Baclayon Church
One of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines, built of coral stone in 1727 on Bohol. Rebuilt after the 2013 earthquake, with a museum, a bell tower and a quiet seaside town.
Baclayon Church is the pride of the small coastal town of Baclayon, Bohol, only a short ride east of Tagbilaran. Its full name is the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, and it is one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines. The coral stone building was completed in 1727, and the town itself was founded by Jesuit priests in 1596. Most people spend one to two hours here, and it is an easy first stop when you arrive in Bohol.
Why go to Baclayon Church
- One of the oldest stone churches in the country, and a National Cultural Treasure (declared in 2010).
- The cream-coloured coral stone walls, the old bell tower and a peaceful churchyard facing the sea.
- A parish museum with old religious images, vestments and documents.
- A real working church, so you see local life as well as history.
A short history
Baclayon was founded by the Jesuits Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sanchez in 1596 and is often called the oldest Christian settlement in Bohol. The church we see today was finished in 1727. It is built of coral stone, in a cross shape, and the complex includes a bell tower (completed in 1777), an octagonal baptistry and a convent next door.
On 15 October 2013 a magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook Bohol and badly damaged the church, including the front portico and the bell tower. The Diocese of Tagbilaran led the rebuilding, and the church reopened in February 2018. What you see now is a careful restoration. The parish museum has also reopened after its own restoration, so ask on the day what is open.
Things to do in Baclayon
Start outside, with the façade and the stone bell tower, then step in and look up at the wooden ceiling and the altars. Inside there is also an old pipe organ in the choir loft. Walk slowly, keep your voice low and do not photograph people who are praying. Check with the parish if flash or tripods are allowed.
The parish museum (Museo Parroquial) is next to the church and usually asks a small entrance fee. Reports in recent years put it at tens of pesos per person; check the amount at the door. The church itself is free to enter, though donations are welcome.
Afterwards, take a short walk along the waterfront and through the town centre. Baclayon also has mangroves, small beaches and local bakeries. The municipal tourism office lists Pamilacan Island, about 12.5 km south, where boat trips for dolphin and whale watching and white sand beaches are offered. Only book with accredited operators who keep a respectful distance from the animals.
Where is Baclayon Church?
Baclayon, Bohol
Directions open in Google Maps, starting from where you are. Its travel times are estimates, and ferries and island boats may not be included.
Getting there from Cebu
- Take a fast ferry from Cebu City (Pier 1) to Tagbilaran. The crossing takes about 2 hours. In 2025-2026 a one-way ticket cost roughly ₱600-₱1,000 depending on the operator and class (estimate; check current fares). See our guide to the Cebu to Bohol ferry.
- From the Tagbilaran port, Baclayon is about 6-8 km east. Take a tricycle, a taxi, a ride-hailing car, or a jeepney or van heading to Baclayon or Alburquerque. Allow 20-30 minutes.
- Ask to be dropped at the Baclayon Church by the sea. It is on the main road in the town centre (poblacion) and is easy to find.
- To return, flag down a jeepney or tricycle to Tagbilaran, or ask your driver to wait for you if you hired one for the morning.
Many people combine Baclayon with a countryside tour (Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Loboc River), which usually starts at the church. See Chocolate Hills for what the interior has to offer.
Getting around
Baclayon town centre is small and walkable. Tricycles are the usual way to reach nearby spots, and you should agree on the fare before you ride. If you want to see several places in a day, a hired car with a driver or a van is often the easiest option. Bohol has few buses to the smaller towns, so check times locally.
Where to stay and eat
Most visitors stay in Tagbilaran for convenience or on Panglao for the beaches, and visit Baclayon for a morning. Panglao is about 30-45 minutes away by road; see our Panglao guide. Baclayon itself has a few small beach resorts and homestays. For food, look for local eateries and bakeries around the church and the town centre, and try Boholano snacks such as peanut kisses and calamay (a sticky coconut sweet) as pasalubong.
When to go
Baclayon is a good stop all year. December to May is usually drier. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat and the tour groups. The town celebrates its fiesta around the church's feast of the Immaculate Conception in December; masses are busy then, so visit outside service times if you want a quiet look.
Tips for a good trip
- Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees. Staff may refuse entry otherwise, for locals and visitors alike.
- Do not enter or take photos during mass unless you are attending quietly.
- Bring small bills for the museum fee, tricycles and donations.
- Wear a hat and carry water; there is little shade in the churchyard at midday.
- Do not touch the old stone, images or displays. Do not litter.
- Fees, hours and opening of the museum change, so ask at the tourism office or the parish on the day.
Planning more of Bohol? Read our Cebu to Bohol ferry guide and visit Panglao for the beaches. Next on the heritage trail, see Loboc River Cruise.
Photo gallery
Tap a photo to see it full size. Gallery photos come from Wikimedia Commons; each photographer's credit shows when you open the photo.
Watch before you go
Last updated October 28, 2026
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