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Batan Island

Nearly all visitors of Batanes come through Batan. Basco, its capital, is the shopping center and seat of the provincial government of Batanes.

Sabtang Island

30 min sailing south of Batan is the island of Sabtang, perhaps the most picturesque and famous of the archipelago for its small villages and ethnic construction.

Itbayat Island

Itbayat is the closest Philippine territory to Taiwan and one of the largest coral islands in the world. The island is surrounded by cliffs, solid and irregular rocks that frame the island and protect it from the strong swell of its seas.

Batanes

The province of Batanes is famous for its impressive centuries-old stone houses, endless green hills, quiet stretches of white sand beaches, rugged mountains, and calm and relaxed atmosphere. Batanes may be the smallest and least populated province in the Philippines, but don't let that fool you. This picturesque destination has plenty to offer. Discover more in our Batanes guide.

The home of the Ivatans

The Batanes Island, the smallest in the country, lies north of Luzon, halfway between the Philippines and Taiwan, in the China Sea. Due to its remote and isolated location, it is a place that preserves its traditions in a series of 10 islands, only 3 of which were historically inhabited by the Ivatan ethnic minority. The islands of Batan, Sabtang, and Itbayat are the only ones inhabited today.

Practical facts

Ideal Duration:  4 days

How do you get there?  The quickest way to get there is by plane. There’s an airport in the town proper, the Basco airport. Thanks to the rising popularity of Batanes as a tourist destination, the province is now more accessible than it was before.

Activities:  Ethnic culture, landscapes, and trekking

Essential:  Visit the lighthouses that crown most of the cliffs and learn about the historical past of the islands

Curiosities:  Batanes is known as The Philippine New Zealand for its green hills and for the amount of cattles that walk on its mountains

Which islands to visit in Batanes?

Due to its calm and windy climate, Batanes, known as the “Home of the Winds”, has preserved its postcard landscape, its pleasant community and its easy way of life due to its isolation from the mainland of Luzon and the rest of the world.

Batan Island

Nearly all visitors of Batanes come through Batan. Basco, its capital, is the shopping center and seat of the provincial government of Batanes. Basco is a quiet place by the sea, surrounded by rugged rock formations and Mount Iraya, which can also be seen from the surrounding islands.

The narrow streets of Basco lead you, among other things, to the striking Basco Lighthouse, which is easily accessible by bike or tricycle, and offers a beautiful view of the Irish coast, Mount Iraya and the surrounding area. If you continue on the road from the lighthouse, you will reach Rolling Hills after ten minutes. These lush green hills honor their name and rise directly from the sea. The grazing cows make the photo setting even more beautiful.

Indeed, Batan is much more than just the gateway, it is an ideal place to explore its fabulous landscapes, drive along its mountain roads, and visit its small rural villages.

What to visit?

  • The lighthouse of Basco and Tayid
  • The fishing village Diura
  • The church of San Carlos Borromeo
  • Dakays old house
  • The hills of Marlboro and the Vayang Rolling Hills
  • Valugan Volcanic Beach

Sabtang Island

30 min sailing south of Batan is the island of Sabtang, perhaps the most picturesque and famous of the archipelago for its small villages and ethnic construction.

When exploring Batanes, the visit to Sabtang could not be missed as this is a journey through time. You will discover a remote town that lives between the sea and the cliffs, with its own culture and traditions, the Ivatans.

What to visit?

  • Savidug village and Chavayan village
  • Cave and Chamantad viewpoint
  • St Vincent's Church
  • Morong Beach and Mahayao Arches

Itbayat Island

Itbayat is the closest Philippine territory to Taiwan and one of the largest coral islands in the world. The island is surrounded by cliffs, solid and irregular rocks that frame the island and protect it from the strong swell of its seas. Itbayat is the special island of the three, it has neither coast nor beaches. Its inhabitants, the Itbayats, live on a plateau and are the origin of the Ivatan ethnic group.

What to visit?

  • Toronga Caves
  • The Church of Santa Maria Imaculada
  • Visit the old stone houses, the oldest in Batanes
  • Visit the uninhabited islands in the area like Mavulis and Siayan

An ethnic minority of the Ivatans

To this day, the community of Ivatans, which inhabits Batanes, is considered the only survivor of the process of Christianization that took place during the colonization of the island of Luzon. It is believed that the Ivatan ethnic group inhabited the island of Luzon and Taiwan, culture and own language, the Chirin nu Ibatan.

Because of its rugged landscape, the culture of the Ivatanes has always been influenced by the climate of the islands. The frequency of the typhoons and the long periods of Sequé made their population look for a new means of survival with root crops (garlic, ginger, onion).

Another very unique factor in its culture is its stone houses, which were taken over by the Spaniards. Made of limestone and with thick walls to resist the passage of typhoons. The ceilings, on the other hand, preserved the Filipino tradition and were made of cogon grass, which is very wind resistant.

Batanes - definitely worth visiting during your trip to the Philippines!

When you get to Batanes, it will seem like the little plane has been diverted to Scotland. As soon as the doors open and a warm tropical breeze blows your face, you realize this is Southeast Asia. But the rocks and cliffs of Batan, the main island of the Philippine province of Batanes, make it seem like you're in a completely different place. Clearly, this tiny province is one of the best destinations the Philippines has to offer.

Photos of Batanes, Philippines

See Photos of the Best Destinations and Attractions in Batanes, Philippines.
  • Basco Airport, Batanes from Manila, Philippines
  • Mahatao Hilll at Batan Island, Batanes, Philippines
  • Mahatao Hillls at Batan Island, Batanes, Philippines
  • Marlboro Hillls at Batan Island, Batanes, Philippines
  • Morong Beach, Sabtang, Batanes, Philippines
  • Morong Beach, Sabtang, Batanes, Philippines
  • Tayid Lighthouse at Mahato Ivana Island, Batanes, Philippines
  • Traditional Stone House at Batan Island, Batanes, Philippines
  • View from Vayang rolling hills, ivatan Island, Batanes, Philippines

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