Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines
The Philippines is a group of exquisitely beautiful islands. Thanks to its natural extravaganza all around, the country has been aptly nicknamed, Pearl of the Orient Seas.
You can find almost 7000 small islands in the Philippines. The best part of the country is that most of these islands are not popular. Hence, their beauty is unspoiled and unexplored until today.
Are you planning a trip to the Philippines alone or with your family? We have got you covered! If yes, the question buzzing in your mind right now would be, “What is the best place to visit in the Philippines?” Well, let’s introduce you to many such gems in the country here.
Top 10 best places to visit in the Philippines
The first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the Philippines is the beaches. Yes, we will talk about the beaches here. However, the Philippines is more than just its beaches.
Though there are quite a lot of hard-to-miss places in this island nation, here are the top 10 best places in the Philippines to visit.
- Cebu
Cebu is one of the most happening provinces in the Philippines. It is the best place to visit in the Philippines alone, according to many solo travelers. However, it is a great family destination as well. Urban development meets natural extravaganza in this beautiful destination.
On one side of the province, you find historic spots rich in culture and heritage. However, on the other side, you will find relaxing beaches and islands. Cebu’s major attraction is the co-existence of native Filipino and Spanish traditions in its life.
This is one of the best places in the Philippines for activities like swimming, snorkeling and diving. If you are tired after doing all of these, enjoy the exotic Filipino seafood delicacies at the local restaurants along the streets of Cebu.
- Boracay
Some people argue that Boracay might be the best place to visit in the Philippines alone. Well, let’s let the debate rest and enjoy reading more about this destination.
Boracay, in the Western Visayas region, is a tropical island. It is also rated as the best place to visit in the Philippines for family-based tourists. This is because it offers multiple attractions to tourists. These include pristine beaches with white sands, buzzing nightlife and excellent hospitality.
Though this island is only 7.4km long, it packs a punch in terms of its attractions. Unwind with a drink in your hand, after a long day of water sports. Click a picture near Willy’s Rock, a classic trademark of the island.
- Manila
Manila ranks quite on top of the list of best places to visit in the Philippines. This is because it is the capital city of the island country. Also, it is a perfect mix of modern development and authentic cultural heritage.
Located on Luzon Island, Manila has definitely put the Philippines on the international map. Apart from the native Filipino culture, you will also find traces of Spanish and American cultures here.
Don’t forget to visit Ocean Park, Rizal Park and the famous Manila Cathedral while you come here. At night, visit one of the many live music shows or nightclubs that the city has to offer.
- Puerto Princesa
If you love greenery and beaches, Puerto Princesa is one of the best places to visit in the Philippines for you. This place has been marked as the greenest and cleanest in the island nation, for the right reasons. This makes it one of the 10 best places to visit in the Philippines.
It is the capital city of Palawan, and is also the 2nd largest in the Philippines. Though it is one of the most densely-populated cities in the world, it also houses some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in the world.
The most popular attraction in Puerto Princesa is the underground river. The UNESCO has rated this as a heritage site. Spend your time engaging in some adventurous water sports activities, and relaxing shopping at the local stores.
- Bohol
Situated in Central Visayas, Bohol is a tranquil and surreal island, famous for its white sand beaches and multiple tourist spots. Whether you travel alone or with your family, Bohol has something to offer you.
Do you love adventure sports? If yes, you will enjoy Bohol quite a lot. River-rafting, snorkeling, island hopping and more will keep you busy here. If you love history, you can spend time visiting the 16th-century Baclayon Church and other stunning historic monuments.
Don’t miss trekking along the Chocolate Hills, a group of around 1700 small hills. They have been named thus because the hills look like small mounds of chocolate spread across a sprawling area.
The local handicrafts of Bohol are popular across the globe. So, don’t miss to visit the local markets to shop for hand-woven baskets, handcrafted jewelry, woodcrafts and more.
- Palawan
If you want to spend some quality time with yourself in the lapse of abundant natural beauty, you have to head to Palawan right away. Many people believe that it is the best place in the Philippines to visit alone, especially for nature lovers.
With its wonderful beaches, fertile rainforests and impressive marine life, Palawan is a haven for nature enthusiasts. Some of the must-visit spots in Palawan are the limestone cliffs of El Nido and Coron, Puerto Princesa and the Subterranean River National Park.
You can enjoy activities like shopping for local crafts, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba-diving in Palawan.
- Vigan
If you love colonial architecture, you cannot miss Vigan in the Philippines. Vigna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is filled with buildings designed in Spanish colonial architecture. You will never get tired of walking along the cobblestone pathways and narrow alleys here. These house mansions, monuments, cathedrals and other buildings dating back to 100 years!
Some things you cannot miss in Vigan are Calle Crisologo, Syquia Mansion, Bantay Bell Tower, boat-riding on the Mestizo River, souvenir shopping and the Baluarte Zoo.
- Davao
Davao City is located on Mindanao Island, towards the south of the Philippines. It represents the Filipino culture in its finest form. This is because it displays a beautiful blend of commercial development and unspoiled natural beauty.
Davao is one of the best places in the Philippines to visit, because it caters to the diverse preferences of travelers. The Philippine Eagle Center, a sanctuary dedicated to the endangered eagle species of this region, is a must-visit place. Apart from the multiple other animal sanctuaries, Davao City also offers many adventure sports activities like paragliding, zip-lining and white-water rafting.
- Banaue Rice Terraces
If you want to understand the agricultural brilliance of the Filipinos, you should head to the Banaue Rice Terraces, located in the province of Ifugao. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It contains rice cultivations started by the indigenous Ifugao tribes about 2000 years ago.
These tribes considered these rice terraces holy, and thus nicknamed the place, “Stairway to the Sky”. Don’t miss to visit the Batad Rice Terraces and Tappiyah Falls when you come here. You can enjoy the beauty of these rice terraces, while you undertake a scenic hiking or trekking trip as well.
- Antipolo
Sacredness, natural beauty, adventure, exuberant nightlife, great food and culture-rich attractions – the city of Antipolo offers these and more to tourists. Located in the Rizai Province, this scenic treasure is located at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good, constructed over 650 years ago, is the major attraction of this city. Nature lovers can hike along the city to get majestic views of the Hinulugang Taktak Falls, Boso-Boso Highlands and the famous Antipolo View Park.
Adventure sports lovers can have their fill enjoying various activities like golfing, horseback riding, hiking, spelunking and more at some of the popular spots of Antipolo.
After reading this list, we understand if you have to pick one as the best place to visit in the Philippines. The island country is filled with so many attractions that it makes it difficult for tourists to choose the best among the long.
In the following sections, we have answered some of the common questions you may have in mind about visiting the Philippines.
Frequently Answered Questions
- What is the most beautiful Philippines destination?
It is difficult to name one place as the most beautiful in the Philippines. This is because some are known for history & culture, while others are known for their beaches. Certain other destinations are known for their cathedrals, adventure sports, wildlife reserves and more.
For example, Cebu is great for island hopping, cultural spots and modern development. Boracay, on the other hand, is famous for its long stretches of beaches with white sand. Manila, the capital city, is more known for its urban and commercial spots than unspoiled natural beauty. The same goes for the other top tourist destinations in the Philippines.
What is best for you would depend on what you expect from the island country. While we cannot tell you which is the best tourist spot in the country, what we can tell you is that every spot offers something to keep you engaged.
- What is the nicest part of the Philippines?
Well, this has to be a surprise for you! According to popular belief, the nicest part of the Philippines is not one of the 10 spots mentioned here. It is the Camiguin Island!
Whether it is trekking through the volcanoes, relaxing on the white sandy beaches, or scuba diving in one of the spots – the island offers everything you wish for. It is filled with beauty and peace that cannot be described in words.
- Where should I go for the first time in the Philippines?
Here are some of the best places to visit in the Philippines for first-time travelers.
Cebu – With more than 170 islands, Cebu offers the best representation of the Philippines to first-time tourists. Aptly nicknamed, the “Gateway to a Thousand Journeys”, this place is paradise personified.
Apart from swimming and scuba-diving, you can enjoy some special adventure sports like canyoneering and cliff-jumping at Cebu Island. Don’t miss out on the beautiful coral reefs when you undertake scuba diving on the Banyatan Island at Cebu.
When you are done with your adventure sports, you can enjoy some lip-smacking local delicacies found at the restaurants here.
Boracay – Known for its countless white-sand beaches, Boracay is the best place that offers you the best of adventure and relaxation. After sunset, you can unwind with a drink amidst the palm trees on the white sands.
During the day, though, you can engage yourself in different activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and island hopping. Whether you come alone or with your family, Boracay keeps you engaged.
Palawan – Located on the Luzon Island, Palawan is a must-visit island for first-time visitors. It is also one of the best places to visit in the Philippines for nature lovers.
It is the biggest ecological frontier of the island nation. The most famous tourist spots here are Coron, El Nido and the capital city of Puerto Princesa.
Bohol – If you love beaches and mountains, Bohol is the place for you. It is home to the famous beaches of Alona and Dumaluan. You can also find the beautiful Chocolate Hills on this island.
- Where to go in the Philippines for 5 days?
If you are traveling to the Philippines for five days, you can make the most of your trip by visiting the islands of Cebu, Boracay, Palawan and Bohol. Shopping, adventure sports, beach visits and cultural attractions – you can cover all of these islands.
- What are the best places to visit in the Philippines?
The Philippines is replete with natural beauty, modern developments and cultural heritage all over. Some of the best places to visit in the Philippines to enjoy these fully are Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Banaue Rice Terraces and Manila.
Bottom Line
Planning a trip to a country like the Philippines can be overwhelming! This is because the island nation has so much to offer its tourists. However, thanks to this list of best places to visit in the Philippines, we are sure you can plan your trip better than before. Enjoy the true culture and color of the Philippines through these places, and cherish the memories forever.
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