Legazpi City has a beautiful skyline with the waters of the Albay Gulf on one side and the Mayon Volcano, a near perfect symmetrical conical volcano, towering over the buildings creating a majestic scene. It is a first class city in the province of Albay situated in the heart of the peninsula. It has a busy seaport that accommodates sea-going vessels.
General Information and History of Legazpi City
The city is named after famed Spanish conquistador and explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. During pre-Spanish times, a local chief ruled the area by the name of Gat Ibal. The once swampland was then known as Binanuahan.
The little settlement was swept under Spanish control when the Philippine islands came under colonial control in 1565. It was inaugurated through a royal decree on October 23, 1856. Legazpi City fell to the Japanese in 1941 during the Second World War. After three years of guerrilla fighting, the city was liberated from Japanese control in 1945 when Filipino-American liberation forces finally came to its aid in 1945. It attained its official status as a city under the Philippine Government in July 18, 1948.
The Climate in Legazpi City
Interestingly, Legazpi City does not exactly have a pronounced or distinct dry season. This may be due to the foundation of its volcanic mountain ranges. However, visitors should expect more rain to fall during the months of November to January. The said months have the heaviest rainfall for an entire year. The temperature ranges in Legazpi from 23 degrees Celsius, its coldest, to around 33 degrees Celsius, its warmest. The warmest time in the year is around the month of June while December is its coolest.
What to See in Legazpi City
The sights in Legazpi City include the Battle of Legazpi Monument on the corner of Rizal Street and Quezon Avenue. There is also the Unknown Hero's Monument, which is near the harbor. The Albay Park and Wildlife is a fine place to go for a picnic. The Japanese Tunnel was an arsenal facility during the Second World War. Another historic sight is the Liberty Bell, which was installed by liberation forces after World War II.
Accommodations in Legazpi City
You'll find different accommodations in Legazpi City with some two to three-star rated accommodations. Average rates in the city range from $30, for regular rooms, to $75, for an executive suite. Villa Angelina Hotel, along Rosario Street, is a popular place to stay. It is situated near the city hall and some of the best restaurants in Legazpi. It has its own business center, function hall, cafe, and bar.
Another option for visitors and tourists is the Legazpi Tourist Inn at the corner of Quezon Avenue and Lapu-Lapu Street. Rates here are a bit cheaper and the inn is conveniently located 15 minutes away from the airport. It has secure parking spaces and its own coffee shop.
Other accommodations of note include Vista Al Mayon Pensionne along Washington Drive, La Trinidad Hotel along Rizal Street, and Hotel Casa Blanca on Penaranda Street. If you want more lodging options you may head on to Penaranda Street to find other hotels and inns. Some hotels line up along this street are Albay Hotel, Rex Hotel, Mayon Hotel, Xandra Hotel, Ritz Pension, Shirman Lodging House, Majestic Lodging House, and Catalina Lodging House.
Places to Eat in Legazpi City
There are a lot of options when you look for a place to eat in Legazpi City. You’ll mostly find the best of Bicol cuisine mixed with some of the world’s best dishes. Finding these food establishments won’t be that hard since the locals will be happy to point you in the right direction when you ask them. The following restaurants of only some of the best ones you’ll find in Legazpi City.
Smoke & Grill
If you choose to stay in an inn or hotel near the airport, then this is a great place to get a quick bite. It’s only a short walk from the airport so if you’re hotel is in that area then you might as well head on here. A meal here, like crispy pata and sizzlers, would cost less than $10 and you get to mingle a bit with the Bicolanos since this place is the place to hangout for locals as well. A night cap or cocktail would also be a good idea when you visit Smoke & Grill after the sun sets.
Cres Restaurant
The restaurant is Chinese-owned but you shouldn’t expect to find only Chinese food served here. This is a nice place to get lunch and to try some Filipino-style home cooking. They have a friendly staff and the manager will give you a sample of the warm hospitality you deserve. A favorite dish here is the ever fiery Bicol Express, a dish primarily made from chili peppers in coconut milk. Meals in Cres Restaurant will average around $5, which is really cheap by local standards.
Sikatuna Grille
This is a great place to have a beer, or even several rounds of it. It’s only a short drive from the airport on Washington Drive, which is close to some hotels and lodgings in the city like Alicia Hotel. The name is coined from the words ‘sikat’ which denotes fame and ‘tuna’ which is its specialty. The grilled tuna will leave you dumbfounded. A couple of their many tuna specialties that are worth mentioning are tuna burgers and tuna sashimi. Meals here are bit more expensive the most averaging around $10 and up.
Tago-Tago Food Garden
This restaurant has a rustic ambience and theme. The name of the place says it all, which means that you’ll be dining in the garden area. In fact, you’ll be served as you wait in huts and enjoy the local weather. Tago-Tago Food Garden, in spite of its namesake which means hidden, is easy to find in the San Roque district. Meals here will average around $10, which is reasonable considering the ambience.
Graceland
The locals come here either for lunch or for any of their pastries. Graceland is a fastfood restaurant and a bakeshop in one. If you’re the type who wants either or both then try them here. Graceland’s lunch menu is primarily from the local cuisine with burgers and fries. Their tapa meal is quite commendable. Meal prices here are around the local average at $5. They have a store near Saint Raphael Church, which is hard to miss when you’re touring Legazpi City.
Waway’s Restaurant
If you’re out for the local chili pepper-based Bicolano cuisine, then try Waway’s. The food served here is basically spicy, and that should be taken as a precaution. However, the coconut milk base balances the spicy flavors in a way. You should never miss their squid and crabs - a fiery seafood heaven. Waway’s Restaurant is along Penaranda Street, which is a busy section of the city where hotels, inns, and restaurants are lined up.
Bigg’s Diner
This is a local restaurant with a diner theme. This is a home grown restaurant in the Bicol Region. The place has an early 50’s to late 70’s feel to it with a lot of memorabilia and some really old rock and painted roll posters on the walls. Bigg’s has a 24-hour branch at the center of Legazpi City, which is great for passersby and night owls looking for a place to eat. Meals here would average from $5 to $10 depending on how hungry you are. They have quite an impressive menu combining Filipino and Western cuisine. Some Bigg’s branches even serve pizza.
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