The Province of Albay is an up and coming tourist destination in the country. I do hope that its world – class natural & man – made wonders plus its captivating scenic spots could inspire the world’s seasoned travellers and tourists to visit here soon. I cannot count how many total of must – see attractions in Albay that can potentially be a source of tourism pride but as Gov. Joey Sarte says, this province is already a complete destination for those who wish to take a brief respite from the rigors of everyday life.
Albay is located at the southern tip of Luzon about 550 kilometers from Manila and approximately 13.5 degrees north latitude. It is composed of three cities and fifteen municipalities grouped into three congressional districts. The dialect spoken in Legazpi and Albay district is collectively known as Bicol. There’s probably a hundred variations of these, a town which is an hour or two far only from the other one already speaks a different Bicol dialect version. The difference is too small so it is not hard to understand or adapt to it. Once you have a basic grasp of the Bicol dialect, you can go anywhere the region and still able to understand how locals talk.
Mayon Volcano
Known as the world’s most near perfect cone, it lies at the center of the three cities and fifteen municipalities of Albay. It is 8, 000 feet above sea level. The name Mayon is derived from the local equivalent of the word “beautiful”.
Cagsawa Ruins
This is a remnant of a church built during Spanish times. When Mayon volcano erupted in 1814, it was buried all the way up. The only part that remained is the belfry – a mute testimony of Mayon’s unpredictable fury. The Cagsawa Ruins Park is a great place for tourists wanting to see unhampered view of Mount Mayon. There’s a number of tourist guides walking inside, you can approach them for a more fun way of sightseeing experience.
Misibis Beach, Spa and Casino
Misibis Resorts, Estates and Spa is a twenty – hectare beachfront within a prive endive nestling close to the Pacific Ocean. It boasts of a white stretch of powdery sand which is only 45 minutes from Legazpi City airport through scenic five – minute thee km boat ride over the Sula channel. This is a private beach luxury resort only catering to those who can afford extra pampering and comfort.
Lignon Hill
This is a hill with an almost 360 degree view of the whole town of Legazpi and Albay province. Prepare to hike up for about 20 – 30 minutes to have an unfettered view of the Albay Gulf and Mayon Volcano.
Vera Falls
A little over an hour away from Legazpi city cascades the delightful foaming curtain of water hidden around the nooks of the flora and fauna with the rich forested Mt Malinao. Found at the bottom of a ravine in Barangay Bulang, Vera Falls drop approximately at 25 meters into a crystal clear blue lagoon. You can hire a motorcycle or habal – habal in Tabaco city near the Tabaco city hall.
Kawa – kawa Hill
Kawa locally means a cauldron. In Brgy Tuburan, Ligao city you can hike the “hill without a hilltop ” called as the Kawa – kawa. It is 236 meters high where one can view the whole city proper down and below. It has become a pilgrim site because of life – sized mannequins for Catholic devotees doing a Station of the Cross prayer.
Embarcadero de Legazpi
This is Legazpi’s premier waterfront lifestyle hub in Victory Village. Open from 10am to 12mn, this is where both locals and tourists gather to dine, shop, unwind and relax. Numerous business process outsourcing services and other offices can be found in the area making it one of the most frequented place in the city.
Joroan Church
Every third Saturday of August, thousands of pilgrims flock to the small church in Joroan, Tiwi to pay homage to the miraculous image of Nuestra Senora de Salvacion, the patroness of the province of Albay or the Diocese of Legazpi. There’s also a maritime procession and a concelebrated mass on the shores of Sogod Beach after.
Danao Lake
There’s a natural lake on top of a mountain at Brgy. Danao, Polangui, Albay. The Danao lake is about 500 meters above sea level and home to the smallest fish (pandaca pygmea) in the world as well as anglers as big as eels and other fresh water fishes.
Japanese Tunnels
These are subway passages constructed by the Japanese Imperial Army. These were secret paths that lea to different parts of the province and refuge during American bombings.
Cagraray Eco Park
Wall climbing, flying across a zipline and exploring the forest brimming with exquisite flowers, plants and trees are just a few things you can do in Cagraray Eco Park. If you are not up to anything that can cause you a sweat, just taking a walk through the nature camp will definitely make your day great here.
Albay Parks and Wildlife
This is a picnic grove and a park rolled into one. This place is the best way to commune with the nature right at the heart of Legazpi city while seeing 465 animals in the park.
Budiao Ruins
Just two kilometres from the bell tower of Cagsawa Church are the ruins of the town of Budiao, another place buried by the heavy lava flow from Mayon volcano in 1814. Only a very small section of the church protrudes above ground. Budiao town became famous during the Spanish period because this is the place where the colonizers setup the bullfight game in the country.
There you go, these are the places to visit in Legazpi city. These are enough for you to have an idea whether you are looking for a legazpi city tour itinerary or a
legazpi albay tour package.
How to go to Albay
By air - Cebu Pacific Air, PAL and Cebgo flies to Legazpi City daily. From Manila to Legazpi, it is only 45 min to 1 hour flight.
By land - There are provincial buses that will take you to Legazpi City for 8 - 10 hours at Cubao Central Terminal. From Legazpi City to Manila you can go to Ibalong Grand Central Terminal.
Credits to the source of these information to:
Department of Tourism
Address: Regional office V
DOT Bldg, Regional Offices Site
Rawis, Legazpi City
Contact num: 4820715 and 4815593
Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office
Address: Albay Tourism Bldg, Albay Astrodome Complex
Capt. F. Aquende Drive, Legazpi City, 4500 Albay, Philippines
Contact num: 4810250 and 7420241
Email: albaytourism@gmail.com
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