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The Best Heritage Tours You Can Take in the Philippines

Beyond the tall buildings and the hellish traffic in its major business districts, the Philippines is littered with prized heritage sites that are definitely worth-visiting. These historic locations reflect and embody the country’s colorful history, carved by centuries’ worth of colonial rulings and influences, as well as by its wealth of natural resources. But most of all, these heritage sites can also attest to the qualities that Filipinos are best known for: warm smiles, hospitable gestures, a good grasp of various languages, and their undying dedication to their families.

Considered as the world’s fifth largest island country, the Philippines is a diverse nation from all angles—from ethnicity and language to religion and geography. Get to know the country better through these heritage tours:

 

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Walking Tour in Bataan

The Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
via Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Located in Bagac, Bataan, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a resort that boasts a collection of restored Spanish-Filipino houses by Jose Acuzar. Visitors can ride the tramvia or walk along the cobblestone roads as they marvel at the architecture. Tourists may also opt to ride the balsa and cruise around the property, visit the world-renowned Hotel de Oriente, or watch Filipino craftsmen at work.

 

 

Dumaguete City Heritage Tour

Dumaguete Tour
Ruel Joseph Tabada via Silliman University

The provincial capital of Negros Oriental is dubbed as the City of Gentle People—thanks to the people’s hospitality. It is also considered as a university city since it is host to four universities and several colleges where students from the province and other areas of Visayas and Mindanao enroll to pursue higher studies.


Best places to visit:

Silliman University – Established by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions in 1901, Silliman University or SU is considered the first American university in the Philippines and in all of Asia.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral – The Dumaguete Cathedral Church, which is the oldest stone church in Negros, was built in 1754 to 1776.

Sidlakang Negros Village – This is where visitors can find the province’s finest arts, crafts and delicacies. It has a stage and an open-air auditorium that usually serves as a venue for trade and tourism exhibitions, as well as performances.

 

 

Vigan Heritage Tour

Vigan Tour Horse Carriage
via Vigan City Government

The capital city of Ilocos Sur has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its intact old structures, set pavements, and unique architecture dating back to the colonial era. One of the perfect summer getaways, Vigan is also part of the New7Wonders Cities along with Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and La Paz.

Best places to visit:

Calle Crisoloigo – Also called Mena Crisologo Street, Calle Crisologo is lined with Spanish colonial houses. Tourists may walk or ride a calesa while traversing the street.

Baluarte Zoo – Politician and businessman Chavit Singson’s zoological park is an interactive wildlife sanctuary that visitors can enjoy for free.

Syquia Mansion – This is the ancestral house of former president Elpidio Quirino’s wife Doña Alicia Quirino. 

 

 

City of Bacolod Private Half-Day Tour

via KKday Supplier

Known as the City of Smiles, Bacolod offers tourists great local dishes and iconic landmarks.


Best places to visit:
San Sebastian Cathedral
Bacolod Plaza
Bandstand & Lagoon
Pope John Paul II Tower
Gallery of Masks (optional)
La Guerta & Vintage Glass Museum
The Ruins
Bongbong’s or Merci food gift stores

Book your KKday City of Bacolod Private Half-Day Tour now. 

 

 

Puerto Princesa Heritage Tour

via Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center

The capital city of Palawan is recognized as the Eco-Tourism Center of the Philippines.


Best places to visit:

Binuatan Creations Traditional Weaving Center – At the center, visitors will discover how traditional weaving is done. 

Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral – The Gothic-style blue-colored cathedral in Barangay Liwanag was the site of the first mass in the city in 1872.

Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center – Also known as the crocodile farm, the convention center was established in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperative Agency in 1987.

Baker’s Hill – While Baker’s Hill is literally a bakery on top of a hill, it is also considered a theme park that features a big modern house, numerous Disney character statues, a mini-aviary, and restaurants. 

 

Which among these heritage tours would you like to take?

 

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