Lucena
Lucena is a city in Quezon Province, and the provincial capital.
Understand
Lucena is the administrative capital and economic and educational center of Quezon. It also serves as a major stopover for buses running through the Maharlika Highway, and the major stopover when travelling to Marinduque.
This city served as the capital of Quezon Province since 1901, but while its historical provincial capitol and major government offices are housed here, the city is independently governed from the province.
Get in
Lucena is 152 km (94 mi) from Manila, and 250 km (160 mi) from Naga. The city lies along the route of the Maharlika Highway (or Manila South Road throughout Quezon), and is reachable by car, yet driving conditions in the province are not for the faint of heart.
By bus
- 🌍 Lucena Grand Terminal, Diversion Road, Gulang-gulang. Central bus station serving as terminal for buses headed for Lucena, as well as a stopover for some long-distance buses. There are two departure areas: one to the west for services within Quezon Province, Alabang (on AB Liner and P&O), Batangas City and Bicol, and another for services to Manila (Pasay or Cubao) and Alabang (on Dela Rosa Express). Buses unload at curbside in between the departures areas. At the arrivals area and the intra-provincial departures area is a food court with kiosks and pasalubong shops, and on the Manila-bound departures are a Jollibee and Chowking, a cafe, a BPI ATM and food kiosks.
- Frequent bus services from Manila are provided by DLTBCo., Jac Liner and JAM Liner. Fares are from ₱220 and up depending on your starting destination in Manila. All buses are with air-conditioning.
- Dela Rosa Express. Regular AC buses run from Alabang South Station to Lucena via South Luzon Expressway and Maharlika Highway.
- Superlines. Bus services between Manila, Bondoc Peninsula, and Bicol. Buses either AC or "ordinary" non-AC, with on-board restrooms.
- P&O Transport. All-AC bus services from eastern Quezon (Calauag, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan), Ragay (Camarines Sur), and Santa Elena (Camarines Norte) to Manila (via Maharlika Highway) and Batangas City (via Eco-Tourism Road), with some trips terminating at Lucena.
To get to the city proper from the terminal, jeepneys with the route Grand Terminal-Lucena City Proper are waiting just 100 m from arrivals.
- 🌍 Supreme, Old Manila South Road, Isabang (Terminal/depot near St. Alphonsus Seminary and in front of Seaoil. Local transportation through the City Proper-Isabang, Tayabas jeepney route). Buses come from Batangas City, via Ibaan, Rosario, San Juan and Candelaria. Fare is at around ₱133 for a regular AC bus (₱119.25 for ordinary).
By boat
- 🌍 Dalahican Ferry Terminal. Montenegro Shipping Lines (with M/V Marie Kristina) and Starhorse Lines (with M/V Virgen de Peñafrancia) operates ferries to and from Marinduque island. Getting there: There are jeepneys from downtown Lucena, and takes 5 minutes. Some buses from Manila terminate here.
By train
Philippine National Railways has a station in Lucena for the main line between Manila and Naga, served by a daily regional train from Calamba (as of 2022). Service from Bicol remain suspended.
- 🌍 PNR Lucena Station, Gov. Constantino Street. 4:30AM–6PM.
Get around
The Poblacion district, with streets laid out in a rough grid, is easily explored by foot.
For travel into other parts of the city, there are jeepneys and tricycles.
See
- 🌍 Quezon Provincial Capitol, #230 Merchan Street. A grand Neoclassical building that houses the provincial government offices of Quezon province. It dates back to 1908, and is a National Historical Site. Perfect place to get your photo with Quezon marker sign.
- 🌍 Lucena City Cathedral (Saint Ferdinand Cathedral). It is the central parish church of Lucena, and dates back to 1882.
- 🌍 Governor's Mansion, Quezon Avenue. a memorable and historical place.
- 🌍 Manuel L. Quezon Monument - Lucena City, #230 Merchan Street. Free.
- 🌍 Lucena Perez Park (located in Quezon Park). Open 24 hours. Small green space honoring former governor Don Filemon Perez with stone monuments & a playground.
- 🌍 Heroes' Lane, Bonifacio Drive. Open 24 hours. Tourist attraction. Free.
- 🌍 St. Ferdinand Cathedral Parish, Granja Street. 5AM–8PM. Must visit church when in Lucena city. Nice interior. Solemn place for prayer and thanksgiving.
Do
Lucena's major festival is the Pasayahan sa Lucena, which showcases the relationship of nature and humanity. It is also celebrated as part of the feast of Saint Ferdinand the city's patron. The festivities last a week, between May 23 to 30, and has become a seasonal tourist attraction.
Buy
- 🌍 New Lucena City Public Market (Pamilihang Panlungsod Ng Bagong Lucena), C.M. Recto Street. 6AM–7:30PM.
- 🌍 SM City Lucena, Dalahican Road, Ibabang Dupay (Provincial buses terminating at Dalahican port stop here). Has a supermarket.
- 🌍 Pacific Mall-Lucena City, M. L. Tagarao Street. 10AM–9PM. Has a Metro Gaisano Supermarket.
- 🌍 Lucena Fish Port Complex, Dalahican Road. Open 24 hours. Fresh seafood wholesale.
- 🌍 Unitop-Lucena City, Merchan Street corner Profugo Street. 8AM–8PM.
Eat
- 🌍 Señoritas Mexinoy Kitchen - Lucena, Villa Señoritas Garden, Pearl St. Pleasantville Subd. 10AM–10PM. A beautiful restaurant with a great atmosphere!
- 🌍 La Casa de Cafe, Ruby St. Pleasantville Subdivision, Phase 2. 11:30AM–9PM. Foods are affordable and delicious, Pasta, Baby Back Ribs, Fries, etc.
- 🌍 Pleasant Grill, Pearl Street. 4–8:30 PM. Great Mediterranean/Filipino street food.
- 🌍 Special Lomi Batangas, #1242 Topaz Street. 7AM–8:30PM. This place offers quick-served, hot, tasty Lomi Batangas. It is a big and affordable serving of noodles, egg, meat, topped with chicharon, all in a thick, viscous and seasoned soup.
- 🌍 Pizza Kalye, Bonifacio Drive. 3–9PM.
- 🌍 Bosschito Roasted Chicken, Old Manila South Road corner Bonifacio Drive. 9AM–7PM. Grilled Porkchop and Grilled Liempo are equally delicious! Serving size was fair, price was affordable, and grilled aroma was very appetizing.
- 🌍 Moojaa Hot Pot and Grill, #82 Lopez Street. 2–10PM.
- 🌍 Virgie's Native Lechon, #1560 Quezon Avenue Extension, Purok Maligaya, Cotta,. 8AM–7PM. Best lechon in Lucena City.
- 🌍 The Green Bowl, #14 Trinidad corner Osmeña Street. 10AM–9PM. Green Bowl refreshingly offers healthy food choices in a city where vegetable dishes are hard to find.
- 🌍 Pares ni Peso sa Lucena, Tandang Sora Street. 10AM–9PM. Value for money. Delicious.
- 🌍 DadBod, #67 Hermana Fausta Street. 2–9PM. Hamburger restaurant.
- 🌍 Kentouka, #11 Merchan Street. 9AM–7PM. This is a good place if want to try and experience Japanese ramen. Have the Tonkotsu and Tantanmen a try and you'll definitely like it.
- 🌍 Isaiah's Kitchen, #80 Allarey Street. 10AM–10PM. Japanese restaurant.
Sleep
- 🌍 Queen Margarette Hotel - Downtown, Granja Street. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Set 3 km from the Pan-Philippine Highway, this straightforward hotel in a colorful commercial district in the city center is a 13-minute walk from the Gintong Yaman ng Quezon Museum, and 1 km from Lucena Botanical Garden.
- 🌍 Jaelle Residences, Profugo Street. clean and comfy. spacious bathroom, strong water pressure. has a pantry area outside the room with utensils, mugs, microwave that you can use.
- 🌍 Okazu Garden Resort & Restaurant, Love Street corner Gamboa Street. A popular water park.
- 🌍 The Star Garden Tower Hotel, #2948-B Quezon Avenue. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. On a bustling street with shops and eateries, this informal hotel is 6 minutes' walk from the Dumacaa River, 14 minutes' walk from Lucena Botanical Garden and 3 km from the Pan-Philippine Highway.
- 🌍 Meaco Royal Hotel - Lucena City, Granja Street (in Ocean Palace Mall). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: checkout=noon.
- 🌍 Urbantel Hotel, #30 Don Queblar Street. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 🌍 Hotel Kbartolo, #342 Lopez Street, ☏ +639564426588. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 🌍 Citilink Hotel, #115 Dalahican Road (across SM City Lucena). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. In a bustling district filled with shops and eateries, this unpretentious hotel is 4 km from Lucena City bus station and 2 km from the Cathedral of Saint Ferdinand.
- 🌍 Lucena Fresh Air Hotel and Resort, Old Manila South Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 🌍 The Saint Joseph Suites, #7 Trinidad Street Extension. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
Stay healthy
- Quezon Medical Center. Quezon Avenue, www.quezon.gov.ph phone +63 42-7972187.
Cope
- Bureau of Immigration Lucena Office. 2nd Floor. Quezon Convention Center. Quezon Capitol Compound. phone +63 42-7107109.
Go next
- Marinduque, island province accessible by ferry.
- Tayabas, the historical capital of Quezon Province, with a share of its Spanish colonial heritage.
- Pagbilao, a small town with its surrounding area, has some hidden beaches at an island connected to the mainland through a causeway.
| Routes through Lucena |
| Manila ← San Pablo ← | N S | → Gumaca → Naga |
| Manila ← San Pablo ← | N S | → Gumaca → Naga |
| Daet/Naga via ← Atimonan ← Pagbilao ← | E W | → San Pablo/Manila → Tayabas → Sariaya |
| END ← | E E | → Sariaya → San Juan |
| Lucban ← Tayabas ← | N S | → END |
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