8 Itinerary Ideas We Can't Wait To Try In Bacolod

Bacolod has been dubbed as the “City of Smiles” for many reasons.

For one, the city is oozing with the friendliness and warmth of its locals. Second, lively Bacoleños and Bacoleñas go big as they celebrate life and culture. Their most famous fiesta – the Masskara Festival has become a tourist attraction. Many visitors from all over the world come to Bacolod to join the annual street fest, which happens every fourth Sunday of October. During which, colorful decors and people with eye-catching masks and flamboyant costumes fill the streets. It is a great time to party with locals and have fun in the city.

Aside from these, there are a variety of exhilarating activities to try when in Bacolod that will surely make you smile. Hence, if you are considering coming to the “City of Smiles,” here are some must-try excursion ideas.

The Ruins is a popular itinerary staple when visiting Bacolod. Built in the early 1900s, the mansion tells a story of unrequited love. It was constructed by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a wealthy baron who owned more than 400 hectares of plantation land, to commemorate his deceased wife Maria Braga who passed away while carrying their 11th child. Unfortunately, the mansion was badly damaged during the Second World War. Yet despite the fact that it’s been ruined, its glorious Italian architecture and neo-Romanesque columns still shine through that many tourists visit the place to this day.

Address: Don Mariano L. Lacson Highway, Brgy. Zone 15 6100, Talisay, Philippines

Contact information: (034) 476-9448

Social: Facebook| Instagram

Balay Negrense is one of the heritage houses found in the culture-rich city of Silay, part of Bacolod’s greater metropolitan area. It was the ancestral home of another sugar baron - Victor Fernandez Gaston who has contributed to the local sugarcane industry. The house was built in 1897 where he lived with his twelve children, following his wife’s demise. While the house was abandoned years after he died in 1927, it was turned into a museum during the 90s, and has since become a tourist attraction in the area.

Address: Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

Contact information:(034) 445 4282

Marvel at the beautiful Baroque architecture of the San Sebastian Cathedral, a famous historical landmark in Bacolod. Made of coral stones, the church finished construction and was inaugurated in 1882. First time visiting the Cathedral? Don’t forget to make a wish.

Address: 1755 Rizal Street, Bacolod City, 6100, Negros Occidental, Rizal St, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental

Contact information:(034) 433 0240

Taste the authentic distinct flavors of the Chicken Inasal at its place of origin – Bacolod! Experience the juiciness of the city’s version of grilled chicken, marinated in special sauces, and usually served with rice on banana leaf. Many tourists go to the Manokan Country, a food complex in Bacolod where many food stalls and restaurants offer the Chicken Inasal, as well as other street food.

Address: Father M. Ferrero St, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental

Learn the art of making Piaya, a famous delicacy from Bacolod. It’s the ultimate pasalubong! Piaya is basically an unleavened flatbread with filling made of muscovado or brown sugar, and sometimes, Ube. It’s also the main attraction at the popular pasalubong center BongBong’s Finest Delicacies, where you can take a workshop on Piaya making.

Address: BongBong Villan Corp Building, Bangga Pauline, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines 6100

Contact information: (034) 704 1275

Social: Facebook

And while you’re there making Piaya, don’t forget to tour the factories where BongBong’s Finest Delicacies are being made! The company has two factories – the Alijis Factory and the La Carlota Factory. Both tours could be arranged. See how they make the rest of their goodies and at the same time, take home some well-loved pasalubongs like the Barquillos, Biscocho, Brojas, Baquiron, Otap, and Tarts.

Address: BongBong Villan Corp Building, Bangga Pauline, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines 6100

Contact information: (034) 704 1275

Social:Facebook

The Laguerta Vintage Glasses Museum houses vintage glassware pieces, which dates back to the early 1900s. They are part of the collection of museum owner Tomiko Casiano who has curated glassware of different colors, shapes, and sizes through the years. His collection includes the time-honored Depression Glasses and Carnival Glasses.

Address: 5 Lopez Jaena St, Brgy, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental

Contact information:0917 309 8895

See the neo-classical Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol landmark in its full glory when you visit the Capitol Park and Lagoon. Take your family for a walk in the 3-hectare park as you breathe in fresh air and see other people doing a variety of fun activities like jogging, aerobics and even feeding the tilapias in the lagoon!

Address: Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental