Iloilo Tourist Spots
When visiting Iloilo City, be sure to check out interesting places.
Historical Tourist Spots
Plaza Libertad (Iloilo City)
Where the flag of the First Philippine Republic was raised in triumph after Spain surrendered Iloilo, her last capital in the islands, to the revolutionaries led by Gen. Martin Delgado on December 25, 1898. Available transport – jeepney.
Panay Liberation Marker
23 km. southwest of Iloilo City; commemorates American liberation of Panay from the Japanese in 1945. Available transport – jeepney.
Molo District
Called Parian in the old days. It was the Chinese quarters of La Villa de Arevalo; Athens of the Philippines. Has produced many intellectual and political leaders. Available transport – jeepney.
Spanish Bailiwick (Brgy. Carmelo)
300 meters from Banate town proper; a historical landmark known as the hiding place of the Spanish authorities from the Moros. Available transport – jeepney.
Japanese Fortification (Cabatuan)
Built by the Japanese as a lookout point for enemies. Available transport – jeepney.
Concrete Pillboxes (Janiuay)
Built by the Japanese during World War II. Available transport – jeepney.
Andonna Creek (Bgy. Siwaragan, San Joaquin, Iloilo)
Landing site of the 10 Bornean datus.
Fort San Pedro
Built by the Spaniards in the early 1600s; attacked by Dutch, British, American, and Japanese troops. Available transport – jeepney.
Janiuay Cemetery
32 km. from Iloilo City, Hispano-Filipino cemetery built in 1875. Available transport – jeepney.
Balantang Memorial Cemetery
A national shrine located at Balantang, Jaro, Iloilo City. The only military cemetery established outside Metro Manila. The bloodiest battle of the guerrilla forces of Col. Macario Peralta, Jr. had occurred in these hallowed grounds of Balantang and vicinity from Feb. 6 up to the liberation of Iloilo City on March 20, 1945.
Memorial Cemetery Museum
Located in Balantang, Jaro, Iloilo City. WW II vintage firearms, sub machine guns and 81 mortars are displayed. Photographs and situation maps depicting historical events are likewise exhibited.
Oton
11 km. southwest of Iloilo City, seat of Confederation of Madiaas under Datu Paiburong; where the temple in honor of Virgin Mary was built by Fr. Martin de Rada around 1570; 1st pueblo in Panay in 1571; accepted on May 3.
Japanese Underground Garrison (Concepcion, Iloilo)
Located at Bagongon Island.
Cultural Places of Iloilo City
Jaro Belfry
Ruined by a 1948 earthquake, but now restored. One of the few belfries in the country that stands apart from the church. Available transport – jeepney.
Guimbal Watchtowers
29 km. southwest of Iloilo City proper; called “bantayan: built to warn the people of pirates. Available transport – jeepney.
Magdalena Jalandoni’s Residence
(Commission Civil St., Jaro, Iloilo City). Contains collections of Magdalena Jalandoni’s works, the 1st Republic Cultural Heritage awardee in Literature in 1969.
Rosendo Mejica Museum (Baluarte, Molo, Iloilo City)
Repository of valuable memorabilia, social & cultural literature in Hiligaynon, English & Spanish dating from the last quarter of the 19th century to the 6th decade of the 20th century.
Kuta (Watchtower) (Bgy. Baybay Norte, Poblacion)
Stone watchtower constructed with the same material as the Roman Catholic church of Miag-ao.
Taytay Boni (Bgy. Igtuba, Miag-ao Iloilo)
Old Spanish bridge.
Old Buildings at Downtown Area (Downtown Iloilo)
J.M. Basa St. or Calle Real boasts of buildings that date back during the Spanish and American colonial periods. Available transport – jeepney.
Imbidayan Rock (Bgy. Sinugbuhan, San Joaquin, Iloilo)
Site of the barter of Panay.
Siwaragan River (San Joaquin)
Where according to legend the barter of Panay took place. Available transport – jeepney.
San Joaquin Cemetery
53 km. southwest of Iloilo City; built in 1892 of coral rock; a hexagonal chapel crowns a 20 step staircase flanked by stone ballustrades; rose windows at the main entrance. Available transport – jeepney.
Jaro
3 km. from the city proper; old colonial houses of sugar barons and Hispano-Filipino houses of the elite still stand, seat of Catholicism in Western Visayas. Available transport – jeepney.
Natural Tourist Spots of Iloilo
Sicogon Island
A 1,104 hectare white sand palm-fringed island gradually sloping down to some 350 feet beyond the shoreline; 5 km. from the town proper of Estancia, 137 km. northeast of Iloilo City.
Isla de Gigantes
Where 15th century burial caves are still found. One cave has a stone elephant and a natural swimming pool; 12 km. east of Estancia.
Nadsadjan Falls
Located in Igbaras, 39.9 km. southwest of Iloilo City; a 100-foot high falls dropping on a giant cauldron-like natural swimming pool.
Tinagong Dagat
A lake situated in a plateau surrounded by rolling hills of Lambunao, Iloilo; 73 km. north of Iloilo City.
Cataan Cove
Located in San Joaquin town, 60 km. southwest of Iloilo City; has beautiful marine garden; ideal for scuba diving.
Darangkulan Waterfall
Located in Sitio Bagingbong, Brgy. Balabag, 8 km. from the town proper of Anilao; lush vegetation; situated at the foot of Mt. Manyakiya, the highest peak in the municipality.
Nagpana Falls (Barotac Viejo)
Swimming hideaway; where Aetas (cultural minority) live.
Mt. Napulak (Igbaras)
55 km. from Iloilo city proper; has virginal forest, and abundant wildlife.
Bucari (Leon, Iloilo)
30 to 40 min. from the Poblacion; known as Little Baguio; consists of 14 contiguous barangays in the Municipality of Leon & adjoining barangays in the Municipality of Alimodian. An eco-tourism site which boasts of vast varieties of fauna & flora, waterfalls, springs & streams and a cool invigorating climate like Baguio.
San Mateo Mountain Spring (Bgy. San Mateo Norte, San Joaquin, Iloilo)
Features 1.5 km. of rushing spring water.
San Juan Falls (Sara)
6.2 km. from Sara town proper; a series of falls and pools located in a valley of lush vegetation.
Sampunong Bolo Wildlife Sanctuary
3 km. from Sara poblacion and approximately 98 km. northeast of Iloilo City. The area is about 52 hectares classified as timberland. It has a reservoir where purple herons feed during daytime.
Darangkulan Waterfalls (Sitio Bagongbong, Brgy. Balabag, Anilao, Iloilo)
8 km. from the poblacion; surrounded by trees, boulders; situated at the foot of Mt. Manyakiya, the highest peak in the municipality.
Sta. Ana Waterfall (Anilao, Iloilo)
5 km. from the poblacion – small cave and small enchanting waterfall.
Duminding Cave (Sitio Dumingding, Brgy. Balabag, Anilao, Iloilo)
With free flowing spring.
Balaring Beach (Brgy. San Francisco, Barotac Viejo)
9 km. from the poblacion; rocks and colored stones beautifully laid along the shore and under the sea.
Balbagon (Carles, Iloilo)
A flat, palm-fringed island with white sand near Gigantes.
Molupulo or Seagulls Point (Carles, Iloilo, near Sicogon Island)
Has thousands of seagulls perching on the point which is a fish area.
Danao-Danao & Basiao Island (Concepcion, Iloilo)
Famous for its stone tables, beach, and other wonderful figures sculptured through centuries by wind and waves and noted for its lovers lane.
Mt. Manaphag or Mt. Pan de Azucar
Landmark of Concepcion. It is a mountain situated in Bgy. Tambaliza with craggy slopes and ideal for mountain climbers; at 7,148 ft, the second highest spot in Panay.
Bolobadiangan Island (Concepcion, Iloilo)
Wide beach with limped lagoon.
Agho Island (Concepcion, Iloilo)
The home of Tabon birds that lay oversized eggs.
Baliguian Island (Concepcion)
A coral reef rising only a few feet above sea level with its lighthouse and beach of white corals and shells.
Colebra Island (Concepcion)
Its magnificent caves abound with guano and Alagit-it nests.
Agua Vendita (Concepcion)
The place is located below Mt. Apitong wherein sea water enters during high tide and turns to fresh water during low tide, within it is a spring famous for its medicinal waters.
Iyang Beach (Concepcion)
White sand beach
San Vicente Island (Concepcion)
The guerilla sanctuary island with white beaches.
Igbon Island (Concepcion)
Ideal for scuba divers
Anhawan Island (Concepcion)
Scuba diving and white sand beach.
Tinagong Dagat (Concepcion)
Where the hidden sea lies.
Lacaran Beach (Brgy. Ermita, Dumangas)
View of Roca Encantada and Siete Pecados of Guimaras Island.
Beaches at Guimbal
Coconut palm shades and cottages make them popular weekend retreats.
Ardemil Valley (Brgy. Ardemil, Sara)
10.5 km. scenic spot. Beautiful valley atop a mountain as seen from the road. A panorama of ricefields, trees, hills, and mountains especially during sunrise and sunset. Cool atmosphere.
Mt. Lolo (Brgy. Aripdip, San Rafael)
8 km. from the town. Ideal for hunting due to abundance of wild pigs, monkeys, deer, and wild chickens.
Beaches at San Joaquin
Talisayan, Tara, and others; clean beaches with multi-colored pebbles.
*Chert rocks, now deposited at the museum, believed to be ranging from 65 million to 2 billion years old had been excavated in Nagsipit River in San Joaquin.
Lamintao Beach (Barotac Nuevo)
9 km. from the town proper; ideal picnic ground.
Salihid Mountain and Caves (Barotac Nuevo)
One km. from town proper; lush vegetation; attracts the adventurous.
Danao Lake or Tinagong Dagat (Miag-ao)
Ten times bigger then the ordinary swimming pool; has elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level.
Sinuhutan Cave (Miag-ao)
The cave provides a two-hour one-way tour passing from arrays of stalactites and stalagmites and chambers around the little cathedral intertwined by lase of underground waters.
Binugsukan Falls (Bgy. Dalije, Miag-ao, Iloilo)
Accessible and unspoiled waterfalls with fresh & clear running waters.
Iloilo Religious Tourist Spot
Miag-ao Church (Miag-ao)
40 km. southwest of Iloilo City; built in 1786; declared as national landmark in 1973; part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Sta. Barbara Church
16 km. north of Iloilo City; a neo-classical church where Gen. Martin Delgado of the Visayan revolutionary government convened the junta that raised the first cry of revolution against Spain in Iloilo. Available transport – jeepney.
Tigbauan Church
22 km. southwest of Iloilo City; baroque facade; behind the rectory was the first Jesuit school for boys in the Philippines established in 1592. Available transport – jeepney.
Guimbal Church
Yellow sandstone church built by Fr. Campos. Available transport – jeepney.
Janiuay Church
Ruins of the beautiful church with bells made in 1871 and 1898. Available transport – jeepney.
Cabatuan Church
Neo-classical; built in early 1880s. Available transport – jeepney.
Pavia Church
13 km. northwest of Iloilo City; red brick church of Byzantine style built by Spanish Agustinians and used as garrison by the Japanese who drew guerilla raids that pockmarked the walls. Available transport – jeepney.
San Joaquin Church
53 km. southwest of Iloilo City; the only church in the Philippines sporting bas-relief of historic battle between Christians of Spain and Moors of Morocco in Tetuan in 1859.
Molo Church
3 km. from the city proper; Gothic Rennaissance Church of coral rock; completed in the 1800s.
Jaro Cathedral
3 km. from the city proper; seat of the Jaro Archbisphoric embracing Western Visayas.
Source: http://www.wowphilippines.com
Tags: iloilo tourist spot
Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 7:52 amand is filed under Iloilo Information. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
November 19th, 2010 at 2:54 am
Nice article…
Take some photos para reliable ang articles mo
Then post mo
June 28th, 2011 at 9:41 am
Anyone have a clue how expensive natural swimming ponds cost to convert?