Explore Iloilo Province with our comprehensive travel guide. Find out the best places to visit, things to do and see, food to try, and accommodation options. Get all the information you need for your trip to Iloilo today!
ABOUT ILOILO
Iloilo is located in the center of the Philippine archipelago. The island province of Guimaras borders the province, which is located on the southeasterly tip of Panay Island. A prominent urban hub is the City of Iloilo, the provincial capital of the Philippines Iloilo province. People call it “The Heart of the Philippines”.
One of the most significant provinces in the country has always been Iloilo. Even before the arrival of the Spaniards, traders from China and India had been doing business with the Ilonggos. Iloilo continued to be a significant commerce hub even during the Spanish and American colonial periods. Iloilo has a lovely harbor with peaceful, placid waters that are safe to navigate because Guimaras Island shields it from the open sea.
You can still see the historic buildings, including luxurious residences, majestic century-old churches, and historic office buildings that, interestingly enough, were influenced by both European and American architecture.
Due to its rich terrain and abundantly productive oceans, Iloilo takes pride in being the region’s food basket and rice granary. The province of Iloilo’s main crop is rice. In the southern and northern parts of Iloilo, fish and marine goods are regarded as the primary source of income. Many restaurants provide tourists a delectable gourmet experience of fresh marine foods and well-known Ilonggo dishes including La Paz Batchoy, Chicken Inasal, and Pancit Molo.
The name Iloilo is derived from the Hiligaynon term “Ilong-Ilong” or the Kinaray-a term “Irong-Irong,” both of which refer to the nose-shaped islet of the river that is now known as the Iloilo River.
LOCATION
MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES OF ILOILO
- Ajuy
- Alimodian
- Anilao
- Badiangan
- Balasan
- Banate
- Barotac Nuevo
- Barotac Viejo
- Batad
- Bingawan
- Cabatuan
- Calinog
- Carles
- Concepcion
- Dingle
- Dueñas
- Dumangas
- Estancia
- Guimbal
- Igbaras
- Iloilo City
- Janiuay
- Lambunao
- Leganes
- Lemery
- Leon
- Maasin
- Miagao
- Mina
- New Lucena
- Oton
- Passi
- Pavia
- Pototan
- San Dionisio
- San Enrique
- San Joaquin
- San Miguel
- San Rafael
- Santa Barbara
- Sara
- Tigbauan
- Tubungan
ISLANDS THAT ARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF ILOILO
- Adcalayo Island
- Agho Island
- Bagabu Island
- Bagosipol Island
- Balbagon Island
- Bantigui Island
- Bayas Island
- Binanan Chico Island
- Binuluangan Island
- Bocot Island
- Botlog Island
- Bulubadiang Island
- Bulubadiangan Island
- Buri Island
- Cabugao Gamay
- Cabugao Grande Island
- Calabasa Island
- Calagnaan Island
- Canas Island
- Chico Island
- Danao Island
- Gaguit Island
- Gigantillo Island
- Gigantona Island
- Himamaylan Island
- Igbon Island
- Igcalayo Gamay Island
- Labno Island
- Longingot Island
- Magaisi Chico Island
- Magais Island
- Magalumbi
- Magusipol Island
- Malaiya Island
- Maliog-liog Island
- Manipulon Island
- Manlot Island
- Nabunut Island
- Naburot Island
- Nasidman Island
- North Gigante Island
- Ojastras Island
- Punta Buri
- Quiniluban Island
- Salog Island
- Sicogon Island
- Sombrero Island
- South Gigante Island
- Tabugon Island
- Tago Island
- Talingting
- Tulunaun Island
- Tumaquin Island
- Turnina Island
- Uaydajon Island
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ILOILO
- Agho Island
- Bucari Pine Forest and Campsite
- Calle Real
- Camina Balay nga Bato
- Casa Mariquit
- Casa Real de Iloilo
- Concepcion Islands
- Damires Hills
- Festive Walk Iloilo
- Fort San Pedro
- Garin Farm
- Guimaras Island
- Iloilo City Hall
- Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art ( ILOMOCA )
- Islas de Gigantes ( Gigantes Islands )
- Jaro Cathedral
- Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary
- Lighthouse Ruins
- Lizares Mansion
- Miag – ao Church
- Museo Iloilo (Iloilo Museum)
- Museum of Philippine Economic History
- Museum of Philippine History
- Nadsadjan Falls
- Nelly’s Garden
- Pawikan Cave
- Pototan Astrodome
- Santa Barbara Church
- Santa Maria Parish
- Sicogon Island
- Sinamay House
- Smallville Complex
- St. Anne Parish Church / Molo Church
- St. Clement’s Church
- Sta. Monica Church Pavia
- Tangke Saltwater Lagoon
- The Molo Mansion
- Vista Mall
- Waterworld Iloilo
TOURS AND SIGHTSEEING DEALS IN ILOILO
Klook.comFESTIVALS IN ILOILO
- Binanog Festival
Second Sunday of January in Lambunao - Leganes Saad Festival
Last week of January in Leganes - Dinagyang Festival
Last Sunday of January in Iloilo City - Jimanban Festival
Last week of January in New Lucena - Kasadyahan Festival
Fourth Saturday of January in Iloilo City - Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival
Last week of January to first week of February in Calinog - Paraw Regatta Festival
February in Villa de Arevalo - Candelaria Fiesta
February 2 in Jaro
MUST TRY FOODS IN ILOILO
- Batchoy
An egg noodle soup cooked with pork meat, intestines, liver and bone marrow mixed with fried garlic and scallions. - Bañadas
White sugar glaze-coated round cookie. - Barquillos
A delicious cracklings in the form of a delicate tube. - Biscocho de Caña
A biscocho without the butter and with less sugar. - Broas
A signature ladyfinger biscuit from Bacolod. - Everlasting
A tough cookie. - Kinamonsil, Quinamonsil
Camachile-shaped cookies. - Mamon Tostado
Also known as Toasted round cakes; a delicacy of Deocampo Barquillos. - Napoleones Otap
A custard-filled pastry with a sugar coating. - Pan de Nora
A round buttercream-filled biscuit. - Pancit Molo
A soup consisting of meat-filled dumplings, chicken that has been chopped, and a hearty broth. - Piaya
A molasses-filled, hard pancake that has been grilled - Rosquetes
A distinctively flavorful, gritty cookie. - Sambag, Sampalok
Bacolod’s crumbly tamarind-shaped cookie. - Serafina
A tiny, crunchy dough balls that have been deep-fried, caramelized, and dusted with sugar. - Sugar cookies
Cookies coated with frosting.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to travel to Iloilo is February, March, April, May and June because those are the driest months.
