Calle Real Heritage District
Calle Real (J.M. Basa Street)
Iloilo’s old commercial main street, lined with early 20th-century neoclassical and Art Deco arcaded buildings. It is known as the “Queen City of the Philippines.”
Calle Real is today’s J.M. Basa Street. It was once the busiest commercial street in the Western Visayas. The arcades, banks and department buildings built during the sugar boom are well preserved, and in recent years the façades have been uniformly restored and the sidewalks renovated. Start at Plaza Libertad and walk along the street to see the Villanueva Building, Spanish-era buildings and long-established bakeries. It is open all day. It is best for photos in the evening, when the lights come on. Watch out for traffic and pickpockets.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Plaza Libertad
- Museo Iloilo
- La Paz Public Market (La Paz Batchoy)
- Iloilo River Esplanade
- Nelly Garden
- Molo Church
- Molo Mansion
- Balaan Bukid Shrine