Location: Balanga City
Top Things to do in Balanga City
- 1. Bataan World War II Museum
- 2. Mount Samat National Shrine - Dambana ng Kagitingan
- 3. St. Catherine of Siena Parish
- 4. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Tours
- 5. St Joseph's Cathedral
- 6. Surrender Site Marker
- 7. Balanga Nature and Wetland Park
- 8. Bataan National Park
- 9. Flaming Sword
- 10. Thai Royale Spa
What to do and see in Balanga City, Philippines: The Best Places and Tips
Balanga is a City of Balanga (Filipino: Lungsod ng Balanga; Kapampangan: Lakanbalen ning Balanga). It is capital of the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it had a population of 96,061.
Restaurants in Balanga City
1. Bataan World War II Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Ted2000 - Iloilo, Philippines
Located in the heart of Balanga Elementary School, this museum is also at the location of the WW2 surrender site (by the USAFFE/Philippines to the Japanese). Maintained by a non-profit organization, and manned by friendly local volunteers, who are mostly retired gov't employees. The museum showed a brief description of the 2nd World War and focused mostly on the Japanese invasion of Luzon, especially on the Bataan peninsula and the Death March. A separate room also showed atrocities by the Japanese forces to the civilians during the war. This is a place to drop by in Balanga if you are interested on Philippine history.
2. Mount Samat National Shrine - Dambana ng Kagitingan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By Kevin B - Sweden
A fitting memorial to the men who gave so much in the defense of the Philippines against Japanese aggression in WWII. Filipino and American service members and civilians are honored here, and in fitting tribute.
Only 30 php entrance fee, which is cheap, and the park is clean and well maintained. It's about 8km to hike the entire park, or can be bicycled.
The Cross is immense and can be seen for miles as you approach the park. I visited in Spetember 2017 and the elevator to the top was being replaced so I could not go up, but I bet the view is stunning for those that can.
3. St. Catherine of Siena Parish
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By iam_via - Manila
Traveled 4 hrs from Manila just to attend a wedding of my husband's colleague in this church. The facade of the church has really this nostalgic effect. It's considered as one of the oldest church in Bataan, and I'm so glad for the experience considering that I am not a local. The church is located just in town so it's easy to locate.
4. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Tours
Overall Ratings
4 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By Fluttershy_0927 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Our tour guide knows every details on Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. Very informative that makes us appreciate the place and history more especially the Bataan death march.
5. St Joseph's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Jake2014jake - Pasig, Philippines
The church is located at the city center, across the city plaza. For those interested in antique churches, this church will not disappoint. For those interested in history, the church was used by the Japanese during WWII as an artillery emplacement to bombard the Filipino & American troops holed up in Mt. Samat, now the site of the Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan), also in Bataan.
6. Surrender Site Marker
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By mike321ph - Manila
This site is located behind the Elementary school and right in front of the Bataan WWII Museum. The sculptures were based on the surrender photos of the US Filipino forces ( USAFFE) to the Japanese forces in WWII. Surely this historic site is worth a visit.
7. Balanga Nature and Wetland Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By mlgocon - Taytay, Philippines
This is a wonderful place to come for a picnic or to watch the migratory water birds that congregate at the mouth of the Talisay River. Black-headed Gulls, Pacific Golden Plovers, Whiskered Terns, Great Crested Terns, Purple Herons, Kentish Plovers, Little-ringed Plovers and Lesser Sand Plovers feed on the mudflats at low tide in the early morning. It would be nicer if the boardwalk was repaired and opened to the public as well as keeping water running in the restrooms. But the two view decks are worth a climb to get a panoramic view of Manila Bay. You can also see Mt. Samat from here.
8. Bataan National Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By PGIT - New Hyde Park, New York
Although I had heard about Bataan, the battle and the Death March, actually being there was a sobering experience. The brave soldiers held out against enormous odds and delayed the Japanese advance. It is nice to see the large number of students who visit the special place. The huge cross has an elevator bit the lines were long and never did go up.
9. Flaming Sword
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Rohise - Valenzuela, Philippines
On your way to Mt. Samat, you won't miss the Flaming Sword in Panilao, Pilar Bataan.
This symbolizes the Filipino courage and gallantry in the face of trials to the nation's democracy and peace.
If you're in this history road trip in Bataan, be sure to make a quick stop.
10. Thai Royale Spa
Overall Ratings
2 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By KRDL - Limay, Philippines
My hubby and I were gifted with 2 coupons inclusive of aroma facial, foot spa, salt body scrub and Swedish massage. We were excited and really looking forward to a day of guilt-free, selfish pampering. However, when we got to the location, we were totally disappointed. They were located on the 2nd floor of a run-down building. Well, I could almost forgive them for the "rundown" location, but the stairs leading to the spa were soooo dirty -- unswept and cigarette butts were all over the floor. Spa places should be clean, right?
And the best part was, their receptionist was totally NOT pleasing. She was unkempt herself and there was one guy sitting there in sando, slippers and shorts and we were a bit shocked when he went in to the room and called the receptionist "Hey, we have a client here." I thought he was just there or something and I did not really know what or who he was.
Anyway, to make the long story short, we did not push through with the spa day as earlier planned. To heck with free coupons when you are in doubt of the spa's sanitation and hygiene.
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