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Municipality in Batangas, Philippines
Photo: Ramon FVelasquez, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Taal is a municipality in Batangas. The old downtown (Poblacion) is noted for its Spanish colonial architecture, and is designated as a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government.
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Oldest sign going to proper town of Taal.
An open area with the municipal hall on one side and other town services such as the police station and post office on another side. It becomes quite busy during festivals with music, other entertainment and food stalls.
A Statue of St. Martin de Tours now stands on the site of the “Old Taal Town” along the lakeshore.
It is at the edge of San Nicolas town. It offers a great viewing point for Taal Volcano and the eponymous lake.
Basilica Minor of St. Martin of Tours
A fine old church built in Spanish times to replace the one in San Nicolas that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The front has a neoclassical facade with lots of columns; the back of the building has high windowless stone walls and looks more like a medieval European fortress than a church. A sign in front of it says it is the largest Catholic church in Asia.
A pilgrimage site just north of the heritage town containing a venerated image of the Virgin Mary. It is on a low ground; one can descend to it from the historical center city over the with a flight of 125 steps (San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps). The church reopened in 2024 following a major restoration program to undo damage caused by earthquakes and the 2020 Taal Volcano eruption, with the drab modern facade replaced in favor of its original colonial-era frontage made of coral stone. To access the Virgin Mary, take the stairs at the back of the church leading to a small chapel, where devotees hold their prayers and touch the glass screen protecting the image.
Marcella Agoncillo Museum
The birthplace of Marcela N. Agoncillo who was known as the maker of the first official Filipino Flag during the Philippine revolution against the Spanish authorities. The different flags of the revolution are also prominently displayed at the site. It is also one of the few places in the country where the Philippine flag must be hoisted 24/7 by law.
Heritage home owned by Gliceria Marella Villavicencio's family, and a site of a meeting of the La Liga Filipina with Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. Open by prior reservation.
Villavicencio Wedding Gift House
Heritage home beside Casa Villavicencio. It was built as a wedding gift to a son of Gliceria. Unlike the main house, this is open to walk-in visitors.
Leon and Galicano Apacible Museum has 6 galleries depicting the lives of brothers Leon and Galicano. First was lawyer, judge and military commander against the Spanish. The other was political activist and diplomat. The visitors may hear theirs stories in a specially prepared film to be watched right upon the entry. Museum is located in nice 19th-century ancestral house. Upper floor showcases elegant Art Deco furniture and other items from the family’s collection.
It was built in 1876 in bahay-na-bato style. It is the ancestral house of former Ambassador Raul Goco, son of Juan Cabrera Goco, who was a Treasurer of the Filipino Revolutionary Movement. This house is only open by special arrangement with a minimum of four people needed for a visit, with a Filipino-themed lunch, afternoon snacks and a heritage tour included in the admission.
This house, in Bahay na bato style, was restored by Dr. Martin Ylagan-de la Rosa and his wife in 1995-1997. Since it is a private house, visits must be by special arrangement only. Temporarily closed as of October 2023.
Gregorio Agoncillo Mansion
The stately American colonial “White House” contains a collection of beautiful hardwood antique furniture and personal artifacts. The house is in very good shape. It is preserved by Don Gregorio Agoncillo Foundation in honor of Gregorio’s daughter, Corazon Agoncillo. It seems closed but when you stand in front of the gate long enough, a caretaker appears, let you in and guides you through the house.
Heritage home, turned to a museum with exhibits of old photographs of the Philippines, and vintage cameras
Large place with good a/c and free Wi-Fi. Does a lot of wedding receptions and other Filipino family events.
Set inside a 19th-century warehouse, the restaurant serves Spanish and Batangueño dishes including tawilis and paella.
Boodle is a large platter with rice in the middle and many other dishes around it; it serves four to six people. This place offers several different boodles at ₱1299-1799, including a seafood boodle and one with dishes originating from Taal like adobong dilaw and tawilis. Boodelitos at ₱549-599 serve two. Also various lesser dishes, starting around ₱100, coffee, drinks, and free Wi-Fi.
All seating is on a covered patio, no air conditioning but it has shade and often a breeze.
Plenty of space (two floors plus a patio), nice decor and, unlike most restaurants in the area, plenty of parking. Food is good to excellent, they offer a good range of beer and other drinks, and service is efficient. Coffee is OK, but nothing special. Prices are on the high side by Philippine standards, though not outrageous
Korean food.
Nice decor, large patio area with smoking permitted on parts of it, mainly Filipino food. Free WiFi, live acoustic music on Friday & Saturday.
Live music on weekends. Four small cheap places with only outdoor seating. Filipino food, burgers, pizza, beer.
Upmarket place with a mostly Filipino menu. Live music on weekends.
Two floors, main restaurant below, coffee shop above. Decor is lovely, an old Filipino house, and there are lots of attentive staff. Food is generally fine, but the steaks are disappointing — good quality meat and well-spiced, but cut too thin so it is impossible to cook them rare or medium rare.
Paradores de Taal
Paradores del Castillo looks more of a heritage house than a hotel, except for modern comfort like A/C. Rooms provide a view of the historical downtown. There are food and laundry service available on site. The hotel also handles tour reservations for some heritage houses such as Casa Villavicencio.
A heritage house that the heirs have turned over to a historical society. The hotel is mostly run by volunteers; you may arrive to find no-one on duty to receive you, but there is a phone number posted by the door that will set a volunteer scurrying to help. Free TV & Wifi.
Mansion-like resort with private swimming pool. Option of shared rooms with double-deck beds or deluxe rooms with twin beds. All rooms have A/C.
Air-conditioned rooms, with an option of single or double bed. Laundry service available. Has a function room and gazebo.
There are many food stalls serving both local delicacies (see #Eat) and other Filipino food. The north and east sides of the market have many stores catering to the tourist trade with embroidered goods, wood carvings and assorted souvenir items.
pronounced about like "crystal"
Not a large or remarkable store; Taal residents generally go to SM or Robinson's malls in Lemery for serious shopping. Krisdale is useful for routine items and as a landmark for some tricycle or jeepney journeys.
Travel from Manila to Taal takes about two hours, or longer depending on traffic conditions. By car the usual route is taking STAR Tollway, exit to Jose P.
Read in the guideThe heritage town area of Taal follows a rough grid plan, typical in Spanish-era town centers, characterized by narrow streets intended for foot and animal traffic.
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Manila (Pasay) · International · MNL
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