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 from Manila, and 250 km 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, 13.95852°, 121.61794°. 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. 2019-07-10
- Frequent bus services from Manila are provided by DLTBCo., Jac Liner and JAM Liner. Fares are from 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. 2020-09-10
- Superlines. Bus services between Manila, Bondoc Peninsula, and Bicol. Buses either AC or "ordinary" non-AC, with on-board restrooms. 2020-09-10
- 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. 2020-09-10
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), 13.94563°, 121.59141°. Buses come from Batangas City, via Ibaan, Rosario, San Juan and Candelaria. Fare is at around for a regular AC bus ( for ordinary). 2020-09-10
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. 2020-01-05
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.
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, Manuel Quezon Avenue. A grand Neoclassical building that houses the provincial government offices of Quezon province. It dates back to 1908, and is a National Historical Site. 2018-12-08
- Lucena City Cathedral (Saint Ferdinand Cathedral). It is the central parish church of Lucena, and dates back to 1882. 2018-12-08
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
Malls & supermarkets
- SM City Lucena, Dalahican Road, Ibabang Dupay (Provincial buses terminating at Dalahican port stop here), 13.94090°, 121.62511°. Has a supermarket. 2016-07-06
- Pacific Mall. Has a Metro Gaisano Supermarket. 2016-07-06
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- Mercados Lodge, 118 C M Recto Street Evangelista (near downtown market), +63 42 7106389. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Single/double room with own bathroom. From 2016-07-06
- The House of Halina, 104 P Gomez Street, +63 42 7102902. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Fan/air-con single/double rooms with own bathroom. From 2016-07-06
- Tourist Hotel, M L Tagarao Street Lyam, +63 42 714456. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Fan/air-con single and double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. From 2016-08-08
Connect
Stay healthy
- Quezon Medical Center. Quezon Avenue Lucena. 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.