Dagupan, being the Milkfish capital of the Philippines, is located on the Lingayen gulf. Classified as a first-class municipality, this city is a major commercial and financial center, north of the National Capital Region’s metro. The city’s name is believed to have been derived from Pangasinan’s local word “pandaragupan” which means “gathering place”. It has long been the region’s market center for centuries. Dagupan, having a land area located in the fertile Agno Valley which is naturally designed for agriculture, offers a wealth of land adventures. But if you wish to catch the sun on the coast, the beach resorts near Dagupan can suit your thrills. However, accommodation options in the city are aplenty, Airbnb vacation rentals included. For an immersive time here, check out these top things to do in Dagupan, Philippines.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Dinner by the river at Silverio's
Food connotes survival. From womb to tomb, it brings life. Silverio is a Filipino-Asian and seafood restaurant that offers you the best baked talaba with cheese, or you can have the butter option. Let nothing pass without trying, and most of all, never forget to savor Dagupan’s most popular dish, milkfish. A great dinner by the river is reckoned with the songs from the live bands within the restaurant. Why not nurture your relationship with a romantic dinner?
Silverio's Seafood Restaurant
Address: Arellano St., 2400 Dagupan City, Philippines
2. Bait up and catch those memorable moments at Ciudad Elmina Fishing Village
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
There is nothing like dining with a little seclusion from the rest of the group. Ciudad Elmina Fishing Village is one of the places to visit in Dagupan which offers you this alternative. It is located 900 meters (0.56 mi) away from the Five Star Bus Terminal in the city center, so it is convenient as it is peaceful.
Be in harmony with nature’s essence. Making a meal from your own fresh catch from the sea and eating it the way you want is just something you should try doing. While Dagupan’s milkfish is famous in any restaurant, you can try some sinigang na sugpo (prawn in sour soup). This is quite a good combination. Save a spot one of these days at Ciudad Elmina Fishing Village!
Ciudad Elmina Fishing Village
Address: Bacayao Norte Road, Bacayao Norte, Dagupan, Pangasinan
Facebook: Ciudad Elmina Fishing Village
Tip from Trip101 local expert
My hometown, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, is a cultural gem that bursts with life during the annual Bangus Festival.
Celebrated in April, this festival holds deep significance, commemorating the city's rich fishing heritage and promoting the versatile milkfish, locally known as bangus. Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities, including grand parades, dance performances, and culinary competitions.
A remarkable point of pride for Dagupan City is its Guinness World Record recognition for hosting the longest bangus grill, a testament to the community's dedication to preserving culinary tradition.
To make the most of the experience, travelers are advised to plan their trip well in advance and choose from the many hotels around the city.
Tip from Trip101 local expert
The festival is a fantastic opportunity to indulge in a wide variety of delicious bangus dishes. From grilled bangus to "sinigang na bangus" (milkfish soup), you'll find numerous food stalls and restaurants offering mouthwatering bangus specialties. Be prepared to enjoy the savory and unique flavors of this fish, expertly prepared by local chefs.
3. Rekindle a flame and keep it warm by the sea
Under the sharp rays of the sun, and over the glittering blue waters that roll over the long beach’s fine-grained black volcanic sand is a hidden nirvana on earth; El Puerto Marina Beach. It might be a little different to your expectation of white sand beaches, that most are accustomed to. But what makes it more exciting is the new ambiance, new setting and a new way of spending some time alone together at the beach with you loved one.
Evenings will never be the same as you set up a bonfire on the lengthy shoreline and the cool winds that blow during the night will always be something that echoes when you leave Dagupan. Take a shot of building a fire and keep warm and cozy under the moonlight. El Puerto Marina is 2.4 km (1.49 mi) from pivotal places like the Lingayen Church, the plaza and the Provincial Capitol, so it’s away from the rowdy atmosphere of most urban places. Have a romantic getaway on the long beach in Dagupan.
El Puerto Marina Beach
Address: Don Martin Domingo St Pangapisan North, Lingayen, Pangasinan 2401
Facebook: El Puerto Marina Beach
Book Your Stay: El Puerto Marina Beach Resort & Vacation Club
4. Enjoy the sunset view and take a snap of peculiar graffiti designs
There is not much to Bonuan Tondaligan Beach, but the beautiful sunset and the sound of the easing waves brushing through its shores makes a lovely setting. Just staring into the changing orange and yellow hues on the horizon as the sun sets, you can actually paint the beach “red” with a series of photo shoots at an abandoned building in the area, where the local artists have given the walls different strokes that are not just enticing, but works that tickle your thoughts and emotions.
While the thought of beaches brings us to memories of sand castles, catching the waves and the good food that we share, Tondaligan will bring you all new memories to look back on.
Tondaligan Beach
Address: Tondaligan Rd, Bonuan, Dagupan, Pangasinan
Website: Bonuan Tondaligan Beach
5. Grab a chance to relax at Terra by Footprints
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The art of relaxation, as they say, comes in different ways and forms. It’s one of the most difficult things to master and achieve. While we are always caught up with our day-to-day wrestles with deadlines, children, traffic, social networking and the like, making decisions to find time for it can also be a dilemma. Time together with your loved ones is one of the most relaxing ways to end those long busy days. In truth, most of us should know that with less, we can do more. Be lazy. Just for once.
You can visit Terra by Footprints, where you can give your body a well deserved rest and some rejuvenation. A great spa at the Terra will reinvigorate your feet, and you should try the whole body massage too, to relax those stiff muscles that have been pressured with life’s demands. Terra has the best service there is in Dagupan. Located east of Dagupan, Terra is a wellness hub you’ll never regret visiting.
Terra by Footprints
Address: 2nd Floor, East Gate Plaza, A.B Fernandez East, Dagupan City, Philippines
Facebook: Terra by Footprints
6. Explore the thrills at Pacific Salt Farm
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Take an eco-tour at Pacific Salt Farm which is known to be the biggest salt supplier in the country since 1956. This tourist attraction in Dagupan City currently offers a tour of the farm where you will learn the step-by-step process of salt production. Since this occupies 500 hectares (1235 acres) of land, a three-kilometer (1.9 miles) rail system is used inside the farm to deliver harvested salt from one point to another.
On your visit here, you’ll get the chance to ride this train to go around the farm and see its other features like the harvesting area, salt mountain, salt warehouse, salt art sculptures, washer area, and salt lake which is said to be as salty as the Dead Sea. Before going home don’t forget to bring some gourmet salts like fleur de sal with you.
Pacific Salt Farm
Address: Bolinao Pangasinan
Website: Pacific Salt Farm
7. Join the celebrations during Bangus Festival
Bangus (milkfish) is what Dagupan is known for. So joining the Bangus Festival in the town of is a must for tourists who visit around April. This ten-day vibrant celebration attracts thousands of tourists who come to join and indulge in Bangus cuisine. Since Dagupan is known for its milkfish aquaculture industry and delicious Bangus delicacies, the activities for this celebration are centered on the national fish of the Philippines.
The program includes street parties where dancers and performers wear traditional colorful costumes inspired by milkfish, then go around the city. There is a milkfish grilling party on the streets where everybody gets to taste the grilled fish. Also, a cooking contest is held where chefs demonstrate different ways to cook Bangus.
Moreover, there’s an eating contest where participants need to debone the milkfish and eat its meat. Plus there are food stalls around offering native delicacies, refreshments, and souvenir items.
8. Witness nature's beauty via a Dawel River Cruise
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Dawel River cruise is one of the activities you must do if you want to see some of the scenic sights in Dagupan. It is actually one of the livelihood projects of the city but you can explore it as it is an eco-tourism site as well. This one-hour cruise will bring you through Dawel and Watac-Mamalingling which are the river tributaries of Bayaoas and Pantal Rivers.
You will also get to explore mangroves, have a glimpse of the river’s marine life and have the chance to feed milkfish. Should you want to bring home some souvenirs, then you may buy them from some pasalubong centers during the pit stops of the river cruise.
9. Visit the Japanese-Philippine Friendship Garden
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Experience a serene oasis of friendship and cultural exchange by visiting the Japanese-Philippine Friendship Garden. The meticulously landscaped grounds of this tourist spot in Dagupan feature a fusion of Japanese and Filipino design elements, creating a captivating blend of aesthetics. Serene ponds, picturesque bridges, and carefully manicured flora transport you to peace and serenity.
The Japanese-Philippine Friendship Garden offers a space for reflecting and appreciating the cultural ties between the two nations. Delicate cherry blossom trees, symbolic of Japan, bloom in vibrant hues, while native Philippine plants add a touch of local beauty. Visitors can stroll along winding pathways, pausing to admire traditional Japanese structures and sculptures scattered throughout the garden. These architectural gems pay homage to Japanese culture, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the essence of Japan.
Tip from Trip101 local expert
The Japanese-Philippine Friendship Garden holds a special meaning, symbolizing the deep friendship between Japan and the Philippines. Personally, I find the Japanese-style bridge, the serene koi pond, and the majestic torii gate captivating. The scenic view of the beach and the invigorating sea air make it a perfect spot for early morning stretches, exercise, and meditation.
10. Eat pigar-pigar
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Pigar-pigar is a stir-fried dish made with thinly sliced beef or carabeef (water buffalo meat), sautéed with various vegetables and spices. The meat is typically tender and perfectly seasoned, while the vegetables add a delightful crunch and freshness. The flavors are enhanced by combining savory sauces and spices, resulting in a mouthwatering culinary experience. The dish is often served with a side of rice or eaten with warm tortillas, allowing you to savor every delectable bite.
Dagupan is renowned for its pigar-pigar, and you’ll find numerous local eateries and food stalls specializing in this beloved dish. These establishments offer a casual and vibrant dining experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local food culture and interact with friendly locals.
Tip from Trip101 local expert
Pigar-Pigar is a beloved local specialty in Dagupan City, and I can assure you it's unlike anything I've tasted before. It's a delicious stir-fry dish typically made with thinly sliced beef or carabeef, vegetables, and spices. The meat is cooked until tender, and the combination of flavors and textures was a delightful surprise for my taste buds. I was prepared to experience a savory, slightly spicy, and satisfying dish that's deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of the region.
What's interesting is that there are various versions of Pigar-Pigar, so you can expect to find some variations in the ingredients and preparation style. Some variations might include adding liver or using different types of vegetables.
The laid back ambiance that we all need is in Dagupan
Being engrossed with the hustle of life often means losing precious time with loved ones, and most of all, ourselves. Day to day conversations get boring, and before you know it, time slips away and you realize that you have forgotten the beautiful things life has given you to enjoy. Your ultimate bliss is just within your reach. So go, lay back and relax with your loved ones in Dagupan!
Frequently asked questions about the top things to do in Dagupan, Philippines
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
