The Philippines is one of the most visited countries in eastern Asia. This is due to its natural attractions, especially its beautiful beaches.
It consists of thousands of islands, of which about 800 are inhabited. In the 16th century, colonizers named the archipelago after King Philip II of Spain. One of the country’s most important tourist attractions is its rich biodiversity with beaches, mountains, rainforests, islands, and diving opportunities.
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Best places in the Philippines
Boracay
A tiny island about 7 kilometers long, world-famous for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
Its most iconic part is White Beach, which stretches for four kilometers and is known for its fine, powdery sand. Leisure activities include horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, kiteboarding, cliff jumping, parasailing, and banana boating.
In recent years, it has been ranked first on several renowned magazines’ lists of the world’s most beautiful islands.
Boracay attractions, beaches, weather
Kayangan Lake
One of the most famous natural wonders of Coron Island, often referred to as the country’s cleanest lake.
The lake’s crystal clear, turquoise water allows visibility down to the rocks at the bottom. The surrounding limestone cliffs and lush green vegetation provide a stunning view.
The path to the lake is a short but steep staircase that leads to a viewpoint offering an iconic view of the surrounding bay and cliffs. The lake itself is a mixture of fresh and salt water, offering excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities.
Banaue Rice Terraces
These ancient rice terraces are located in the Ifugao Mountains on the island of Luzon and have a history of over 2000 years.
One of the Philippines’ most beautiful natural sights is often referred to as the „eighth wonder of the world”. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is still actively cultivated today.
The terraces were built by the Ifugao people by hand, with extremely skillful engineering, shaping the mountainsides for rice cultivation. The height and extent of the terraces are impressive: thousands of step-like rice fields follow the contours of the mountains, providing an amazing sight, especially when the rice fields are green or filled with water.
Manila
The capital of the Philippines is the country’s political, governmental, commercial, and cultural center. The city, situated 14 meters above sea level, is the realm of eternal summer.
The city’s history dates back to the Spanish colonial period, traces of which can be discovered in many parts of the city, such as the Intramuros district. This walled city was the center of Spanish colonial times, where historical buildings such as the San Agustin Church and Fort Santiago are located.
Manila’s modern face is represented by skyscrapers, shopping malls, and vibrant business districts such as Makati and Bonifacio Global City. The city is famous for its diversity and vibrant cultural life, hosting numerous festivals, art events, and culinary experiences.
Mayon Volcano
One of the Philippines’ most famous and active volcanoes, located on Luzon Island.
It’s famous for its perfect, symmetrical cone shape, making it one of the world’s most beautiful volcanic forms. Besides its impressive appearance, it’s also known for its volcanic activity, with more than 50 eruptions in documented history.
The Mayon Volcanic National Park surrounding the volcano protects the area and is a popular tourist attraction visited by hikers, mountain climbers, and nature lovers. At the foot of the volcano are picturesque rice fields and small villages.
Vigan
The city is one of the country’s best-preserved Spanish colonial settlements, where local and Spanish architectural styles blend. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Its most beautiful part is Calle Crisologo. The cobblestone street is lined with colonial-style houses built of wood and stone. These buildings often house craft shops, restaurants, and museums today. The city’s old carriages, the kalesas, still operate on the streets, further enhancing the historical atmosphere.
There are also numerous churches and monuments. These include Vigan Cathedral and Bantay Watchtower, which bear the architectural characteristics of the Spanish colonial period. The local cuisine is also famous, especially dishes like Vigan longganisa (local sausage) and empanada.
Puerto Princesa Underground River
One of the Philippines’ most outstanding natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The river is located about 80 kilometers from Puerto Princesa city on Palawan Island and is considered one of the world’s longest underground rivers. The river flows underground for 8.2 kilometers through huge limestone caves decorated with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.
Visitors can explore the river on boat tours, admiring the natural formations of the caves and various stalactite formations. The river originates from the St. Paul Mountains, and one of its peculiarities is that it flows directly into the South China Sea.
Sagada
The city in the northern part of the Philippines, in the mountains of Luzon Island, is primarily known for its cool climate, stunning natural landscapes, and unique cultural traditions.
One of its most famous attractions is the hanging coffins, which reflect the ancient burial customs of the local Igorot tribe. The dead are laid to rest in coffins suspended on the sides of caves or rocks, as tradition holds that this brings them closer to heaven. This burial custom has persisted for centuries, and these unique burial sites can still be seen today.
Another main attraction of the area is Sumaguing Cave. During cave tours, visitors can discover spectacular stalactites and underground lakes. Sagada is also famous for its various treks, such as the popular hike to Bomod-ok Falls.
Tubbataha Reef National Park
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area consists of two huge coral reefs, the North and South Atolls, and the Jessie Beazley Reef.
The park covers nearly 100,000 hectares and is home to an impressively rich marine life, including over 600 fish species, 360 coral species, as well as whale sharks, rays, turtles, and numerous rare seabirds.
The Tubbataha Reef is particularly popular among divers, considered one of the world’s best diving sites. The park’s integrity and biodiversity are preserved through strict environmental measures.
Camiguin
The island off the northern coast of Mindanao in the Philippines is also called „the island of fire” due to the presence of several volcanoes.
Although Camiguin is only 238 square kilometers in area, it is extremely rich in natural wonders, volcanoes, springs, waterfalls, and beaches, making it a popular tourist destination. The island’s most famous volcano is Mount Hibok-Hibok, which is still active.
An interesting attraction is the Sunken Cemetery, which is an underwater cemetery resulting from a volcanic eruption in 1871. Today, a large cross marks the spot and it’s a popular diving site for visitors.
Hinagdanan Cave
The limestone cave is famous for its clear underground lake and impressive stalactite formations.
The cave’s name means „ladder” in the local language, as it was originally discovered by locals through a ladder. It can be accessed through a narrow entrance, and as we enter, we can admire the huge stalactites and stalagmites hanging from the ceiling.
The cave also has a natural light source, as sunlight enters through smaller openings in the ceiling, illuminating the cave’s interior and creating special light effects. Although the cave’s interior is relatively small, it attracts visitors with its special atmosphere, natural beauty, and swimming opportunities.
El Nido
Located in the northern part of Palawan Island, it’s one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country.
Its surroundings include more than 50 islands and rocks with crystal clear lagoons, beautiful beaches, and lush vegetation. Among the most famous are the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Beach, all of which are special natural wonders.
The underwater world around El Nido is also amazing. The coral reefs and clear waters around the islands provide excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling. The marine life here includes turtles, various fish species, and colorful corals.
Chocolate Hills
The hills are considered one of the world’s most unique geological formations.
It consists of more than 1200 hills. They are characterized by their regular cone shape, and these mountains, which originally formed from coral reefs, now form a special landscape. The name refers to the color of the hills, as during the dry season, the green vegetation turns yellowish-brown, resembling chocolate.
The height of individual hills varies but generally ranges between 30 and 50 meters. There are several viewpoints in the area offering wonderful panoramic views.
Tagaytay
A picturesque city about 60 kilometers southwest of Manila. Due to its high elevation, it’s a popular resort for locals as well.
Its most famous attraction is the Taal Volcano. Known as one of the world’s smallest but still active volcanoes. Lake Taal, located in the caldera, was formed during the volcano’s eruption. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking panorama from the Tagaytay Picnic Grove and People’s Park in the Sky viewpoints.
The city is a popular place for weekend trips due to its cool climate and scenic views.
Kawasan Falls
One of the Philippines’ most spectacular waterfalls is located on the island of Cebu.
It consists of three stages. The lower waterfall, Kawasan Lower Falls, is the most visited, where you can swim or have a picnic. The middle section is Kawasan Middle Falls, and the uppermost section is Kawasan Upper Falls.
The hike to the waterfall consists of a pleasant walk, crossing small streams and jungle paths.
