photo credits Ryan Javierto

How To Enjoy Legazpi City Like A Local

So you are planning to visit Legaspi City. But then you ask yourself, where to go, what to do? Sure you can Google your way around town, eat here and there, do what other tourists do. But an authentic vacation can only be achieved when you experience a city like a local, like a true blood Legaspeño. How to do it? Even if you only have one day you can experience Legaspi fully with this itinerary.

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Touchdown at Legaspi Airport. Mt. Mayon is peeking through the clouds. Get your cameras ready! Credits to the photo owner.

Let’s say you had the second flight in from Manila. You arrive in LGP at exactly 11:30am.

11:30 AM – Hotel check -in

By now if you are lucky enough to have clear skies you must be raping that camera button at the direction of Mt. Mayon. She is a sight to behold and you can already witness her majesty the moment you get out from your plane.

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Check in to your hotel quickly and get your Legaspi adventure started! Choose a hotel that is near to everywhere for ease and convenience while in the city.

Locate your hotel’s shuttle service, leave your bags in your room, and get your Legaspi adventure started, but first…

12:00 Noon – Grab some lunch!

Fortunately food in Bicol is good, so good that you would not have a hard time finding a good place to eat while in the city. We recommend 1st Colonial Grill, a local restaurant that offers Bicol delicacies. What to eat here? Bicol Express is a must and make sure to compliment that with their Tinapa Rice. Laing (or Pinangat) is also a must-have in your table.

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1st Colonial Grill’s pinangat rice, a must-try while in the city. Credits to the owner of this photo.

Done with your meal? Top it off with a dessert that made 1st Colonial Grill famous all over the country – the Sili Ice Cream!

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The Sili Ice Cream made popular by 1st Colonial Grill. Credits to the owner of this photo.

1:00 PM – To Cagsawa Ruins!

Cagswa Ruins is a World Heritage Site so NEVER ever leave Legaspi City without visiting this place. This is where one of the most common photos of Mayon is taken (that church bell tower-framed photo of Mayon).

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The Cagsawa Ruins. Nothing beats this iconic view. Credits to the owner of this photo.

There is plenty to do in Cagsawa Ruins. There is of course the picture taking, shopping around Cagsawa’s souvenir stalls, and just enjoying the awesomeness of the perfect cone volcano in its full splendor. It is important to note that the view here of Mayon is much nicer because it can be framed from its very base up to its crater.

3:00 PM – Coffee Break

The coffee culture is alive and well in Legaspi, thanks to the many coffee shops around town. One café is worth your visit – the 528 Ilawod. This coffee hangout is not only popular for its good coffee but also for its artsy, intimate ambiance.

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The paintings of the wall makes 528 Ilawod very unique. Coffee here is very good too! Credits to owner of this photo.

The café also showcase the work of local artist Ann Cadiz in its wall murals. The painting on the walls adds personality to this place and one more reason why you should come and visit it.

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This coffee place has a very artsy feel. You should try the food here too. credits to the owner of this photo.

Located in Daraga, this café is undeniably Legaspeño so do not miss it while you are in the city. By the way one corner of the café has a nice view of Mayon.

4:00 PM – Daraga Church

Daraga Church is a very scenic place, a must visit for all the guests of the city. It has an access road near the Daraga public market so getting to this place is easy. Perched on a hill, it has a sweeping view of Mayon. But aside from the nice view, another good reason to come here is the church, a Spanish-era structure that should make a nice background for a selfie.

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The Daraga Church with its impressive architecture and its Mayon viewing deck on the far right. This 2 in 1 view combination makes this place a must-visit in Legaspi.

There is a viewing deck in the area so you can enjoy the Mayon view while enjoying the light breeze in this hilltop location. Pray for clear skies because selfies here are awesome with the famous volcano framing your shot.

5:00 PM – Lignon Hill

As the sun is going down you can head out to Lignon Hill, an unmistakable landmark that goes with the Mayon view from many vantage points around the city. This hill is also where PHIVOLCS have its observation outpost for Mayon, a testament of the encompassing view of Lignon over the volcano.

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The road going up to the top of Lignon Hill. This is a tiring hike but the view on the top is worth it! Credits to the owner of this photo.

To better enjoy this next stop, get your walking shoes ready and hike up the hill, a whole kilometer of subtle climbing. What’s nice about this uphill walk is the view that you can have of Legaspi City as you progress to the top.

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At the top of Lignon Hill. The park has a sweeping view of Mayon, Legaspi City, and the Bay of Legaspi. Credits to the owner of this photo.

The best part of the climb is when you reach the park on top of Lignon. You can bask in the view of Mayon and the whole city, even giving you a nice sweeping glimpse of the bay of Legaspi. Sunsets here are nice. Many locals come here just as the sun dips in the horizon.

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The hanging bridge on Lignon. There is also a zip line here. Credits to the owner of this photo.

Aside from the nice view you can also enjoy the hanging bridge and the zip line that crosses thru the hill from one side to the other. Another unique experience while in the city.

7:00 PM – Dinner at Small Talk Café

When you are in Legaspi the best place to have some good, Bicol food is at Small Talk Café. This small restaurant in the middle of Old Albay District is a foodie’s paradise. The serving here is filling and the flavor is just top class.

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Small Talk Cafe at the Old Albay District. This place is very well known for local delicacies. Credits to the owner of this photo.

What makes this café (it’s a restaurant actually) unique is its offerings that scream Bicol like the Pinangat Pizza and the Laing Pasta. Pasta here is generally good. Do come early for dinner especially in the weekends because this place is often packed with people.

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Some of the celebrated food at Small Talk Cafe. Looks good? Believe us, those taste better. Credits to the owner of the photo.

8:00 PM – Night out

There is no denying that this city sleeps earlier than many urban centers in the country but the good news is, if you know where to go, well, problem solved!

You can choose to go to Lava Resto Bar inside the newly opened Ayala Malls Legaspi. This bar has a nice crowd, it has live music, and there is a wide selection of drinks. While you’re here try out the Lava Pizza while enjoying the young, urban vibe of the place.

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The Lava Pizza available only at the Lava Restobar. This is a newly opened hangout but its growing popularity is testament that something good is going on in here. Credits to the owner of the photo.

If you want a more unique experience you can go to Retazo Diner along Rizal St. Acoustic music is very good here and the ambiance is quite nice and more intimate. Food is good and there is a decent selection of beers. No hard alcoholic drinks though but there’s wine and it is chilled just for you.

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Retazo Diner is a nice place for music and food lovers. Photo credits Zalrian Sayat.

If you are more of a party animal and you love dancing the night away with live bands or DJs then Bar 101 is the place for you. It is located inside Bichara Complex in the very heart of the city.

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Bar 101 is Legaspi’s longest running bar. This is paradise to those who love loud music, lots of booze, and loads of fun. Credits to the owner of the photo.

We do hope you call it a night early because the first stop for the next day is best enjoyed when you go there before the sun is up.

The following day:

5:00 AM – Legaspi Boulevard

If you love to run in the morning then you will love Legaspi Boulevard – a 1.5 kilometer stretch of beach side development that is perfect for an early morning run. This place is teeming with people especially in the weekends. This is a favorite place of locals to unwind, enjoy the sunrise, and yes, enjoy some coconut water (coconut vendors are all over the place) with the early morning sea breeze.

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Legaspi Boulevard is simply a beautiful place to unwind, enjoy the view and breath in some fresh air. Credits to the owner of the photo.

If you just want to walk around then that’s great too. This is also a great place to meet and talk with some locals. There are also some great places for a selfie including the “Legaspi” standee with a nice Mayon view in the background. You need to have a photo taken here!

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The iconic picture perfect spot in the Boulevard. Credits to the owner of the photo.

Want to eat? There is an interesting local vendor that goes by the name of “Eat n’ Run”. His sandwiches are good and his personal branding is excellent with that charming bike trailer of his. This guy also serves native coffee, so yeah, enjoy! He frequents Legaspi Boulevard early morning.

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Eat N’ Run is a local food cart business that has an interesting personal brand. It sells sandwiches and native coffee. Photo by Kim Iqs.

7:00 AM – Breakfast at Bigg’s Diner

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Bigg’s Diner Tower Burger is popular here. Bigg’s Diner is a locally grown brand that offers good food all over Bicolandia. Credits to the owner of the photo.

You cannot leave Bicol without eating at Bigg’s Diner, one of Bicol’s most popular brands. This place is not really about fast food, but good food. They have amazing burgers and breakfast specials (the American Slam is not to be missed!). They have charming stores too.

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This is one of Bigg’s Diner store interior. Bigg’s is known for its charming, vintage-feel outlets. Credits to the owner of the photo.

8:00 AM – Sumlang Lake

If your flight back to Manila is still in the afternoon then you can still visit one more tourist spot in Albay – the Sumlang Lake in Camalig. Camalig is just a 30-minute drive from Legaspi City so this would be a convenient quick stop for you.

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Sumlang Lake and its one of a kind lakeside view of Mayon. This place is gaining the attention of local and international tourists so might as well visit it while in the city. Credits to the owner of the photo.

What to do in Sumlang Lake? You can ride the bamboo raft across the lake with Mayon Volcano in the background. It is picture perfect so never forget to bring your camera with you. If you want clear, superb images, do not just rely on your smart phone camera.

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Kayaking is a newly added water sport activity at Sumlang Lake. Rowing with that view should be nice. Credits to the owner of the photo.

You can also do some kayaking in the lake or just sit around in the lakeside’s many unique seating, all have a majestic view of Mayon.

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That picture perfect bamboo raft is a must-ride while in Sumlang Lake. Imagine the photos you can have while in that. Just make sure to get your angle right so that Mayon won’t lose its place in your selfie. Credits to the owner of the photo.

It is probably time to get ready for your flight home after the Sumlang Lake adventure.

Remember, a trip is best enjoyed when you throw yourself to the local lifestyle. Get out there, talk to people, learn about the culture, love the food, and do not be afraid to try new things.

See you soon here!

Cover photo credits Ryan Javierto

 

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