//
Capital city of Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Photo: Jsinglador, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Laoag is the capital city of Ilocos Norte. It is the province's political, commercial, and industrial hub. The historic scenic tourist spots makes Laoag an ecotourism center. For geographical reasons, this guide includes the neighboring towns of Sarrat and San Nicolas.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Small museum showcasing artifacts & other items exploring local & regional culture & heritage.
Historical landmark.
Part of Laoag Cathedral. Named so because it slowly sinks into the soft soil of the city. A decade ago, the entrance was still tall enough to let a man on horseback enter. Now not even a man could enter.
beautiful view of the city & surroundings.
The headquarters of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte.
Laoag Cathedral
This 1612 church features Italian Renaissance styling, a stately façade and an adjacent, sinking bell tower.
Here you can see the LAOAG letter sign. The building is an old Spanish type.
Sarrat Church
Sarrat's main Roman Catholic church, built in the Baroque style in 1724. Access to the site may be restricted due to renovations since 2025 to repair damage caused by earthquakes in 1983 and 2022. The river of Sarrat and the Santa Monica Park in the front make it more beautiful and to relax.
A museum on the life of president Ferdinand Marcos, who was born in Sarrat in 1917.
Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Nicolás de Tolentino
The main Roman Catholic church in San Nicolas, built during the Spanish era. Its present Baroque structure dates from 1693.
Filipino restaurant.
Try the Laoag Empanada along Rizal Street near Provincial Capitol.
Try their crispy dinuguan.
An American 1950s inspired restaurant. Serves most of your favorite American, Chinese, & Filipino foods.
La Tabacalera is a new dining and lifestyle center in Laoag, the capital city of Ilocos Norte. There were a handful of food and retail shops.
Korean restaurant.
The first Spanish-inspired restaurant with Ilocano food.
Filipino sizzling food restaurant.
Fan single/double room with out side bathroom. Fan single/double rooms with own bathrooms. A good place for backpackers to stay. 50 rooms. Can pay with Visa/Mastercard.
Fan single/double rooms. 19 rooms.
Fan single room with own bathroom. Fan single/double room with own bathroom and cable TV. AC double with own bathroom and cable TV.
Fan double room with own bathroom. A/c double room with own bathroom.
The hotel offers air-conditioned accommodation rooms, all equipped with cable TV, Wi-Fi connectivity, telephone, and also comes with complimentary breakfast. Some of its facilities are Gertes Restaurant, Bare n' Bloom Spa, swimming pools, and business center.
Offers 22 air-conditioned guestrooms, all of which have cable TV, free Wi-Fi, mini-bar, and a telephone. Some of its amenities include massage service, laundry and dry cleaning, wake-up call, and airport and city transfers.
A hospitable place with touches of Balinese, Moroccan, and Spanish style decoration. Offers rooms, suites, and dormitory-type quarters.
Light pastel colors.
It offers 96 rooms, all of which have air-conditioning system, cable TV, private toilet and bath, phone and coffee/tea maker. Its amenities include high-speed Internet access, swimming pool, and restaurant, bar and café.
The only 5-star deluxe resort hotel in northern Philippines sprawling over 77 hectares of land amidst gentle sand dunes and pine forests with a 2-km sandy beach facing the South China Sea. The resort is a complete service complex resort hotel. It’s a 10-minute drive from Fort Ilocandia Golf & Country Club at Paoay and from the Laoag International Airport.
The biggest mall in Ilocos Region.
By plane
By bus
Despite having a central government-owned terminal to the west of downtown, buses to Laoag continue to use their dedicated terminals anywhere within the city.
By ship
The nearest cruise ship terminal is in Currimao, to the south. It is often served by prearranged excursions that also include trips to Batac and Paoay.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Laoag City · International · LAO
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Laoag and Philippines.
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
InspirationExplore the best islands to visit in the Philippines, including Palawan limestone lagoons, Boracay white sands, Bohol hills, and Cebu waterfalls.
6 min read
ItinerariesLearn the real difference between Palawan and Boracay with our breakdown of sand quality, boat tours, nightlife, travel transit, and vacation costs.
7 min read
Travel tipsReal-world 7-day Philippines travel budget covering hotel prices, domestic flights, island hopping tours, tricycle fares, and food costs.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.