10 ILOCOS NORTE TOURIST SPOTS | MUST SEE PLACES

Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots

10 ILOCOS NORTE TOURIST SPOTS | MUST SEE PLACES

Paoay Sand Dunes,  Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots

TOP ILOCOS NORTE TOURIST SPOTS

1. Paoay Sand Dunes

Top on my list is the Paoay Sand Dunes. Hop in a 4X4 jeep and experience an adrenaline rush as they go up and down the terrain. It feels like a roller coaster ride without the harness. Sandboarding comes as a bonus for the brave ones.

Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots

2. Paoay Church

Picture perfect, Paoay Church is formally called St. Augustine Catholic Parish Church. Paoay Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines and inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. It’s known for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses at the side and the back. These buttresses help protect the church from an earthquake.

Malacañang of the North,  Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots

3. Malacañang of the North “Malacanang ti Amianan.”

Built overlooking the legendary Paoay Lake is the imposing two-story Malacanang of the North. The mansion was established as the official residence of President Marcos in Ilocos Norte. The Malacanang of the North was designed to resemble a 19th Century “bahay na bato.” It is complete with bedrooms, dining area, kitchen, an office, a spacious ballroom on the second floor, and even had a large swimming pool which is no longer used today.

Bangui Wind Mill, Ilocos Norte Tourist Spot 

4. Bangui Wind Mill

The famous Bangui Wind Farm uses 20 units of 70-meter (230 ft) high Vestas V82 1.65 MW wind turbines, arranged in a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off the Bangui Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea. Phase I of the North Wind power project in Bangui Bay consists of 15 wind turbines, each capable of producing electricity up to a maximum capacity of 1.65 MW, for a total of 24.75 MW. The 15 onshore turbines are spaced 326 meters (1,070 ft) apart, each 70 meters (230 ft) high, with 41 meters (135 ft) long blades, with a rotor diameter of 82 meters (269 ft) and a wind-swept area of 5,281 square meters (56,840 sq ft). Phase II, was completed in August 2008, and added 5 more wind turbines with the same capacity, and brought the total size to 33 MW. All 20 turbines describe a graceful arc reflecting the shoreline of Bangui Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse,  Ilocos Norte Tourist Spot 

5. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Set majestically on a hill overlooking the South China Sea, the Faro Cabo Cape Bojeador located approximately 35 kilometers north of the City of Laoag, the lighthouse is the most accessible of all towers in the north of the Island of Luzon. It was built in 1892 and is still functioning to date, serving ships passing by the northern part of the South China Sea. This is one of the famous historical landmarks in the province of Ilocos Norte. It is the highest lighthouse in the Philippines above sea level on top of a hill named Vigia de Nagparitan (estimated a total height of around 160 meters high; tower height = 17 meters approximate) and is located in the town of Burgos.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation,  Ilocos Norte Tourist Spot 

6. Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Beautifully crafted by nature, the Kapurpurawan Rock Formations are located just a few minutes further from the lighthouse. Kapurpurawan got its name from the Ilocano word “puraw,” which means white. It’s really amazing how these rock formations were formed. It’s a 10-minute walk from the main base so make sure to go there early morning to avoid the heat of the sun. If you want to go there in the afternoon, make sure to bring an umbrella or a hat, a bottle of water and forget your sunblock.

Patapat Bridge, Ilocos Norte Tourist Spot 

7. Patapat Bridge

Elevated 31 meters over sea level, the Patapat Viaduct is a concrete coastal bridge 1.3 km long and connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. The bridge rises along the town’s coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines.

Juan Luna Shrine,  Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots

8. Juan Luna Shrine

Houses the reproductions of Juan Luna’s Paintings, the Shrine in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, is a reconstruction of the two-story house in which the patriot and foremost Filipino painter were born on October 24, 1857. The original house burned down in 1861. Declared as a National Historic Site on October 7, 1976, as per Resolution No. 3 of the Pambansang Sharing Pangkasaysayan by Section 4 of the Presidential Decree No. 260 dated August 1, 1973.

Kabigan Falls, Ilocos Norte Tourist Spot 

9. Kabigan Falls

The Kabigan Falls is a beautiful place to visit when in Pagudpud and lie in Barangay Balaoi. The waterfalls cascade some 87 feet into a natural concave basin, and it’s somewhat spectacular when there is plenty of water flowing. The name is derived from the word “kaibigan” or “magkaibigan” The Falls is easily accessible about 1.5 kilometers from the national highway. It’s an easy 30-minute walk, and you can rent an off-road vehicle at the entrance.

Bantay Church and Bell Tower, Ilocos Norte Tourist Spot 

10. Bantay Church and Bell Tower

The Bantay Church and the bell tower are considered two of the oldest structures in the province, as the bell tower was built in 1590 and the church was in the following year. The place, especially the bell tower, is a tourist attraction. The original beauty of the structures is still preserved until today. The view when you’re on the bell tower is magnificent.

Where to Stay in Ilocos Norte

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