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Boracay
A postcard-sized tropical paradise, Boracay is located in Malay, Aklan in the Western Visayas region of Philippines, Boracay is a small island just seven kilometers long, and less than a kilometre wide at its narrowest point. A pearl in the sea of Philippines, Boracay Island and its beaches have received awards from numerous travel publications and agencies. It is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.
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San Augustine Church
A UNESCO World Heritage site, San Augustine Church is the oldest church and one of the famous places in the Philippines. One can visit the San Agustin Museum which is home to a collection of Spanish era artifacts, furniture, paintings, statues and other church ornaments. To see the stunning and visually appealing frescos in the interior of the church for free, you must visit during a mass.
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Banaue Rice Terraces
Banaue Rice Terraces are 2,000 year old rice terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. The terraces can be visited anytime of the year but the best time for a visit is between February and March when the cleaning and planting time occurs and between June and July when the harvest occurs. If you are planning to visit, make sure Banaue Rice Terraces are on your list of must visit places in Philippines.
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Chocolate Hills
One of the popular tourist places to visit in Philippines, Chocolate Hills is a group of over 1,000 hills covered in green grass that turns brown (like chocolate) during the dry season, hence the name. These bizarre chocolate hills can be visited anytime of the year as they will be just as spectacular during the rainy season as during the dry one. At all times, they retain a uniform look as, curiously, no trees or clumps of shrubs will grow on them.
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Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Located in Palawan Province, this park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river which emerges directly into the sea. The site contains a full ‘mountain-to-sea’ ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia, thus making one of the must see places to visit in Philippines. The limestone cave that the river passes through is one of the longest navigable river-traversed tunnels in the world.
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Fort Santiago
This beautiful, 16th century structure is home to a shrine dedicated to Jose Rizal, a Philippine national hero, which is frequented by both foreign visitors and locals seeking a pleasant afternoon of leisure with family and friends. . It is located on Santa Clara Street along the Pasig River. Entry fee is 65 PHP for adults, and 50 PHP for children. The hours of operation are 8am to 6pm daily.
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Rizal Park
One of the major tourist attraction in Philippines, Rizal Park is one of the largest urban parks in Asia. Also known as Luneta National Park, this place has been a favourite leisure spot which is frequented on Sundays and national holidays. The place consists of Flower Clock, Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden and artistic haven – a site of artistic and natural artworks.
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Mayon Volcano
Mayon Volcano is the Philippines’ most active volcano and the most popular tourist place in the Philippines which has had 49 recorded eruptions, and continues to be active. You can also indulge in many activities such as hiking, camping, climbing, bird watching. The best time to visit the volcano is between the months of March and May.
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Basilica del Santo Nino
Established in 1565, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. The object of their worship is a Flemish image of the infant Jesus, sequestered in a chapel to the left of the altar. On Sundays and Fridays, the street outside the church is closed off to vehicular traffic, all-day outdoor masses are held and the basilica turns into a sea of pilgrims, water sellers and replica Santo Niño salespeople.
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Mactan
Being a coral island, Mactan offers some of the best diving, snorkelling, island hopping, jet ski, sailing and cultural activities of any island in the Philippines. Mactan Island is also famous for its all-inclusive resorts. The surrounding waters are also full of dive sites that range from easy to advanced, including prime underwater spots like Kontiki Reef, Tambuli Reef and the Hilutungan Island Marine Sanctuary.
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Taal Volcano
Taal volcano is a beautiful caldera volcano known for its unexplained shape and its location on an island within a lake within an island, making is a geological wonder. Viewed from Tagaytay Ridge, Taal Volcano, and Lake presents one of the most picturesque and attractive views in the Philippines. It is located about 50 kilometres south of the capital of the country, the city of Manila.
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Ayala Museum
Ayala Museum showcases the Filipino tradition, culture and art with its stunning collection of 60 dioramas that effectively trace the nation’s history. The museum’s rotating art exhibits tend to showcase Filipino masters such as Luna and Amorsolo to name a few. Guided tours of the museum which cost 100 Philippine Pesos are highly recommended while Audioguides at 75 Philippine Pesos are also available.
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National Museum of Philippines
Situated in the capital city of Manila, this museum had withstood the test of time and is quietly serving its purpose: to preserve and proudly showcase some of the most valued artifacts that represent the cultural heritage of the Filipinos, including the famous painting Spoliarium thus making it a must visit place in Philippines. Entrance fee to the museum is 150 Philippine Pesos for the adults.
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Malapascua Island
Known for its beautiful coral gardens, coral walls, and excellent local dive spots, Malapascua is one of the beautiful places in the Philippines. The beach bungalows nestled in between the locals’ homes makes you feel like you have really left the western world behind. The locals are friendly and like to say hello and chat. They may even invite you to their homes for dinner.
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Honda Bay
Dazzlingly beautiful, teeming with fish, tossing out postcard-worthy views from every corner, Honda Bay is pure joy for beach enthusiasts. The islands of Honda Bay will go all out to redefine your image of the perfect beach. Honda Bay is just 12 kilometres from Puerto Princesa. Cowrie Island, Pambato Reef, Luli Island, Starfish Island and Pandan Island are few tourist places in Philippines that can be reached from Honda Bay.
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Quiapo Church
Located in the city of Manila, Quiapo Church is famous home for the shrine of the Black Nazarene, a dark statue of Jesus Christ many claims to be miraculous. A Baroque church, the facade is distinctive with twisted columns on both levels. There are regular talks and recollections in the Church as well as processions, novenas and social services for the poor.
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Tubbataha Reef
The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons, and two coral islands. It has become recognised as one of the most remarkable coral reefs on our planet and one the most beautiful places in the Philippines.
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Pagsanjan Falls
One of the most famous waterfalls in the Philippines, Pagsanjan Falls is one of the major tourist places in Philippines. The falls is a natural swimming pool; the water is clear and cold. It is a good idea to stay overnight in the town of Pagsanjan and then visit the falls early in the morning when few other people are on the river.
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Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park is the Philippines’ first world-class marine theme park and a premiere educational facility. It is an integrated urban resort with marine life attractions and aqua-themed hotel, the park is geared towards an all-year, all-weather destination for locals and tourists. The entrance fee for adults is 400 Philippines Pesos and 350 Philippines Pesos for children.
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Coron Islands
Best known for snorkelling and wreck diving, Coron Island is the third-largest island in the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan in the Philippines. It has seven lakes, famous of which is the nationally-acclaimed cleanest lake in the Philippines, the Kayangan Lake. It also has a number of islands with white beaches and clear blue waters perfect for snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, and shipwreck diving.
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Burnham Park
Burnham Park is centred around a man-made lake located at the heart of the Baguio city. The park is a favourite place of local residents and visitors alike as there are different facilities for recreation and relaxation that are available in the park. You can row a boat, have a picnic, attend an outdoor concert, watch a football game, go biking, or just take a leisurely stroll around the park.
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Villa Escuerdo
Villa Escudero is a vast hacienda filled with comfortable rooms, and a museum of curious things like the Waterfalls Restaurant is a must visit places in Philippines, where lunch is served against an impressive backdrop of thundering clear spring water . It has developed a worldwide reputation as a focal point to experience Philippine culture and history in a beautiful rural setting.
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Mines View Park
Mines View Park in Philippines boasts of a spectacular view of Benguet’s gold and copper mines and the Cordillera Mountains. It is a spectacular sight to behold and should not be missed when visiting Baguio. The main attractions in Mines View Park nowadays would be the commercial activities such as the souvenir and silverworks stores by the park.
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Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is one of the biggest volcanoes in the Philippines. The volcano today is a safe place to visit. The crater of the volcano is a beautiful lake that is 2.7 kilometres wide and the water is crystal clear. Trekking Mount Pinatubo is a popular activity among locals and foreigners alike. Mount Pinatubo is a must visit place in Philippines.
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Taal Lake
The breathtaking scenery at Taal Lake, on the Philippine island of Luzon, makes it one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Located just thirty miles from Manila, Taal is the Philippines’ equivalent to Oregon’s famous Crater Lake, because it fills the caldera of a massive prehistoric volcano.
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Cebu Taoist Temple
One of the most famous places in Philippines, Cebu Taoist Temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction that is open to the worshipers and non-worshipers alike. The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well. The entrance to the temple was a replica of the Great Wall of China.
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Enchanted Kingdom
Enchanted Kingdom (abbreviated as EK) is a theme park in the Philippines, located 39 km from Philippines. With a total of 30 rides including two roller coasters and two water rides, Enchanted Kingdom is one of the most visited tourist destination in Philippines. The theme park is open all year-round with entrance fee close to 600 PHP on weekends.
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Mount Apo
Mount Apo is the highest peak in the Philippines with an elevation of 3,144 m above sea level, making it the father of all Philippine Mountains. It is one of the must visit places in Philippines and a mesmerizing experience for every adventure tourist or backpacker who visits the country as it is one of the country’s most popular climbing destinations.
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Baguio Cathedral
Baguio Catholic Cathedral is one of the more familiar and most visited landmarks of Philippines. This beautiful structure has twin spires and is one of the most photographed buildings in the city. It has one of the best architectural design and most brilliant buildings that stands on top of Mount Mary Hill.
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Star City
Star City is an amusement park which was first to introduce various types of rides and attractions in the Philippines including 4 roller coasters. It also hosts Snow World, the largest permanent ice entertainment area in the country featuring the ice carvings, a snow play area, and the longest ice slide. With an annual attendance of about 1.5 million people, Star City is one of the most visited tourist places to visit in Philippines.
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Hundred Islands National Park
Hundred Islands is a national park in the Alaminos region of Philippines with 123 islands covering 1,844 hectares. The water at this place is an exceptional hue of blue-green and holds fantastic coral reefs. Over the centuries the tides have eaten away at the bases of some of these limestone islands, giving them a distinctive mushroom like appearance.
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Apo Reef
Known as world’s second-largest contiguous coral reef system after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Apo Reef is one of the best known and most popular dive sites in Philippines. Surrounded by mangrove forest, the reef has a lagoon which serves as a source of food, nursery and spawning ground of several coastal and marine species of fauna and sanctuary of birds.
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Paoay Church
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Paoay Church made up of coral stone and bricks with 24 enormous buttresses on the both sides and at the back. It is the best example of the localized Baroque architecture with its monumental and massive appearance. It truly is the most impressive church structure and probably one of the most popular tourist places in the Philippines.
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Mount Pulag
The third highest mountain in the Philippines, Mount Pulag is one of the adventure places to go in the Philippines. A large part of the mountain is designated as a National Park as it is one of the most diverse biodiversity of the Philippines. Camping is allowed only in designated campsites. Entrance fee for non-Philippine tourists is $15 or its peso equivalent.
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Manila Zoo
The Manila Zoo is a 14-acre zoo located in Manila, Philippines and its one of the most visited tourist destinations in Philippines. Animals residing in Manila Zoo include a Bengal tiger, Malayan civet, monitor lizard and hippopotamus. There is also a kinder zoo inside the Manila Zoo. Anyone can roam around freely and interact with the animals inside the Kinder Zoo.
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