Here is our list of the 9 Top Tourist Spots in Ilocos Norte updated year 2022.
- Ilocos Norte-Apayao Road
- Graciano’s Cove
- Paoay Church
- Paoay Sand Dunes
- Malacañang of the North
- Bangui Windmills
- Saud Beach Pagudpud
- Patapat Viaduct
- Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
Table of Contents
1. Scenic Mountains of Ilocos Norte-Apayao Road
On a trip to the Ilocos Norte-Apayao route, adventurers had discovered a similar location between the boundaries of Barangays Manalpac in Solsona town and Butao in Calanasan, Apayao, about 40 kilometers from Laoag.
The chilly mist that greets visitors is reminiscent of the early days of Baguio, the nation’s summer capital, when it was less crowded and had no traffic jams that is why we included this place as one of the top tourist spots in Ilocos Norte in 2022.
Experienced hikers who have visited this location are reminded of the Ambangeg route of Mt. Pulag, which is 2,926 meters above sea level and is situated between the borders of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya. Mt. Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon.
2. The Majestic Cliffs of Graciano's Cove
I admit that this new top tourist spots in Ilocos Norte which is located in Burgos is a hidden gem that even most locals doesn’t know this place exists.
The cliffs and large waves will enhance this location’s charm. It feels as though you are in Hawaii with this breathtaking scenery.
You may want to put this on your schedule, especially if you intend to visit Pagudpud’s beaches because it is close to the well-known Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.
3. Historic Paoay Church
It is constructed in the typical earthquake baroque style and is distinguished by its broad base and enormous flying buttresses on either side of it.
The Paoay Church’s outer walls are constructed from huge coral stones and bricks, like the majority of older churches in the nation.
The church’s front also has elements of Javanese design that are very comparable to those of Indonesia’s Borobudur temple.
It is worthwhile to visit the Paoay Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, if you travel to the north. About 19 km southwest of Laoag, the church, also known as the San Agustin Church is still one of the top tourist spots in Ilocos Norte.
4. Adventures at Paoay Sand Dunes
Along Ilocos Norte’s eastern coast, the Paoay Sand Dunes are a well-liked geological attraction and tourist destination. The entire region, which is around 88 square kilometers, is well known as a fantastic location for sandboarding and 4×4 jeep drives across the sand. You can get an adrenaline rush while driving a 4×4 across the dunes and across the rugged terrain in this area.
You will also pass by a bamboo art piece honoring Nora Aunor, one of the most well-known Filipino actors and actresses, for her role in the 1982 film “Himala.” Sandboarding is riding a board down sand slopes that are smooth and lead to the local beach.
The Paoay Sand dunes, Paoay Church, Malacanang of the North, and the Paoay Lake are all only a few kilometers apart so plan your iterinary ahead so you can visit all these top tourists spots in Ilocos Norte.
5. Back in Time in Malacañang of the North
It is one of a number of Marcos family properties that the Philippine government seized after President Marcos was ousted from office.
This enormous, intricately built palace with its expansive grounds blends Ilocano and Spanish architectural styles. The ultimate result is fairly imposing, and one of its best qualities is the breathtaking vista from the house, which looks out over meticulously maintained gardens and the lovely Paoay Lake.
The Marcos family used to spend their vacations at this two-story estate that is now a museum. The house has broad corridors, a grand staircase, and a vast living room area decorated in the Spanish colonial style one of the favorite top tourist spots in Ilocos Norte.
6. Bangui Windmills
Numerous tourists visit Bangui Windmills, especially in the summer. Obtaining a stunning photograph beneath one of the enormous windmills is free of charge. Visit the windmill farm throughout the day specially during sunsets if you want to see the breathtaking windmill attraction.
7. Crystal Waters of Saud Beach Pagudpud
Travel+Leisure, a New York-based travel publication, named Saud Beach in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, as one of the 25 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World and one of the top tourist spots in Ilocos Norte.
The placement of Saud Beach in the A-list of the global travel website is a first for Pagudpud, the coastal region also known as the “Boracay of the North.”
Despite its fame, Saud Beach is not too commercialized and is frequently empty. Tall coconut palms that provide shade for beachgoers line the beach in place of stores. Saud boasts stunningly clean water and snow-white beach. Although there are resorts close by, the atmosphere at the beach is calm and relaxed.
8. Patapat Viaduct
The well-known 1.3-kilometer concrete bridge in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, is called the Patapat Viaduct. This bridge’s elevation, more than 30 meters above sea level, qualifies it as a viaduct. The Philippines’ fourth-longest bridge is this one. The Patapat serves as the Maharlika Highway’s continuation and connects the rest of the Ilocos Region to the Cagayan Valley.
It follows Pagudpud’s breathtaking coastline and circles the Northern Cordillera Mountain Ranges’ base. Anyone who crosses it will be treated to breathtaking views of the Pasaleng Bay, the West Philippine Sea, and the surrounding verdant landscapes thanks to its design and location. The bridge has become one of Pagudpud’s most well-known monuments because of this.
9. Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
The magnificent Kapurpurawan Rock is located right at the edge of the coast, with the azure water serving as its backdrop. People visit this location to admire the rock and take pictures. A horseback tour of the area is another popular tourist activity. While there is no entrance fee for Kapurpurawan, there is an environmental fee that must be paid. The local authority forbids climbing on top of the rock as well as damage in order to protect it.
It took countless years for this piece of natural sculpture to develop. It occurs as a result of wind and waves battering the rocks near the coast repeatedly. Kapurpurawan’s beauty cannot be matched by man, making it one of the top tourist spots in Ilocos Norte.
