Island hopping in the Philippines straight-up ruined other beaches for me. Seriously, once you’ve floated in Palawan’s turquoise waters or stuffed your face with fresh mango on a pristine beach, everywhere else feels like your local swimming pool. And trust me, I’ve face-planted into plenty of waves here to know what I’m talking about!
After spending 3 weeks exploring the Philippines, I’ve made a list of the absolute most beautiful places and islands. From swimming with massive whale sharks to finding the actual beaches from those Instagram posts you think are fake, these 12 spots will show you why I keep blowing my savings to come back here.
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#1 tip to save money on your trip to the Philippines
Let’s first cover some quick tips that will save you time and money on your Philippine adventure.
- FLYING: If you haven’t already, I HIGHLY recommend signing up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going). Last summer, I flew to Manila for just $370 roundtrip thanks to their email alerts. The premium and elite version are even better!
- Food: Save by dining at local carinderias and wet markets. Most meals cost under $3 with rice and two viands, and the food is delicious and authentic. Groceries from supermarkets like SM or Robinson’s can be pricey in comparison!
- Transport: Get a stored-value Beep card. It works on Manila’s MRT/LRT lines and selected buses. For island hopping, book ferry tickets in advance through 12Go. This combination has saved me thousands of pesos on each trip.
The Philippines is already budget-friendly compared to many destinations. But if you follow the strategies above, you can explore its stunning islands for even less. Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the best places to visit in the Philippines:
The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Philippines
Ready to explore the best of the Philippines? Whether you’re into bustling cities or tranquil nature spots, this Southeast Asian gem has something for everyone. Dive into my guide to discover the Philippines’ top destinations.
1. Palawan
- 📍 Location: Western Philippines
- 🏆 Best For: Island hoppers 🛶, divers 🤿, nature lovers 🌿
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring El Nido’s lagoons, wreck diving in Coron, touring the Puerto Princesa Underground River
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: November to May for clear skies and calm seas ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Cauayan Island Resort and Spa – Private resort in El Nido
Palawan is the kind of place that makes you forget what day it is. The limestone cliffs of El Nido rise dramatically over blue-green water, and hopping between secret beaches by kayak feels like being in a dream you don’t want to wake up from.
Further north, Coron serves up eerie shipwreck dives and bright coral gardens that look like alien landscapes. If you’re not a diver, snorkeling here is already a total win. Inland, the Underground River in Puerto Princesa runs through jaw-dropping caves that feel almost prehistoric.
Every corner of Palawan has a different vibe—jungle treks, white sandbars, waterfalls tucked into cliffs. It’s remote in all the right ways and full of that wild, untouched energy. If you’re after something beautiful, raw, and unforgettable, Palawan deserves a spot at the top of your list.
- Read next: Top UNESCO World Heritage Sites to Visit
2. Boracay
- 📍 Location: Western Visayas, Philippines
- 🏆 Best For: Beach lovers 🏖️, partygoers 🎉, sunset chasers 🌅
- 📸 Top Experiences: Lounging on White Beach, cliff diving at Ariel’s Point, catching the sunset at Diniwid Beach
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to May for dry season fun ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Coast Boracay – A modern beachfront hotel with laid-back vibes and direct access to Station 2
Boracay is a beach classic that totally lives up to the hype. White Beach looks like it was copy-pasted out of a travel brochure with powdery soft sand, ridiculously clear water, and the kind of sunsets that stop people mid-convo. It’s touristy, sure, but there’s still plenty of magic left here if you know where to go.
You can spend your days paddleboarding, parasailing, or just floating in the warm sea. Then once night hits, the beachfront wakes up with fire dancers, open-air bars, and DJs spinning on the sand. It’s loud and lively in the best way.
For a breather, hop to Puka Beach or walk to Diniwid for quieter sands. Whether you’re here for the nightlife or just to laze under a palm tree, Boracay has a way of winning you over with every barefoot step.
3. Bohol
- 📍 Location: Central Visayas, Philippines
- 🏆 Best For: Nature seekers 🌳, history buffs 🏛️, animal lovers 🐒
- 📸 Top Experiences: Seeing the Chocolate Hills, meeting tarsiers in Corella, cruising down the Loboc River
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to April for cool, sunny weather 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Amorita Resort – A clifftop retreat above Alona Beach with sweeping sea views and chill ambiance
Bohol balances weird geology, adorable wildlife, and white-sand beaches like a total pro. The Chocolate Hills are the headline act, which are over a thousand dome-shaped mounds that look like they were dropped in from a cartoon. They turn brown in dry season, hence the name.
But Bohol’s more than just quirky landscapes. The Philippine tarsier, one of the world’s smallest primates, calls this place home. You can see them in their natural setting at a sanctuary that’s all about ethical conservation. It’s a quiet, almost magical experience.
Over on Panglao Island, you’ll find clear blue waters perfect for diving, especially around Balicasag Island. Whether you’re paddling down the Loboc River, snapping photos of coral churches, or just chilling at a beach bar, Bohol blends adventure and calm in a way few places manage.
✈️ My #1 Tip for Cheap Flights:
If you’re not using Going, you’re probably overpaying for flights. I’ve scored roundtrips to Europe for under $300 - and I never would’ve found them on Google Flights.
Their free version is great, but Premium is where the real magic happens. I recommend doing the 14-day free trial. And right now, you can get 25% off Premium or Elite with my code: JON25.
Seriously, it’s the best travel decision I’ve ever made (in 8+ years).
4. Banaue
- 📍 Location: Ifugao, Luzon
- 🏆 Best For: Culture lovers 🧑🌾, trekkers ⛰️, scenic view seekers 📷
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking to Batad Rice Terraces, visiting the Banaue Museum, watching sunrise from the Viewpoint
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February to May for dry trails and green terraces 🌾
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel – Scenic mountain views with easy access to rice terraces
Banaue is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a living postcard. The over 2000-year old rice terraces stretch out in every direction, creating a landscape that’s both surreal and breathtaking. Early mornings here are magical, with mist rolling over the fields and the distant sound of roosters greeting the day.
A trek to the village of Batad offers a more intimate experience with the terraces. The hike is steep but worth it. You’ll pass small farms, waterfalls, and Ifugao houses along narrow paths that haven’t changed much in centuries. It’s not an easy trip, but the stillness and views are unreal.
Beyond the trails, Banaue lets you slow down. You can spend time with locals, try traditional rice wine, or just sit on a balcony listening to nothing but wind and birds. It’s one of those places that sticks with you after you leave.
5. Siargao
- 📍 Location: Surigao del Norte, Mindanao
- 🏆 Best For: Surfers 🌊, solo travelers 🧘, adventure seekers 🏄
- 📸 Top Experiences: Riding the waves at Cloud 9, paddling in Sugba Lagoon, swinging into Maasin River
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to October for surf season and island weather 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Bravo Beach Resort – A chill beachfront stay with surf vibes and great food
Siargao is that island you plan to visit for a few days but somehow stay for weeks. Cloud 9 is the main surf spot here with wooden boardwalk, barrels of waves, and a laid-back crowd that doesn’t care if you’re a beginner or a pro. It’s all about flow.
Even if you don’t surf, the island delivers. Sugba Lagoon is straight out of a postcard, surrounded by limestone cliffs and perfect for swimming or paddleboarding. The palm tree swing over Maasin River is a fun stop that totally lives up to the Instagram hype.
What really makes Siargao special is the vibe. Think coconut trees lining dirt roads, motorbikes kicking up dust, beach bonfires, and sunset beers with new friends. It’s wild in the best way…raw, beautiful, and impossible not to fall for. Plus, the foodie experiences in Siargao are next level!
6. Baguio
- 📍 Location: Benguet, Luzon
- 🏆 Best For: Cool weather 🌲, creative escapes 🎨, local markets 🧺
- 📸 Top Experiences: Strolling through Burnham Park, visiting BenCab Museum, strawberry picking in La Trinidad
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: November to February for crisp mornings and clearer skies ❄️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: The Manor at Camp John Hay – Classic mountain retreat with pine views and cozy vibes
Baguio has always felt like the Philippines’ version of a chill mountain town with its foggy mornings, pine-covered hills, and sweaters instead of swimsuits. It’s where people go to slow down, sip hot choco, and walk among gardens and street art instead of sand and sea.
The heart of it is Burnham Park, perfect for a lazy boat ride or just people-watching. A jeep ride away is BenCab Museum, where local art and mountain views hit you all at once. If you’re into quirky eats and random finds, head to Session Road or the Baguio Night Market for a fix.
Outside the main drag, strawberry fields in La Trinidad are worth a visit, especially when you can pick your own. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, Baguio stays familiar in the best way. Nostalgic, artsy, and endlessly walkable.
7. Vigan
- 📍 Location: Ilocos Sur, Luzon
- 🏆 Best For: History buffs 🏛️, heritage architecture 🐎, foodies 🍴
- 📸 Top Experiences: Strolling along Calle Crisologo, riding a kalesa, trying Vigan empanadas
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to February for cooler walks around the heritage town 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Luna – Stylish heritage hotel with antique charm and rooftop pool
Walking through Vigan feels like time-travel. The cobblestone streets, ancestral mansions, and Spanish-style lanterns make it one of the most photogenic towns in the country. Calle Crisologo is the centerpiece, which is perfect for slow strolls, souvenir hunting, or hopping on a horse-drawn kalesa.
But Vigan’s more than just aesthetics. The local food scene is strong, especially if you’re down to try Ilocos empanadas, longganisa, or sinanglao. There are also museums tucked inside heritage homes where you can get a crash course on the town’s colonial past.
At night, the streetlights glow warm and amber, casting old-school shadows on the brick walls. It’s low-key romantic, whether you’re with someone or just soaking it all in solo. Vigan’s charm hits different thanks to its history, food, and quiet magic wrapped into one.
8. Sagada
- 📍 Location: Mountain Province, Cordillera
- 🏆 Best For: Nature lovers 🌄, soul searchers 🧘, offbeat explorers 🥾
- 📸 Top Experiences: Seeing the Hanging Coffins, sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint, spelunking in Sumaguing Cave
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: November to February for misty mornings and chill hikes ❄️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Agape Log Cabin and Restaurant – Cozy wooden cabin stay with mountain views and hearty local meals
Sagada is that quiet mountain town where the clouds roll through pine trees and time slows to a soft, deliberate rhythm. If you wake up early, head to Kiltepan Viewpoint, because watching the sunrise over a blanket of clouds is one of those core memories you’ll file away forever. As the town wakes up, grab coffee from a family-run café and prep for a day of exploring.
The Hanging Coffins of Echo Valley are surreal and kind of haunting in the coolest way. You’ll hike through forest trails and limestone cliffs before spotting them high on a rock face. It’s a tradition that speaks volumes about Sagada’s roots. And if you’re up for more thrill, the caves here are incredible. Sumaguing Cave has cold water, slippery rocks, and natural formations that look almost otherworldly.
9. Batanes
- 📍 Location: Basco, Batanes
- 🏆 Best For: 🌾 Pastoral landscapes, 🚲 peaceful island life, 🌊 epic coastal views
- 📸 Top Experiences: Marlboro Hills, Honesty Coffee Shop, Ivatan stone houses
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Villa de Babat – Quiet guesthouse near town with ocean views
Batanes feels like another country altogether with open landscapes, grazing cows, and stone houses built to withstand typhoons. The ride to Marlboro Hills takes you through winding roads and dramatic cliffs until you reach this windswept spot that looks like the Scottish Highlands had a baby with the Pacific. Bring a scarf, it gets breezy fast.
The Ivatan people are known for their kindness and simplicity, and the Honesty Coffee Shop captures that spirit. You grab what you want, pay in a jar, and leave a note if you’re feeling it. Exploring Basco by bike is the move. It’s quiet, safe, and full of little surprises like lighthouses and deserted beach coves.
Afternoons stretch long and slow here. Locals wave at you like they’ve known you forever, and sunsets paint the cliffs with the softest light. Batanes isn’t loud or flashy, but it stays with you.
10. Davao
- 📍 Location: Davao City, Mindanao
- 🏆 Best For: 🌋 Volcano treks, 🦅 wildlife encounters, 🌆 city-nature mix
- 📸 Top Experiences: Mt. Apo hike, Philippine Eagle Center, Samal Island escape
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to May ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: The Bourke Hotel – Central boutique stay with cozy interiors
Davao blends urban cool with natural drama like no other city in the south. It’s clean, chill, and well-organized—perfect if you like city comforts but want nature just a quick ride away. Foodies will love the night markets and fresh fruit stalls, especially if you’re brave enough to try durian.
Mt. Apo looms in the background, and for adventurous souls, a trek to the summit is a must. But even if hiking isn’t your thing, you can still get close to nature at the Philippine Eagle Center. These birds are huge, rare, and fascinating to see up close.
Then there’s Samal Island, a 15-minute ferry ride but feels like a full vacation switch. Think white beaches, calm waters, and laid-back resorts. Whether you’re after eco-adventure or just want to eat grilled tuna by the sea, Davao quietly delivers.
11. Cebu
- 📍 Location: Cebu City and surrounding islands
- 🏆 Best For: 🏝️ Beach escapes, 🧜♂️ diving, 🏛️ cultural sites
- 📸 Top Experiences: Sardine Run in Moalboal, Kawasan Falls, Magellan’s Cross
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: January to May ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Maayo Hotel – Sleek, wellness-inspired hotel in Mandaue
Cebu hits every type of traveler. It’s a hub for history, food, and all-out tropical vibes. Cebu City gives you a glimpse of old Spanish-era Philippines, with landmarks like Fort San Pedro and the iconic Magellan’s Cross. And during Sinulog Festival? The streets become one big, colorful dance party.
Nature lovers head south to Moalboal for the Sardine Run. You can literally snorkel right off the beach and be surrounded by shimmering walls of fish. Kawasan Falls is just nearby too, and if you’re into canyoneering, that bright blue water makes for an unforgettable backdrop.
If you’re chasing chill island energy, ferry to Bantayan or Malapascua. These islands have postcard-level beaches and way fewer crowds. You can lounge all day or dive into crystal waters with thresher sharks and coral gardens that go on forever.
12. Siquijor
- 📍 Location: Siquijor Island, Central Visayas
- 🏆 Best For: ✨ Mystical vibes, 🏖️ beach serenity, 🌿 waterfalls & caves
- 📸 Top Experiences: Cambugahay Falls, Salagdoong Beach, Balete Tree & Fish Spa
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to June ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Coco Grove Beach Resort – Beachfront stay with chill tropical bungalows
Siquijor feels like a secret island passed around only among cool travelers. People call it “The Island of Fire” thanks to the fireflies that flicker around at night, but it also has a bit of a mystical reputation tied to healers and old folklore. Don’t worry, it’s peaceful, not spooky.
The real magic is in its nature. Cambugahay Falls is where you’ll find everyone jumping into turquoise pools on rope swings. Head to Salagdoong Beach for cliff dives into gin-clear water or just lay back under a tree and vibe out.
It’s also super fun to ride a motorbike around the island’s quiet roads. You’ll stumble across century-old churches, beachy food shacks, and massive balete trees where you can dip your feet for a fish spa. Siquijor is lowkey, but it’s got this unforgettable charm that creeps up on you in the best way.
