Calle Crisologo Tours

Discover the rich heritage of Vigan by joining this immersive tour from Manila. If you have a knack for history and want a quick escape from the metro, then this package is surely something that should not be missed.  Your driver will fetch you at your meet up place in Starbucks SM Mall of Asia and take you north to the city of Vigan. Upon arriving at the city, you will first head to the Bantay Bell Tower, which dates back to the 1590s. This old structure resisted the tests of time and had seen the Spaniards come and go. Take a quick photo at the site before making your way to the Syquia Mansion.  The mansion was owned by the Ilocano-born President of the Philippines Elpidio Quirino’s wife, Doña Alicia Syquia Quirino. During the Quirino administration, some government meetings and functions were held here. Today, the mansion serves as a museum.  From there, you will visit the Baluarte Zoo, owned and designed by Filipino politician, Chavit Singson. This interactive wildlife sanctuary features preserved remains of Singson’s hunted animals over the years. You'll also visit the famous pottery attraction Pagburnayan, where you can buy or build your own clay pot.  After admiring the locally-made pottery, you will head next to the Ilocos Regional Museum Complex. It is a group of museums that houses important memorabilia like the dormitory room of Elpidio Quirino. Your Vigan trip will not be complete without a visit to the frequently photographed Calle Crisologo. This age-old street is lined with Spanish houses and structures that make it the perfect spot for your sepia photos. You can rent a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) here or simply stroll around to enjoy the scenery.   Get insights and knowledge about the rich heritage of Vigan with this sightseeing tour from Manila. Check availability by choosing a date. 

Discover the beauty of the southern section of the Ilocos region on this full-day sightseeing tour around its famed landmarks. This tour best appeals to families and friends looking to know the history behind some of the most iconic places in the province aboard the convenience of a private vehicle.  The tour will start in the morning when you are picked up from your hotel and taken to your first destination — Paoay. Upon arrival at the town, you will head straight to the Malacañang of the North. This became the residence of the presidential family during the term of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The mansion is now converted into a museum featuring the highlights of the former president’s term. From there you will head to Paoay Lake, the largest lake in the province, and Paoay Church, which is also known as Saint Augustine Church. Before going to Vigan for lunch, you will first get a taste of the famous Ilocos empanada at the Batac Empanadahan. You will also be visiting the Marcos Museum in this town to learn more about the life of the former president. From there, you will dig into your lunch in Vigan, then set off to see the historic sites in the city, including St. Paul’s Cathedral (also known as Vigan Cathedral), Bantay Church, and Baluarte (a zoological park). You will also be dropping by the Pagburnayan Pottery to experience making your own earthen jar. After the pottery making session, you will be brought to the Burgos Museum, the ancestral home of martyr Father Jose Burgos, and the Crisologo Museum, the former residence of politician Floro S. Crisologo. For an extra fee, you can also opt to visit the Syquia Mansion, a century-old mansion owned by the former President Elpidio Quirino. Your trip to Ilocos Sur will not be complete without heading to Calle Crisologo, where you can find old and well-preserved Spanish-era houses. Enjoy strolling along these cobblestone streets and try riding the kalesa (horse-drawn carriage), as well. The tour will close with a spectacular show courtesy of the Ilocos Sur dancing fountain before you head back to Laoag. Experience the best of Ilocos Sur on this whole-day seat-in-coach tour of Paoay, Batac, and Vigan. Check availability by choosing a date.

See the best of Vigan and Ilocos Norte in this family-friendly escapade around the region’s most iconic landmarks. If you’re looking to discovering the highlights of Ilocos, specifically the stunning views of its rural towns, in just a day, then this jam-packed package is just what you need.  The driver will pick you up at your accommodation in Laoag and take you the Malacanang of the North, a former Presidental family house turned into a museum with displays about the former President Ferdinand Marcos’ reign in the Philippines. The two-story mansion overlooks the beautiful Paoay Lake, which you will be visiting next. Most locals enjoy strolling along the shores of the lake and admiring its serene atmosphere.  From there, you will marvel at Paoay Church’s baroque-inspired facade next. This religious relic has survived earthquakes over its centuries-long existence. This UNESCO-listed attraction is one of the province’s most popular and most photographed site. You will also be dropping by at the Marcos Museum to learn about the life of the former Philippine president.  Another must-see museum on the list if the Juan and Antonio Luna Museum, which is dedicated to the two titular historical figures. Appreciate the well-preserved artifacts found inside, especially the galleries depicting the brothers’ life. You will then be making your way to St. Paul’s Cathedral next, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site declaration for the Historic Town of Vigan in 1999.  From there, you will be taken to the Bantay Church to see its Neo-Gothic and pseudo-Romanesque beauty and historical belfry before heading off to make earthen jars at the Parburnayan Pottery Making. Other points of interest you will be stopping by are the Burgos Museum, National Museum, Crisologo Museum, and Baluarte Zoo. You will then be taken to explore the narrow, cobblestone streets of Calle Crisologo. Buy souvenirs from one of the quaint shops here or ride the kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) to complete the experience. See what makes Ilocos Norte a prime tourist destination with this day tour of Vigan City and its nearby landmarks. Check availability by choosing a date.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant heritage of Vigan with this historical full-day tour. If you are into history and want to learn the story behind the city’s Spanish-era buildings, then this tour is just what you’re looking for.  Wait for your designated driver to pick you up at the lobby of your accommodation in Laoag City. Once settled, you will immediately start with the heritage tour, starting with a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral. Also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the St. Paul’s Cathedral is a relic of the country’s colonial history. The current structure has been around since the 1800s with many reconstructions and maintenance throughout the centuries. You will then make your way to Bantay Bell Tower, which traces its history all the way back to the 1590s. This ancient structure has withstood the test of time and has seen the Spanish come and leave. Take pictures of this Ilocandia icon and jump back in time as you try to imagine what life was like before. From there, you will drop by the Pagburnayan Pottery Making House, a famous pottery attraction where you will learn how to create your own earthen jar from clay. Less than a kilometer away from the pottery house is Padre José Burgos National Museum. A satellite museum of the National Museum, this building was once the ancestral home of Father José Burgos, one of the three martyr priests whom the Spanish executed 1872. There are various Ilocano artifacts housed here, including the series of paintings made by local painter, Don Esteban Villanueva.  You will see more interesting historical pieces at your next stop, the National Museum in Ilocos Museum Regional Complex. This set of museums sits next to the provincial capitol building in Vigan and features items, from the memorabilia of former President Elpidio Quirino to a Basi wine exhibit collection. Another must-see museum in Vigan is the Crisologo Museum, the ancestral house of politician Floro Crisologo which was converted into a museum shortly after his assassination in 1972.  Afterward, you will enjoy a quick zoo sightseeing at Baluarte before ending your day with a visit to the cobblestone streets of Calle Crisologo. Here, you will spot horse-drawn carriages that were once the only mode of transportation in the Spanish-ruled Philippines. With the Spanish houses lining the street, it makes for a perfect backdrop for your photos.  Stroll the Heritage Village of Vigan and discover its old-world charm on this guided day tour. Check availability by choosing a date.

Experience the heritage and culture of northern Luzon with this tour that will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan. If you are staying in Laoag for its beautiful sand dunes but want to see the historic side of Ilocos, this trip is perfect for you. After being picked up from your hotel in Laoag, you will head to the most famous stop in Vigan, Calle Crisologo. It is best known for the Spanish-era houses that line the cobblestone streets. Here, you will go on a walking tour around the area’s four blocks while your guide fills you in on its rich history and heritage. Feel free to pose for creative photos while you’re at it.  Head next to Syquia Mansion, located less than a kilometer away from Calle Crisologo. The mansion served as the residence of former Philippine president Elpidio Quirino. This ancestral house contains paintings of his family, memorabilia, and antique furniture. One of the most recognizable artworks inside is a replica of the Spoliarium by Juan Luna. From there, you will immerse yourself in a pottery-making experience at the Pagburnayan Pottery Making. Upon arriving at the site, you will be toured around the pottery place where several earthen jars are displayed. You will then be taught how to make simple jars, which you can also buy afterward.  About a kilometer away from the pottery place is the Crisologo Museum, former residence of politician Floro S. Crisologo. This century-old house was converted into a museum of the politician’s life and memories shortly after he was murdered in October 1970.  You will also be checking out Baluarte Zoo to see some animals endemic to the Philippines before making your way to Plaza Burgos next. This public space has a lot of food kiosks, making it the perfect place to drink some refreshments to douse the heat. Here, you will find a statue of Father Burgos, one of the martyred priests during the Spanish Colonial Period. You will end your day with a stopover at the Heritage Village before heading home.   Immerse yourself in the rich culture and heritage of Vigan and see what makes it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check availability by choosing a date.