Q69781

Understand

In 1578, Liliw was reorganized by the Spanish into a formal town called Lilio, with the spelling blamed on the colonizers’ inability to pronounce the native name. This was reversed after independence, enabling the town to have its official slogan as “Liliw, bayang mapang-aliw” (Liliw, enchanting town). It is home to about 40,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) .

Orientation On maps, Liliw is an elongated town running south from the lowlands of Laguna to the slopes of Mount Banahaw. Its downtown consists of a narrow strip situated on a gentle slope with views of Laguna de Bay on clear days. At the northern edge of town is the highway running from Santa Cruz to Nagcarlan, while its southern side is bounded by the highway to Majayjay. The town's western edge is bounded by tributaries of the Santa Cruz River system. At the eastern side are the terminals to Santa Cruz and San Pablo. The town’s northern barangays are accessible via Nagcarlan.

Getting there

This town lies along the narrow and winding national road between San Pablo and Lucban. Most travel to town is through the nearby town of Nagcarlan. Liliw is a hub for jeepneys coming from San Pablo, Majayjay and Santa Cruz. However, there are few to no jeepneys operating at night. It is far more convenient to rent a car (or a van for large groups) to reach the town due to this.

Getting around

Much of downtown Liliw is accessible on foot, the only disadvantage being the slightly elevated slope and narrow one or two lane roads that one must share with parked vehicles, moving vehicles and shoppers searching for shoes. Tricycles are the most common form of motorized transport within town. Due to narrow streets, many visitors park at the yard of Liliw Church.

See

1 St. John the Baptist Parish Church (Liliw Church), Entrances:9th corner Gat Tayaw Streets and 8th corner San Juan Streets (for vehicles), Mabini Street (for pedestrians only), Barangay Pag-asa (Drop off at Liliw Town Plaza). Baroque-style church with red façade and ornate altar, constructed as part of the reducción in 1578. (updated Dec 2018) Heritage Houses, Barangays Rizal, Pag-asa and Maslun. Liliw retains a sizeable number of houses from the colonial era, some of which have been converted into restaurants or commercial outlets. These are concentrated in the town center, particularly in San Juan, Gat Tayaw, Plaza Rizal, and P. Burgos Streets. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Liliw Church of Christ, Rizal Street. A white-painted, Gothic inspired church that is one of the oldest Protestant places of worship in the country, established in 1904. (updated Apr 2026) 3 Mount Banahaw. An inactive volcano straddling the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. It is the highest mountain in the Calabarzon region (2,170 m a.s.l.), and a sacred monument for the Tagalog people. (updated May 2026)

Do

Cold water river resorts 1 Batis ng Liliw, Nagcarlan-Liliw Road, Ilaya Palina. (updated Dec 2018) 2 Bukal Falls (Kilangin Falls), Novaliches. A waterfall at the boundary of Majayjay and Liliw that is claimed by both municipalities. (updated Apr 2026)

Festivals Tsinelas Festival - promotes the local wooden slipper (bakya) industry of the town.

Buy

Nearly every block along the streets leading to Liliw Church and the municipal hall has a shoe store, including some that export to Manila. An international designer-looking model that could cost thousands of pesos in Metro Manila can be bought in the mid to upper hundreds in Liliw with the same durability.

1 Pamilihang Bayan ng Liliw, Liliw-Majayjay Road. The town’s central market (updated Jan 2026) 2 B.N. Badong Footwear Trading (Badong), Gat Tayaw Street, Barangay. Pag-asa. 8:30AM–6PM, closed on certain holidays. One of the oldest footwear stores in Liliw, in operation since the 1960s. Also sells purses. Starts at ₱120. (updated Dec 2025)

Eat

Surprisingly for a town of its size, Liliw has a sizeable number of mid-range to splurge restaurants comparable to those in Metro Manila. For budget options, there are roadside eateries and canteens and roast chicken chains.

1 Arabela, 503 Rizal Street, Rizal, ☏ +63 49 563-2495, [email protected]. 11:15AM-7PM. Italian dishes, not limited to pasta and pizza, and a selection of cakes and pastries at their bakery. Location rather quite has too low headroom (approximately 5′3″), as the dining area used to be the basement of a colonial-era residence. House style pasta: ₱270-300; pesto: ₱280-320; pizza: ₱290-405 (depending on size and thickness). (updated Dec 2025) 2 American Ribs & Wings, Del Pilar Street (in front of St John the Baptist Church). 10AM–9PM. A chicken wings and pork ribs chain offering meals paired with rice. Group-sized platters are also available. ₱95-200. (updated Dec 2025) 3 Caffè Lilio, Rizal Street. 10AM–10PM. A restaurant serving coffee, pastry, pasta and sandwiches inside a converted heritage house. ₱400–600. (updated Apr 2026) 4 White House Bistro 1938, Gat Tayaw Street, Barangay Pag-asa. 10AM–7PM. A restaurant serving Filipino and Western dishes housed inside a heritage mansion built in the 1930s. ₱400–600. (updated Apr 2026)

Drink & nightlife

1 Mang Larry's Artisanal Distillery, 920 Luna Street, Barangay Maslun, ☏ +63 995 222 6562, +63 920 802 3176, toll-free: +63 49 503 2686, [email protected]. A lambanog distiller that sells finely crafted coconut liquor, with its premium vintage aged for five years. ₱300-5000. (updated Apr 2026)

Sleep

1 Kaylhans Leisure Farm, Nagcarlan-Liliw Road, ☏ +63 49 508-4765. Private resort with swimming pool and jacuzzi. Has A/C bahay kubo cottages with satellite TV and hot water shower. (updated Dec 2018) 2 Tree Farm, Magdalena-Liliw Road, Ibaba Palina. A/C rooms with hot water shower. Has a swimming pool, basketball and volleyball court, gym, and strawberry farm. (updated Dec 2018)

Go next

Nagcarlan - just adjacent to Liliw. Majayjay