Dagupan City overlooks the Lingayen Gulf and is almost completely broken up by tranquil waterways. There are a handful of beaches within 10 minutes of the city centre, which reveals an enthralling Filipino culture comprising street food markets, seafood restaurants and shopping malls.

Things to do

Learn more about Dagupan City at Dagupan City Museum, which boasts a collection of local artwork pertaining to the city, along with antique household items and clothing donated by locals. Immerse yourself completely with a kalesa (horse-drawn calash) ride down Perez Boulevard while taking in the colourful facades and traditional vehicles.

Love sunny days on the coast? You’ve got plenty of beaches to choose from at Dagupan City. Head to Tondaligan Blue Beach for cocktail-blue water and umbrellaed picnic tables on the sand. Pugaro is a relatively secret local gem ideal for beachside serenity, while Lingayen Beach features numerous resorts, restaurants and parks.

If you love seafood, make sure you visit The Original Matutina's Seafood House & Restaurant or Kuya Max Grill & Restaurant for fresh seafood and other classic Filipino cuisine. More restaurants can be found at Dagupan City’s big shopping malls, CSI City Mall and Nepo Mall, both of which contain international and local stores, such as Nike, Aficionado and Samsung.

Drive about 40 minutes along the coast to Aquatica Marina Water Park, a beachfront water park with waterslides, playgrounds and a giant bucket. If being in nature sounds more enticing, explore Dagupan City’s maze-like river system on a guided tour in open sightseeing vessels.

Getting around

If you’re staying along Dagupan City’s beachfront, you can walk to a lot of restaurants and other points of interest. However, longer trips are made easy, thanks to the local jeepneys and tricycles. A convenient transport option, you can catch these jeepneys to almost anywhere in the city limits.