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 terminal for buses headed for Lucena. Jeepneys and tricycles are available from the terminal.
Buses by Jac Liner and JAM Liner depart from terminals around LRT Buendia station in Pasay. Fare is ₱220.
Superlines have buses from Lucena to Daet, and Lucena to Naga with a fare of ₱280.
Supreme Transport operates A/C and ordinary buses from Batangas City. Fare is at around ₱130 for a standard AC bus.
By boat
- Dalahican Ferry Terminal. Montenegro and Star Horse 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, but train services are not operating as of 2013.
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.
- 1 Lucena City Cathedral (Saint Ferdinand Cathedral). It is the central parish church of Lucena, and dates back to 1882.
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
- 1 SM City Lucena, Dalahican Road, Ibabang Dupay (Provincial buses terminating at Dalahican port stop here). Has a supermarket.
- Pacific Mall. Has a Metro Gaisano Supermarket.
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 ₱300.
- 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 ₱300.
- 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 ₱350.
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.
| 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 |