Places to See in Albay

Albay is home to Mayon Volcano and its century-old churches. Discover more of Albay through the famous tourist sites below.
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Cagsawa Ruins

The Cagsawa Ruins, one of the most visited landmarks in Albay, is the remnant of the 18th-century Cagsawa Church, which was built by the Franciscans in 1724. It is located in Barangay Busay, Cagsawa, Daraga in the province of Albay. In February 1, 1814, the Mayon Volcano erupted and engulfed the church along with an estimate of 1,200 people who took refuge in the church during the eruption. The incident left only the belfry standing.

Mayon Volcano

The Mayon Volcano is located in 8 municipalities in Albay -- Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Legazpi City, Tabaco City, Malilipot and Santo Domingo. The volcano is known for its perfect cone, which has gained its popularity among tourists. It was declared as a national park in 1938 and was reclassified as a natural park in 2000. It has derived its name from the local heroine Daragang Magayon, which means beautiful lady.

Daraga Church

Also known as Church of Nuestra Senora de la Porteria, Daraga Church was built in 1773 by Franciscan missionaries during the time when Daraga was still a barrio under the town of Cagsawa. During the eruption of the Mayon Volcano in 1814, several towns were wiped out including Cagsawa. The survivors from Cagsawa chose to relocate to Daraga who continued to attend Sunday mass at the Daraga Church.

Tabaco Church

The Tabaco church, also known as San Juan Bautista in Tabaco City or St. John the Baptist Church of Tabaco, was built in 1616 by Fr. Pedro de Alcareso. One of the differentiating feature of the church are the stones which have distinct marks of the Masons, who helped built this Spanish-Mexican-inspired structure.

Other Places to Visit in Albay:

  • Kawa-Kawa Hill (Ligao City)
  • Lignon Hill
  • Hoyop-hoyopan Cave (Camalig)
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine (Buraguis hilltop)

Where to stay in Legazpi City:

Visit my compilation of cheap accommodations in Legazpi City for less than P1,500 per night.

How to get to Albay from Manila:

By air: Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines flies daily from Manila to Legazpi City
By land: Travel by land usually takes 10-12 hours depending on traffic. Several bus liners such as Raymond, DLTB, Philtranco and Penafrancia.