Things to Do in the Philippines: Our 22 Top Highlights

Quick Overview: The Philippines at a Glance

The Philippines is tucked away in Southeast Asia. While Thailand, Vietnam, and similar destinations have long been on everyone’s radar, the Philippines still flies a bit under the radar — and honestly, that’s part of its charm.

The Philippines left a lasting impression on us, and we can’t recommend a trip there highly enough.

If you’re after off-the-beaten-path adventures and have a soft spot for dream beaches, this is your destination.

The Philippines on a Map

In total, the Philippines consists of 7,641 islands — large, small, lively, or completely secluded and quiet. The islands are divided into three major groups: Mindanao, Luzon, and the Visayas.

In this article, we want to introduce you to the 22 most beautiful sights spread across all the islands.

People and Culture

Filipino Warmth

We’re not starting with a classic sight — but for us, this is genuinely one of the absolute highlights of the Philippines: the people.

We’ve rarely encountered people as full of life and as open as Filipinos. And we’ve definitely never seen so many people just singing out loud — whether on the street or in a supermarket.

Filipinos are anything but shy. In many Asian countries, people tend to be more reserved, but in the Philippines it’s completely different. You make new friends very quickly, get invited to meals and parties, or simply have a great few minutes with strangers before saying goodbye with a high five.

Even the border officers are no exception. All over the world you get stern looks when you hand over your passport — not in the Philippines. When we left, we chatted very pleasantly with a border officer for a good fifteen minutes, and she was genuinely and sincerely happy that we’d traveled through her country and were so enthusiastic about it. As we said goodbye, she called after us, “See you soon!” — and we definitely will be back!

Festivals in the Philippines

If you can make it work time-wise, we really recommend attending a festival in the Philippines. There’s dancing, singing, everything practically glows with color, and the joyful atmosphere is simply contagious. Here’s a quick rundown of three festivals worth knowing about.

The biggest celebration is held on the third Sunday in January in Cebu and is called Sinulog. Sinulog is also the name of the dance performed in honor of the Santo Niño (the Christ Child). There’s a massive parade with dance groups and street dancing. In short: an enormous spectacle!

The MassKara Festival, held on the fourth Sunday in October, is strongly reminiscent of carnival in Rio. When the price of sugar — one of the Philippines’ main sources of income — fell extremely low, this festival was created to give the population new hope. The hallmark of the festival is the elaborate, colorful masks with smiling mouths.

The oldest of the three is Pahiyas, whose origins date back to the 15th century. In honor of the patron saint of farmers, houses are decorated with fruit, vegetables, and colorful ornaments. Pahiyas takes place every year on May 15 in Quezon.

Typically Filipino: Coconuts, Mangoes, and More

We’re not just thrilled about the wonderfully warm climate in the Philippines because of beautiful beach days. It also means a whole array of tropical fruits grow here. Sure, we know mangoes and coconuts from the supermarket back home — but they taste a thousand times better when they haven’t been shipped halfway around the world.

There are also some seriously exotic finds, like the ube root. It looks like a deep purple sweet potato. While it’s sometimes simply prepared as a mash, the real highlight is that it can be used to color all kinds of foods beautifully — from ice cream to cake.

Also very typical is the calamansi fruit, which at first glance you might mistake for a small lime. Calamansi has a sweet-and-sour flavor and works in everything from cocktails to jam, adding a little extra something to whatever it touches.

Islands

Siquijor

The island of Siquijor feels like a true paradise. We were simply blown away when we visited.

Picture-perfect sandy beaches, sunsets too beautiful to be real, accommodations right on the water, waterfalls, enchanted forests — we’d better stop, or we’ll get serious wanderlust.

Even though Siquijor isn’t completely deserted, it’s still one of the Philippines’ best-kept secrets. The island hasn’t been overrun by mass tourism and has managed to preserve its unspoiled character.

A standout for culture lovers is the beautiful San Isidro Labrador Church in the small town of Lazi — it’s even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Book the Siquijor Island Tour

Batanes

When you see pictures of Batanes Island, you’ll probably think of Ireland first. The lush green meadows, the striped lighthouses on the cliffs, and the grazing cows simply don’t match the tropical image most people have of the Philippines.

A trip to Batanes is therefore perfect for adding a bit of variety to your Philippines vacation. The whole island has an atmosphere of calm and unhurried ease — so just go with the flow and enjoy the peace.

The real highlight: amid all the green meadows and rugged cliffs, you’ll find deserted white sandy beaches and hidden coves. It’s seriously stunning, and since Batanes is a bit off the beaten path, you sometimes have the beach entirely to yourself.

Camiguin Island

Water lovers, pay attention: Camiguin has a wide variety of things to see, all centered around water.

Let’s start with the waterfalls. The most well-known is the Katibawasan Waterfall, but there’s also the Tuasan Waterfall — great for a quick refreshing dip — and the Binangayan Waterfall. The latter is less touristy, but that’s probably because it’s much harder to reach.

Camiguin also has cold springs, such as the Sto. Niño Cold Springs and the Macao Cold Springs. The water is around 68°F, but compared to the usual temperatures in the Philippines, it makes for a very welcome cool-down.

Arguably the most unusual point of interest on Camiguin is the sunken cemetery, which gradually disappeared into the sea as a result of multiple volcanic eruptions. Today, only the cemetery cross can still be seen rising out of the water.

Boracay

Boracay Island is the destination in the Philippines.

We were torn, honestly, about whether to include Boracay on our list at all, since mass tourism has left a strong mark here. On the other hand, a list of things to do in the Philippines without Boracay would be incomplete.

Let’s start with the beautiful things, like White Beach — a kilometer-long stretch of white sand that’s the very definition of a postcard shot! All around it you’ll find a lively buzz, plenty of shops, restaurants, and a seriously energetic nightlife scene.

The downside of this level of tourism, however, is massive hotel developments that have historically dumped waste and sewage directly into the ocean. In 2018, the island was closed for six months and a major cleanup effort was launched.

Since then, Boracay has leaned into sustainability with the Boracay Initiative. The goal is to develop more sustainable tourism together with stakeholders on the island, in order to restore the ecological balance in the long term. Measures include a water waste recycling facility and stricter rules for hotels.

Boracay Boat Tour: Island Hopping and Snorkeling

Camotes Islands

No public transportation and no hospital either? Why do we still wholeheartedly recommend the Camotes Islands? Simple: because the charm of these islands lies precisely in their remoteness.

No massive hotel blocks, hardly any tourists, just authentic island life. The Camotes Islands offer very friendly locals, palm-lined white dream beaches, and plenty of peace and quiet — in short, the perfect place to switch off completely.

Camotes consists of three larger islands and one small one. There are great beaches, caves, a waterfall, and when you go snorkeling you’ll discover an incredible underwater world. All in all, this is where you’ll find an authentic, unspoiled side of the Philippines.

Animals

Sea Turtles on Apo Island

The saying small but mighty fits Apo Island perfectly. Apo is truly tiny — you could probably walk around the entire island in half an hour. But every square inch of it is genuinely paradise.

The top attraction on Apo is the sea turtles, which come to the shore to feed with the tide. Whether they’re naturally unafraid or have simply grown accustomed to visitors, the animals definitely don’t let themselves be disturbed — and you can admire them up close.

For 100 pesos (just under $2), a local will get in the water with you, point out turtles, and even take underwater photos for you to keep.

Otherwise, the little island is simply a great place to relax. We also recommend making the short trip up to the lighthouse.

Heads up: If you want to spend the night on Apo, book accommodation well in advance. There aren’t many places to stay here and beds fill up fast.

Whale Sharks in Donsol

Whale sharks are among the most impressive creatures in the ocean — in fact, they are the largest fish in the world. These spotted giants are simply stunning to look at, and they’re completely harmless since they feed exclusively on plankton and other tiny organisms.

On guided tours in Donsol, you can snorkel alongside these giants and observe them up close.

There are two places in the Philippines where you can encounter them: Donsol and Oslob. In Donsol, the whale sharks are not fed, which is why we recommend this spot for whale watching. In their natural behavior, whale sharks are only found near the Philippines from December to March.

Jellyfish Lagoon

If you’ve ever had a run-in with a jellyfish, you know it’s no fun at all. Swimming in a lake with a good million jellyfish therefore probably sounds about as appealing as diving in a tank full of hungry piranhas.

Think again! On Siargao there’s a small lagoon that was cut off from the rest of the marine world during the Ice Age. Without any natural predators, the jellyfish lost their sting over time.

Today, you can swim in the water surrounded by tens of thousands of golden, shimmering jellyfish. It’s an experience that truly defies comparison.

In the Great Outdoors

Chocolate Hills of Bohol

Mountains made of chocolate? Mmmh, that can only be awesome!

Of course, that’s not quite the case (unfortunately). The Chocolate Hills are the defining must-see on the island of Bohol. They consist of around 1,700 small hills that turn brown during the dry season from February to June, as if someone had drizzled them with chocolate.

We didn’t see them during that time, but honestly, the hills look just as great in green.

The panorama is especially dreamy at sunrise. Getting up early is tough, but it’s forgotten instantly the moment you see the mystical morning mist rising between the hills in the first rays of sunlight.

Bohol Tour: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers & River Adventure

Rice Terraces of Luzon

Europe has vineyards; Southeast Asia has rice terraces. A visit to the rice fields is simply a must when exploring what to do in the Philippines.

It’s absolutely worth your time — you’ll learn about local culture, get a lovely hike in, and enjoy a nice change of pace from the beaches (even though we can never get enough of beautiful beaches).

The two most well-known spots are Banaue and Bontoc. While the rice fields have become a tourist attraction, you’ll also experience living local tradition here.

Volcanic Hike up Hibok-Hibok

The Philippines has 53 still-active volcanoes, plus countless inactive ones. A hike up one of them is therefore almost obligatory on any list of best things to do in the Philippines.

And where better to do that than on Camiguin, the island with the highest density of volcanoes in the world? Probably the most famous is Hibok-Hibok, standing at just over 4,360 feet. And don’t worry — the last volcanic eruption was a very long time ago, back in 1951.

The area around Hibok-Hibok has been designated a nature reserve, and during your hike you’ll encounter many native animal species and trek through pristine rainforest.

Palawan: El Nido and the Bacuit Archipelago

Palawan is well known among backpackers and vacationers alike — the island is home to some of the top highlights the Philippines has to offer.

At the very top of the list are El Nido and the Bacuit Archipelago. El Nido refers both to a small town and to an entire region in the north of Palawan Island. The town has become quite touristy by now, but a trip to the white sandy beaches and the colorful houses nearby is still totally worth it.

The real star, however, is the offshore Bacuit Archipelago, made up of various small islands. Here you’ll find a colorful underwater world and breathtaking scenery that strongly evokes the South Pacific.

The best way to explore the Bacuit Archipelago is on an island-hopping boat tour. You can choose from four different tours, and there are plenty of operators — you’ll have no trouble finding one on the spot.

El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A – Lagoons and Beaches – Our Pick!

El Nido: Island Hopping Tour B – Cudognong Cave & More

El Nido: Island Hopping Tour C – Hidden Beaches and Sanctuary – Our Pick!

El Nido: Island Hopping Tour D – Hidden Beaches and Lagoons

If you’re traveling as a group, a private El Nido tour is a great option. You’ll have more flexibility with the route and stops, and price-wise it often makes little difference compared to the regular tours when you have a larger group. Again, there are plenty of operators you can find directly on-site.

Heads up: There is a travel advisory for the southern part of the island (with the exception of Puerto Princesa). But don’t worry — the most beautiful sights are in the north anyway.

Waterways and More

Kayangan Lake on Coron

Kayangan Lake is the absolute highlight of Coron. Admittedly, you won’t have it to yourself, and these days you’re only allowed to splash around in the lake wearing a life jacket.

But the lake is so beautiful that none of that matters. From the viewpoint you can look out over the incredibly blue water and the surrounding hills. Inside the lake, an equally spectacular sight awaits — the water is crystal clear and visibility stretches far.

Speaking of Coron, the name can cause a bit of confusion: Coron refers both to its own island, which belongs to the Palawan island group, and to the town of Coron, which — confusingly — is not on Coron Island at all, but on Busuanga.

Since there are no accommodations on Coron Island itself, it makes sense to book your place to stay in Coron town instead.

Coron Tour: Kayangan Lake & Twin Reef Tour

Underground River near Puerto Princesa

We already mentioned Palawan Island back at #15, but it has yet another seriously cool attraction: the Underground River National Park. It’s home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, which is why it’s a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

The real highlight, though, is the underground river, which runs for about five miles beneath a karst mountain range. On a boat ride along the Underground River, you glide over crystal-clear water and through jagged caves — a truly unforgettable experience.

Even outside the caves, the river is stunningly beautiful, and you’ll drift peacefully through fairy-tale-like mangrove forests.

From Puerto Princesa: Full-Day Trip to the Underground River

Cambugahay Falls

We’ve already recommended quite a few waterfalls, and you already know Siquijor from our #4 — but the Cambugahay Falls are simply in a league of their own and are the top attraction on Siquijor. They deserve their own spot here.

The water cascades down several tiers into turquoise-blue pools where you can splash around in pleasantly warm temperatures. For a small fee, you can also ride a raft directly under the rushing water or swing into the pools on a vine.

Heads up: Make sure to have a local show you the safest spots to land. The water is usually several meters deep, but there are naturally a few shallow spots as well.

Cloud 9 on Siargao

Cloud 9 might sound like the name of a swanky hotel, but it’s actually the name of a wave on the island of Siargao. And not just any wave: in surfing circles, it’s about as legendary as Mount Everest is among mountaineers.

Let’s be upfront though: Cloud 9 is definitely not a beginner’s wave. It breaks over a fairly shallow reef, and under the right conditions, massive barrels form — the kind of tunnel that surfers ride through. Even very experienced surfers wear helmets here for protection.

Even if very few people will dare to paddle out, Cloud 9 is a spectacular experience to watch, and for any passionate surfer it’s basically a must-see on a Philippines trip.

Taal Lake and Taal Volcano

Imagine an island, and now a lake on that island. And in the middle of that lake sits a volcano. And in the middle of that volcanic crater sits another lake. What?! If that doesn’t sound absolutely wild, we don’t know what does!

But seriously: Taal Volcano is actually one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. As recently as 2020, it spewed an ash cloud — which, fortunately, turned out to be as far as it went.

For a great view over Taal Lake, head to the Palace in the Sky, the vacation residence of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The name alone should give you a pretty good preview of the breathtaking vista.

Hanging Coffins in Echo Valley

Our number 21 is a somewhat quirky attraction: coffins that the locals have hung on a steep cliff face.

Behind the initially strange sight lies a simple explanation. The people want to bring the deceased as close to the gods as possible, to ease their journey. The coffins are also protected from potential flooding this way.

To reach the hanging coffins, you set out on a short hike from the town of Sagada through a forest until you arrive in what’s known as Echo Valley. Why it has that name is probably pretty self-explanatory.

As fascinating as the echo in the valley is, be mindful to respect the peace of the dead.

Manila

Manila is the capital of the Philippines, located on the island of Luzon. Most people traveling to the Philippines try to give the city a wide berth, as it’s loud, crowded, and utterly chaotic.

But first impressions can be deceiving — Manila has some genuinely charming corners if you’re willing to give it a chance.

First and foremost, we’d recommend the historic Intramuros district. Since the islands were once a Spanish colony, you’ll find beautiful alleyways lined with elegant buildings in Spanish colonial architecture — a world apart from the skyscrapers in the city center.

Lately, Manila has also been gaining recognition as an up-and-coming foodie destination. Thanks to the Philippines’ diverse history, the city offers cuisines from all over the world, making it a surprisingly rewarding stop on any Philippines itinerary.