Top 16 Things To Do in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines

Our first stay in Bicol Region starts with Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines. We have some friends who live here so we asked for recommendations on possible things to dos, places to visits, restaurants to dine in, and hotels to stay in Naga City.

Although Naga City is well known as a Pilgrim City because of devotees visiting Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of the Bicol Region, there are still a lot of interesting things to do here especially if you are a food, history or culture enthusiast.

Here are our Top 16 Things To Do in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines!

1.) Pay Visit to Naga Metropolitan Cathedral

Apart from the fact that this is the nearest tourist spot from the bus terminal where you will alight from, the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral is the largest church in Bicolandia (region in the Philippines which is composed of 6 provinces- Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Masbate). The Cathedral plays a very important role during Peñafrancia Festival’s Traslacion. Every September, the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is transferred to the Cathedral from the Basilica Minore, the image’s home. In front of the Cathedral is Porta Mariae, a symbolic gate arch which imbues the journey of Marian devotion in Bicol. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

2.) Peñafrancia Basilica Minore

Peñafrancia Basilica Minore is the home of Our Lady of Peñafrancia since 1985 when it was completely built. At the front entrance of the church is a huge and colorful glass mural depicting Our Lady of Peñafrancia. She is portrayed carrying a child with the skin color of the first settlers in the region- the cimarrones. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

3.) Jesse Robredo’s Tomb

Few meters away from Basilica Minore is Eternal Garden where Jesse Robredo’s remains were laid. Jesse Robredo is one of the well-respected Bicolano icons in the 21st century. He became the mayor of Naga City for more than 2 decades. He was one of the very few politicians who was awarded The Ramon Magsaysay award for Government Service. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

4.) Jesse Robredo Memorial

Few kilometers from Jesse Robredo’s tomb is the Jesse Robredo Memorial. It celebrates the memories and contributions of Jesse Robredo as a family man and a public servant. In the lobby is a slipper-shaped desk symbolizing his ‘Tsinelas Leadership’ style. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

5.) Try Various Cafes and Restaurants

Naga City is one of the best places for food. We visited at least 10 cafes/ restaurants- Florenteazza, Chef Doy’s Gourmet Restaurant, Chef Buster Cuisine, Chef Artist, Anselmo’s, Mang Kok’s Kinalas, Samgyupsal House Naga, Bamboombayan Chicken, Nam Nam Goto and Paseo del Rio Bicol Pub. One of the highlights in our food trip would be trying Kinalas (below first photo), a popular noodle soup dish in Naga City garnished by scraped meat from pork or beef’s head, with a special sauce coming from the brains of a cow or pig. Read more about our food trip here.

6.) Hotel Staycations

For a comfortable stay in Naga City, we suggest that you book a hotel. We stayed in The Teapot Hotel which is just within the town center. Other hotels recommended by friends are Avenue Plaza, Villa Caceres, Litton, Lotus Blu and Summit Hotel. If you are on a budget, you can also try CBD Hotel, DY Viajero, Sampaguita, Sogo, Naga Regent Hotel and Go Hotel. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

7.) Meet the People of Naga City

Nagueños are God-fearing, creative, and hospitable people. During our stay, we were accommodated warmly by at least 10 Nagueño entrepreneurs. Most of them will start the conversation with Dios Mabalos– a sign of polite appreciation but of intentional gratitude. Majority of them are also artists and entrepreneurs at the same time. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

8.) Try the Public Transport

To get a vibe of the local culture, try riding on their pedicabs, tricycles, and jeepneys. In Bicol Central Station, you may also buy bus tickets to neighboring tourist friendly spots in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay or Sorsogon. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

9.) Plaza Rizal

The plaza was built in honor of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. This is known locally as the center for public debates and discussions, family picnic gatherings and public recreation and relaxation spot. There is a big NAGA lettering nearby where you can take a selfie to immortalize a proof that you really have been to Naga City. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

10.) Plaza de Quince Martires

Located in the center of downtown Naga, just near Plaza Rizal, is a monument that honors the 15 Martyrs of Bicol during the Spanish Colonial times. They were D. Camilo Jacob, P. Severino Diaz, D. Florencio Lerma, D. Domingo Abella, D. Mariano Arana, D. Mariano Melgarejo, D. Macario Valentin, D. Mariano Ordenanza, D. Cornejo Mercado, D. Tomas Prieto, D. Ramon Abella, Rev. P. Gabriel Prieto, and D. Manuel Abella. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

11.) Universidad de Santa Isabel

Apart from being the school of ex-Vice President Leni Robredo, Universidad de Santa Isabel became the seat of the Philippine Revolutionary Government in the Bicol Region in 1898. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

12.) Study in Ateneo De Naga

Ateneo de Naga is one of the top and famous universities in the Bicol Region. Inside the university is an old church, Christ The King. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)

13.) Plaza de Nueva Caceres

We just passed by Plaza de Nueva Caceres but paused a while because of the strong emotions we felt when seeing this monument. Near to it is the word Oragon which is a Bicolano slang for somebody who is feisty, determined, principled, a fighter, unafraid of consequences, and who stands up for his(/her) principles. Plaza de Nueva Caceres was built in 2010 in celebration of Naga City’s 62nd founding anniversary.

14.) Radio Station Guesting

Nagueños are active stakeholders of the city who willingly listen and share ideas with the number one Radio station in Bicolandia, 105.5 Bicol Idol FM Naga. Famous radio host Mr. Bong Villacruz asked us about our blogs and impressions in Naga City.

15.) San Francisco Church

Near to our hotel accommodation that time was San Francisco Church. Little did we know that the church’s infirmary and basement served as interrogation and torture halls of Filipinos who were arrested during the peak of the Filipino-Spanish War in 1898. 

16.) Bicol Indian Sikh Temple

Exploring diversity and other culture and religion, Naga City also houses one of the biggest gurdwaras or Sikh Temple in Bicol Region- the Bicol Indian Sikh Temple.

On our next visit to Naga City, we aspire to add more on our list. For instance, we failed to visit some of the natural attractions which are also located in Naga City. We will definitely visit Naga City Ecology Park, Panicuason Hot Spring Resort, Mt. Isarog Natural Park, Malabsay Falls and Nabontolan Falls next time.