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See Naga: Best Spots to Visit in Naga City
By Cecilia Aderes
Photo by City Government of Naga.
Sometimes, some places get your heart pumping with joy. Naga City is one of those places that can excite a traveler because it is the center of arts, nature, history, culture, and commerce in the Bicol region. Thus, it is widely known as the Heart of Bicol with its roads lined with plazas, ringing church bells, museums, and nature — and the people are the city’s bloodline, filling the roads with music, celebrations, and food (you can check their food here).
With so much the city has to offer, you can start with these five spots to immerse yourself in the city’s essence.
Savage Mind: Arts, Books, Cinema / Kamarin Arts Gallery
Photo from Savage Mind Facebook Page.
This independent bookshop is dubbed as the creative heart of Naga City, alongside Kamarin Arts Gallery that exists within its walls, combining arts and literature together in preserving the Bicolano identity. Besides selling books, it has an art gallery, poetry readings, film screenings done in regional languages, and more events.
Kristian Sendon Cordero established Savage Mind and Kamarin Arts Gallery in 2018, creating a space for community events for people from all walks of life. In an interview with Words Without Borders, Cordero expressed hope that this establishment would bring out the goodness in someone and for them to be able to explore their creative sides. If you want to wind down, pick up a book, and look at art, visit Savage Mind at 5 Peninsula St. Mayon Avenue, Tinago, Naga City.
Mt. Isarog National Park
Photo by Discover Philippines.
If you don’t want to get wet instead, Mt. Isarog National Park is a great place to ground yourself or participate in multiple activities. Visitors can go trekking and biking, visit hot springs and waterfalls (Malabasay Falls is within this park), and explore the ecosystem of this protected natural reserve. If the mountain invites you to stay a little longer, you can also opt for an overnight camping trip.
Fun fact: if you reach the peak of the mountain, you’re standing within the borders of Goa, Tigaon, Ocampo, Pili, Naga City, Tinambac, and Calabanga in one place because these locations’ borders intersect at Mt. Isarog. It’s like you visited multiple municipalities at once!
NHCP Museo ni Jesse Robredo
Photo by ABS-CBN News.
Famously known for its practice of good and participatory governance, the City Government of Naga and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) have a museum about the life and works of its former mayor and former DILG Secretary, Jesse M. Robredo. It has four galleries with themes on Robredo’s youth, “tsinelas” leadership, his milestones as a public servant, and the legacy he left beyond his tragic death in a plane crash.
As the first governance museum in Bicol, NHCP Museo ni Jesse Robredo is one of the many reasons why Naga City is now known as the “Center of Good Governance.” Guests can enjoy free admission upon visiting the museum, and they can donate to it when they wish. The museum is located at Naga Civic Center, Taal Ave cor. J.Miranda Ave, Brgy. Concepcion Pequeña, Naga City, Camarines Sur
Plaza Miguel de Covarrubias
Photo by Naga City Tourism.
This plaza holds the monument of Fr. Miguel de Covarrubias, the priest who built a chapel from bamboo and nipa, and placed an image of the Lady of Peña de Francia in 1711. He returned to Naga in 1741 to start the construction of the stone church. He was responsible for bringing Marian devotion to Naga, which was then called Ciudad de Nueva Caceres.
This Plaza is one of the important destinations during the Peñafrancia Festival because the Translacion procession begins here, thus commencing the festival. The best time to visit this plaza is mid-September if you want to join the festivities. The plaza is located along Penafrancia Avenue, Naga City.
Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish Church
Photo by City Government of Naga.
Naga City is also known as the Pilgrimage City because it has the largest Marian devotees, and this is evident in Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish Church, initially built in 1711. This church is located right beside the Plaza Miguel de Covarrubias. Bishop Francisco Gainza initiated the first Translacion, bringing Our Lady of Peñafrancia to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral for a novena, thus marking the tradition.
The church eventually became a parish on October 30, 1973, and its historical importance was recognized by installing a historical marker on it by the Philippine Historical Committee.
Visit Naga City with Easybus PH
Naga City is a place worth exploring, with historical landmarks, breathtaking nature spots, beautiful art galleries, and insightful museums. You won’t have to overthink going there — your Naga itinerary is just a few clicks away with Easybus PH! Skip the long lines at bus terminals by securing your bus reservations in advance by visiting www.easybus.ph.
Pack your bags, Naga City is waiting!