15 Things to do in Antique + Tourist Spots

If you are craving to visit a destination that offers unspoiled natural scenery with a rustic countryside charm, Antique might be your brand of paradise.

Known as the land where the mountains meet the sea, Antique is a seahorse-shaped province that occupies nearly the entire western coast of Panay Island in the Philippines. It is blessed with a long coast facing the Sulu Sea, beautiful offshore islands, and many of Panay’s tallest mountain peaks.

Despite its close location from Boracay Island and Iloilo, Antique is often overlooked by travelers. You won’t find tourist crowds, big international-brand resorts, or roaring dance clubs here. In contrast, Antique is largely untouched by mainstream tourism. Here, you can visit beautiful beaches, remote islands, pristine waterfalls & springs, untouched rainforest, soaring mountain peaks, and peaceful countryside views.

Antique is a nature lover’s paradise. Check out this list of places to go and things to do.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Antique travel essentials

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See also: 8 Places To Visit in Caluya.

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1. Caluya Islands

A remote and unspoiled tropical paradise, Caluya is a group of islands lying off the northwestern tip of Antique Province, between Panay & Mindoro. It’s the perfect getaway for sunworshippers who want to experience island living away from concrete jungles. Caluya is rich in natural resources, marine life, powdery white sand beaches, endless views of crystal clear waters, and warm friendly locals. The islands are also famous for its expansive seaweed farms & prized “Tatus” or Coconut Crabs, huge crabs that climb coconut trees and break open its husk for coconut meat. The best beaches can be found in Caluya Island (the main island), Sibato and Sibolo. Other islands include Liwagao, Nagubat, Semirara, Sibay, Panangatan Malaki, Panangatan Munti, and Boglogan.

Location: Caluya, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

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2. Mararison Island

Mararison also called Malalison is a stunning island near Culasi. Getting there by pumpboat only takes around 15 minutes from the poblacion beach. A small fishing village and a white sand beach occupies its eastern coast. During low tide, a long white sandbar is revealed from the sparkling blue waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Follow the inland trail to see the Malalison’s iconic grass-covered rolling hills. Along the way to the viewpoints, you’ll enjoy a rare sight of insect-eating pitcher plants growing in large bunches. Breathtaking panoramas of Mararison Island and the soaring mountains of Antique await at the top. Charming performances by the singing kids of Mararison, now famously known as the Mararison Island Children’s Choir, always make a trip to the island more memorable. These kids have built up quite a repertoire that includes a Karay-a version of Disney’s “Let it go” and the “Mararison” theme song. Karay-a is the (local) language spoken widely in Antique & parts of Panay Island.

Location: Culasi, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

3. Aningalan

Dubbed as the “Summer capital of Antique,” Aningalan is a highland community blessed with cool year-round temperatures and scenic mountain views. When in season (from late November to early April), strawberry picking is one of its top attractions. When in Aningalan, you can also see the Jurrasic-like karst (rock) formations & lush rainforest at Igbaclag Cave, ride a bamboo raft at Danao Lake, take IG-worthy snaps at the flower gardens, and go horseback riding. Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia isn’t the only place to see the rare Rafflesia, also known as the corpse flower. The mountains of Antique & Iloilo are home to at least two species of this carnivorous parasitic plant. The Rafflesia blooming site is a short 5-minute hike from the jump-off/visitor center. Aningalan is accessible by car and is easy to reach from San Jose & Iloilo.

Location: Aningalan, San Remigio, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

4. Tibiao

Seen photos of a tourist seemingly being cooked alive in a large water-filled cauldron over burning firewood? Visit Tibiao and experience the unique kawa hot bath. It’s actually not as scary as it looks since the water is continuously being kept at a pleasantly warm temperature, which soothes your body and helps make you feel relaxed. It’s the perfect way to finish off your day in Tibiao after enjoying other fun-filled things to do in town like white-water river rafting, river tubing, hiking to Bugtong-Bato Falls & Tuno Falls, joining the Lambaklad Fishing & more.

Location: Tibiao, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

5. Malumpati Cold Spring & Pandan

Malumpati in Pandan town is a natural cold spring reputed to have healing properties. It’s located near the springhead of the Bugang River, known for being one of the cleanest rivers in the Philippines. The name Malumpati possibly comes from the root word “lumpat,” which means to jump. This part of the river is so deep that you can safely jump from high diving platforms. From Malumpati, enjoy a slow cruise down the river on a bamboo raft. Go stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and order a sumptuous meal at Naranjo Water Park located farther upstream. Pandan’s long coastline is lined with grey sand beaches & resorts that offer stunning sunset views and great accommodations.

Location: Pandan, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

6. San Jose Esplanade

When in San Jose, the capital town of Antique, drop by the San Jose Esplanade located along the town’s newly developed coastal road. The San Jose Esplanade offers unobstructed views of the sunset & a scenic spot to chill & enjoy the fresh sea breeze.

Location: Brgy San Fernando, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

7. Seco Island

Seco Island is a tropical paradise for beach lovers and sun worshippers. There are no concrete buildings or glitzy resorts in this tiny & remote sandbar, but you can look forward to enjoying a luxurious view of an expansive white sand beach and inviting turquoise waters in the middle of nowhere. Seco Island is one of Antique’s most beautiful and must-visit spots. It takes 2-3 hours to reach this remote sandbar from mainland Tibiao. Start the ferry crossing before the break of dawn to enjoy the beautiful sunrise view. If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot dolphins that frequently follow boats headed to Seco Island.

Location: Tibiao, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

8. Maniguin Island

Maniguin Island (also called Maningning and Hammerhead Island) is one of Antique Province’s best off-the-beaten-path destinations and diving spots. On this tiny and remote island, the century-old Maniguin Island Lighthouse stands as an iconic landmark. This 30-meter tall lighthouse perched on a high ridge offers an unobstructed 360-degree panorama of the sparkling waters of the Sulu Sea and guides ships navigating the Cuyo East Passage. With a small area of just 1.21 square kilometers, exploring the island on foot is fun and rewarding as white-sand beaches fringe its eastern and southern shores. Maniguin is also famous for its magical underwater wonders. Here you’ll find thriving coral reefs, schools of barracuda, Hammer Sharks, Manta Rays & more. This remote paradise is part of Culasi town and is typically reached on a 4 to 5-hour pumpboat ride from Libertad Port or a 1 to 2-hour speedboat from Boracay.

Location: Culasi, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

9. Nogas Island & Anini-y

Venture to the southernmost point of Panay Island & explore the sleepy town of Anini-y. Nogas Island, an uninhabited marine sanctuary, beckons with its colorful corals and diverse marine life. Aside from its captivating dive/snorkeling sites and white pebbled beach, this island is also famous for its tunnel-like pathway surrounded by white calachuchi trees that leads to the lighthouse and a gigantic Balete tree. In Anini-y mainland, stopover for a relaxing dip at Siraan Hot Spring and take a gander at the centuries-old Anini-y Church, one of Antique’s best preserved Spanish-colonial heritage sites.

Location: Anini-y, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

10. Punta Hagdan & Tobias Fornier

See a spectacular rocky coastline at Punta Hagdan Beach in Tobias Fornier (formerly “Dao”), the town next to Anini-y. According to local lore, Punta Hagdan is believed to be the entrance of underground passages that lead to the seven sacred mountains of Panay and caves where the engkantu (spirits) keep captured souls.

Location: Paciencia, Tobias Fornier, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

11. Mt. Madiaas

With an elevation of 2,117 meters (6,946 feet) above sea level, Mt. Madia-as is the highest mountain in Panay Island and the 2nd highest in the Visayas region. The mountain is famous for its thick untouched mossy forest, enchanting bonsai forest, diverse flora and fauna, and 14 waterfalls down its slopes. Mt. Madia-as is considered as one of the most challenging treks in the Visayas. Summit treks typically take 3 days and 2 nights from the jump-off at Brgy. Flores, Culasi.

Location: Culasi, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

12. Mt. Nangtud

Mt. Nangtud is another formidable peak in Antique Province. This mountain stands at a height of 2,073 meters, just 44 meters shy of Mt. Madia-as’ recorded elevation. The trek to Mt. Nangtud’s summit is more challenging, taking 3-4 days from the jump-off in Barbaza. There’s no clearing at the actual summit, but along the way, you’ll be rewarded by one of the most beautiful knife-edge trails in Panay and enchanting “bed of mosses” at the mossy forest-covered peak.

Location: Barbaza, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

13. Mt. Baloy (Mt. Baloi)

Mt. Baloy (1,958 meters elevation) completes the “Panay Trilogy,” the trio of great mountains in Panay, popular among mountaineers. Mt. Baloy’s bewitching mossy forest is considerably more wilder and the trek to the summit is more challenging than Mt. Madia-as & Mt. Nangtud. It takes around 4-5 days to reach the peak and get back from the jump-off at Brgy. San Agustin-Lublub in Valderama.

Location: Valderrama, Antique, Philippines. Portions covered by Iloilo & Aklan Provinces as well.. Save on Google Maps.

14. Antique Rice Terraces

The Cordillera mountains of Luzon isn’t the only place where you can find expansive terraced rice paddies in the Philippines. 600-hectares of rice terraces sprawls in the remote barangay of General Fullon in San Remigio. The area is named the “Antique Rice Terraces.” Getting there takes at least 3 to 5 hours on foot from the nearest village with road access.

Location: Brgy. Gen. Fullon, San Remigio, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

15. Igpasungaw Falls

Igpasungaw Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall found in the town of Sebaste, Antique. The trek from the jump-off point takes around 30 minutes to 1-hour along an easy trail. Keep an eye out for the rare Amorphophallus, a carnivorous plant known for having the tallest flower bloom in the world.

Location: Sebaste, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

See more spots in Antique

Mount Igcuron

Mt. Igcuron offers one of the most scenic hikes in Panay. A steep half-day hike up the grassy slopes of Mt. Igcuron takes trekkers along the saw-tooth knife-edge trail to the summit. From the top, a breathtaking view of Panay Island’s great peaks can be seen. With an elevation of 437 meters, Mt. Igcuron is perfect for beginners looking for a relatively easy yet highly picturesque climb.

Location: Valderrama, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Maanghit Cave

Maanghit Cave features an expansive entrance cavern with a high-ceiling and fascinating Speleothem. The cave was named after the strong foul odor from huge deposits of guano (bat dropping) by large colonies of fruit and pygmy bats. The trek from the jump-off in Brgy. Union, Libertad takes around an hour or less.

Location: Libertad, Antique, Philippines

Patnongon Ruins (St. Augustine’s Academy of Patnongon, Inc.)

If you’re passing through Patnongon, there are a number of Spanish-colonial heritage sites in town that’s worth a stopover including the ruined structures of Patnongon Church & Convent (The parish church of St. Augustine), and Patnongon Old Municipal Hall.

Location: Poblacion, Patnongon, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Batbatan Island

The largest island in Culasi located farther west of Mararison Island, Batbatan is blessed with many white sandy beaches and sought-after dive sites.

Location: Culasi, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Sebaste Church & the Miraculous Image of Saint Blaise

Sebaste Church is a famous pilgrimage site known for its miraculous image/statue of Saint Blaise.

Location: Zaldivar St, Sebaste, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Culasi Seawall (Boardwalk)

This peaceful bayside promenade in the town center of Culasi offers a glimpse of Malalison Island and stunning sunset views.

Location: Culasi, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Banig Weaving, Libertad

Banig (handwoven grass mats) is one of the treasured products of Libertad, Antique. Witness the traditional processing of sun-dried bariw, or screw-pine and meticulous weaving by locals. Libertad’s rich culture is showcased in the Banigan Festival staged every March

Save on Google Maps.

Bagtason Loom Weavers, Bugasong

The Bagtason Loom Weavers sells handloom textiles and products made in traditional pataydong fashion. For those interested in high-quality handmade products, vibrant multi-colored shawls & scarves among other items are on display at their site in Brgy. Bagtason, Bugasong.

Location: Bugasong, Antique, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Where to go near Antique & beyond

Boracay Island

Location: Aklan province, Western Visayas region, central Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Boracay Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

Aklan

Location: Panay Island, Western Visayas, central Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Aklan Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

Iloilo

Location: Panay Island, Western Visayas region, central Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Iloilo Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

Book your way to Antique

How much does it cost to travel to Antique? Click below to compare flight, ferry & buses fares posted on these booking sites:

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Where to Stay in Antique

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

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