10 Places To Visit In Baguio
Quick answer: The top places to visit in Baguio are the Lourdes Grotto, Diplomat Hotel, BenCab Museum, Camp John Hay, the Strawberry Farm, Burnham Park, Mines View Park, the Chinese Temple, Baguio Cathedral and The Mansion. Together they cover the city’s heritage, indigenous culture, art and cool pine-covered scenery.
Baguio is a hill station in the northern Philippines, known as the City of Pines and the summer capital of the country. People visit it to escape the chaotic life and heat of Manila and other southern regions, and it rewards them with plenty of attractions. Here are the 10 places to visit in Baguio.
10 Places to Visit in Baguio
1. The Lourdes Grotto
The Lourdes Grotto on Dominican Hill is one of Baguio’s most popular attractions. People flock here to meditate and pray, or simply to take in the stunning view of the city from the top.
2. Diplomat Hotel
The Diplomat Hotel has earned a reputation as the most notorious place in the city. Once a famous hotel, it is now considered one of the top haunted places in Baguio City.
3. The BenCab Museum
The museum is dedicated to the life and work of Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (BenCab), a Filipino painter recognised as the National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006.
It displays Filipino crafts and modern art in tandem, in a space that feels ultra-modern yet is partly modelled after a traditional rice terrace. End your visit with a cup of coffee at the café on the ground level, overlooking the rice terraces.
4. Camp John Hay
Camp John Hay was once a rest and recreation facility of the U.S. Armed Forces in Asia. Today it is the most popular tourist attraction in the city.
Within the former military reservation you will find:
- Beautiful gardens and parks
- Picnic areas
- Hiking trails winding through pine trees and rolling hills
- An amphitheatre
5. Strawberry Farm
A trip to Baguio would be incomplete without visiting the strawberry farms, something the Pine City is famous for. The Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad Valley, Benguet, is open for strawberry picking from November to May every year.
6. Burnham Park
In the heart of Baguio city, Burnham Park is centred around a man-made lake and packed with recreation facilities. You can:
- Row a boat on the lake
- Have a picnic or go biking
- Visit the orchidarium, where various plants, trees and flowers are sold
- Use the tennis and basketball courts
- Rent skates for the circular skating rink
7. Mines View Park
From the park’s observation deck, a breathtaking panoramic view of Benguet’s gold and copper mines and the surrounding mountains unfolds before you. It is a spectacular sight that should not be missed when visiting Baguio.
8. Chinese Temple
The temple’s well-manicured garden and many pathways are love at first sight. Striking reds, greens and yellows adorn the walls, and a wishing well with koi fish and pagodas all over the complex make it a rewarding visit.
9. Baguio Cathedral
Baguio Cathedral, also known as Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Atonement. It served as an evacuation centre during the Japanese Occupation in the Second World War.
Its distinctive stained glass windows, pink exterior and twin spires make it a renowned landmark of the city.
10. The Mansion
The Mansion is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. It was built in 1908 as the summer residence of the U.S. Governor-Generals and consists of a guest house and an elegantly designed Spanish Colonial Revival main building.
One of the most photographed parts of the property is the main gate, made of ornate ironwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Baguio called the summer capital of the Philippines?
As a hill station in the northern Philippines, Baguio offers a cool escape from the heat of Manila and the southern regions, which is why so many people visit in summer.
When can you pick strawberries near Baguio?
The Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad Valley, Benguet, is open for strawberry picking from November to May every year.
What is the most popular attraction in Baguio?
Camp John Hay, the former U.S. Armed Forces rest and recreation facility, is the most popular attraction for tourists in the city.
Is the Diplomat Hotel in Baguio haunted?
It is considered one of the top haunted places in Baguio City, which is a big part of its appeal to visitors.
Conclusion
From pine-scented parks and strawberry fields to museums, temples and colonial landmarks, these places to visit in Baguio show why the City of Pines is such a popular escape. Add them to your itinerary for a well-rounded trip to the summer capital.
