Learn about the best places to visit with this Bacolod tourist spot guide.
One of the fastest-growing business districts in the Visayas Region, Bacolod City offers a touch of modernity while keeping its rich heritage and profound faith.
Popularly known as ‘The City of Smiles’ thru their MassKara festival, locals here are known to have smiling faces as well.
Explore the best Bacolod tourist spot, try their delectable cuisine, and experience the community’s hospitality.
Traveling to Bacolod
Traveling from Manila to Bacolod
Tourists coming from Manila in Luzon can book flights from Manila to Bacolod. You will depart at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 in Pasay City and arrive at Bacolod International Airport in Silay City. You can then book a private car or taxi going to Bacolod, which takes about 20-30 minutes from the airport.
On the other hand, traveling through the sea takes around 21-24 hours at limited trips per week. After an almost whole day trip, you will arrive at BREDCO port in Bacolod City.
Traveling from Cebu to Bacolod
If you originate from Cebu, you can book flights from Cebu to Bacolod and depart at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Travel time takes around 40 minutes on average.
Traveling from Iloilo to Bacolod
With its proximity, visitors can also book a ferry from Iloilo to Bacolod and vice versa with their select trip intervals.
2GO Travel offers ferry rides at select ports throughout the country.
Check out the best of Bacolod tourist spot for your next travel itinerary
Table of Contents
1. The Ruins
The Ruins makes the most iconic Bacolod tourist spot because of its understatement beauty and historical significance.
Behind the construction of once a mansion in a vast sugar plantation lies an eternal love of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson to his wife. After Maria Braga passed to their 11th child, the wealthy man built the mansion to symbolize his wife’s enduring devotion.
During World War II, the Americans ordered the mansion’s burning to prevent the Japanese from occupying the place.
What was left nowadays are the frames and arcs of its Neo-Roman architectural design, which still stands amidst the test of time.
Now, The Ruins is among the tourist destination in Bacolod worth visiting when traveling within Negros Occidental.
A guided tour of The Ruins will brief you on its history and some fun facts about the place.
Visit during the day and capture amazing photos and visit their souvenir shops for some keepsakes. If you have enough time, wait until sunset and see The Ruins light up magically.
You can have a romantic dinner date at the cafe inside if you are traveling with your special one, though.
2. Capitol Park and Lagoon
Strolling within Capitol Park and Lagoon is a fun way to end your Bacolod tourist spot day tour.
Situated in Bacolod City’s heart, its clean and open space provides space for locals and tourists for their recreational needs. You can spot morning persons jogging around or the office worker and students passing by in the afternoon.
Besides strolling, you can fish feeding at the vast lagoon or spot wild birds roaming around the park.
Some of the attractions not to miss within the vicinity are the Negros Museum and the Provincial Library.
To avoid the scorching heat, you can drop by early in the morning or when the city lights break the dusk.
When your legs feel worn out, you can sit on the benches under the trees while still enjoying the ambiance.
3. Negros Museum
Learn about the rich Negros culture and history when you visit the Negros Museum, just three minutes from Capital Park.
The Negros Museum highlights contemporary artworks depicting the early days of the island. Although memorabilia may be rare inside, the representations are sure to tell you stories of the past. Artifacts from local donations are on display as well.
Also, you can buy some paintings during exhibits of some local artists.
A quick tour from this Bacolod tourist spot is an excellent way to learn and have fun at the same time.
4. New Government Center
A newly opened Government Center in Bacolod City attracts locals and tourists, especially during the night.
The city often celebrates events in this place thanks to its wide and open park. During the night, the well-lit facade is sure to catch your attention, with the fountain as a focal point.
When the offices close, the open park turns lively with some fun activities. Take a mandatory selfie at the ‘I ♥ Bacolod‘ signage with the building as a backdrop too.
When you’re feeling starving, you can grab some bites at the food strips around the park.
The New Government Center houses the Mayor’s office and some local government offices and is 10 minutes away from Capitol Park.
5. San Sebastian Cathedral
Another historical and religious Bacolod tourist spot not to miss is the San Sebastian Cathedral, fronting the Bacolod Public Plaza.
Its century-old Baroque architecture is quick to notice with its adobe blocks and two bell towers while observing from the outside. As you step inside, you will see its classical charm and the solemnity that emanates within the perimeter.
A must-visit for the Catholic devotees, San Sebastian Cathedral holds the Bishops’ palace. The Philippine Historical Committee also considers the cathedral as an important historical marker in the Negros Island.
Visiting San Sebastian Cathedral gives you a space for reflection and self-meditation even if you stay for a Bacolod tour.
6. Silay Heritage Houses
A day tour in Silay City is the same as touring Bacolod City, especially if you fancy classical architecture.
Around thirty identified ancestral houses lines along the peaceful and quiet streets of Silay City. With these well-maintained heritage houses, the city makes it a museum city, just like those in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Balay Negrense is among the biggest ancestral house in Silay. Built by a sugar baron in 1898, this spacious domain has turned into a museum showcasing the owner’s lifestyle in the olden days.
Craving for some goodies? The El Ideal bakery stands as the oldest bakeshop in the city. You can try tasting their local delicacies or have a cup of coffee and pies when taking a break.
Another notable house-turned museum is the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum, locally known as “Pink House.” This Silay tourist spot houses the owner’s memorabilia and historical notes of the city.
Don’t miss paying a visit also at the San Diego Pro-Cathedral during your Silay Heritage Houses tour. Its dome roofing is proof of its Romanesque
design and the only of its kind in the province.
Spending a day tour in Silay makes a significant addition to your Bacolod tourist spot bucket list while appreciating the region’s rich history.
7. Campuestohan Highland Resort
If you want to maximize your time on an outdoor adventure or a day of relaxation, you may want to fit in Campuestohan Highland Resort to your Bacolod tourist spot itinerary.
Located on the hilly outskirts of Talisay, the chilly weather here makes it a great place to bond with family or friends while having fun.
The resort offers fun rides and amenities that will surely make kids and adults alike have a great time in Campuestohan Highland Resort.
Among its must-try outdoor activities are the four-lane sky bicycle, zipline, hamster wheel, and rope course. You won’t either miss trying their wave pool after your thrilling rides.
You can also pamper your busy foot at the spa or have a cup of coffee at the shop, or have a feast at their restaurant.
The mountain breeze and green landscape complement your laidback stay in Campuestohan. You can also reserve an overnight stay at the resort for a full experience.
8. Lakawon Island
If you are eccentric about beach bumming on your Bacolod trip, look no other than Lakawon Island. Include this on your list of Bacolod tourist spots to experience an island life full of recreational activities.
This banana-shaped island in the northern part of Negros Occidental is a perfect place to feel the sun, sands, and the sea combined.
With its fine white sands and clear waters, you won’t worry about idle time on the island. The activities to try are kayaking, snorkeling, banana boat riding, scuba diving, and kite surfing. When you’re feeling starving, you can munch at the floating restaurant while overlooking the vast deep-blue sea.
When the daylight is about to set, you can stroll around the island, take some picture-perfect photos, and watch the stunning skyline fades to dark.
If you visit the island with your family or friends and opt for an overnight stay, you can book from a wide range of room packages. On the other hand, you can rent their canopy tents or umbrella huts if you stay for a day tour.
Going to the island takes about 15 minutes thru a boat ride at the Lakawon Port in Cadiz City.
9. Mambukal Resort
The Mambukal Resort in the municipality of Murcia is a great place to commune with nature, aside from your heritage tours in Bacolod.
This state-run nature resort offers plenty of thrilling outdoor activities suitable for all ages.
This resort offers activities like wall climbing, ziplines, swimming pools, and a boating lagoon. Their most famous one is the Seven Waterfall, in which you can trek to the different drops.
Initially conceptualized by a Japanese architect, Mambukal Resort features amenities like Japanese Ofuro pools and bathhouses. Thanks to surrounding hot springs, this place is ideal for relaxing, unwinding, and rejuvenating from city life stress.
Kids will appreciate a tour at the Butterfly Sanctuary too. If you feel lucky, you can also spot the giant golden-crowned flying fox, one of the world’s largest bats.
Spending a night at Mambukal Resort isn’t a problem as well. They offer a variety of room packages that suits your budget.
Overall, if you fancy all things clean and green, this Bacolod tourist spot is the answer.
10. Pulang Tubig Waterfalls
Outdoor enthusiasts may consider trekking to reach and witness the stunning view at Pulang Tubig Waterfalls.
This hidden paradise sits in a small community in Patag, where your adventure begins. First, you should hire a local guide since trekking takes about an hour to reach the falls.
Keep in mind to wear proper gears as you’ll pass by rough, narrow paths and cross some streams. However, the dense forests and lush vegetation on your way is a rewarding experience itself.
When you reach the point, you can cool off by taking a dip at its basin. The water might be freezing, though.
Take plenty of photos and enjoy the scenic and calm atmosphere around Pulang Tubig waterfalls. Its towering 80-meter drop is a sight to behold.
Its name comes from a creepy story during the Japanese regime, where blood flowed down the mountain and turned the water red.
🔗 Nearby Tourist Destinations | Dumaguete | Siquijor |
Start planning your next Bacolod tourist spot itinerary now
Bacolod is one of the bustling cities in the Visayas Region but still showcases the prominent cultural and historical landmarks amidst progressive modern-day growth.
The city also makes an excellent place for gastronomic experience, not to mention its famous ‘chicken inasal.’ Visiting during their MassKara Festival every October, however, is a whole lot different story to tell.
Plan your next Bacolod tour now, and book your accommodations to avail of deals. Booking saves you from the hustle of unwanted circumstances, so you can focus on relaxing during your trip.
Bacolod City may not be among the top-tier destinations like its neighboring provinces, but visiting some of its Bacolod tourist spots can be worth your stay.
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Safe travels!
Remember that we are still in the middle of a pandemic. For your guidance about the changes in health protocols, you may visit the guidelines from the Department of Tourism or visit their Facebook page for updates. Stay safe.