10 Places To Visit In Ilocos Norte – Philippines

Quick answer: The 10 places to visit in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, are the Sinking Bell Tower, La Paz Sand Dunes, Malacañang of the North, Paoay Church, the Bacarra Domeless Bell Tower, Pagudpud, Patapat Viaduct, Bangui Wind Farm, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Base yourself in Laoag City and explore them as day trips.

My trip to Ilocos Norte in the Philippines surprised many people, as few foreign tourists visit this enchanting part of the country. I believe that taking the less travelled road exposes me to something new that I can share through my posts.

Getting to Ilocos Norte

Laoag is the jump-off point for Ilocos Norte, and Laoag International Airport is the only airport in the region. An hour’s flight from the capital, Manila, got me to blissful Laoag City. Staying in Laoag and doing day trips to the nearby areas worked perfectly.

These are the 10 places I feel you must visit in Ilocos Norte Province.

Places to Visit in and Around Laoag

1. Sinking Bell Tower

This 45-metre tower dominates the centre of Laoag City. It was built in 1612 by Augustinian friars during the Spanish era. Locals say that when it was built, a person could enter the tower on horseback, but now a person of average height has to stoop to get in. The tower still serves its purpose, ringing to summon the faithful to mass.

2. La Paz Sand Dunes

Also known as the desert of the north, the La Paz Sand Dunes are a popular filming location and offer a panoramic view of the West Philippine Sea. You can ride a 4×4 across the dunes; hiring one with a driver costs 1500 pesos for 30 minutes.

3. Malacañang of the North

This was once the palace of President Ferdinand Marcos. It’s now a museum, and entry costs 30 pesos.

4. Paoay Church

Paoay lies 20 km south of Laoag. The town was once called “Bombay”, as its earliest inhabitants were said to be of Indian origin.

Paoay Church takes visitors back to the Spanish era. Its walls combine large coral stones on the lower part with bricks on the upper part, suggesting an impressive Javanese style of architecture.

Next to the façade stands an impressive three-storey coral bell tower. My tour guide told me it stands at a distance from the church as protection against earthquakes. It was once a watchtower for Filipino revolutionaries in their war against the Spaniards, and Filipino guerrillas also used it against Japanese troops during World War II.

5. Bacarra Domeless Bell Tower

This 50-metre tower was built in 1830 and damaged by an earthquake in 1931. When a disastrous 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck in 1983, it brought down the dome, giving the tower its name: the Domeless Bell Tower.

Places to Visit in Northern Ilocos Norte

6. Pagudpud

Pagudpud is popularly called the Boracay of the north, known for its pristine white-sand beaches, coconut trees and crystal-blue water. It is the northernmost part of the Philippine mainland, and Saud Beach is its most visited beach.

How to get there: Pagudpud is 77 km north of Laoag. Buses run frequently on this route, and a one-way ticket from Laoag City costs 50 pesos.

7. Patapat Viaduct

The Patapat Viaduct is a 1.2 km stretch of bridge, described as the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. It sits high above the sea, and locals call it “the French Riviera of the North”. People come to enjoy its surreal beauty, with lush mountains on one side and the West Philippine Sea on the other.

How to get there: Patapat is about 8 km east of Pagudpud. It’s easy to visit by hiring a tricycle from the bus station.

8. Bangui Wind Farm

Bangui Wind Farm has 20 three-bladed turbines, each 70 metres (230 ft) tall. They stand in a single row along a nine-kilometre shoreline on Bangui Bay, forming a graceful arc facing the West Philippine Sea.

9. Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Standing majestically on the coast of Burgos town, this rock formation was shaped by sediment deposited by the waves. “Puraw” means white in Ilocano, hence the name Kapurpurawan.

10. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Located in Burgos, this octagonal tower was first lit in 1892 and is one of the highest-elevated Spanish-era lighthouses in the Philippines. It offers a great view of the West Philippine Sea.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Ilocos Norte from Manila?

Fly to Laoag International Airport, the only airport in the region. The flight from Manila takes about an hour.

Where should I stay in Ilocos Norte?

Laoag City makes an ideal base for day trips to the rest of the province.

How do I get from Laoag to Pagudpud?

Buses run frequently on the 77 km route, and a one-way ticket costs 50 pesos. From Pagudpud, hire a tricycle to reach the Patapat Viaduct.

Conclusion

Ilocos Norte rewards travellers who take the less travelled road. From Spanish-era churches and bell towers around Laoag to the beaches of Pagudpud, the Patapat Viaduct and the Bangui windmills, these 10 places to visit in Ilocos Norte make for an unforgettable trip in the Philippines.