Laidback charm in Iloilo
Book flights to Iloilo and experience a lively and friendly destination with picture-perfect beaches on its doorstep. This is a region with vibrant communities but also plenty of easy-going charm.
Iloilo City is the capital of the province of Iloilo, on the south-eastern coast of Panay island in the Philippines.
Like many Filipino cities, it has an old town that is the legacy of Spain’s colonisation of the country. Expect to see shuttered mansions and beautiful churches. Iloilo played an important role in the global sugar trade and many people came here from Europe in the 19th century to make their fortune, leaving grand houses behind.
As in much of the rest of the Philippines, you’re never far from a pristine white sand beach after you fly to Iloilo. The city has several resorts along its own coast, and a short hop on a ferry or bus will take you to many others.
Book your Iloilo plane tickets and start planning today.
Reasons to visit Iloilo
Discover historic mansions and churches
Iloilo City is home to numerous buildings from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. Its role as a major sugar exporter saw many settlers from Spain and elsewhere heading here to make their fortune.
Their legacy includes properties with a faded, but still fascinating, grandeur. Look out for Casa Mariquit, a mansion house built in 1803. A wander around the building is a real step back in time – you’ll feel as if you’ve truly entered a bygone era.
Head to the nearby community of Miagao to see a late 18th-century church with incredibly detailed and unusual sandstone carvings.
Shop your way around the city
Iloilo City is a great spot to pick up a bargain, with numerous malls and markets. Iloilo Central Market is a bustling indoor site lined with stalls selling handicrafts, food and souvenirs. It’s also one of the best locations in the city for people-watching.
La Paz market, a little way out of the city centre, is another excellent place for a bargain and has some fine street food – try a noodle broth or some of the delicious seafood – baked mussels with cheese, known locally as talaba is an Iloilo must-try. For a higher-end retail experience, take a trip to one of the Philippines’ largest malls, the SM City Iloilo.
Relax on the beach
Villa Beach is very popular with Iloilo locals, especially at weekends, when it’s full of families enjoying walks along the sand and eating dishes purchased from one of its many seafood restaurants. If you really want to get away from it all, take a short boat ride across the Iloilo Strait to Guimaras island.
There you’ll find untouched white sand beaches, clear blue waters, welcoming resorts and a quiet, relaxed vibe. It’s a place to kick back, eat fresh mango (the island’s speciality) and listen to the wind in the palm trees.
Flying to Iloilo: FAQs
How much time should I spend in Iloilo?
Iloilo City is fairly small, and you can see its main sights in a couple of days, though many visitors choose to stay longer to explore the wider nation. You might also want to allow a few days to visit Guimaras island, which is only 30 minutes away by boat.
What are the delicacies in Iloilo?
Iloilo’s most famous dish is La Paz batchoy, a spicy, meaty noodle soup that is said to have originated in La Paz market. It’s served in other parts of the Philippines, but to get the real thing, you’ll need to visit one of the La Paz area’s restaurants.
What is Iloilo known for?
Iloilo City is famed for its 18th, 19th and 20th-century mansions and churches. It is known by many Filipinos as the City of Love because of the open and friendly attitude of its people. Hoskyn, the first department store in the Philippines, began trading here in 1877.