Ilocos Norte is a province in the northern Philippines. In the capital Laoag City, grand Paoay Church is a fusion of local and baroque architecture. Farther north, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and the dramatic Kapurpurwan Rock Formation offer panoramic ocean views. At the province’s northern tip, the town of Pagudpud is known for its beaches, like Blue Lagoon, plus bell-shaped Timmangtang Rock and towering Kabigan Falls.

PAOAY CHURCH

With it’s gothic, oriental and baroque architecture, Paoay Church (aka San Agustin Church) is considered of the oldest and most beautiful churches in the country. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a National Cultural Treasure. With its 24 carved buttresses, the church was able to withstand several natural calamities and continues to stand strong even after 300 years.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse, is a cultural heritage structure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, that was established during the Spanish Colonial period in the Philippines. The lighthouse was first lit on March 30, 1892, and is set high on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the scenic Cape Bojeador where early galleons used to sail by. After over 100 years, it still functions and serves ships that enter the Philippine Archipelago from the north and guide them safely away from the rocky coast of the town.

KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATION

The Kapurpurawan rock formation is located on the rocky coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It is known for its creamy white and streamlined limestone formations, which have been sculpted by different oceanic and weather forces. Burgos is located on the northwestern tip of Ilocos Norte.

BLUE LAGOON OF PAGUDPUD

If you want a beach spot that is not flocked by many people like that of Boracay, then the Blue Lagoon also known as Maira-Ira Point of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte is the perfect spot for you. It is said that Blue Lagoon is one the most beautiful beaches of the North.

BANGUI WIND FARM

Bangui Wind Farm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre high Vestas V82 1.65 MW wind turbines, arranged in a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea.

LAOAG CATHEDRAL

Laoag Cathedral, canonically known as Saint William’s Cathedral is a church in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The current church was built in 1612 by Augustinian friars to replace a wooden chapel. It also serves as the seat or central church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag

PATAPAT VIADUCT

As the fourth longest bridge in the Philippines, the Patapat Viaduct snakes along the North Cordillera mountain range. It offers a breathtaking view of the West Philippine Sea and Pasaleng Bay. Along the way, you pass by the Mabugabog Falls, the Kalbario Natural Park and a shipwreck just beneath the waters that dates all the way back to the Japanese occupation.

SUBA SAND DUNES

The Suba Sand Dunes were once made famous as the shooting locations for the 1982 award-winning movie Himala (Miracle) starring Nora Aunor and the 1980 film Panday starring “King of Philippine Movies” Fernando Poe Jr. It’s current claim to fame is that of it being the shooting site for Bagani, a teleserye starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil.

KABIGAN FALLS

One of the top tourist spots in Ilocos Norte is Kabigan Falls. From the entrance, it’s a 30-minute trek to the 87-foot waterfall. If you don’t want to hike though, you can opt to rent a vehicle to take you to Kabigan. After the hike, you will be rewarded with a refreshing dip and swim. Be warned though, the water is really cold which can prove to be refreshing.

SINKING BELL TOWER

Built in 1612, the Laoag Sinking Bell Tower got its name from the fact that the bell tower is literally sinking. Instead of having been built on firm foundation, the structure was built on soft, sandy foundation during the Spanish occupation. Hence, year by year, the bell tower sinks lower and lower into the ground. It was rumored that individuals used to be able to enter horseback, now you’d have to crouch down to pass through the front entrance.

UNIQUE ILOCOS FOODS

LONGGANISA

Longganisa is an emblematic Ilocos food. These pork sausages are the star at any Ilocano table. The sausages from Vigan are the most famous and they are distinctly small and plump.

BATAC EMPANADA

The city is famous for the Batac Empanadas which are considered some of the best in the country. There is even an Empanada festival that takes place every year on the 23rd of June.

One of the most striking characteristics of the Batac empanada is its bright orange color. The empanadas are deep fried and stuffed with green papaya, chopped up longganisa sausages and hard boiled eggs. The orange colored dough is made of rice flour and the color comes from the use of annatto seeds.

BAGNET

The Ilocano Bagnet is also known as Chicharon Baboy or deep-fried pork meat. It is pork belly deep-fried in its own fat. Once fried, it is air dried up to drain the fat. The process is repeated over and over until the pork reached is maximum crispiness.

OKOY

These delicious treats are crispy shrimp fritters cooked in their shell in a glutinous rice batter and shaped into a round form. These fritters are garnished with  fresh shallots and a mix of garlic and chili peppers.

The unique flavors come to life when dipped in an Ilocos style vinegar called sukang iloko.

POQUI POQUI

This simple Ilocano dish will please any vegetarian. In a country, where pork is a daily staple, it is hard to find any dish that is not served with meat or fish. However, you will find eggs battered in Poqui-Poqui.

Poqui-poqui is made of grilled eggplants sauteed with onions, garlic and tomatoes. Eggs are added and stirred with the other ingredients. All the ingredients are cooked together making this Ilocos delicacy slightly soupy