Known for its storied past, the Queen City of Bicol is a prime destination for families wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a little while. To be specific, a trip to Naga City is a great opportunity for creating wonderful memories and bonding with your loved ones. There are plenty of things that tourists of all ages can do here, so it’s easy to find activities that every member of your family will be happy to take part in.
Are you planning to spend some time in Naga City soon and want to experience as much as you can of its rich culture and scenery? If so, you should include the following activities in your vacation plans:
Tour the City and See Its Many Heritage Attractions
What's Inside
For families that love learning about history, they’ll be glad to learn that Naga City is home to many heritage attractions. It’s relatively easy to get to these locations, too, especially if your family stays in one of the hotels in Naga City’s downtown area.
Once you’ve all settled into your hotel room, your family can go on a tour to see the monuments and parks that celebrate the city’s rich heritage. A quiet afternoon can be spent visiting Plaza Rizal and then Plaza Quezon, which is set right beside the former. It’s also worth visiting the nearby Quince Martirez Plaza, which is dedicated to the 15 Martyrs of Bicol.
If you follow Gen. Luna Street behind Plaza Rizal, you and your family can also see Plaza de Nueva Caceres, which was built to commemorate the founding anniversary of Naga City in 2010. This monument gives a glimpse of how the city progressed over the years, from its pre-colonial roots to its more modernized state today. Visiting these sites will not only give your kids a fun history lesson, but also provide the entire family with a little bit of exercise.
Spend a Bit of Quiet Time in the Churches
Are your children old enough to appreciate architecture and the role that places of worship play in local communities? If so, consider taking them to various churches and religious structures in Naga City.
To start, there’s the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, a Spanish Era structure that served as the alma mater of Bicol’s many notable patriots and heroes. Inside the seminary, there’s a museum that showcases a variety of artifacts from the region as well as the memorabilia of the Bicolano Bishop Jorge Barlin.
As for old churches, you can drop by the San Francisco Church along the banks of the Naga River.
Afterward, you can pay a visit to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, the biggest church in Bicol. There’s also the Peñafrancia Shrine and the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore on the other side of the river, both of which receive millions of devotees from around the world every year.
See the City’s Many Natural Attractions
Families who love exploring the great outdoors have plenty of places to explore during their time in Naga City.
First is the Naga Ecology Park, a lush, 5-hectare attraction. It features a garden maze, a collection of exotic plants, a mini-forest, and lots of green spaces that are perfect for holding picnics.
There’s more to see if your family heads to the Mount Isarog Natural Park, which is about half an hour away from the city proper. This vast expanse is home to many falls and rivers—about 30 of the latter and 16 of the former, to be exact. It’s a great place to go bird watching and trekking, too.
For a more laid-back experience, swing by the Panicuason Hot Springs Resort. As the name implies, this accommodation features a hot spring surrounded by a dense forest, making it perfect for those looking for a place to relax.
Time Your Visit to Attend One of the Festivals in Naga City
If your family members enjoy learning about and experiencing other cultures, consider planning your trip to coincide with one of the many festivals that are celebrated in the city.
For example, the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Festival, which is dedicated to the patroness of the Bicol Region, is celebrated every second Friday of September and lasts for the next 9 days. There’s also the Kamundagan Festival, which lasts for the whole month of December and focuses on the celebration of the Advent season. Finally, the Kinalas Festival is held in June to commemorate the cityhood anniversary of Naga. It’s named after a local noodle dish, kinalas, that’s served hot with spices like chili peppers.
Whether you enjoy staying near the city center, exploring nature parks and ecology centers, or visiting historic structures, Naga City has plenty to offer. That said, if you have enough time and if your family members are keen to do so, why not try everything on this list? It’s a sure way to make your Naga City holiday one for the books.
Some festivals in the Philippines you might want to see.
