Laoag City

By wanderlust

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Malacanang of the North

Laoag is the capital city of Ilocos Norte. It is the province's political, commercial, and industrial hub as well as the location of the Ilocos region's only commercial airport.

Tourism has flourished with a surge in visitors from China and Taiwan headed for the casino located inside the only 5-star hotel in the northern Philippines, Fort Ilocandia.

Other places of interest are testaments to the city’s rich cultural and political history. These include: Ilocos Norte Capitol, The Tobacco Monopoly Monument, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Bangui Windmills, House of the North, Juan Luna Shrine, Malacanang of the North, Marcos Mausoleum and Museum, and Museo Ilocos Norte.

You could also tour several ancient Spanish or Philippine baroque churches such as World Heritage site Paoay Church, St. William's Cathedral & Sinking Bell Tower, and the Bacarra Church & Bell Tower Ruins. Not far from Laoag you could also visit Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat and La Virgen Milagrosa Shrine of Badoc.

Located in the northern edge of the country, Laoag also has several fine sand shores including Pagudpud, Pannzian, Nipa, and Calayab beaches.


By Land
Laoag City is a 10-14 hour drive from Manila. Several bus companies have routes to and from Laoag, including GV Florida, Maria de Leon, or Dominion Bus Lines, RCJ Trans, Partas Transit, Philippine Rabbit Bus Company, and Farinas Transit Company.

By Air
Laoag International Airport services flights to and from Hong Kong and mainland China. Foreign airlines also offer direct charter flights as part of travel packages. Domestic flights by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific are available regularly.




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