Marawi

Overview

Marawi sits on the shore of Lake Lanao in the Bangsamoro, the cultural center of the Maranao people. Its reputation rests on craft and tradition, from okir woodcarving and brasswork to the grand mosques and lakeside communities, and on the long lake itself, the second largest in the country. The city is still rebuilding after the 2017 siege, so travel here is contact-dependent and best arranged with local hosts rather than treated as a casual stop.

Standout experiences

• 01 Lake Lanao

  A vast highland lake at the city's edge, with fishing villages and informal boat trips along the shore.

• 02 Grand Mosque circuit

  The city's grand mosques, including restored landmarks along the lakeshore road.

• 03 Tugaya crafts

  A nearby town of okir carvers, brass-smiths, and weavers, the region's craft center.

• 04 Maranao culture and food

  Local cooking, markets, and everyday Maranao life, best experienced with a local host.

Getting there

Marawi has no commercial airport. The nearest major gateway is Laguindingan Airport (CGY) in Misamis Oriental, which serves Marawi; taxis and shuttles wait there to carry passengers onward. The airport is 57 kilometers from Iligan, the usual stop en route. Shuttle vans also connect Marawi with Cotabato City and Iligan.

When to go

Marawi sits at about 710 meters on the shore of Lake Lanao, and its altitude keeps it cooler than the lowlands, earning it the nickname Summer Capital of the South. Rain falls all year, with the wettest months from June to October and monthly totals above 300 millimeters. February to March is the driest stretch.