5 Best Things to Do in Iloilo
Iloilo is like your favorite grandmother—radiantly beautiful despite her age, her wrinkles serving as a window to her eventful youth, holding precious learnings from the distant past, and serving dishes that you could never find in anyone else’s home! Spending time in Iloilo is just like spending precious time with your beloved grandmother. There are many things you could do in Iloilo that you could not easily find or experience in other places.
If you have any plan of traveling to Iloilo soon, here are some of the best things to do in the city that will give you only fond memories to take back home.
Walk or ride a boat at Iloilo Esplanade
Iloilo Esplanade is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Iloilo, which also reflects the beauty and resilience of the city. Take in the natural beauty of Iloilo River outlined by plants and flowers along the esplanade. You can do this best by walking along the paved walkway or riding a colorful pedal boat!
Also read: Iloilo Esplanade: Reflecting the beauty of Iloilo
Go on a historic walking tour of Calle Real
Calle Real, now called J.M. Basa St., is one of the most iconic streets in Iloilo. Here you can find the city’s surviving Spanish and art deco buildings that will let you get a glimpse of what this street was like during the Commonwealth and Spanish colonial era. While you’re at it, you can also do shopping at some of the local stores that now occupy the old buildings.
Also read: Calle Real in Iloilo City
Go on a church hopping
Catholic or not, if you appreciate beautiful architecture, church-hopping should be on your list of things to do in Iloilo. Iloilo is home to many century-old churches that radiate beauty from their unique intricate architecture, a graceful reminder of the city’s past. There are more than 10 old churches in Iloilo, the two most famous of which are Molo Church and Jaro Cathedral.
Also read: Molo Church in Iloilo: the ‘Female church’ and Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo: the ‘Male church’
Hunt for the best La Paz Batchoy
La Paz Batchoy is a kind of noodle soup made with miki noodles, pork or beef innards, and crushed chicharon and garlic, which is said to have originated in Iloilo. There are three La Paz Batchoy shops that are all vying for the title of the best and original La Paz Batchoy. Visit Deco’s, Ted’s and Netong’s, which can all be found at La Paz Public Market, and be the judge.
Also read: The Best La Paz Batchoy in Iloilo
Buy local souvenirs
If there’s one thing you should not miss doing in Iloilo before you leave, it’s buying souvenirs that will remind you of your exciting trip in this culturally and historically rich city! Support the local industry by buying quality handicrafts, like patadyong (a scarf-like cloth made with indigenous cloth called hablon) and other hand-woven products, or taking home some of the best Ilonggo snacks like the famous Biscocho!
Also read: Original Biscocho Haus in Iloilo
Have you tried any of these activities? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Written by Rizelle “Rei” Leaño
