If tropical islands, attractive landscapes, and endless adventure are on your bucket list for a vacation, then here is a list of the best places to visit in the Philippines. The Philippines has more than 7,000 islands waiting to be identified, visited, and explored. Fro idyllic islands and paradise-like beaches with turquoise water, to the perfect cone volcano in this world and the smallest primate, to a surfing mecca and century-old Spanish fortresses- there are plenty of surprises waiting for every traveler who visits the Philippines.
It is a tricky job to compile a list of Philippines itinerary, but here we have discussed what places to visit in the Philippines, mainly for those who are visiting this place for the first time.
The Philippines is a tropical paradise in the Pacific Ocean made of over 7000 islands that provide a natural playground for your deep traveler. Collectively, its landscapes feature a wide variety of natural wonders, ranging from rice terraces and volcanoes to limestone caves and underwater rivers along with attractive beaches.
Individually, the islands offer something unique, whether you are looking for a perfect place to dive and snorkel or prefer to see the historical sights in cities like Vigan or Manila, which have profound colonial roots. As the country is so spread out, a visit to the Philippines needs careful planning so that you can connect with proper guides and find the most suitable lodging as a base for your favorite pursuits. Some destinations like the Hanging Coffins in Sagada or the Chocolate Hills in Bohol are remote, but reaching that point is worth the hard work.
Best Places to Visit in the Philippines
Manila- The capital of the Philippines, it is the heart and soul of the country. Shiny skyscrapers rise across the Asian metropolis amid the concrete buzzing of the city. With malls, hotels, and modern parks with the best hospitality service, Manila is one of the best places to visit in the Philippines.
Kawasan Falls, Cebu- If you like swimming in cool waters, Kawasan Falls in Cebu city must be on your list. It is a multi-layered waterfall in the town of Badian. It is well-known for its turquoise waters. The initial cascade, with a height of 40 meters, is where most of the travelers stay, swim, and also enjoy a natural water massage on a bamboo raft. A trek of 10-minute can take you up to the calmer second cascade.
Also, it is the endpoint of the popular adventure activity, i.e. the canyoneering adventure. It begins in Kanlaob River in the town of Algeria and you make your way to Kawasan swimming along the streams, abseiling through the natural rock walls, and jumping from the mini waterfalls. Adjacent is the town of Moalboal, popular for its sardine run experience, where you swim with lots of sardines just offshore.
Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao- Considered as one of the best places to visit in the Philippines, Banaue Rice Terraces in Banaue of Ifugao, North Luzon is hand-chiseled around 2000 years ago. It is a remarkable destination and is the best place to travel in the Philippines. Sit on top of a colorful jeepney as it travels along the winding roads in Banaue and views of spectacular mud-walled rice terraces will leave you spellbound.
The Ifugao people were highly talented in carving both mountainsides and wood. The Banaue Rice Terraces is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it provides breathtaking views of emerald colors during April-May and October-November, which are considered as rice-growing seasons.
This place may be packed up with a lot of tourists so you can make your way further to calmer Batad Rice Terraces and take a fast dip at its mighty Tappiya waterfalls. You can also discover nearby Baguio City to collect fresh strawberries in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Chocolate Hills, Bohol- Included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Natural Monuments, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol is a geomorphic wonder and truly a sight to look at. It is one of the best places in the Philippines to offer a unique landscape, with its 1,268 cone-shaped hills that turn into a chocolatey brown color during the dry season, therefore its name.
The limestone hills differ in size but look similar in shape and range from 30 to 120 meters in height. It is a must-add to any itinerary for the Bohot trips. Make your way to Carmen town, where the Chocolate Hills Main Viewpoint can be seen. Apart from the Chocolate Hills, there is a treasure chest of natural wonders and several other beautiful places to visit in Bohol. Some of these are Panglao Island tours, the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary visits, Loboc River Cruise, where you can see the smallest primate of the world.
White Beach, Boracay- Long acclaimed as one of the best beaches in the world, Boracay’s claim to fame is its long stretch (almost 4-kilometer) of pure white, powdery sand known as White Beach. It may sound cliché, but White Beach is a postcard-perfect, with tall coconut trees lined up and clear waters rounding up its unparalleled beauty making it a top attraction in Boracay trips.
Its prominence in global publications has drawn an influx of travelers over the last decades and there is no scarcity of restaurants, bars, or hotels on the island. As its beautiful sunsets come to an end, this small island comes to life with its attractive nightlife, earning a reputation of being a party destination where you can join the pub crawl trips.
Other spots like Diniwid Beach and Puka Beach provide a quiet break and some of the best relaxing vibes. Other top things to do in Boracay include White Beach Tours and activities like helmet diving, parasailing, paddleboarding, para-sailing, and banana boat ride.
Coron Island- Coron Island is a part of the Busuanga and Calamian Islands and a base for access to all the neighboring islands, which makes it one of the top Philippines holiday destinations for adventurers. Mangrove kayaking, motorbiking, island-hopping, and jungle trekking- these are some of the activities you must do here.
Mactan Island- It is a place where you can go for luxurious relaxation. Housing several resorts, it is one of the ideal places to visit in the Philippines, especially for couples. With great diving spots, access to the shopping centers of Cebu City, and island hopping tours, it provides everything to the people who are visiting the place for a honeymoon.
Taal Volcano and Lake, Tagaytay, and Batangas- Visitors and locals of Manila take a speedy escape from the megacity and make their way down south to the Tagaytay, a retreat and relaxation town known for its fresh and cool air.
This is also a place where you can enjoy a full view of the Taal Volcano and Lake situated in Batangas, the smallest active volcano in the world. The volcano sits on an island within a lake and if you do not find it interesting enough, you can visit the real volcano crater with excursions to Taal Volcano.
An outrigger boat initially takes you to a 15-minute ride to the Volcano Island and from there, you can do a 35-minute hike or hop on the back of a horse to the main crater.
While in Batangas and Tagaytay, heat your trip with a delectable bowl of Bulao, a clear broth with bone marrow, beef shanks, and corn swimming in all golden glory.
Mayon Volcano, Legazpi- As soon as your flight lands at the airport in Legazpi City, the most perfect cone of the world and the most active volcano in the Philippines greet you with grandeur. Mayon Volcano is one of the most attractive places to visit in the Philippines and is a top attraction in the Bicol region.
Its sheer beauty hides the violent core, with past eruptions that flattened various towns. It is already a great experience seeing the volcano from afar. However, if you are an adrenaline junkie, you can soak up all its loveliness while gliding through a zipline in Lignon Hill. Visit the Cagsawa Ruins, another popular viewing point of the Mayon Volcano. While in Legazpi, enjoy a side trip to Donsol, where you can see whale sharks living in their natural habitat peacefully.