A thriving Filipino urban centre, Bacolod City’s culinary roots dig deep, with sweet treats around every corner and an entire street devoted to regional cuisine. Get ready to explore everything from parks to museums, beaches and shopping districts in Bacolod.

Things to do

Nicknamed the “City of Smiles,” there’s no doubt Bacolod’s culinary heritage contributes to its lively ambience. All over town, you’ll find Bacolod’s famous Napoleones and sweet specialties, such as cassava pudding and Sapin-Sapin. Manokan Country is a street lined with family-owned cafes and the perfect place to try the city’s signature Bacolod Chicken Inasal dish.

Head over to Rizal Street to visit the centuries-old Baroque-style San Sebastian Cathedral, constructed with coral stone and Palawan wood. The cathedral sits within walking distance to Capitol Park and Lagoon, a popular gathering spot

At Negros Museum, you can connect with local culture through its historic sugar plantation relics and handicrafts. Collections include a group of fake cannons employed to frighten Spanish invaders, using coconuts as cannon balls. Looking for the contemporary art scene in Bacolod City? Head to the Art District on Lacson Street to find restaurants and nightlife.

Don’t miss out on visiting the most-famous tourist attraction in Bacolod, known as The Ruins. An early-20th-century Italianate mansion surrounded by sugarcane fields, the structure was built by a sugar magnate in honour of his deceased Portuguese wife, Maria Braga.

Getting around

Bus stations in Bacolod City offer convenient public transportation, with jeepneys connecting the main stations. Hotels and tourism centers can arrange a car with driver or you can hire a taxi or rental car at Bacolod-Silay Airport, about 15 kilometers away.