Bask in the Beauty of Basco: 6 Top Attractions to Not Miss in Batanes' Capital

A former weather station affording a 360-degree island view and an art museum at Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge are only some of the sites to not miss in Basco. If you're visiting this part of Batanes, then this article is for you. Here, we're giving you a shortlist of the top attractions that will let you fully embrace the beauty of northern Philippines.

1. Mt. Iraya

Known as the most active volcano in this part of the country, Mt. Iraya stands at a towering 3,310 ft. Among the activities you can try here are mountaineering, trekking, and trail blazing. From Basco, you can reach its top in about 3 hours. This volcano, with its previous eruptions, is responsible for the island's very rich soil.

2. Radar Tukon

Looking for a spot from where you can have a great view of the island? Head to Radar Tukon, a former United States weather station located about 2.75 from the town proper. Among the remnants of the radar's serviceable days is the broken satellite dish lying in close to the tower. But what really lures people in to this landmark is the unmatched 360-degree view of the island from its tower.

3. Ruins of Songsong

If ghost towns excite your curiosity, Basco also has an attraction right for you. Located around 23 km from the town, the Ruins of Songsong is a cluster of roofless shells of old stone houses that were abandoned after a tidal wave that hit the island of Batan in the 50s.

4. Sto. Domingo Church

Among the first limestone structures built during the Spanish rule in the country, Sto. Domingo Church has been a top landmark in the province since the early 1800s. Two years after its construction, Dominican friars ordered to add a convent beside the church, drawing in masons, stone cutters, and carpenters from Cagayan.

5. Valugan Bay

Just 3 km from the town lies Valugan Bay's unusual coastline. A popular spot for those who wish to meditate and simply feel the island's tranquility, the beach has an interesting texture and blend of hues from its fine, white sand and smooth, multicolored rocks. These rocks are said to come from Mt. Iraya. The beach itself easily covers a kilometer of the shore.

6. Fundacion Abad or Pacita Abad Museum

What was once the abode of internationally acclaimed artist Pacita Abad is now a museum and top accommodation in Batanes. Here, the public can view an exhibit of her paintings, while also having the option of enjoying a great retreat at Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge (Contact Number: +63-939-9016353).