--- title: "Visited the ancient town of Vigan, built by the Spanish" description: "A travel account of visiting Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Philippines known for its Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and local cuisine." canonical_url: "https://blog.markkulab.net/en/post/visit-vigan-heritage-town" author: "Mark Ku" author_url: "https://blog.markkulab.net/en/author/mark-ku" site: "Mark Ku's Tech Notes" date_published: "2025-03-12 01:01:02 +0800" category: "Travel" tags: ["travel", "philippines", "vigan", "heritage", "unesco", "food"] language: "en" license: "CC BY 4.0" license_url: "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" attribution: "when reusing or quoting, credit the author and link back to the original" --- # Visited the ancient town of Vigan, built by the Spanish ## Introduction After visiting most of the attractions in Baguio, I wanted to find something new to do on the weekends. That's when I discovered Vigan and the Banaue Rice Terraces — both are UNESCO World Heritage sites. This trip was also my first time taking a long-distance bus in the Philippines, which turned out to be quite an experience! ## Vigan Vigan is a historic city in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, famous for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture. Its cobblestone streets, carriages, and heritage houses create a charming, old-world atmosphere. ![carriage 1](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/carriage-1.jpg) ![carriage 2](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/carriage-2.jpg) It felt like stepping back in time. ## Transportation No need to buy tickets in advance — just purchase tickets an hour before departure. ### Departure The main bus to Vigan is the Partas bus line. ![partas bus station](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/partas-bus-station.jpg) Direct buses to Vigan usually depart after 7 a.m., but if you want to make it a day trip, you'll need to catch the midnight bus, which usually follows the Laoag-Vigan route and passes through Vigan. ![outbound bus schedule](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/outbound-bus-schedule.jpg) ### Return Bus schedules are unreliable — we ended up asking the station security guard for help. He was very friendly and provided accurate information. ![return bus schedule](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/return-bus-schedule.jpg) ### Helpful Encounters The security guard at the bus station was incredibly kind. He gave me useful tips and directions, which made the trip a lot smoother. Sometimes, a little kindness makes all the difference. ## Must-See Attractions ![vigan attractions map](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/vigan-attraction-map.png) - **Tricycle rides:** A fun and affordable way to explore the city. - **Calle Crisologo:** The most iconic old street — riding a tricycle over the cobblestones is an unforgettable experience. - **Local restaurants:** The food is a must-try, especially Vigan empanada. - **Carriage rides:** Though charming, prepare for the smell. - **Historic church:** If it's not under maintenance, it's worth a visit. - **Bantay Tower:** A great spot for photos and a nice view. - **Starbucks:** For those who need a taste of home amidst the historic setting. ![Starbucks in a historic yellow building on Calle Crisologo, Vigan](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/starbucks.jpg) ## Risks and Reminders **Early Departure:** We had to wake up at 2 a.m. and set off from Pines's lobby by 2:30 a.m. **Long Journey:** The bus ride was long, so bringing a regular-sized bottle of water was essential. **Temperature:** It was freezing on the bus (around 14-15°C). A jacket was a must! **Bus Schedules:** There are various bus schedules. It's best to visit the station in advance and ask the clerk for the latest information. ## D-Day: Exploring Vigan We left school at 2 a.m. and bought our tickets an hour before departure. ![partas bus](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/partas-bus.jpg) When we boarded the bus, we didn't expect the air conditioning to be set to 15°C — it felt like a freezer! After a six-hour bus ride, we finally arrived in Vigan. The heat was intense, a total contrast to the icy bus. Our first stop was a delicious local restaurant to refuel. (1995 Studio Cafe) ![Pasta](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/pasta.jpg) ![Pizza](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/pizza.jpg) ![Fired-food](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/fired-food.jpg) ![Dessert](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/dessert.jpg) ![coffee shop](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/coffee-shop.jpg) Unfortunately, most of the churches we planned to visit were under maintenance. ![White church in Vigan covered in scaffolding for maintenance](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/church-1.jpg) Still, we made the most of it by exploring other sights like the iconic lighthouse and wandering through Vigan's beautiful streets. ![Tower](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/tower.jpg) ![Pretty street](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/pretty-street-1.jpg) ![Pretty street](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/pretty-street-2.jpg) ![Pretty street](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/pretty-street-3.jpg) ![Pretty street](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/pretty-street-4.jpg) ![Pretty street](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/pretty-street-5.jpg) ![Fountain](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/visit-vigan-heritage-town/images/fountain.jpg) I also tried a local delicacy. The famous Vigan empanada was delicious! However, one thing I couldn't ignore was the strong smell from the horse-drawn carriages. Sadly, it seemed like the horses didn't get a bath every day. On the way back, the journey felt even longer. The air conditioning was still blasting at 15°C, and one of my Korean classmates ended up getting motion sickness. It was quite the adventure, to say the least. Finally, this trip was unforgettable — from freezing buses to the sweltering heat, from historic streets to delicious food. --- ## About this article and its author Originally published on [Mark Ku's Tech Notes](https://blog.markkulab.net/en/post/visit-vigan-heritage-town) License: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — when reusing or quoting, credit the author and link back to the original ### About the author **[Mark Ku](https://blog.markkulab.net/en/author/mark-ku)** — Software Solution Provider - 10+ years senior software engineer, now an AI Builder - Focused on large-platform architecture — North-American e-commerce, AI SaaS subscription billing - Combining AI Agents and automation to build evolvable product foundations ### Free tools built by the author All of these are free to use: - [Free PDF Sign Tool](https://blog.markkulab.net/en/tools/pdf-sign): Online PDF sign tool — draw, type, or upload a signature, then drag, resize, and download. 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