Things to Do in Philippines: Top Attractions, Tours & Tickets

#1Batad Rice TerracesMustLuzon4.7(1,400)

Batad delivers the intimate, lived-in version of the Cordillera rice-terrace landscape, with dramatic views reached on foot. Give it a full active day or overnight rather than treating it as a quick roadside photo stop.

4h Walk upArrive early for clearer mountain views and cooler hiking conditions.

Pairs with: Chocolate Hills

#2Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National ParkMustPalawan4.6(3,500)

This is Palawan’s signature nature excursion: the appeal is the boat approach and cave-river passage, not simply ticking off a UNESCO name. Build it into a Puerto Princesa stay, or book through a reputable operator if you are arriving from elsewhere on the island.

3h Book aheadTake the earliest available departure, when weather and queues are usually better.

Reserve through an accredited operator or your hotel well ahead in peak season, as permits and boat places are limited.

Pairs with: El Nido (Bacuit Archipelago)

#3Kawasan FallsMustVisayas4.5(5,900)

The turquoise pools and canyoneering route make this one of Cebu’s defining active-water outings. Choose between a straightforward falls visit and a guided canyoneering day; the latter is the fuller experience but requires comfort with adventure activities.

3h Book aheadStart early, before day-trippers arrive and before afternoon weather becomes less predictable.

Reserve a licensed canyoneering operator at least a day ahead in busy periods; transport is easiest to arrange from Moalboal or Cebu.

Pairs with: Minor Basilica of the Holy Child of Cebu (Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño de Cebu) · Magellan's Cross

#4BoracayMustVisayas4.6(4,300)

Boracay remains the country’s easiest high-comfort beach escape, combining excellent swimming with abundant dining, watersports, and sunsets. Stay long enough to move beyond the central strip and experience the island at a slower pace.

Walk upTravel outside holiday peaks, and enjoy the beach early before the busiest part of the day.

Pairs with: White Beach

#5El Nido (Bacuit Archipelago)MustPalawan

The limestone islands, lagoons, and boat days around El Nido are the Philippines’ most cinematic island-hopping experience. Base yourself in El Nido and choose an early shared tour or a private boat if your budget allows more control over the route.

6h Walk upTake an early-departure tour and avoid the most popular lagoon stops at midday where possible.

Pairs with: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park · Coron and Kayangan Lake

#6Coron and Kayangan LakeMustPalawan

Coron pairs extraordinarily clear water with dramatic karst scenery and some of the country’s best boat-based snorkeling and wreck-diving access. Kayangan Lake is the visual centerpiece, but the surrounding island-hopping day is the real experience.

6h Walk upBook the first boat out or a private early departure to reach Kayangan Lake before the largest groups.

Pairs with: El Nido (Bacuit Archipelago) · Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

#7Chocolate HillsMustVisayas

Bohol’s distinctive rolling landscape is one of the country’s instantly recognizable natural sights. It is best folded into a Bohol countryside day with realistic expectations: the viewpoint is brief, while the surrounding drive is part of the outing.

1.3h Walk upGo early for softer light, clearer views, and fewer tour buses.

Pairs with: Kawasan Falls · Boracay

#8Fort SantiagoShouldLuzon4.5(13,000)

This is the most legible stop for understanding Manila’s fortified colonial core and the country’s nationalist story. Use it as the anchor for a slow walk through Intramuros rather than as a stand-alone destination.

1h Walk upGo at opening or in the late afternoon, when the fort is cooler and tour groups thin out.

Pairs with: Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación y Correa - San Agustín Church · Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Manila · Rizal Park

#9Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación y Correa - San Agustín ChurchShouldLuzon4.6(5,600)

The essential church stop in Intramuros, it rewards visitors interested in the material texture of colonial Manila rather than just a façade photograph. Combine it with the adjacent museum and Fort Santiago for the strongest half-day in the old walled city.

1h Walk upGo near opening, before large organized tours reach Intramuros.

Pairs with: Fort Santiago · Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Manila · Rizal Park

#10Minor Basilica of the Holy Child of Cebu (Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño de Cebu)ShouldVisayas4.7(8,900)

This is Cebu’s most important devotional landmark and gives needed cultural context to a trip otherwise dominated by beaches and diving. Visit respectfully and pair it with the nearby Magellan’s Cross rather than lingering only for photographs.

30m FreeGo outside Sunday services and major religious observances for a calmer visit.

Pairs with: Magellan's Cross · Kawasan Falls

#11White BeachShouldVisayas4.6(2,900)

This is the beach experience visitors picture when they think of Boracay: broad sand, swim-friendly water, and a social sunset scene. Use it as the daily base for enjoying Boracay, then head to quieter stretches when you want less activity.

2h FreeWalk or swim early in the morning; sunset is beautiful but predictably busy.

Pairs with: Boracay

#12Ayala MuseumShouldLuzon4.6(1,800)

The best concise introduction to Philippine art, craft, and history for visitors based in Manila. It is particularly valuable when weather or traffic makes a more ambitious day trip unattractive.

1.5h Walk upWeekday mornings offer the quietest galleries.

Pairs with: Ayala Triangle Gardens · Fort Santiago · Rizal Park

#13Pintô Art MuseumShouldLuzon4.6(4,800)

This is Manila’s most rewarding art-focused excursion, with contemporary Philippine work displayed across a deliberately wandering garden setting. Allow enough time to explore rather than treating it as a quick social-media stop.

2.5h Timed entryChoose a weekday opening slot for cooler paths and clearer gallery viewing.

Reserve ahead for weekends and holidays, when entry slots can fill and the grounds are busiest.

Pairs with: Antipolo Cathedral · Ayala Museum

#14Cloud 9, SiargaoShouldMindanao

Siargao is the country’s most compelling surf-island stop, and Cloud 9 is its social and visual center whether or not you surf. Use it as a base for watching breaks, taking lessons, and exploring the island’s quieter coastal roads and pools.

1.5h Walk upCome at sunrise for surfers and a calmer boardwalk; return near sunset for the atmosphere.

Pairs with: Boracay · El Nido (Bacuit Archipelago)

#15Mayon VolcanoShouldLuzon

Mayon’s near-symmetrical profile makes the Bicol region one of Luzon’s most memorable landscape detours. Treat it as a scenery-and-local-food stop, using established viewpoints and guided activities rather than expecting summit access.

2h Walk upEarly morning offers the best chance of an unobstructed view before cloud gathers.

Pairs with: Batad Rice Terraces · Pintô Art Museum

#16Rizal ParkIf timeLuzon4.5(31,000)

More civic landmark than destination park, it is worth a short stop for its place in Manila’s national memory. Pair it with nearby Intramuros sights and the National Museum complex if you have time.

45m FreeVisit in the morning before the heat and school groups arrive.

Pairs with: Fort Santiago · Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Manila · Ayala Museum

#17Magellan's CrossIf timeVisayas4.4(12,000)

This compact landmark is a quick but meaningful marker of Cebu’s colonial-era history. It is best treated as a brief companion stop to the Basilica rather than a destination requiring much time.

15m FreeVisit early in the day, before the surrounding plaza becomes busy.

Pairs with: Minor Basilica of the Holy Child of Cebu (Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño de Cebu) · Kawasan Falls

#18Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception ManilaIf timeLuzon4.7(7,900)

Manila Cathedral is an elegant and accessible stop within Intramuros, particularly for visitors who want the walled city’s religious as well as military history. It fits naturally between Fort Santiago and San Agustín Church.

30m FreeAvoid service times if you want to look around quietly.

Pairs with: Fort Santiago · Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación y Correa - San Agustín Church · Rizal Park

#19Antipolo CathedralIf timeLuzon4.8(10,000)

A major pilgrimage church with a strong local following, it makes sense as part of an Antipolo art-and-viewpoint outing. It is not an essential substitute for Intramuros if Manila is your only Luzon stop.

30m FreeAvoid Sunday mornings and pilgrimage-heavy holiday periods.

Pairs with: Pintô Art Museum

#20Burnham ParkNicheLuzon4.5(33,000)

This is Baguio’s everyday public heart: useful for seeing the city at leisure, not a reason to travel across the country on its own. It works best as a relaxed break between cafés, markets, and cool-weather wandering.

1h FreeWeekday mornings are quieter than holiday periods and weekends.

Pairs with: Pintô Art Museum · Antipolo Cathedral

#21Enchanted KingdomNicheLuzon4.5(16,000)

It is the country’s best-known conventional theme park and a solid family diversion from Manila. For most first-time international visitors, it is secondary to the Philippines’ islands, heritage sites, and landscapes.

6h Book aheadBe at the gates before opening, especially on weekends.

Buy a dated ticket online for weekends, school breaks, and holidays to avoid the longest entry queues.

Pairs with: Ayala Triangle Gardens · Ayala Museum

#22Ayala Triangle GardensNicheLuzon4.6(12,000)

A polished pocket of green amid Makati’s business district, this is useful for a meal break or evening stroll rather than as a major sight. It is most worthwhile if you are already visiting the Ayala Museum or staying in Makati.

30m FreeEarly evening is most pleasant, though weekday lunch hours are busy.

Pairs with: Ayala Museum · Pintô Art Museum

#23Manila Ocean ParkNicheLuzon4.2(18,000)

It is a practical family attraction in central Manila, especially on a hot or rainy day. It is not a defining Philippine experience and is easy to skip in favor of museums or an extra island day.

2.5h Walk upArrive at opening on weekends to avoid school-group crowds.

Pairs with: Rizal Park · Fort Santiago