Vigan
Vigan is a Spanish colonial city in Ilocos Sur where you walk stone-paved streets lined with old houses and ride a horse-drawn calesa through the town center.
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Vigan is a city on the west coast of northern Luzon, in Ilocos Sur province in the Philippines. It is known for its old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where many Spanish colonial houses still stand, with tiled roofs, wooden balconies and capiz-shell windows. The best-known street, Calle Crisologo, is paved with stone and lined with these houses, and horse-drawn calesas still carry visitors along it.
Vigan suits a short, slow trip built around walking. Sights include the cathedral, the Bantay bell tower, pottery workshops that make burnay clay jars, and local food such as Vigan longganisa. One to two days is enough to see the old town at an easy pace. The cooler, drier months from November to April suit walking the streets best, while the rainy season runs roughly June to October.
Vigan in five
- Carry pesos in small billsCalesa rides, tricycles and small eateries often take cash only. Break large notes at a shop or your hotel first, and keep small bills for fares.Money and costs
- Book a room within walking distance of Calle CrisologoThe heritage street, the plaza and the calesa stands are within walking distance of most old town rooms. Early mornings are quieter before the day-trip groups arrive.Where to stay
- Wear flat shoes with grip for the cobblesCalle Crisologo is paved with cobblestones that turn slippery after rain and catch thin heels. Sandals with a strap or closed flat shoes work better.
- Agree the calesa fare before you climb aboardCalesa drivers quote a price for a route or a set time, and there is no meter. Settle the amount, the route and the duration before the ride starts.
- Check PAGASA typhoon bulletins before you bookTyphoon season runs from roughly June to November, and flights, buses and tours can be cancelled at short notice. Read the forecast from PAGASA, the national weather bureau, and keep your insurance details handy.Travel insurance
Things to do in Vigan
See all attractions in Vigan
Need to know
- Currency
- Philippine peso (PHP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check the list at immigration.gov.ph Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Rounding up for calesa drivers and porters is optional; keep small bills for fares
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Cool, dryJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, coolFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, dryMarchClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, dryAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MayRain23 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°Hot, rains startMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 204 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains start
- JuneRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 373 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Typhoon seasonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 639 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon season
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Typhoon seasonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 610 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon season
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Rainy, stormsSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 401 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, storms
- OctoberRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rainy, stormsOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 220 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, storms
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Drier, typhoonsNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, typhoons
- DecemberClear6 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, coolDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
Average daily high and low in Vigan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Vigan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 43%
Vigan
08:03 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°25°43%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Wed31°25°2%Wednesday: Clear. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu30°23°8%Thursday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri30°23°12%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Sat33°25°29%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Sun34°27°14%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 34°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Mon34°27°12%Monday: Clear. High 34°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 06:00 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 63.7 PHP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Bantay Bell Towerabout 15 to 30 min by tricycleA bell tower on a hill in the town of Bantay, next to Vigan, often paired with a half day in the old town.
- Laoagabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carThe capital of Ilocos Norte, with the region's main airport and larger shops and markets.
- Pagudpudabout 3 to 4 hours by carBeaches and sea cliffs to the north, a long day out that suits travelers with a car and an early start.
Before you go to Vigan
Rules for Vigan, checked
- Many nationalities enter the Philippines visa-free for short stays. Check the length of stay allowed for your passport at immigration.gov.ph before you book.Source
- Cover your shoulders and knees at St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, an active place of worship.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival. Check the current amount with the Bureau of Customs before you travel.
Plan around Vigan
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Philippines trip
Read the guideWhere to stayOld town rooms and how to pick a base in Vigan
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, flights and the local ride options from Vigan
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a Vigan trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho can enter visa-free and what to check before flying
Read the guideVigan FAQ
How many days do you need in Vigan?
One full day covers the old town and one trip out. Two days let you see the heritage streets early and late, when the day-trip groups have gone.
Is Vigan worth visiting?
Yes if you want Spanish colonial streets in the Philippines and a slow pace. It suits a short stay built around the old town and a few day trips.
When is the best time to visit Vigan?
December to March has the most reliable dry weather. June to November is typhoon season, so check forecasts before you commit to a date.
Do you need a car in Vigan?
Not for the old town, which you can walk. Calesas and tricycles cover the wider town. For a day trip, hire a driver rather than driving yourself.
How do you get to Vigan from Manila?
Overnight buses run from Manila, and the trip is long. You can also fly to Laoag, which is about 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Vigan.
Is Vigan safe for tourists?
Keep valuables close in busy spots, and agree transport fares before you ride. Ask your hotel which streets to avoid after dark.