Check Here the Top Pilgrimage Sites in the Philippines That Are Sure to Gather the People
TOP PILGRIMAGE SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES – Here are some of the pilgrimage sites you may visit this Holy Week 2025.
The Holy Week is one of the religious events that is widely observed in the Philippines. It is also known as the Semana Santa in Spanish. It is a significant event in the Christian calendar and the time when Christians commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
The Holy Week starts on a Palm Sunday which marks the entrance of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem and ends on Easter Sunday when the resurrection of the Son of God from death is commemorated. There are several traditions that many Filipinos observe during the Holy Week.
Many Filipinos actually do pilgrimage tourism every Holy Week. There are top pilgrimage sites that never fails to gather many people every Semana Santa. Here are some of the top pilgrimage sites in the Philippines:
Manaoag Church, Pangasinan
Also called the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan, the Manaoag Church is undeniably one the most popular pilgrimage sites in the country for decades now. Many pilgrims usually from other areas take the time to travel to the church to pay homage to Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag to seek her intercession for protection and healing.
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Cebu
The Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is located in Cebu, specifically adjacent to the popular Magellan’s cross which is also one of the top pilgrimage sites in the Philippines. This church is one of the oldest religious structures in the country dating back to the Spanish times in 1565. It never fails to attract thousands of Roman Catholics ever since most especially during the Holy Week and the Feast of Santo Niño which is held every January.
Quiapo Church/National Shrine of the Black Nazarene, Manila
The church is most popular as the Quiapo Church but it is also called the National Shrine of the Black Nazarene. It is located in Manila and it is most popular for the Feast of the Black Nazarene which usually gathers thousands of people in the grand procession called the Traslacion. Located in the heart of Manila, the feast of its patron is held every January.
Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Piat, Cagayan
If you are in the northern province of Cagayan or you are visiting it this Holy Week 2025, one of the top pilgrimage sites in the Philippines that can be found in the province is the beautiful Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Piat which is located in Cagayan. It is a revered sanctuary dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Countless Roman Catholics visit the church to seek for her intercession in their prayers to God.
Antipolo Cathedral, Rizal
Also called the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, the Antipolo Cathedral is one of the churches that is usually visited by many Filipinos who seek spiritual solace not only during the Holy Week but throughout the year.
Magellan’s Cross, Cebu
One of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the Philippines is the Magellan’s Cross in the province of Cebu. Undeniably, it has become a tourist spot and many people who visit the province never fail to visit this popular spot. It signify the arrival of Christianity in the country and a huge remembrance of the Ferdinand Magellan’s existence in the country in 1521. It is believed that the piece of wood that Magellan placed in the area where the pilgrimage site can be found now is from the original cross that was used when Jesus Christ was crucified. However, like the countless things in the history, there are contests to the belief.
Baguio Cathedral, Baguio
Baguio City is one of the most popular tourist hubs in the Philippines. Thus, the Baguio Cathedral or also called Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral do not only gather many people during the Holy Week but all throughout the year. Its architectural beauty never fails to draw admirations.
Kamay Ni Hesus Shrine, Quezon
Also one of the top pilgrimage sites in the Philippines is the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine which is located in Lucban, Quezon. It has a gigantic statue of the Risen Christ and the Healing Church. Many Catholic devotees climb 300 steps to the shrine most especially during the Holy Week.
As mentioned earlier, there are several traditions that the people do every Holy Week in the Philippines.