Dubbed “City of Love,” Iloilo is a charming city that offers a myriad of experiences that must not be missed, from its captivating beauty to its people’s warm hospitality and delectable cuisine.

Here are the top 10 things you can do in Iloilo!

1. Attend Dinagyang Festival

Dinagyang is derived from the Hiligaynon word “dagyang,” which means merrymaking. With roots dating back to 1967, the festival was originally created to honor Santo Niño and commemorate the arrival of Malay settlers on Panay Island. 

This annual event takes place on the 4th Sunday of January. During this time, you’ll be treated to captivating street dances and remarkable performances by diverse tribes, each narrating stories of faith, gratitude, and unity. 

2. Check-in and book Island Hopping at Isla de Gigantes with Solina Beach & Nature Resort

Address: Along Balasan Carles Provincial Road, Brgy. Guiticgan Carles, Iloilo

Website: https://solinaresort.com.ph/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SolinaResortGigantes/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solinaresortgigantes/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: +63917 308 5284 | +63920 949 0557 

Solina Beach and Nature Resort is an exclusive premier lodging that provides a perfect gateway to the captivating Islas De Gigantes, a group of 10 islands boasting pristine white-sand beaches and striking limestone karsts. 

Their island hopping tour includes attractions such as Antonia Beach, Bantigue Island Sandbar, Cabugao Gamay Island, Pulupandan Islet, and Tangke Saltwater Lagoon. 

3. Try the famous “La Paz Batchoy” in La Paz Public Market

Address: 18 Huervana St, La Paz, Iloilo City

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057265038235 

Instagram:

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: +63939 903 7314

Operating Hours:

• Monday – 4 AM to 5 PM
• Tuesday – 8 AM to 8 PM
• Wednesday – 4 AM to 8 PM
• Thursday – 4 AM to 9 AM
• Friday – 12 PM to 8 PM
• Saturday and Sunday – 4 AM to 8 PM

La Paz is renowned for being the birthplace of La Paz Batchoy. This delicious noodle soup dish is served piping hot and boasts a flavorful broth, tender meat, miki noodles, and toppings like crushed chicharron, sliced pork, and liver. 

Here are some famous batchoyans (batchoy stalls) in La Paz Market:

Deco’s Original La Paz Batchoy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefirstlapabatchoy/ | https://www.facebook.com/decos.lapaz.batchoy.official 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decos_original_la_paz_batchoy/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 5:30 AM to 7 PM

Price:

• Special P110
• Super P120
• Extra P140

Deco’s La Paz Batchoy is said to be the dish’s originator. Federico Guillergan Sr., the owner and butcher, experimented and combined Chinese miki noodles with pork meat, innards, guinamos (shrimp paste), and chicharon bits, serving it first in 1938.

The recipe has been passed down through generations, and Deco’s popularity has led to multiple branches, including some in Manila. You can pair their batchoy with puto pao

Netong’s Original Special La Paz Batchoy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/netongslapazbatchoyofficial/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/netongslapazbatchoy/ 

Email: [email protected]    

Contact Details: +63915 097 4227  

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 6 AM to 8 PM

Price:

• Special – P120
• Extra Special P130
• Megabowl – P130

Netong’s is among the top choices for the best batchoy in the city. Despite having a branch in Iloilo’s new CBD, locals prefer the original batchoyan in La Paz market. 

What makes their La Paz Batchoy different is that it has bone marrow, which adds a richer flavor to their broth.

Ted’s Oldtimer Lapaz Batchoy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tedslapazbatchoy 

Contact Details: +6333 329 0524

Price:

• Extra Super –  P130
• Super Special – P125
• Special – P120

In 1945, Teodorico Lepura established his batchoy shop and named it Ted’s Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy. His daughter, Adelfa, who was skilled in cooking and restaurant operations, brought in further improvements to the establishment. 

She introduced various batchoy products, such as misua batchoy, bihon batchoy, and sotanghon batchoy and accompaniments like pandesal and puto to meet customer demands. 

4. Camp in Iloilo’s “Little Baguio”, Bucari Pine Forest

Address: Sitio Tabionan, Brgy. Bucari, Leon, Iloilo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leontourismandinformationcenter 

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: +63930 053 3557 | +63966 996 7897

Price: 

• Entrance Fee – Campsite and Mansiga – P30 

– Imoy Falls and Kataw Falls – P30

• Environmental Fee – P30 (Leon Residents) | P50 (Non-Residents)

*20% Discount for Senior Citizens, PWD, Students, and Indigenous People

• FREE for Children below 7 years old, Philippine Gov’t Officials, and Employees invited by the LGU and DENR Employees on official Functions

Nestled amidst a lush expanse of towering pine trees, Bucari Pine Forest is often referred to as the “Little Baguio of Iloilo.” Its cool climate makes it an ideal destination for camping or day hikes, attracting numerous tourists. 

Here, you can enjoy a picnic or go on a hike on a 30- to 45-minute trek to Mansiga Viewing Deck to marvel at the breathtaking mountain scenery during the day.

5. Visit Iloilo’s famous historic churches

Iloilo is home to numerous historical and beautifully crafted churches, each showcasing unique architectural styles and religious heritage. 

Take a glimpse of the past in these beautiful churches built during the Spanish colonial era:

Molo Church – Sta. Ana Parish 

Address: 132 San Pedro St, Molo, Iloilo City 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sta.AnaParishMolo/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: 033 337 2258

Operating Hours:

• Daily Mass – Monday to Friday – 5:30 AM (Hiligaynon) | 5:30 PM (English)

• Saturday – 5:30 AM (Hiligaynon) | 5 PM (Hiligaynon. Anticipated Mass)
• Sunday – Hiligaynon – 5 AM | 6:30 AM | 5 PM

– English – 8 AM | 10 AM | 3 PM | 7 PM

Sta. Ana Parish Church, renowned as a “feminist church” in Molo, stands out with its neogothic architecture and features an all-women ensemble of saints represented in 16 statues on the aisle pillars. 

Visit in the late afternoon, when the coral stone facade glows in the soft golden rays of the sunset, for the best photos. While there, stroll through Molo Plaza and explore the nearby Molo Mansion and the Iloilo Esplanade.

Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral – National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria 

Address: Rizal Street, Jaro 5000 Iloilo City

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaroCandelaria/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: 033 329 1625

Operating Hours:

• Daily Mass – Monday to Friday – Hilagaynon – 5:30 AM | 6:30 AM

– English – 12:15 PM | 5:30 PM

– Saturday – Hiligaynon – 5:30 AM  | 6:30 AM

 – English – 5:30 PM (Anticipated Mass)

– Sunday – Hiligaynon – 5 AM | 9 AM | 5 PM

– English – 7 AM | 12 PM | 3 PM | 7 PM

The Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral features an ensemble of male saints lining the main pillars, with the only female icon being Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.

The limestone image of Our Lady of Candles is enclosed in a glass shrine and is believed to be alive and growing. It is easily visible from the front facade and is frequently visited by a large number of devotees.

Miag-ao Church – Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish

Address: Zulueta Ave., Miagao, Iloilo 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoTomasDeVillanuevaParishMiagao/ 

Email:

Contact Details: 033 315 8001

Operating Hours:

• Daily Mass – Monday to Saturday – 6 AM

•  Wednesday – 6 AM | 5 PM
•  Sunday – 6 AM | 8 AM | 10 AM | 5 PM

Miag-ao Church was built in 1786, showcasing a baroque style with a fusion of Chinese and Filipino motifs on its facade, making it a one-of-a-kind religious site and an architectural masterpiece in the Philippines.

The church’s remarkable yellow-ochre color is derived from a mixture of coral, ground into dust, and egg whites added to the adobe material. Due to its diverse architectural styles, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1993.

6. Appreciate artworks in ILOMOCA (Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art)

Address: Casa de Emperador, Festive Walk Parade, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Website:  https://www.ilomoca.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ILOMOCA/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsilomoca/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: 033 501 8622 

Operating Hours:

• Monday – CLOSED
• Tuesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM

Price: 

• Adults – P150
• Senior Citizens and PWD – P120
• Students with valid ID – P100
• Children 4 and under – FREE

ILOMOCA is the first museum in the Visayas region dedicated to modern and contemporary art, and it is housed in a beautiful early 1900s mansion.

If you love the arts, you should visit their three floors of exhibition space, which features works by both local and international artists, and don’t miss “The Box”, a state-of-the-art theater facility for screenings, performances, workshops, and cultural events.

7. Explore Lambunao, Iloilo’s “Land of Waterfalls”

Address: Lambunao, Iloilo

For an adventurous escape, Lambunao is the place to be, known as the “Land of Waterfalls” with 23 documented waterfalls, providing a refreshing respite from the summer heat.

Among the Lambunao’s waterfalls are Mahangin, Balagnan, Dalhayan, Daragsa-an, Gi-ub, Igbulawan, Inas, Maasin, Mahagnop, Malinaw, Malumot, Naipit, Nalisong, Nasor-ohon, Olaw, Tabogon, Tabulwang, Takbangan, Baragsakan, and Tayokan.

8. Enjoy the sunrise or sunset on the Iloilo River Esplanade (Senator Efrain Treñas Boulevard)

Address: Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

The Iloilo River Esplanade is the largest linear park in the Philippines, designed by landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren to promote biodiversity, carbon storage through mangroves, and flood protection.  

It is a great place to go if you want to enjoy the sunset or sunrise while leisurely walking or riding your bike. 

9. Dine in Iloilo’s most popular restaurants

Make your trip complete by savoring the unique and delightful dishes in these top famous restaurants in Iloilo:

Daraag – Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafood

Address: Sto. Nino, Sur Arevalo, Iloilo City

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tatoysiloilo/?locale=tl_P

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatoysiloilo/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: 033 337 1360

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 9 PM

Tatoy’s Seafood & Manokan is a must-visit restaurant known for its delicious local dishes that capture the essence of Iloilo’s unique cuisine. 

Try their specialty, daraag or native lechon manok. It’s a mouthwatering barbecued chicken marinated in vinegar and calamansi, stuffed with lemongrass, and sampalok leaves. 

Breakthrough Restaurant

Address: Sto. Niño Norte, Arevalo, Iloilo City 

Website: https://breakthroughrestaurants.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakthroughrestaurantiloilo 

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: 033 337 3027 

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM

The best seafood can be found at Breakthrough Restaurant, a famous turo-turo style eatery offering a wide range of fresh seafood choices. 

Don’t miss the chance to try the famous Ilonggo dish, KBL (Kadios Baboy Langka), a delicious sour pork dish that perfectly complements the delectable seafood.

Pat-Pat’s Kansi House

Address: 113 Burgos St., Jaro, Iloilo City

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083202348656 

Contact Details: 033 329 1298 | 500 5733

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Saturday – 9 AM to 8 PM
• Sunday – CLOSED

Pat Pat’s Kansi has been serving kansi, a popular Ilonggo soup made with beef shank and bone marrow and flavored with batwan for its distinct sour and savory flavor, for decades.  

Their bestsellers include kansi lawas (bulalo) and kansi unod (laman). Aside from kansi, you can also enjoy other Filipino favorites like dinuguan, sisig, and all-day breakfast.

10. Buy souvenirs or “pasalubong”

Make your Iloilo trip unforgettable by bringing home souvenirs and sweet delicacies from these top “pasalubong” shops:

Camiña Balay nga Bato

Address: 20 Osmeña St., Brgy. Sta. Felomina arevalo, Iloilo City

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalayNgaBatoIloilo 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angbalayngabato/?hl=en 

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: +63947 891 1467

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 5 PM

Camiña Balay nga Bato is not your ordinary pasalubong center. This heritage house turned shop offers a diverse collection of Ilonggo handicrafts, art pieces, and furniture. 

While you’re there, enjoy the heritage buffet, inclusive of the tour, chocolate espeso (from their homemade tablea), and pancit molo experience.

Fiesta! 

Address: Flagship Store, Festive Walk Mall, Megaworld Blvd., Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Website: https://fiesta-favourite-souvenirs.kyte.site/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fiestafavoritesouvenir/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiestasouvenir/?hl=en 

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM

Fiesta! is a one-stop souvenir shop that originally offered their signature shirts and expanded to a diverse selection of souvenirs, including a curated collection of local “proud to be Ilonggo” products. 

You can find high-quality “I Love Iloilo” shirts, keychains, handwoven bags, and other popular Ilonggo delicacies here.

Original Biscocho Haus

Address: 8 Lopez Jaena Street, Jaro, Iloilo City

Website: https://biscochohaus.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OriginalBiscochoHaus/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biscochohaus/?hl=en 

Email: [email protected] 

Contact Details: 033 329 0864

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 7 PM

If you have a sweet tooth, you must visit Original Biscocho Haus in Jaro, Iloilo City. Started in 1975 as a family-owned specialty food maker, they have now become the preferred pasalubong center in Iloilo, offering more than just biscocho. 

Make sure to take home their best pastries such as butterscotch, yemas, and merengue.