Looking for a tropical escape that doesn't empty your wallet? The Philippines might be exactly what you need. This Southeast Asian country has over 7,000 islands filled with beautiful beaches, green rice terraces, and colourful coral reefs. The places to visit in Philippines give you endless options to choose from. Chocolate hills in Bohol and the underground river in Palawan are just the beginning.
Getting around these islands is actually easier than it sounds. Most travellers book Philippines tour packages that bundle flights, accommodation, and island hopping tours into one neat package. This blog covers 20 spectacular spots across the archipelago, each offering something unique. Want adventure or just long days on the beach? The Philippines has both waiting for you. Time to find out which island paradise belongs on your travel list.
20 Best Places to Visit in Philippines
The Philippines has something for every type of traveller, and that's what makes it special. From bustling cities to remote islands that feel like they're straight out of a postcard, the famous places in the Philippines are as diverse as they come. Here's the list of 20 destinations with things to do in Philippines that'll help you plan the perfect Filipino adventure, whether you've got a week or a whole month to explore.
1. Manila
Most international flights land here, making it the natural starting point for your trip. Spanish churches from the 1500s share streets with glass skyscrapers and jeepneys honking through traffic. Intramuros takes you back to colonial times with thick stone walls and churches that survived earthquakes. Rizal Park gives you breathing space when the city chaos gets too much. Walking tours through different neighbourhoods offer excellent Philippines sightseeing opportunities for history enthusiasts. Try balut from street carts or fancy Filipino fusion in air-conditioned restaurants. Manila works best as a jumping-off point to other places to visit in Philippines rather than the main destination.
Highlights: Iconic Intramuros stone walls and serene Rizal Park greenery.
Things to do: Wander historic streets, savour balut from lively carts.
Best time to visit: Dry season from December to May.
2. Boracay Island
White Beach earned this tiny island its reputation with sand that actually squeaks when you walk on it. The government closed everything down in 2018 for cleanup, and it came back looking much better. Kiteboarding and parasailing keep the adrenaline going while the sun's up. Fire dancers and beach bars take over after dark with music pumping until late. Station 1 stays quieter if you want peace, Station 2 has more action and food choices. Boracay packs a lot into a small space and remains one of the most visited Philippines tourist places.
Highlights: Squeaky White Beach sands and lively Station 2 scene.
Things to do: Try kiteboarding by day, catch fire dancers at night.
Best time to visit: December to May for sunny beach days.
3. Palawan
This long, skinny province keeps winning "world's best island" awards, and it's easy to see why. Limestone cliffs shoot straight out of water so clear you'll think someone added a filter. El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa all sit within Palawan's borders, each deserving its own visit. Jungle mountains hide waterfalls and rare birds like the Philippine cockatoo in protected zones. You could spend a month island hopping here and still find new beaches. The awards keep coming because Palawan consistently ranks among the top places to visit in Philippines.
Highlights: Dramatic limestone karsts and hidden waterfalls.
Things to do: Hop islands, chase jungle cascades.
Best time to visit: November to May
4. El Nido
Dramatic limestone cliffs create some of the most stunning coastal views you'll find anywhere. Tour companies run trips called A, B, C, and D that each hit different lagoons and beaches. Big Lagoon needs kayaking through a narrow gap before it opens up into a massive pool. Nacpan Beach offers a quieter option when the main spots get too packed. Hotels range from cheap hostels to expensive resorts hanging off cliffs with ocean views. This must-visit places in Philippines get busy during peak months, but mornings belong to early risers.
Highlights: Mystical Big Lagoon and laid-back Nacpan Beach.
Things to do: Kayak narrow gaps, join tours A through D.
Best time to visit: December to April
5. Coron
Twelve Japanese warships were sunk here in 1944, and now divers explore them covered in coral. The wrecks turned into artificial reefs where fish and soft corals took over completely. Kayangan Lake needs a 300-step climb, but that viewpoint photo makes every travel magazine. Twin Lagoon and Barracuda Lake have weird temperature changes as you swim deeper. The town feels more relaxed than other tourist spots despite more people discovering it. Divers plan entire trips around these wrecks, and the best time to visit Philippines for diving here is December to May when visibility stays at its best.
Highlights: Coral-covered WWII wrecks and stunning Kayangan Lake.
Things to do: Dive shipwrecks, swim thermal layers.
Best time to visit: December to May
6. Cebu
The main airport for the central Philippines connects you to other islands by ferry and plane. Magellan's Cross from 1521 marks where Spanish colonisers first brought Christianity to these islands. Modern malls sit next to the Basilica del Santo Niño, where locals still pray every Sunday. Oslob's whale sharks and Kawasan Falls canyoneering make popular day trips from the city. Mountains inland hide temples and viewpoints overlooking channels between islands. Ferry connections make Cebu a perfect hub for exploring the surrounding places to visit in Philippines. The combination of history, nature access, and modern amenities makes it one of the best cities in Philippines for first-time visitors.
Highlights: Historic Magellan's Cross and gentle whale sharks.
Things to do: Canyoneer Falls, visit the basilica.
Best time to visit: December to May
7. Bohol
The Chocolate Hills get all the attention, but this island offers way more than that. Philippine tarsiers live here, those bug-eyed primates smaller than your hand that look almost fake. Panglao is connected by a bridge and has most of the beach resorts for overnight stays. Everything moves more slowly here compared to busier tourist spots in the Philippines. Loboc River tours include lunch on floating restaurants while you drift through jungle scenery. Baclayon Church from the 1500s survived earthquakes that flattened newer buildings around it. The variety of attractions, from geological wonders to wildlife sanctuaries, makes Bohol one of the most diverse places to see in Philippines.
Highlights: Rolling Chocolate Hills and tiny-eyed tarsiers.
Things to do: Cruise the Loboc River, spot primates up close.
Best time to visit: December to May
8. Siargao
Cloud 9 made this teardrop-shaped island famous with surfers who chase perfect waves. September to November brings the biggest swells when surfers fly in from all over. Magpupungko Rock Pools appear at low tide, creating natural swimming holes in the coral. Sugba Lagoon has calm water perfect for paddleboarding, surrounded by mangroves and limestone walls. , making it one of the emerging places to visit in Philippines for remote workers. General Luna has the most accommodations, restaurants, and scooter rentals for getting around.
Highlights: Legendary Cloud 9 and natural rock pools.
Things to do: Ride swells, paddle Sugba Lagoon.
Best time to visit: September to November
9. Siquijor
Local legends about healers and folk magic still give this small island a mystical reputation. You can ride a motorbike around the entire coast in one day, hitting beaches and waterfalls. Cambugahay Falls has rope swings where you launch yourself into turquoise pools below. Salagdoong Beach offers cliff jumping platforms at different heights into warm, deep water. The fact that it is not as developed as the rest of the islands implies fewer crowds and an experience more true to the Filipino spirit. These must see places in Philippines attract travellers looking for something beyond the usual beach scene.
Highlights: Enchanted falls and coastal rope swings.
Things to do: Cliff jump, loop around the island by motorbike.
Best time to visit: December to May
10. Puerto Princesa
Palawan's capital city gets you to the Underground River and other natural attractions around it. The subterranean river stretches over eight kilometres through limestone caves filled with bats and swallows. Tour boats paddle through cathedral-sized chambers that echo with dripping water and bird calls. The city itself has markets, seafood restaurants, and normal urban life beyond the tourist attractions. Honda Bay's island hopping tours take you to sandbars and coral gardens for snorkelling. Puerto Princesa balances being a working city with easy access to natural wonders.
Highlights: Echoing the underground River and Honda Bay sandbars.
Things to do: Paddle caves, snorkel coral gardens.
Best time to visit: November to May
11. Chocolate Hills
Over 1,200 cone-shaped mounds spread across the countryside in almost perfect symmetry. They turn brown during the dry season from February to May, looking like giant chocolate drops. A viewing deck in Carmen gives you panoramic shots of hills stretching to the horizon. Scientists think coral deposits lifted up and eroded over centuries to create these weird formations. Local stories blame giants for throwing rocks at each other during a legendary battle. This geological oddity ranks among the best places to visit in Philippines that everyone recognises.
Highlights: 1,200 cone-shaped mounds and panoramic viewing deck.
Things to do: Hike viewpoints, learn local legends.
Best time to visit: February to May
12. Kawasan Falls
Three waterfalls cascade down a jungle gorge into pools that glow electric blue. Bamboo rafts float you right under the falling water, where the spray soaks everyone. Canyoneering tours start upstream with jumping, swimming, and rappelling down to the main falls. The surrounding forest keeps things cool even when the rest of Cebu bakes in the sun. Vendors at the entrance rent life jackets and sell snacks for the walk-in. Two hours from Cebu City gets you to one of the country's most photographed waterfalls.
Highlights: Electric blue pools and jungle gorge cascades.
Things to do: Canyoneer jumps, bamboo raft under falls.
Best time to visit: December to May
13. Banaue Rice Terraces
Green staircases climb the Ifugao mountains, hand-carved over 2,000 years ago without machines. Indigenous Ifugao people still farm these terraces, growing traditional rice varieties using ancient irrigation. Viewpoints along the main road show terraced slopes stretching across multiple valleys. Villages like Batad let you trek between terraces and sleep in traditional Ifugao houses. UNESCO protects these terraces as one of the most culturally significant places to visit in Philippines. Young Ifugao leaving for cities threatens the maintenance these terraces need to survive.
Highlights: Ancient green staircases and Ifugao villages.
Things to do: Trek terraces, stay in traditional huts.
Best time to visit: April to October
14. Pagsanjan Falls
Boatmen paddle you upstream through a narrow gorge with walls closing in on both sides. They pull on ropes tied to rocks when rapids get too strong to paddle through. The falls drop 91 metres, and you can ride bamboo rafts through the actual waterfall. Coming back takes 15 minutes as you shoot the rapids downstream with gravity doing the work. The whole trip takes about two hours and gets your heart racing as boats scrape past boulders. Located in Laguna province, it makes an easy day trip from Manila.
Highlights: Narrow gorge rapids and 91m waterfall drop.
Things to do: Shoot rapids by boat, raft behind falls.
Best time to visit: December to May
15. Mayon Volcano
The cone shape looks so perfect that textbooks use photos of Mayon as the ideal example. This active volcano erupted in 2018, reminding everyone it's not just a pretty mountain. Cagsawa Ruins give you that iconic shot with a buried church bell tower framing the volcano. Mayon Skyline Viewdeck offers reflections in a pool when clouds clear on lucky mornings. Guides take you partway up the slopes, but the summit stays permanently off-limits. This landmark defines the Bicol region and appears everywhere, representing the Philippines top tourist spot scenery.
Highlights: Perfect cone shape and Cagsawa Ruins foreground.
Things to do: Gaze from viewdecks, hike the lower slopes.
Best time to visit: December to May
16. Tagaytay
Cool mountain air sits 600 metres above Manila, where temperatures drop enough to need a sweater. Taal Volcano creates a bizarre geography, sitting inside a lake on an island with its own lake. You can hire boats across Taal Lake and hike to the crater rim if you're feeling adventurous. Ridge restaurants and cafes fill with people watching clouds roll over the volcano below. Pineapple plantations and flower farms create colourful patches across the hillsides surrounding the ridge. Weekend traffic from Manila backs up for hours, so come on weekdays if possible.
Highlights: Taal Volcano in a lake and cool ridge breezes.
Things to do: Boat to the crater, dine overlooking the scenery.
Best time to visit: December to April
17. Panglao Island
Two bridges connect Panglao to the Bohol mainland, making it easier to reach than most island destinations. Alona Beach has the main tourist setup with white sand, dive shops, and restaurants facing the water. The new international airport means skipping Manila connections and flying straight here now. Balicasag Island nearby offers excellent diving and snorkelling with sea turtles cruising through coral gardens. Things stay more relaxed here than in busier destinations while still having proper hotels and restaurants. The location works perfectly as a base camp for exploring Bohol's interior attractions like the Chocolate Hills.
Highlights: Alona Beach sands and Balicasag dive sites.
Things to do: Snorkel with turtles, lounge beachside.
Best time to visit: December to May
18. Tubbataha Reefs
A massive marine sanctuary of 97,030 hectares protects pristine reefs 150 kilometres from any land. Only liveaboard diving boats reach here between March and June when the seas calm down enough. Over 600 fish species and 360 coral types live here with regular shark, ray, and turtle sightings. Two atolls rise from the deep ocean, creating walls where currents bring nutrients and big marine life. Strict rules protect the ecosystem from fishing and damage that destroyed other Philippine reefs. Serious divers save up for years to afford trips exploring these travel places in Philippines underwater.
Highlights: Pristine corals and shark-filled walls.
Things to do: Liveaboard diving, reef exploration.
Best time to visit: March to June
19. Romblon Islands
Three main islands produce Asia's finest marble and remain surprisingly undiscovered by mass tourism. Local artisans carve intricate sculptures from marble quarried right here for centuries. Bonbon Beach shows a sandbar at low tide connecting the mainland to a tiny island. Cresta de Gallo near Sibuyan Island offers a white sandbar surrounded by coral gardens. Getting here takes more effort but rewards you with authentic experiences away from crowds. More travellers discover these islands every year, looking for off-the-beaten-path adventures in untouched locations.
Highlights: Marble carvings and Bonbon sandbar.
Things to do: Visit artisans, hop quiet beaches.
Best time to visit: December to May
20. Kayangan Lake
Jagged limestone cliffs surround this lake, creating one of the country's most photographed spots. Climbing wooden steps to the viewpoint gets your legs burning, but that photo opportunity makes it worthwhile. Water visibility extends several metres down to rocky bottoms glowing in shades of blue. Temperature changes happen as you swim from warm surface water into cooler layers underneath. Snorkelling is like visiting another planet with the presence of underwater rock formations and small caves. To safeguard the environment, rangers reduce the number of visitors each day, and therefore, it is best to arrive early to beat the crowds.
Highlights: Limestone-ringed blue depths and epic viewpoints.
Things to do: Climb for photos, snorkel rock caves.
Best time to visit: December to April
Conclusion
The Philippines spreads across thousands of islands, and each one offers something completely different from the next. You could spend months exploring and still discover new beaches, waterfalls, and hidden lagoons you never knew existed. Some travellers come for the diving, others for the surf, and many just want to lie on white sand doing absolutely nothing. Budget backpackers and luxury seekers both find their perfect spots here without compromise. The places to visit in Philippines range from busy cities to deserted islands where you might be the only person for miles. Start planning your route now because deciding which islands to skip will be your hardest decision.
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