Holiday in Vigan

About Vigan

Vigan, the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in Asia, is located on the northwest coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon and is a vibrant testament to three centuries of Spanish rule in the Far East. The UNESCO World Heritage city is unique on the entire Asian continent: nowhere else has Spain's colonial heritage been so completely preserved. Calle Crisologo, the heart of the historic district, is a cobblestone street lined with Bahay-na-Bato houses — a unique architectural form that combines Spanish stone construction on the ground floor with Philippine wooden upper floors and intricately carved windows. In the evening, when the street is illuminated by lanterns and horse-drawn carriages (Kalesas) roll over the cobblestones, one feels transported to another time. The Crisologo Museum and St. Paul Cathedral (1790) form the historical center around Plaza Salcedo, which comes alive in the evening with an impressive dancing fountain show. The architecture of the city combines Spanish, Chinese, and Philippine elements — a reflection of the cultural fusion that has shaped the Philippines for centuries. Vigan's craft tradition is alive. In the side streets of Calle Crisologo, weavers work on traditional Abel fabrics, potters create the famous Vigan Burnay clay pots, and goldsmiths produce intricate jewelry using centuries-old techniques. Vigan's cuisine is a highlight for food enthusiasts. The Empanada de Vigan — a crispy orange pastry filled with papaya, mung beans, chorizo, and egg — is the iconic specialty and tastes best freshly fried at Plaza Burgos. Longganisa (spicy garlic sausage) and Bagnet (crispy three-times fried pork) round out the culinary offerings. Vigan is also a starting point for excursions to the coast. The nearby beach of Paoay offers dune buggy rides, and the Baroque church of Paoay (UNESCO World Heritage) with its massive buttress walls is one of the most photogenic churches in the Philippines.