Visiting Iloilo City? Do Not Miss These Spots

In my post-traveling days, I had many misconceptions, one of which was that modernization doesn’t touch the provinces; evidently, I had been living under a rock. It was a good thing I started traveling and found out that even in provinces, there are cities with business centers and modern establishments, among others. I’ve been to many cities around the Philippines, but nothing is more interesting to me than Iloilo City.

They have roads that are long and wide, huge malls just like in Metro Manila, and food establishments and other businesses that urban dwellers enjoy. Modern but not crowded or disorderly; the streets are generally clean. I liked it so much that I found myself nodding to the possibility of moving there should an opportunity presented itself. I’d been there two times and had gotten to know the city a little. Getting around is easy; you could either take a taxi or jeepney. Whether you traveling there DIY or with the help of a Philippine travel agency, here are some of the spots that you may want to visit in Iloilo.

🏞️ Iloilo Tourist Spots

Iloilo Esplanade River

The River Esplanade is the most beautiful spot I’ve seen in the city. It’s a long stretch of a brick pathway with a garden that sits by the Iloilo River. The view is amazing and the locals like to go there for a run or to cycle. There is an Iloilo sign on one end of the river, a good picture-taking spot if you ask me. There are some restaurants and cafes nearby, so it is indeed a good place to hang out.

If you feel like walking, it would only take you roughly 20 minutes to get there from SM Iloilo. But you could just take one of the jeeps in front of the mall, take the one with the Leganes or SM Mandurriao route.

Carpenter’s Bridge

At the end of the Iloilo Esplanade River, on the Senator Efrain Treñas Boulevard side, you will see the Carpenter’s Bridge. It is named after the first civilian governor of the Moro province, Frank W. Carpenter. It offers a fantastic view of the Iloilo River. There, you could watch some local folks fishing, cycling, or taking a stroll.

Molo Church

Just a 5-minute walk from the Carpenter’s Bridge is a Neo-Gothic colonial church and one of the oldest churches in the city, the St. Anne Parish Church, more popularly known as the Molo Church. It’s called the “feminist church” because of the 16 statues of female saints on each pillar. This Spanish colonial church was built in 1831, and the architectural design is a fusion of Gothic and Romanesque styles.

It’s quite easy to get there; just take a jeep that plies the Molo or Arevalo routes. These jeepneys pass by the Molo Plaza, where the church can be found.

📍 Address: 132 San Pedro St, Molo, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo
🕖 Business Hours: Open daily, 9 AM–12 PM, 3–5 PM

Madge Café

Inside La Paz Public Market, you will find the famous Madge Cafe. It’s a very old café, which dates to 1951, owned by a man named Vicente De la Cruz. He named the café after the nickname of his wife, Magdalena. It’s a small café and eatery that old people like to frequent. This is also where the tourists go to seek out what the city claims is the best coffee in town.

The first time I went there, I couldn’t justify the hype. If the nods came from the interesting way the coffee is being prepared, then I wouldn’t argue. I’ve never seen coffee made this way before. They use a cloth called culador that kind of looks like women’s stockings to filter the coffee grounds, then put it inside a tin pot with boiling water. Then they pour the coffee into a cup and sugar and milk, according to one’s liking. It’s kind of fascinating to watch, really.

But there was nothing special with the coffee, I found it too sweet. Well, that’s what I thought then until I returned and tried a much stronger flavor, consequently shifting my opinion. Apparently, I just needed to get a strong coffee. Unlike the very expensive coffee that I like to indulge in back in Manila, the coffee here is cheap, only 40 to 50 pesos.

📍 Address: Lapaz Public Market, Cor. Rizal-Huervana Sts., La Paz, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo
🕖 Business Hours: Mon, 10:30 AM–11 PM | Tue to Sat, 6 AM–6 PM | Sun, 6 AM–1 PM

Kasanag Wellbeing Center

If you’re in want of some kneading of them muscles, I recommend you visit Kasanag Wellbeing Center. “Kasanag” is from a Hiligaynon dialect, which means brightness. The massage place can be found in an old two-story house. The spas I frequent are mostly Thai-inspired or have zen interiors, thus, I find it quite interesting to see one that is Filipino-themed. The receptionists are donned in the traditional baro’t saya, the place is lit with yellow lighting that further imbibes the atmosphere of the olden days.

I chose the Kasanag signature hilot, a one-hour whole-body massage. Instead of a towel, I was given a malong to wrap my body with. The massage itself felt so relaxing that I almost dozed off.

📍 Address: Guzman Jesena St, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Iloilo
🕖 Business Hours: Mon to Sun, 1–10 PM

Camiña Balay nga Bato

To glimpse a piece of history, visit Camiña Balay nga Bato (house by the river), a small museum in a well-preserved ancestral house of the Camiña family along Osmeña Street.

It’s a showcase of how the affluent lived in the 18th century. They look ancient now, but I could discern how the stuff in the house could only have been used by the wealthy during that time. There are silverwares, intricately painted ceramic plates, walls, floors, and furniture made of sturdy fine kamagong and narra woods, a turntable (might have cost exorbitantly in that period), etc.

At the end of your tour, you will be served with a cup of thick hot tsokolate de batirol and toasted mamon.

📍 Address: MGQ7+VX5, Villa Arevalo District, Iloilo City, Iloilo
🕖 Business Hours: Mon to Sun, 8 AM–5 PM

Plazuela de Iloilo

Plazuela is a business hub that is a favorite among the locals for shopping and dining. It’s a two-story complex with a Spanish-Italian architectural design. It sits close to SM City Iloilo.

📍 Address: Benigno Aquino Ave, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Iloilo
🕖 Business Hours: Mon to Sun, 9 AM–10 PM

🍽️ Iloilo Places to Eat

Pit Stop Restaurant

For restaurants to try in Iloilo, Pit Stop is on the top of my recommendations. I loved their mango pizza so much; it was just amazing. Also, try their mango-baked macaroni, it’s just as equally good.

🗒️ Author’s note: Pit Stop Restaurant is permanently closed.

Breakthrough Restaurant

The reason I wanted to visit Breakthrough Restaurant was to try one of their seafood offerings, “diwal.” Unfortunately, it wasn’t available when we went there. This restaurant is beachfront so you can enjoy your meal with the view of the sea. There are plenty of seats, clearly made for groups so it’s an ideal place to bring your friends or family. They offer seafood and even have a facility to keep their sea catch alive, so if you’re ordering seafood, they are guaranteed fresh.

You need to go to the counter to place your order. Serving time takes between 15-20 minutes. The meals were all delicious, especially the buttered clams, grilled lapu lapu, and kinilaw. I highly recommend this restaurant if you’re visiting Iloilo.

📍 Address: MGH8+WWQ, Villa Arevalo District, Iloilo City, Iloilo
🕖 Business Hours: Mon to Sun, 9 AM–9 PM

Roberto’s

Roberto’s is known for their siopaos and they are so popular, there’s always a long queue of customers waiting to get their hands on their steamed buns. No worries though as the line moves quickly.

Try the Jumbo Siopao PHP 100 (USD 1.76); the filling was a combination of pork and chicken. The taste was just okay, not overly seasoned, but not as savory as other siopaos that I tried before. The best part of this siopao is the bun, it’s dense but soft, and a little bit sweet.

📍 Address: 61 JM Basa St, Iloilo City Proper, Iloilo City, Iloilo
🕖 Business Hours: Mon to Sat, 8 AM–5:30 PM | Closed on Sundays

Mestizo

This is one of the best restaurants to visit when in Iloilo. They offer delicious, Mexican food that is surprisingly so affordable. If you visit on Tuesdays you can order any tacos and get one free cocktail. The place can get busy so my friends and I had to wait a little bit to get seated. The interiors are nice and the staff is friendly. I recommend ordering the pollo taco, it’s delicious.

📍 Address: Roadhouse Complex, 38 General Luna St, Iloilo City, Iloilo
🕖 Business Hours: Mon to Sun, 7:30 AM–9 PM

Troi Oi Street Food

If you’re craving Vietnamese food, then I’m happy to share that there’s a good restaurant in Iloilo City called Troi Oi. They offer authentic Vietnamese food such as pho, bahn mi, bo kho (beef stew), etc. As a fan of Vietnamese cuisine, I really enjoyed dining here. Not only is the food delicious, the serving was also generous.

📍 Address: Dr. Rizalina Bernardo Pison Ave. cor Paciencia T. Pison Ave. Brgy. San, Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo
🕖 Business Hours: Mon to Sun, 11 AM–9 PM

🛏️ Iloilo Hotels

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Iloilo City, I recommend the following:

Injap Tower Hotel

Injap Tower Hotel is in a prime location, just across SM City Iloilo. Rates are reasonable, and the room is equipped with a mini kitchen, microwave oven, hot and cold shower, and an LED cable TV. There’s free and reliable Wi-Fi, a swimming pool area, and a spa. My favorite part of this hotel is the Horizon Café on the 21st floor, as it offers a scenic view of Iloilo City.

📍 Address: Diversion Rd, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo
💰 Room rates: PHP 2,100-2,900 per night (USD 37.03-51.14) Book Injap

Hop Inn

If you’re on a budget, I recommend staying at Hop Inn. They have a comfy bed with a bathroom, but manage your expectation as the room is tiny. Location is perfect, just within the city center.

📍 Address: Lot 2 Donato Pison Ave, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo
💰 Room rates: PHP 1,600-1,700 per night (USD 28.21-29.98) Book Hop Inn

Seda Atria

If you’re willing to spend more for comfort then Seda Atria is your best bet. It’s in the city center and has all the trimmings of a nice hotel including an in-house restaurant, a fitness gym, and a bar on the roof top. The room was spacious with the most comfortable bed, AC, a television, small fridge, coffee and tea facility, toilet and bathroom, and an office table. The WiFi was fast and you will also enjoy a breakfast buffet during your stay.

One of the best things about this hotel is the staff; they will always greet you with a smile and will happily provide assistance when needed. I felt so comfortable staying there that I wish I could have stayed longer.

📍 Address: Donato Pison Ave, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo
💰 Room rates: PHP 5,400-7,500 per night (USD 95.22-132.25) Book Seda Atria