Baguio City has more than pine trees and cool weather. Walk around long enough, and you will find art everywhere — on walls, roundabouts, overpasses, and even the road itself. The massive Lion’s Head sculpture along Kennon Road has been greeting visitors for years. But newer pieces keep popping up, turning the city into an open-air gallery you can explore for free.
The street art scene here is spread across different spots. Some are easy to spot from a car. Others take a bit of walking. Either way, you get to see stories about Filipino culture, Cordilleran heritage, and even recent history painted right out in the open. If you are planning a trip and want to see Baguio’s creative side beyond the usual tourist stops, this guide will help you find the best street art treasures in the city.
What Kind of Street Art You Will Find
What makes Baguio’s street art different is that much of it is tied to real events and local traditions. The Wall of Heroes Mural was inaugurated in December 2021 along Marcos Highway at the Baguio General Hospital area. It was created specifically to honor the people who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Quezon Hill BARANGAYanihan Mural, inaugurated in July 2024 along Nagulian Road, is part of a larger series that also includes murals in barangays North Central Aurora Hill, Military Cut-off, Balsigan, Middle Rock Quarry, and T. Alonzo.
The Living Street, which opened in July 2024 on Lower Session Road, is a walkable stretch where the right-side murals show scenes of market vendors and sari-sari stores, while the left-side murals highlight Cordillera traditions like katutubong laro (traditional games), panliligaw (courtship), dancing, and music. If you want to see how Baguio’s local artisans express their culture through different art forms, this street is a good starting point.
Best Time to Visit and What Changes the Trip
You can see street art in Baguio any time of year. But the experience changes depending on when you go. The Session Road roundabout is a good example. During the 2025 Panagbenga Festival, it featured a tree design. During the holiday season, it becomes a Christmas tree. In 2023, it had a pine cone design. So the same spot can look completely different depending on the month.
Sunday is a special day for street art in Baguio. Session Road is closed to traffic every Sunday to encourage walking. This is when chalk art on the road becomes a thing. Artists draw on the pavement with chalk, and pedestrians can walk right through the artwork. But there is a catch. The city has guidelines that prohibit chalk art with political messages or anything that questions social and political issues. This policy has been criticized by journalists and artists who say it limits freedom of expression. If you plan to do chalk art yourself, just know what is allowed and what is not.
Panagbenga Festival (February to March) is the busiest time. More art events pop up, and the roundabout designs change. But the city is also crowded. If you want a quieter art walk, go on a weekday outside festival season. The sustainable travel options in Baguio make it easy to plan a trip that fits your schedule, whether you go during peak season or off-peak.
How to Get Around and Find the Art
Most of the street art is located along main roads and roundabouts, so you do not need a tour guide to find them. Here is how to cover the key spots.
Walking Session Road and the Living Street
Session Road is the city’s main commercial strip. On Sundays, the street is closed to vehicles, and you can walk the entire stretch. The Living Street is on Lower Session Road, near Perfecto and Carantes Streets. The murals here are easy to photograph because the street is pedestrian-friendly. The Session Road roundabout is at the upper end, near Baguio Cathedral and SM City Baguio. You can hit all these spots in one walk.
Taking a Jeepney or Taxi to the Other Spots
The Wall of Heroes Mural is along Marcos Highway at the Baguio General Hospital area. This is a bit farther from the city center. A short jeepney or taxi ride will get you there. The Quezon Hill BARANGAYanihan Mural is along Nagulian Road in Quezon Hill, also a short ride from downtown. The Bonifacio roundabout is on Bonifacio Street, which is walkable from Session Road if you do not mind a 10- to 15-minute walk. The Cordillera Freedom Monument is in the Igorot Garden, which is also within the city proper.
Kennon Road Entry Point
The Lion’s Head is not inside the city. It is located along Kennon Road, the main entry road to Baguio from the lowlands. You will see it as you drive into the city. It is a natural limestone formation that resembles a lion’s head. The local Lions Club helped make it a recognizable landmark. If you are driving into Baguio, keep your camera ready as you approach Kennon Road.
For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, check out the mountainous escapes around Baguio that combine art and nature in one trip.
What to Actually Do There
Go on a Mural Hunt
Start at the Living Street on Lower Session Road. Walk both sides to see the contrast between everyday Filipino life and Cordilleran traditions. Then head to the Quezon Hill BARANGAYanihan Mural on Nagulian Road. This is part of a larger series, so if you have time, check out the other barangays that have murals too: North Central Aurora Hill, Military Cut-off, Balsigan, Middle Rock Quarry, and T. Alonzo. Each one has a different take on the bayanihan theme. End your hunt at the Wall of Heroes Mural along Marcos Highway near Baguio General Hospital. It is a sobering piece, but it tells an important story about the pandemic.
Roundabout Tour in Under an Hour
You can visit all three roundabout artworks in one trip. Start at the Baguio General Hospital roundabout, which has a statue of a parent and child holding hands. It was inaugurated in October 2023 and reflects human care, fitting for a hospital area. Next, walk or take a short ride to the Bonifacio roundabout on Bonifacio Street. The sculpture of a woman pouring water from a banga represents the Igorot tradition of gathering water. Finally, head to the Session Road roundabout near Baguio Cathedral. The design changes by season, so you never know what you will see. The pine cone design from 2023 and the tree design from the 2025 Panagbenga are recent examples.
Discover the Underground Art Scene
Beyond the public murals and sculptures, Baguio has an underground art movement. This is a more independent scene, with artists working in repurposed garages, small cafes, and pop-up studios. The themes are different from the official murals. They often focus on indigenous culture, environmental concerns, and social issues. To find these hidden spots, check local university art departments, follow artist collectives on social media, or ask around at art-friendly cafes. Art events happen throughout the year, with more activity during festivals and university events. The underground scene is where you will see the raw, unfiltered side of Baguio’s art culture.
If you are traveling with kids, you can still enjoy the street art at a relaxed pace. The family-friendly activities in Baguio include easy walks to most of these art spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the best street art in Baguio? ▾
Is chalk art on Session Road still allowed? ▾
Do I need to pay to see the street art? ▾
When is the best time to see the roundabout designs? ▾
What is the underground art scene in Baguio? ▾
How long does it take to see all the street art? ▾
Plan Your Art Walk
Baguio’s street art is not just decoration. It tells stories about the city’s history, culture, and the people who live there. The best approach is to pick a Sunday when Session Road is closed to traffic, start at the Living Street, and work your way through the roundabouts and barangays. Keep an eye out for chalk art on the road, but know the rules before you draw. And if you want to go deeper, ask around for the underground art spaces. The scene is always changing, so what you see this year might be different next year.
If this was useful, you might also want to read a guide to Baguio’s local markets and authentic finds.
Sources
Enjoy fresh strawberries at Baguio’s famed farm — A related guide to another Baguio experience that pairs well with an art walk.
Exploring Baguio’s nature at Diplomat Hotel — Another cultural and historical spot worth visiting alongside the street art trail.
Local art scene Baguio underground. Secret Locale.
Journalists, artists protest Baguio chalk art policy on Session Road. Rappler, 2023.
Baguio festival dates 2025. Festivation.
