20 Things To See In The Philippines

This is a practical Top 20 List of things a tourist should see in the Philippines — mixing natural wonders, culture, history, and “only-in-the-Philippines” experiences. No fluff, no influencer nonsense.

1. Palawan (El Nido & Coron)

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• Limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, hidden beaches, shipwreck diving.
• This is the postcard for a reason.

2. Boracay (White Beach)

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• Powder-fine white sand and calm blue water.
• Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s still worth seeing at least once.

3. Chocolate Hills (Bohol)

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• Over 1,200 symmetrical hills that turn brown in dry season.
• Looks fake. Isn’t.

4. Banaue Rice Terraces

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• 2,000-year-old hand-carved terraces in the Cordilleras.
• UNESCO-level scenery and cultural heritage.

5. Intramuros (Manila)

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Spanish-era walled city with Fort Santiago, churches, and cobblestone streets. This is Philippine history in physical form.

This fort is also the location of an important scene from one of my favorite books.

6. Taal Volcano (Batangas)

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• A volcano inside a lake inside a volcano.
• One of the most geologically unique places on Earth.

7. Underground River (Puerto Princesa)

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A navigable river flowing through a massive cave system. Another UNESCO site — legitimately impressive.

8. Cebu (Kawasan Falls & Moalboal)

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• Turquoise waterfalls
• Sardine runs
• Whale sharks (Oslob, controversial but popular)

9. Siargao

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• Surf capital of the Philippines.
• Even non-surfers love it for the relaxed island vibe.

10. Vigan (Ilocos Sur)

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• Preserved Spanish colonial town with stone houses and cobblestone streets.
• Feels like time travel.

11. Mayon Volcano (Albay)

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• Near-perfect cone shape.
• One of the most photogenic volcanoes anywhere.

12. Batanes

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• Rolling green hills, stone houses, dramatic cliffs, and zero chaos.
• Feels more like New Zealand than Southeast Asia.

13. Apo Reef

Billy Palatino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• One of the largest coral reef systems in the world.
• Elite snorkeling and diving.

14. Sagada

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• Hanging coffins, caves, pine forests, mountain air.
• Quiet, eerie, and beautiful.

15. Davao (Mount Apo)

Bro. Jeffrey Pioquinto, SJ, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Home to the country’s highest peak.
• Great for hiking, nature, and a calmer big-city experience.

16. Camiguin Island

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• Volcanoes, hot springs, cold springs, waterfalls.
• Small island, ridiculous variety.

17. Iloilo & Guimaras

Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Historic churches
• Good food
• Guimaras mangoes (arguably the best in the world)

18. Hundred Islands (Pangasinan)

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• Dozens of small islands you can hop between in a day.
• Easy, scenic, and very accessible.

19. Street Food & Local Markets

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Not a single place — but essential:

• Isaw
• Balut (if you’re brave)
• Fresh seafood
• Night markets

This is where real Filipino culture lives.

20. A Local Fiesta

Every town has one. Parades, food, music, chaos, and generosity — all at once. If you attend one, you’ll understand the country better than any tour.

Quick Travel Reality Tip

The Philippines is:

• Not a “check everything in one trip” country
• Best enjoyed slowly and region by region
• More about people + nature than infrastructure polish

Bonus

If you are in Manila, I recommend checking out my favorite restaurant there—The Filling Station.

Note, it is Burgos, which is something of a redlight district. At the same time, I’ve seen kids birthday parties held there, but that is usually during the day.

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Online communities are helpful for general questions. For anything important, you still need accurate, professional, and updated information. E636 Expat Services helps foreigners with:

• Residency and long term visas
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Book a consultation with E636 and start your journey the right way.

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