Legazpi & Mayon Volcano

At the foot of Mayon, the world's most perfect volcanic cone: the Cagsawa Church ruins, ATV rides on the volcano, reflections in Sumlang Lake, and swimming with whale sharks in nearby Donsol.

Legazpi is the main city of the Bicol Region in southeastern Luzon, the Philippines, and the capital of Albay province. About 15 km north of the city rises the 2,463 m Mayon Volcano, hailed as the world's most perfect volcanic cone. The area divides into three parts: Legazpi city itself (the Ligñon Hill viewpoint, Embarcadero mall and the seafront boulevard, with the volcano visible everywhere on clear days); Daraga and Camalig on the volcano's southwestern slopes (the Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Church, Sumlang Lake, Quitinday Green Hills, caves and ATV rides across lava fields); and further afield, the Mayon viewpoints in Tabaco, Misibis Bay on Cagraray Island, and the whale sharks of Donsol in Sorsogon province, about 50 km away. Albay was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2016. Climate: the December–May dry season offers the clearest views of the volcano, with the fewest clouds in the early morning; June to November is the rainy and typhoon season. Whale shark season in Donsol runs from November/December to May. Getting there: Bicol International Airport (with several daily flights from Metro Manila) is about 40 minutes from the city; overnight buses from Manila take about 10–12 hours. Jeepneys and tricycles in town are cheap, but hiring a car is recommended for sights in the surrounding area. Plan on 3–4 days. Note: Mayon is periodically active, and entering the 6 km Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited, so check PHIVOLCS alerts before setting out. Bicolano cuisine tends to be spicy and rich in coconut milk.

Top sights

• Mayon Volcano – An active volcano 2,463 metres high, often called the world's most perfect cone, visible from almost every corner of Albay.
• Mayon ATV Lava Trail – Ride all-terrain vehicles across lava flows and volcanic sand riverbeds at the foot of Mayon for an up-close look at the volcano.
• Cagsawa Ruins – The surviving bell tower of a church buried by the 1814 eruption. Together with Mayon rising behind it, it's Albay's most classic view.
• Donsol Whale Shark Interaction – Snorkeling with wild whale sharks off Donsol in Sorsogon province. There is no feeding, the number of visitors is limited, and it's a model…
• Daraga Church – A Baroque volcanic-stone church built on a hill in 1773, with finely carved stonework on its façade and views of Mayon Volcano.
• Ligñon Hill Nature Park – A 156-meter hill on the edge of Legazpi City, whose summit viewing deck offers views of the city, the bay, and Mayon Volcano all at once.
• Albay Park and Wildlife – A city park and small zoo at the foot of Lignon Hill, with lagoon boating and displays of native species, making it good for families.
• Sumlang Lake – A small lake in Camalig where you can ride a bamboo raft to see Mayon Volcano reflected on the water. It has become one of the most popular…
• Quitinday Green Hills – A cluster of limestone cone-shaped hills in Camalig, nicknamed the “Chocolate Hills of Albay,” with Mayon Volcano rising in the distance.
• Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave – A limestone cave in Camalig, whose name means “sound of the wind,” where prehistoric pottery and human remains have been unearthed.
• Embarcadero de Legazpi – A Spanish-style waterfront shopping district by Legazpi's port, where you can eat Bicolano dishes while gazing at Mayon Volcano.
• Legazpi Boulevard – An approximately 4-kilometer waterfront boulevard along Albay Gulf, with the sea on one side and Mayon Volcano visible on the other.
• Mayon Skyline & Rest House – A viewing area and rest house about 760 meters up the northern slope of Mayon Volcano, one of the closest legal viewpoints to the crater.
• Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park – A volcanic cone hill in Legazpi with fourteen life-size Stations of the Cross statues lining the path to the summit, which is a bowl-shaped…
• Busay Falls (Malilipot) – A multi-tier waterfall on the northeastern slope of Mayon Volcano, with about a dozen levels. The lowest pool is safe for swimming.
• Misibis Bay – A high-end beach resort on Cagraray Island, with a fine-sand bay, water activities, and views of Mayon Volcano.

Where to eat

• Small Talk Café – A small restaurant in the old Albay district, open since 1999, that turns pinangat and Bicolano stir-fries into pasta…
• First Colonial Grill (Original Chili Ice Cream Shop) – A homegrown Albay chain that created chili ice cream in 2004 and also serves Bicolano meals.
• Waway's Restaurant – A family-run restaurant established in 1967, known for its affordable Bicolano buffet where you can sample laing, pinan…
• Let's Pinangat (Camalig) – A popular old-timer on the highway in Camalig, known as the home of pinangat, where locals and visitors come for authen…