About
Ilocos Sur is a province in the northwest of the Philippines, on the island of Luzon, in Southeast Asia. It is best known for its Spanish colonial heritage, and for the way that heritage still shapes its towns and streets.
The province's most famous destination is Vigan City, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its historic core is the main reason many visitors come. Walking through it, you see well-preserved ancestral houses that reflect the colonial period, with the architecture and streetscape standing largely as they have been kept over time.
What a visit offers
- Colonial architecture: The ancestral houses of Vigan give a clear picture of the Spanish colonial influence on everyday building in the region.
- Walking the old town: Much of the historic area is best explored on foot, at an unhurried pace, stopping where the mood takes you.
- A quieter kind of heritage trip: Ilocos Sur suits visitors interested in history and built form more than in large-scale nightlife or resorts.
Planning your trip
Ilocos Sur lies in the northwest of Luzon, so it is a destination in its own right rather than a stop on the way to somewhere else. Vigan City is the natural base for seeing the heritage core in depth. Allow time to wander beyond the most photographed streets, since the appeal of the province lies in its ensemble of houses and its sense of a place that has kept its past close to hand.
If you are drawn to colonial history and well-kept old towns, Ilocos Sur is a worthwhile part of a trip to the Philippines.