Things to Do in Philippines

1. Intramuros

Manila

Ancient limestone river flowing through cathedral-like caves, great for fans of dramatic geology. Glide past stalactites, bats, and striking rock formations on a small guided boat.

Quick facts: Stroll alongside thick stone walls as horse-drawn carriages clatter on cobblestones and explore tree-lined plazas where sunlight filters through wrought-iron balconies. Within, layered architecture blends colonial churches, fortified bastions, and narrow lanes admired by photographers and food enthusiasts alike.

Highlights: At dawn, the 400-year-old stone walls warm in the sunlight, capturing the aroma of frying garlic and sweet caramelized banana from seven small cafés along a narrow cobblestone street. The clatter of horse-drawn kalesa wheels and distant church bells bounce off Spanish-era masonry. During festival evenings, the centuries-old San Agustin bell is rung by hand, while locals continue a unique tradition of tying red and blue ribbons to iron gates to wish for safe journeys and new love, a custom started by sailors in the 1800s.

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2. Taal Volcano & Lake

Tagaytay

Surreal volcanic landscapes worth the journey. Cross a glassy lake by boat, hike up to a steaming crater, and capture stunning photos.

Quick facts: A lush island sits within a steaming crater lake, itself encircled by a larger caldera, creating a surreal, layered view. Local guides mention the inner crater has erupted more than 30 times in recorded history, so the landscape can change notably between visits.

Highlights: At dawn, the lake sometimes glows a soft rose color, with steam rising in ribbons as the ground beneath feels warm and faintly sulfurous, perfect for atmospheric photos. Boatmen typically charge around 200-300 PHP for a round-trip, many including a 30-minute guided hike to the crater rim where visitors can look into steaming fumaroles and feel warm ash underfoot.

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3. Banaue Rice Terraces

Banaue

Terraces cascading down mountain slopes, offering breathtaking views. Climb narrow stone steps and photograph reflective paddies at sunrise.

Quick facts: A patchwork of narrow terraces ascends steep slopes, transforming the valley into a living staircase you can explore. Hand-built stone walls and an ingenious bamboo-and-channel irrigation system still channel mountain spring water into neat, mirrorlike paddies.

Highlights: Local Ifugao elders perform hudhud harvest chants that can exceed 2,000 lines, rhythms intertwined with planting and harvest ceremonies. Sunrise floods the terraces, creating glassy surfaces that double the sky’s colors and make the layers glow like stepped pools.

4. Chocolate Hills

Carmen

Rolling cone-shaped hills that shift colors with the seasons. Climb a viewing platform for wide panoramas and brilliant light at sunset.

Quick facts: Over 1,200 cone-shaped hills roll across the landscape, some rising above 120 meters and forming a strangely regular pattern. Dry-season grasses turn deep brown, attracting photographers who time visits for the color changes during golden hour.

Highlights: In the dry months, more than 1,260 grassy domes take on a chocolate-brown color, creating waves that stretch to the horizon. A short stair climb to the main viewing platform rewards visitors with a 360-degree panorama, the scent of dry grass, and distant church bells mingling with the sounds of grazing carabao.

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5. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

Puerto Princesa

Cruise along a dramatic underground river by boat. Experience echoing caves, dripping stalactites, and bat colonies.

Quick facts: A small boat ride glides through about 4.3 kilometers of mirror-smooth river flowing inside dramatic limestone caverns. Around 8.2 kilometers of cave passages thread through karst forest, making the site a UNESCO-recognized area with thriving bat colonies.

Highlights: An underground river offers boat trips through caverns where guides highlight named formations like a 'Cathedral' chamber and narrow limestone curtains, while bats and swiftlets chirp overhead. The 1999 UNESCO listing and selection as one of the New7Wonders of Nature emphasize the rare karst biodiversity and impressive cave formations visitors experience firsthand.

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6. Kayangan Lake

Coron

Crystal-clear waters and towering limestone cliffs await. Enjoy a short boat ride, a brief climb, and swims in emerald pools.

Quick facts: A sharp limestone amphitheater descends into water so clear you can see fish and rock details from the surface, often with visibility of 10-15 meters. Local outrigger boats provide the only access, and a brief hike up a rugged staircase offers a dramatic cliff-framed viewpoint.

Highlights: Steep limestone walls rising about 20-30 meters above the water are often lit by the morning sun, turning the pool into jewel-like turquoise with 10-15 meter clarity. A brisk 8-12 minute climb of roughly 50 narrow steps leads to a viewpoint where silence, wind, and birds replace engine noise if you arrive early.

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7. White Beach (Boracay / Malay)

Malay

Soft sands and vibrant sunsets create an unforgettable beach day. Expect shallow swimming, colorful sails, and lively beachfront bars.

Quick facts: Powder-fine white sand stretches for about four kilometers along a gentle, curving shoreline, making walking feel effortless. Warm, waist-deep water extends tens of meters out, making snorkeling and sunset swims accessible for most visitors.

Highlights: Each afternoon, dozens of colorful paraw boats sail across the bay, with lively weekend paraw races drawing crowds and vibrant photos. Sunset paints the shallow sandbars in magenta and orange, creating a cinematic light that transforms ordinary pictures.

8. Magellan's Cross

Cebu City

See a centuries-old wooden cross preserved like a living relic. Feel the silence, admire vivid ceiling murals, and stand close to history.

Quick facts: An inner wooden cross, believed to date back to 1521, rests inside a protective tindalo wood case that locals once chipped away to collect relic pieces. Both locals and tourists stop to touch the case and offer prayers, while a painted ceiling above adds vivid color to the small chapel.

Highlights: A fragile original cross, said to have been placed on April 21, 1521 by a 16th-century expedition, is encased in thick tindalo wood to prevent further damage. Worshippers press coins and prayer notes against the casing, while midday light turns the ceiling’s blues and golds into a dramatic halo over the cross.

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9. Cloud 9 Surf Break (General Luna / Siargao)

General Luna

Top-tier reef break for surfers chasing hollow waves. Expect roaring waves, salty spray, and an active wooden lookout station.

Quick facts: A legendary reef break generates fast, hollow waves rewarding bold, experienced surfers after southeast swells arrive. A rickety wooden viewing platform perches just above the reef, offering breathtaking close-up views of surfers riding the pocket.

Highlights: Barrels regularly reach over 1.5 meters during peak swells, producing a thunderous roar and salty spray that soaks spectators on the boardwalk. Locals have a fun tradition of cheering and clapping after impressive tube rides, turning big waves into communal celebrations.

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10. Mount Apo

Davao City

Reach a dramatic peak above the clouds with sweeping sunrise views. Expect moss-covered forests, sulfur vents, and tough but rewarding trails.

Quick facts: An active volcanic peak rises to 2,954 meters, often placing summits above the clouds for panoramic views. Mossy montane forests, sulfur vents, and upland farms create dramatic habitat transitions along popular trekking routes.

Highlights: The calls of the Philippine eagle echo through the mossy canopy, the bird boasting a wingspan close to two meters. Summit ridgelines at 2,954 meters offer sunrise panoramas that bathe valleys in orange light, while the cool, thin air carries a faint sulfur scent.

11. Binondo District

A food lover’s paradise for the adventurous. Expect bold tastes, busy stalls, and bakeries with centuries of history.

Quick facts: Narrow streets buzz with constant food stalls, noodle shops, and centuries-old bakeries offering more than a dozen Chinese-Filipino dishes. A busy plaza sits beside a classic church that draws locals for morning Mass and weekend markets, while neon-lit lanes glow with lanterns and herbal shops after dusk.

Highlights: A yearly Lunar New Year crawl features over 20 lion-dance troupes weaving through narrow alleys, the drums and cymbals rattling so close you can feel the beat on your skin. An old herbal shop near the market keeps handwritten remedy ledgers from the 1800s, its jasmine-scented interior packed with labeled jars and dried roots.

12. Rizal Park

Historic open-air plaza filled with monuments and green spaces. Statues, fountains, street snacks, and local entertainers await.

Quick facts: Sprawling lawns and wide promenades cover more than 60 hectares, offering shaded spots and open views. Monuments and a prominent obelisk attract locals for concerts, protests, and morning tai chi sessions.

Highlights: A bronze-and-marble monument honoring José Rizal stands atop a raised granite base, guarded by six ceremonial guards during flag-lowering ceremonies. Evenings fill with the smell of grilled corn and halo-halo as families gather under acacia trees for impromptu music and lantern-lit strolls.