20 Breathtaking Spots in The Philippines

The Philippines boasts stunning, practically endless white sandy beaches and a spectacular underwater world. So, if you are ready to explore some of the country’s 7,000 islands, here are my favorite spots, which I’d love to share with you…

1. El Nido

This place is an Instagrammer’s Dream! This small beach town on the edge of Bacuit Bay in northern Palawan is famous for its over 50 karst limestones rising vertiginously from cerulean waters teeming with colourful corals and fish.

Best explored on an island-hopping spree, El Nido islets and islands hide in their bosoms cavernous depths, sumptuous lagoons, uninhabited stretches of powder-fine, dazzling white-sand beaches, and wildlife not found anywhere else in the country.

An arduous ferry ride to the north and an equally long bus ride to the south bring the adventurous traveller to the emerald lakes of Coron and one of the New7Wonders of Nature, Puerto Princesa Underground River, but in my opinion, it’s thoroughly worth the trip! 

2. Boracay Island 

This dog-bone-shaped island epitomizes beach bumming and partying from sundown to sunrise. Rightfully the beach capital of the Philippines, Boracay’s crown jewel is the 4-kilometre-long White Beach, whose powder-fine sands and sumptuous turquoise waters give the Caribbean a run for its money.

As the premiere tropical escape of the country, Boracay has everything you may expect from a major city – international cuisine, five-star hotels, and riotous, booze-induced nightlife.

If you’ve had enough of the madness, I recommend escaping to Puka Beach to the north, where solitude, swaying palms, and pounding surf will keep you company! 

3. Batan Island 

Long ignored by the lower mainland because of its remoteness, Batan and the smaller islands of Batanes burst onto the scene when intrepid travellers crossed tempestuous seas far north and started bringing stories of unspoiled islands floating without a care in the tumultuous South China Sea.

While amenities are being put into place to bring Batanes up to speed, the largest –Batan Island—still beckons with verdant cliffs abruptly dropping to pounding surf below, rolling hills populated by grazing cows, pre-Hispanic settlements, squat stone houses, Spanish-era churches, and a promise of heaven on earth under the milky blanket of stars when power is out and cold beer is at hand! 

4. Lake Pinatubo

It was created in the aftermath of the 1991 earthquake, which led to the eruption of the once-dormant volcano of the same name.

Lake Pinatubo in the province of Zambales in the northwestern Philippines has grown to become a destination of choice for weekend warriors who want to escape the discombobulating traffic and stifling heat of the capital, Metro Manila.

5. Siquijor

In Filipino folklore, Siquijor enchants with its mystic traditions and equally enchanting native, albeit raw, beauty.

A small island floating between the central and southern Philippines, Siquijor was once the stronghold of Catholic missionaries in the region.

This is best exemplified by well-preserved 300-year-old churches and a convent, a national treasure and said to be the largest in the archipelago.

6. Sagada

This landlocked town in the aptly named Mountain Province of north-central Philippines is a storehouse of Ifugao culture, which remains alive and well today.

Coffins hanging by the cliff-side and unbelievably sculpted rice terraces are as natural scenery as the verdant karst mountains spread out on your feet.

Due to its high-altitude location, Sagada offers a world of freezing nights and misty mornings while the rest of the country is parched with sweltering heat.

7. Daraga

This rural town of 115,000 people in southeast Luzon (Northern Philippines) offers a beautiful introduction to the greater Bicol Region, with the perfect cone of Mayon – derived from a local word meaning “beautiful” – volcano in the background.

Daraga is a highly agricultural town that is gradually urbanizing to accommodate visitors. Despite the hustle of downtown Daraga, there’s a very rural life in the rice paddies at the foot of the mountains.

8. Vigan

No other place in the Philippines has held on to its colonial past on a city-wide scale as unfailingly as Vigan.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vigan, in the Ilocos Region of the northeastern Philippines, beckons the history and architecture aficionado with narrow, cobblestone streets, Baroque churches, and well-preserved Spanish-era mansions that transport visitors to an era when time flies as fast as the speed of the horse-drawn “kalesa.”

9. Apo Island

Apo Island was once a sleepy fishing village far off the well-trodden tourist path. Today, this small island at the foot of Negros is an eco-tourism haven that continues to exist on marginal fishing outside of the dollars that come pouring in during summer.

Put your ocean-going game face on, and leave your worries behind (don’t forget to bring back your trash to the mainland).

10. Davao City

The transport, commercial, economic, and educational hub of the southern Philippines, Davao, is a delightful mix of “colourful life, wildlife, and city life.”

Here, you have a city ruled with an iron fist, which means petty thievery is next to non-existent, clean streets are the norm, and the comforts of civilization – shopping malls, WiFi connection, cafes, universities – are all within arm’s reach.

Davao is an expatriate favourite because it is a liveable city close to a wealth of satellite attractions and cultural heritage that the Spanish conquistadores did not manage to subsume.

Join the crowd at the Kadayawan Festival and witness the “lumad” (indigenous peoples) in their traditional thanksgiving celebrations.

They beseech divine guidance and express their gratitude with a bountiful harvest and native dancing at the foot of the Philippines’ highest peak, Mount Apo.

11. Banaue Rice Terraces

These rice terraces are beautiful to look at and more than 2000 years old, having been farmed and developed by the area’s indigenous people.

If you view the terraces from the higher elevations, they are nothing short of stunning, and they also give the locals great farming space.

Surrounded by lush greenery and a fantastic landscape, the Banaue rice terraces are not the only rice fields in the area but are certainly the most prominent and well-known. They are worth a trip to this area of the country.

12. Batad 

Another location you won’t want to miss is Batad, located in Luzon near the famous Banaue rice terraces. A very mountainous region, Batad offers not just great views of the rice fields but also a gorgeous waterfall and some of the most extraordinary views you’ve ever seen.

If you want an even better view, trek to one of the mountain tops. You’ll be able to see everything, including lush greenery, hiking trails, and the Tappiya Falls, which many people choose to swim and relax in before leaving the area.

13. Chocolate Hills

Located in the Bohol Province and named for the color they become during the wet and dry seasons, Chocolate Hills consists of more than 1,000 hills and is also home to the adorable Tasiers, the world’s tiniest primates.

At one point, the hills closely resemble the Hershey Kiss chocolates that people are familiar with.

Regardless of their colour when you visit them, this is a beautiful area of the country that offers lots of color and greenery and provides a gorgeous landscape for you to enjoy while you’re there.

14. Coron

The municipality of Coron boasts crystal-clear waters, sandy white beaches, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

Kayangan Lake is included in the town and is the cleanest lake in the entire country; if you visit Coron, you won’t want to miss it.

Best of all, you can take a group tour so that you don’t miss any of the lagoons and islands in the area since this is one town that always offers something for everyone. 

15. Hinatuan Enchanted River

Although a saltwater river, its water is crystal clear and one of the most beautiful bodies of water you’ll ever experience. The deep blues and greens in the province of Surigao del Sur make it an extraordinary and enchanting place to visit.

But if you visit the river, you don’t have to figure out why the water looks so amazing; instead, you can enjoy its beauty.

16. Intramuros 

Intramuros is a great town to visit if you want to see the country’s past mixed with the present. The architecture is amazing, and you can walk along cobblestone streets and enjoy all types of preserved ruins, which are perfect for the history buff in all of us.

You can take advantage of the walking tour or explore yourself. This is a walled city located within Metro Manila, and it is said to have played a part in the country’s history when Spain occupied it.

17. Mount Mayon

Located in Albay Province, Mount Mayon is the most active volcano in the country and is famous because it projects perfect symmetry and an iconic look. It stands at a regal 8200-plus feet high and can be seen even from miles away.

The perfect conical shape is truly something to see because most volcanoes are irregular. If you decide to hike in the area, you can see the volcano up close, which is truly spectacular.

Regardless of your proximity, you’ll be amazed by this beautiful volcano and its surrounding town, which gives it an eye-catching look.

18. Mount Pulag

Located in Luzon, this is an overlooked area you won’t want to miss if you love great mountain views, greenery, and fresh mountain air. At more than 7800 feet above sea level, Mount Pulag offers beautiful scenic views the entire time you climb up or down.

If you visit there at sunset or sunrise, it is even more extraordinary. At one point, you’ll be literally in the clouds, and the mountain’s breathtaking views will never cease to amaze you, regardless of how many times you visit it.

19. Sangat Island 

Sangat Island is a mere 20 minutes from the town of Coron and offers crystal-blue waters, lush mangroves, beautiful greenery, majestic limestone cliffs, and even coconut palms that dot the beautiful sandy coast.

If you want to feel as if you are in paradise, this is the place to be.

Enjoy the area on a speedboat or jet ski, or relax and swim in the beautiful water. Although often overlooked, I personally think it’s a gem! 

20. Tubbataha Reefs

These reefs are located on the southeastern part of the island near the Sulu Sea and consist of thousands of acres of coral reefs, not to mention sharks, dolphins, whales, and all types of fish.

The natural park associated with the reefs is one of the world’s best marine reserves and dive sites, and their diving season runs from mid-March to mid-June.

You do have to take a boat to get to these reefs and the park, so you might want to keep that in mind when planning a trip to this area of the country.