Antipolo Pilgrimage Guide: Getting There and Where to Eat

This Antipolo pilgrimage guide is for anyone planning to visit the Antipolo Cathedral, whether it is your first time or a yearly tradition. It covers what the shrine is, when pilgrims go, how to get there from Manila and Rizal, what to bring and what to eat nearby. Antipolo is in Rizal, close to our office in Teresa, so this is a route we know well.

What Is the Antipolo Cathedral?

The Antipolo Cathedral is officially the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. It is the seat of the Bishop of Antipolo, and it houses the venerated image of the Virgin Mary known as the Birhen ng Antipolo, or Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. The Jesuits founded the first church here in 1591, and the cathedral was declared an international shrine in 2024.

Devotees have long prayed to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage for safe journeys, which is why many people stop here before a long trip, and why travelers and families come to give thanks afterward.

When Do Pilgrims Visit Antipolo?

Pilgrims come all year, but the busiest period is the pilgrimage season from May to July. It is traditionally counted from the first Tuesday of May to the first Tuesday of July, with novena Masses, processions and special liturgies. The shrine draws millions of visitors a year, and a large share of them come in these months.

The best-known tradition is the Alay Lakad, a foot pilgrimage that many devotees make in May, walking from Manila to the cathedral. It is a long walk, so many people join a group, bring water and rest along the way. If walking is not for you, you can still join the Masses and processions when you arrive.

If you want a quieter visit, go on a weekday outside the pilgrimage season and arrive early in the morning.

How to Get to Antipolo Cathedral

Antipolo is east of Manila, in the hills of Rizal. Most visitors arrive by one of these:

• Private van. The easiest choice for a family, a parish or an office group. Nobody has to drive or look for parking, and you can leave when your group is ready.
• Jeepney, bus or UV Express. Routes run from Metro Manila, but expect crowds and long queues in May.
• Your own car. Convenient, but parking near the cathedral fills up fast during the pilgrimage season.

Traffic into Antipolo can be heavy on weekends and in May. Leave early, and give yourself extra time for the way home.

What to Wear and Bring

• Dress modestly. Wear a shirt with sleeves and shorts or pants below the knee, since this is an active place of worship.
• Comfortable shoes. You may walk on slopes and steps, and queues can be long.
• Water, a hat or umbrella, and small bills. Candle offerings, parking and food are usually small cash payments.
• Be respectful. Many people are praying. Ask before taking photos during Mass.
• Watch your belongings. Crowds are part of the experience, so keep bags closed and phones in a safe pocket.

Where to Eat Around Antipolo

Antipolo is known for a few local treats you can buy near the cathedral:

• Suman. Sticky rice wrapped in leaves, often eaten with sweet toppings.
• Kasoy (cashew). Vendors outside the cathedral sell roasted cashews, a local specialty.
• Local restaurants. The hills around the city have many places for a meal after Mass, from simple eateries to larger restaurants with views. Ask your driver or the parish staff for current favorites, since places open and close.

Buy some suman and kasoy to take home. They are a favorite pasalubong.

Combine It with a Rizal Day Trip

Antipolo fits well into a longer day. If you are going during Holy Week, you can pair it with our Visita Iglesia route in Rizal, which covers seven old churches in towns east of Antipolo. Other Antipolo stops include the Pinto Art Museum. Check opening days and entrance fees before you go, since they can change.

Our Teresa office is a short drive away, and we can bundle the cathedral, the churches and a lunch stop into one day with a van and driver.

Book an Antipolo Pilgrimage Tour with CieloAmor

We can arrange the van, the driver and the timing for a family, a parish group, a school or an office. Tell us your date, your group size and where you will be picked up, and we will send a quote. See our tour packages or read about our travel services. Message us early for May, because vans book out quickly.