Tacloban City serves as the capital city of Eastern Visayas and is the gateway to the region. Many travelers come to the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, and Samar by way of Tacloban City. This city offers a lot of cultural, historical, and natural attractions. It is also considered as one of the competitive cities in the Philippines and is the largest city in Eastern Visayas in terms of population.
Tacloban City is indeed a great city to start your Eastern Visayas adventures and I'd like to give you eight thrilling things to do in this amazing city!
1. Visit the Leyte Provincial Capitol and relax a bit at Plaza Libertad.
The Leyte Provincial Capitol served as the Capitol Building of the Philippines from October 23, 1944 to February 27, 1945-- the time of the Philippine Commonwealth Government. Now, it is the seat of the provincial government of Leyte. It is a neoclassical edifice which was built in 1907 and is located along Senator Enage St. and Magsaysay Boulevard in Tacloban City. Across the Capitol is the beautiful Plaza Libertad (or Liberty Plaza) where one can relax and see the whole architectural design of the Capitol.
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2. Have a cultural and historical tour at Sto. Niño Shrine and Museum.
One of the favorite tourist destinations in Tacloban City is the Sto. Niño Shrine and Museum. It is historically one of the houses of the Marcos Family in Leyte. Inside, you can see elegant and luxurious furnitures, and amazing historical photos and memorabilia of the Marcos Family.
3. Buy some souvenirs at the People's Center.
Beside the Sto. Niño Shrine is the People's Center which now houses some stalls for souvenir shopping. It is mainly a library which has a great compilation books from around the world.
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4. Run or walk across the San Juanico Bridge.
The San Juanico Bridge is one of the prominent landmarks of Tacloban City and the whole of Eastern Visayas region. One should not miss to run or simply walk across this bridge. It is the longest bridge in the Philippines and its length is 2.16 kilometers (or 1.34 miles). It spans across the San Juanico Strait and connects the beautiful islands of Leyte and Samar.
Read: Travel Photo: The San Juanico Bridge
5. Try wall climbing at Bukid Outdoor Shop and Climbing Gym.
One of the most exciting things to do in the city is wall climbing or bouldering at the now famous Bukid Outdoor Shop. Make a visit to their gym which is located at 206 Padre Burgos Street, Tacloban City. I recommend that you should not miss this too!
Read: A Wall Climbing Reunion in Tacloban City, Leyte
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6. See Tacloban's historic sites and structures.
Tacloban also hosts a lot of historic sites and structures. One is the Price Mansion which is a colonial home built by the Americans in the 1900s and it served as the main headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1944. Hotel Alejandro, a hotel which has a historic past dating during the pre- and post-war era, houses a lot of memorable photos of the war and is located at P. Paterno Street in Tacloban City. Also take a look at the Madonna of Japan at Kanhuraw Hill near the City Hall.
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7. Dine with your friends at the Balyuan Park.
At night, take time to dine out with your friends in this well-known spot in Tacloban. It is located along the Magsaysay Boulevard.
8. Taste Tacloban's binagol, suman, and moron or go on a food trip.
There are just some of the delicacies that can be found in the city. Never miss to taste and bring some of these delicious treats to your family and friends. You can also go on a food trip in Tacloban. There are a lot of great food stops in the city!
Come to Eastern Visayas and explore Tacloban City!
Tacloban City is indeed a great city to start your Eastern Visayas adventures and I'd like to give you eight thrilling things to do in this amazing city!
1. Visit the Leyte Provincial Capitol and relax a bit at Plaza Libertad.
The Leyte Provincial Capitol served as the Capitol Building of the Philippines from October 23, 1944 to February 27, 1945-- the time of the Philippine Commonwealth Government. Now, it is the seat of the provincial government of Leyte. It is a neoclassical edifice which was built in 1907 and is located along Senator Enage St. and Magsaysay Boulevard in Tacloban City. Across the Capitol is the beautiful Plaza Libertad (or Liberty Plaza) where one can relax and see the whole architectural design of the Capitol.
2. Have a cultural and historical tour at Sto. Niño Shrine and Museum.
One of the favorite tourist destinations in Tacloban City is the Sto. Niño Shrine and Museum. It is historically one of the houses of the Marcos Family in Leyte. Inside, you can see elegant and luxurious furnitures, and amazing historical photos and memorabilia of the Marcos Family.
 |
| One of the memorabilia inside the museum. |
3. Buy some souvenirs at the People's Center.
Beside the Sto. Niño Shrine is the People's Center which now houses some stalls for souvenir shopping. It is mainly a library which has a great compilation books from around the world.
4. Run or walk across the San Juanico Bridge.
The San Juanico Bridge is one of the prominent landmarks of Tacloban City and the whole of Eastern Visayas region. One should not miss to run or simply walk across this bridge. It is the longest bridge in the Philippines and its length is 2.16 kilometers (or 1.34 miles). It spans across the San Juanico Strait and connects the beautiful islands of Leyte and Samar.
Read: Travel Photo: The San Juanico Bridge
 |
| The early morning run across San Juanico Bridge with some high school friends. |
5. Try wall climbing at Bukid Outdoor Shop and Climbing Gym.
One of the most exciting things to do in the city is wall climbing or bouldering at the now famous Bukid Outdoor Shop. Make a visit to their gym which is located at 206 Padre Burgos Street, Tacloban City. I recommend that you should not miss this too!
Read: A Wall Climbing Reunion in Tacloban City, Leyte
6. See Tacloban's historic sites and structures.
Tacloban also hosts a lot of historic sites and structures. One is the Price Mansion which is a colonial home built by the Americans in the 1900s and it served as the main headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1944. Hotel Alejandro, a hotel which has a historic past dating during the pre- and post-war era, houses a lot of memorable photos of the war and is located at P. Paterno Street in Tacloban City. Also take a look at the Madonna of Japan at Kanhuraw Hill near the City Hall.
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| The marker at the Price Mansion. |
7. Dine with your friends at the Balyuan Park.
At night, take time to dine out with your friends in this well-known spot in Tacloban. It is located along the Magsaysay Boulevard.
 |
| With friends in Tacloban City. Photo by: Rey Espina |
8. Taste Tacloban's binagol, suman, and moron or go on a food trip.
There are just some of the delicacies that can be found in the city. Never miss to taste and bring some of these delicious treats to your family and friends. You can also go on a food trip in Tacloban. There are a lot of great food stops in the city!
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| A mouth-watering treat indeed. |
Come to Eastern Visayas and explore Tacloban City!