You can get to Ilocos in two ways. From Manila, hop on a one-hour flight to Laoag International Airport or opt to take a ten-hour bus ride.
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Bangui Wind Farm
Bangui Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte is a must-see when visiting Ilocos. It’s a nine-kilometer strip of windmills where tourists take memorable photos. The Bangui Wind Farm also supplies 50 percent of Ilocos Norte’s electricity.
Calle Crisologo Heritage Houses
Walk along the streets of Vigan, Ilocos Sur’s Calle Crisologo, where cobblestone paths are lined with ancestral houses and heritage establishments, shops and restaurants. The famed street continues to dazzle visitors from all over the globe with its old-world beauty that has been meticulously preserved throughout the years. It is picture-perfect during the day, and takes on an enchanting vibe at night when the lamps begin to illuminate the entire street.
Pagburnayan
In Vigan, you can visit a pottery studio to discover how Burnay is made with the help of a carabao, and take a photo on the potter’s wheel. Burnay is the Ilocano name for the brown clay pot Filipinos used before the Spanish arrived. Early Filipinos used this to help keep water cool on hot days.
Paoay Sand Dunes
Try a different kind of surfing in the Sand Dunes of Paoay, a must-do for thrill-seekers who are into sandboarding and extreme ATV adventures. The hills and ridges of the famous dunes reach up to 20 feet high, making it the perfect place for exhilarating slides on a sandboard and roller coaster-like rides in a zooming 4X4.
Pinakbet Pizza
Tourists of Ilocos Norte should not leave without ordering a slice of the region’s famous Pinakbet pizza. Local vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, long beans, okra, and bitter gourd are the common toppings on this pizza, making it ideal for vegetarians. The unique dish takes inspiration from the Filipino dish Pinakbet, a vegetable stew which features many of the same ingredients.
Ilocos Empanada
Tourists must try these deep fried half-moon shaped rolls made with orange-colored dough, filled with egg, Ilocos longganisa (or two!), and bean sprouts or papaya fillings. Pair with Sukang Iloko (locally made dark vinegar) for a perfect bite.
Inabel
No trip to Ilocos is complete without a peek into its weaving tradition. Both Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte are recognized for their Abel Iloco, a cotton cloth woven on hardwood pedal looms using generations-old techniques. Most souvenir shops in the province sell Inabel fabric made into curtains, blankets, bath towels, and bed linen.
Chichacorn
Chichacorn or Cornik is a popular deep-fried corn snack in Ilocos. It can be enjoyed in different flavors such as cheese, adobo, barbecue and garlic, sweet, and spicy.
