Iloilo City Half-Day Heritage Tour with Transfers

Get introduced to the city that’s known for its food, fiestas, and culture in this half-day heritage tour of Iloilo City. If you’re a history buff who also wants to dig into the culture and cuisine of Iloilo, then this quick getaway is just what you need.

Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation within Iloilo City and take you to the district of Jaro. On the way there, you will be passing by the Business District of Iloilo, most locally known as Megaworld. Past the Business District is Casa Mariquit. This well-preserved 216-year-old Spanish ancestral house showcases not only Ilonggo architecture but also the story of the Ilonggo old rich Javellana and Lopez families. 

Read more

From there, you will be dropped off at the Jaro Cathedral Church or the Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. You will find a collection of numerous male saints inside, save for the statue of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria (Lady of Candles). Her statue, perched on a glass shrine on the facade, is made from limestone that is said to be continuously growing, making her container need constant adjustment. 

You will then proceed on a running tour of the Millionaire’s Row of Jaro, where you will see houses of the country’s richest families. Among the most notable features of the Millionaire’s Row is the grand Nelly Garden of the Lopezes, the heritage houses of Sanson-Montinola and Ledesma, and the Lizares Mansion which is now an Angelicum School. From there, you will head to Casa Real next, a building that once served as the seat of government of Iloilo. It is now an events facility and a historical landmark in the city After a photo-op at the site, you’ll also check out Fort San Pedro, the Muelle Loney, and one of Iloilo’s most beautiful streets, General Luna. 

A little over three kilometers from the street is Molo Mansion, built back in the 1920s. It has been transformed into a museum that houses several arts and crafts from various Ilonggo artists. You will also drop by Molo Church that boasts of its red spires crowing its tall bell towers. 

After offering a small prayer inside the church, you will make your way to the Esplanade for a quick stroll before enjoying a snack and pasalubong (souvenir) shopping at the Biscocho Haus. If the Deocampos is open for tours on your visit, you will head here for a barquillo-baking activity. Barquillos are thin sheets of flour with tasteful flavors that are typically sold at most souvenir centers in the city. For lunch, you will be given a choice to either head to Breakthrough’s or Tatoy’s where you can enjoy local dishes.

Go on a half-day tour of Iloilo City and learn about its rich culture and heritage. Check availability by choosing a date.