Posted by Legazpi City is known as the City of Fun and Adventure in Albay Province. It is one of the most developed, visited, diverse, modern and sustainable city in Bicolandia (region in the Philippines which is composed of 6 provinces- Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Masbate). With our recent short visit in Legazpi, here are our Top 15 Things To Do in Legazpi City!
1.) Hotel Staycations
Tourists and Businessmen prefer to stay in Legazpi City because of its proximity to vital transportation, business and tourism hubs in the Bicol Region. With that said, there are a lot of accommodation options when staying in Legazpi City. One of our top favorites are The Marison Hotel and Proxy by The Oriental. Read our blog here.
2.) Food Trip
While well-known food franchises have taken the popularity in most cities in the Philippines, small yet creative cafes/ restaurants are the stand outs in Legazpi City. The local population supports local and small businesses which can relate more to their Bicolano taste buds. Some of our top favorites are Jeremy’s Kitchen, Il Morso, LeSans and Chilo Bar. Read our blog here.
3.) Meet the People of Legazpi
One of the words we learned is Magayon which means beautiful. Swipe below photos to see the beautiful Legazpeños we met while in Legazpi City.
4.) Know its History through Museo de Legazpi
Through Museo de Legazpi, we learned that the city was founded in 1856 and was named after the Basque-Spanish navigator, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. It’s first cityhood was through a royal decree named The Becerra Law. During the Spanish Colonial Era, the Dutch has tried to invade the city from its ports. There are also literary replica such as the Epic of Ibalong which tells about Bicol’s three heroes- Baltog, Handyong, and Bantong. Every August, a non-religious festival is held in Legazpi City- The Ibalong Festival. At the first floor of the museum, they also saved some memorabilia from Pope John Paul II’s visit to Legazpi.
5.) Appreciate Legazpi Cathedral
Legazpi Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Legazpi City. It was built facing the sea, to serve as a watch tower to upcoming Tsunami or invading Pirates. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
6.) Visit Church of Legazpi
The church was also built under the name of St. Raphael, the patron saint of fishermen. Legazpi was previously a fishing town. Unlike Legazpi Cathedral which faces the sea, the Church of Legazpi faces against the sea. This rationale of this new direction is to protect stocks of food of the town from the possible intrusion of Tsunami waters. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
7.) Meet Dr. Jose Rizal at Freedom Park
In every town of the Philippines, there is a statue of Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine’s national hero. In Legazpi City, Dr. Jose Rizal can be seen at Freedom Park. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
8.) See Mayon Volcano from Different Spots of Legazpi City
From a distance, you can see still see the beauty of Mt. Mayon. There are no skyscrapers yet around the city to block its beauty. We took these photos from Peñaranda Park, Proxy by The Oriental and The Marison Hotel. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
9.) Shopping
Blend to the Legazpi Pop Culture by buying some fashion trends in any of the big shoping malls in the city. Read our blog here.
10.) Buy Pasalubong
Bring some of the local delicacies and products back to your home and family/friends. We love the pili chocolates, bottled laing and bicol express, bato noodles, and abaca bags. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
11.) Commute through various Public Transportation Vehicles
Legazpi has the central hub for buses, jeepneys and tricycles with routes around the Bicol Region. Make sure to visit Tabaco, Nabua, Polangui, Donsol, Bulan, Iriga, Daraga, Camalig and many more. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
12.) Study in Bicol University
Bicol University is the Premier State University in the Bicol Region. The university is so big that it is covering a land area which falls under the jurisdiction of the town of Daraga and Legazpi City. Some of the alumni of the school are World-Class Shoe Manufacturer Jojo Bragais, Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner-up Venus Raj, and many politicians around the Bicol Region. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
13.) Legazpi Boulevard
Legazpi Boulevard is a coastal road network extending from the city’s central business district and port area to the southern barangays. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
14.) Sawangan Park
Sawangan Park is located in Legazpi Port District, the area where the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade once happened. The city government uplifted the property into a family-friendly park where everyone can stroll while enjoying the sea breeze, dance zumba and play various sports.
15.) Embarcadero
Embarcadero is a famous sea front property with nice strips of shops and restaurants where a family and group of friends can enjoy.
We could have visited more tourist spots but we lacked time to do so. On our next visit, we hope to go to Ligñon Hill Nature Park. We hope to visit as well nearby tourist spots from other towns such as Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave and Quitinday Green Hills in the town of Camalig, Vanishing Island in Malilipot, Kawa-kawa Hill and Nature Park in Ligao City, Vera Falls in Malinao, and Joroan Church in Tiwi.