Legazpi Sightseeing

The province of Albay, and its capital, Legazpi City, has been, for several decades running, the number one destination for tourists, both from the Philippines and those coming in from other countries. If you are planning to visit this charming city, include the following places in your itinerary.

Magayon Art Gallery

If you want to see artworks by the local artists, then the Magayon Art Gallery is one place you should check out.

It can be found in Legazpi City, and while it focuses mainly on modern art, you will still be able to see, through the huge number of showcase pieces a wide variety of painting styles that showcase the artistry of the local folk.

The Legazpi City Museum

The history of Albay and its capital are visually represented in the Legazi City Museum, one of the finest in the province and the region.

The museum can be divided into several sections. Prominently displayed are the numerous possessions and antiques of the clans that once ruled the city; archeological discoveries and artifacts are also aplenty, and there is also an area dedicated to showing artworks, from past and present eras.

Mayon Volcano

A lot of the tourists that go to Legazpi, Albay do so for only one one reason: get a glimpse of Mayon Volcano, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

The volcano stands over 2,200 meters (8,100 ft), but it is its perfect cone that truly captivates people. The name itself was derived from the Bicol word “magayon” which translate to “lovely”, certainly a fitting description. Its eruptions, which come in frequently, are among the most spectacular in the world. At nighttime, the flow of the brilliant reddish orange lava is simply majest6ic.

The Pototan Cave

Not far from Legazpi City, is a beach, where, besides the cool waters, you will come upon what is called the Pototan Cave.

The Pototan Cave is over 8 meters (30 ft high) and some 6 meters (20 ft) wide at the entrance. Inside the cave you will find several types of stalactites, stalagmites and several rocks and types. There is also an underground river. This leads deeper into the cave, ending in passageways and hidden chambers.

Kapuntukan Hill

Driving away from the pier near Legazpi City, you will see in the distance a hillside shaped like a lion in the throes of deep sleep.

It is what is locally known as the Kapuntukan Hill.
The trek to the top is not difficult, and once you make the ascent, your reward will be a splendid view encompassing the entire city of Legazpi. If the weather permits, as it often does, you will even get to view several other islands from faraway.

Our Lady of the Gate Church

Driving to the town of Daraga is a hill, on top of which is the Our Lady of the Gate Church. While there are several churches and cathedrals in Albay, few are as important or highly regarded as this one.

The Our Lady of Gate Church was constructed in 1773 on behalf of the Franciscan Missionaries. Even today, it is prized by the province not just for its historical value, but for its intricate design. Unlike the other churches, the Gate Church was built in accordance to the Baroque style, which places emphasis on elaborate designs. The result is an edifice that fills the senses with awe and inspiration.

The Albay Park and Wildlife

If you want to spend some time with your friends or just enjoy a little bit of nature, you should visit the Albay Park and Wildlife near Legazpi City.

This is not just a typical park, although it has the cool and lush environment that you can ever want. But the park also has plenty of sites that provides shelter for over 300 types of animals, along with several boats and rides, both for children and the young at heart.