, Quezon City
+63 2 7257303, +63 2 7249820

Where to Stay in Vigan:

Aniceto Mansion
Plaza Burgos, Mena Crisologo Street
(077) 7222383 to 84 . (077) 7221242
Aircon rooms: Php1700; Php12000 for 20 people; Php7000 for 10 people

Cordillera Inn
29 Mena Crisologo St.
(077) 7222727 . (0927) 3135616
Aircon rooms: Php1500; Fan room: Php1050

Gordion Hotel
V. delos Reyes St. cor Salcedo St.
(077) 7222526 . (02) 2461502
Aircon rooms: Php2000

Grandpa's Inn
Bonifacio St. cor. Quirino Blvd.
(077) 7222118 / 6320987
Aircon rooms: Php1680; Fan rooms: Php980; Aircon dorm rooms: Php2250 good for 4
Php3360 good for 6 . Php4480 good for 8

Vigan Plaza Hotel
Plaza Burgos, Mena Crisologo Street
(077) 7228553 . (077) 7221527
Aircon rooms: Php2300 . Dormitory rooms: Php7000 good for 6 . Php8000 good for 7

For more list of Vigan hotels, go to this LINK.

For more information about Vigan, go to their official website.