Municipalities

• 13.292517123.7916864 BacacayCategory:Has map markers — Fishing town with beaches, islands and caves
• 13.133333123.6666675 CamaligCategory:Has map markers — the closest to Mayon Volcano and offers scenic countrysides
• 13.14797123.7120786 DaragaCategory:Has map markers — known for the picturesque ruins of Cagsawa Church
• 13.183333123.67 GuinobatanCategory:Has map markers — has a shrine for General Simeon Ola, the last general who surrendered under the Americans
• 13.066667123.68 JovellarCategory:Has map markers — Jovellar Underground River is the main attraction
• 13.3123.4333339 LibonCategory:Has map markers — Agricultural town at the border of Camarines Sur
• 13.316667123.73333310 MalilipotCategory:Has map markers — known for having two mountains that protect the town against volcanic eruption
• 13.4123.711 MalinaoCategory:Has map markers — a laid-back town with water falls
• 13.1235123.869312 ManitoCategory:Has map markers — a secluded town with a boiling lake as the main attraction
• 13.258889123.49527813 OasCategory:Has map markers — has a delicacy called Putong Bigas
• 13.033333123.4514 Pio DuranCategory:Has map markers — The ferry port to Masbate
• 13.292222123.48555615 PolanguiCategory:Has map markers — Small tourist town and is the safest place to view Mayon during its dangerous eruption.
• 13.2124.1516 Rapu-RapuCategory:Has map markers — an island municipality off Legazpi City.
• 13.235123.77694417 Santo DomingoCategory:Has map markers — its resorts offer a wonderful view of the black beach; the birth place of the Bicolano song 'Sarung Banggi'
• 13.4585123.680518 TiwiCategory:Has map markers — The location of Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant and with pottery industry

History

What is now Albay has been home to civilization long before the Spaniards arrived. In ancient times, it was the center of the polity of Ibat (then Libog), ruled by Gat Ibal, a chieftain who also founded the ancient barangay of Sawangan in what is now Legazpi.

In July 1569, Martín de Goiti led an expedition group which crossed from Burias and Ticao islands and landed on a coastal settlement called Ibalon in what is now Sorsogon. From there Goiti led another expedition to explore the interior and founded the town of Camalig. In 1572, conquistador Juan de Salcedo penetrated the Bicol Peninsula from the north and created the settlement of Santiago de Libon.

And on April 3, 1574, the place called “Baybayon” became an encomienda assigned by Philippine Governor General Guido de Lavezaris to Juan Guerra. This place would later be called "Baybay," then “Al Baybay," and later shortened to “Albay.”

During the Spanish era, Bicol Peninsula was its own province divided into two partidos, Camarines in the northwest and Ibalon in the southeast. In 1636, the two partidos became their own provinces, and what was the Ibalon became the new province of Albay, whose capital is the town of Sorsogon. Albay was frequently raided by Moro pirates from the south for most of the 17th century.

Mayon Volcano, in its deadliest eruption, destroyed the town of Cagsawa on February 1, 1814. In 1846, Masbate, Ticao and Burias islands were separated from Albay to form what would become the province of Masbate. During that time, Albay also included Catanduanes and Sorsogon.

People

Albay has a population of about 1,400,000 people in 2020. Residents of the province call themselves Albayano and is largely ethnically Bicolano. Catholicism is the predominant religion.

Tourism information

• Provincial Tourism, Culture and the Arts OfficeCategory:Has map markers (PTCAO), Tourism Bldg, Albay Astrodome Complex, F. Aquende Dr, Legazpi, ☏ +63 52 742 0242.  (updated Nov 2020)

By plane

Bicol International Airport (DRP ^IATA), just adjacent to Legazpi, is served by daily flights from Manila, both on PAL Express and Cebu Pacific.

By bus

Many bus companies have daily trips to Legazpi or Tabaco from Manila via the Maharlika Highway. Some of the larger and more reputable bus companies are ALPS, Cagsawa Tours, DLTBCo., Philtranco and Superlines, with air-conditioned and luxury buses.

From the south, there are also buses from Sorsogon, Samar and Leyte, and Mindanao, all via Maharlika Highway.

By car

The main highway traversing Albay is the Asian Highway 26. From Camarines Sur, you can also take the Tigaon-Sagñay-Tiwi road (Rte 630) which follows a scenic route along the Pacific coast.

By train

The only available services are the Bicol Commuter trains that come from Camarines Sur, but they are slow local services that only operate on weekdays.

By ferry

Roll-on/roll-off ferries connect Albay with nearby Masbate and Catanduanes. Ferries from Masbate call either call at Pilar port in Sorsogon (for boats from Masbate City and Ticao Island) and Pio Duran (from Burias Island), while those from Catanduanes call at Tabaco.

Legazpi has a seaport. There are interisland ferries to the island of Rapu-rapu, an island municipality of the province of Albay.

By bus

Buses form the main way of transportation between Albay’s cities and towns. Many of those services are rather segments of longer intercity routes from Manila or Naga, but there are also plenty of local buses and minibuses plying the Legazpi-Tabaco route.

By train

The PNR Bicol Commuter Line serves Legazpi, Daraga, Guinobatan and Ligao, but services are limited and somewhat slower than the buses.

By car

Most of Albay's cities and towns are linked by national roads of decent quality, like the Maharlika Highway (Rte 1/AH26), Legazpi-Tiwi Coastal Road (Rte 630), and Sabloyon Road (Rte 636). Other major roads tend to be narrow, and not designed for highway speeds. Traffic is generally light, but as in most of the Philippines, chaotic.