Philippines

The Philippines is one of the world's most iconic tropical destinations, with over 7,641 islands to choose from. The country is blessed with white-sand beaches, pale blue seas, amazing corals, lagoons, mountains, rivers, rice terraces and volcanoes. Days can be spent exploring the diverse and sometimes challenging terrain, taking in cascading waterfalls and dramatic caves.

The country has a busy and exciting history, which has created a lot of world-famous landmarks. The culture around them is also impressive, including an interesting cuisine, famous nightlife and great music. The fine-sand beaches that fringe the Pacific Ocean have populated many an Instagram feed, and it won’t take you long to see why.

Top destinations in Philippines

Where will you go next?

Manila
Manila has a certain ‘rough diamond’ quality about it. The Filipino capital can seem chaotic, with an eclectic mix of buildings that range from Spanish colonial styles to ultra-modern skyscrapers. The city is actually a conglomeration of 12 cities and 5 municipalities, together forming Metro Manila, so there’s no shortage of things to see and do. The most Americanised of all...
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Boracay Island
Boracay has an idyllic combination of sun, sand and sea for your holiday. Powdery white-sand beaches and tranquil turquoise water...
Palawan
Palawan is an archipelagic province of the Philippines, and occupies the western edge of the country. It lies between the...
Angeles City
Angeles City is a bustling and thriving city in central Luzon, about 75 km north of Manila, and was once...
Mactan Island
Mactan Island lies across the Mactan Channel from Cebu City in the southeast of the Philippines. It’s a modern place...
Bohol
Bohol is a province in the Central Visayas Region and is the 10th largest island in the Philippines. Found just...
Cebu
Cebu City is the capital of the island and province of the same name and is the oldest and second-largest...

What to see & do in Philippines

Where & what to eat in Philippines

The Philippines' restaurants and dining scene has something for virtually everyone. When you're in the bigger and more developed destinations like Cebu or Manila, you can expect the sort of dining options you would get in any cosmopolitan capital, be it fast food or a quaint fine-dining French haunt. The Philippines has an extraordinary richness in the types of cuisines it offers, with influences from all around the world –...

9 Filipino Foods You Must Try
While visiting the Philippines these are the foods you simply must try. You can find most of these particular dishes throughout the country, although you may find some regional differences depending on the available ingredients found in different pockets of...
10 Best Restaurants in Manila
The best restaurants in Manila keep with the cosmopolitan feel of this city, which blends a myriad of influences from all...
12 Great Restaurants in Cebu
The restaurants in Cebu introduce an eclectic choice of venues serving a wide range of cuisines, whichever of the 168...

Where to shop & what to buy in Philippines

Shopping in the Philippines varies from region to region. Manila is the place to go for serious shopping, with many air-conditioned, brand-heavy, and ultra-modern malls. The capital is also home to flea and bazaar-style markets, where some real treasures and endless bargaining opportunities exist. Tropical island destinations such as Boracay, Bohol and Palawan feature lively shopping scenes that host convenience stores, souvenir boutiques, and markets. If you’re looking to buy indigenous...

7 Best Things to Buy in the Philippines
The Philippines is an excellent shopping destination for anyone interested in picking up elaborate handicrafts, home furnishings, jewellery, embroidery and baskets. When it comes to buying traditional crafts such as silks and carvings, you’re invariably helping to support a still-growing...
13 Best Places to Go Shopping in Manila
Our list of the best places to go shopping in Manila introduces the most exciting malls, markets, and stores available...
3 Best Shopping Experiences in Boracay Island
Our listing for the best shopping experiences in Boracay Island will give you some hints about where to go to...

Where to go & what to do at night in Philippines

Philippines nightlife is famed all around the world. Most people who come to the Philippines inevitably end up on stage at some point. The locals are great fans of performance and make use of the many karaoke joints across the country to showcase their talents and passion for dance and music. Manila and Cebu both have a very vibrant nightlife, and with clubs and bars open around the clock, you'll...

14 Best Nightlife Experiences in Manila
The best nightlife experiences in Manila showcase the city's love for music and fun. The capital city of the Philippines is a huge metropolis that hosts venues for just about every type of night owl, from lively nightclubs for dancers to live...
11 Best Nightlife Experiences in Cebu
The best nightlife in Cebu can be found in Cebu City, the capital city of the province. Other destinations such...
9 Best Nightlife in Boracay
The nightlife in Boracay has a reputation for being over the top. Party animals love Boracay as there are countless...

Useful information

The Democratic Republic of the Philippines is located in the Western Pacific Ocean, some 1,210 km east of Vietnam and is separated in the north from Taiwan by the Bashi Channel. It’s bordered on the east by the Philippine Sea (and the Pacific Ocean), on the south by the Celebes Sea, and on the west by the South China Sea. The country is divided into 3 main regions: Luzon in...

6 Things You Need to Know About El Nido
El Nido covers an area of about 400 sq km at the northern tip of Palawan Island. This first-class municipality also comprises 45 islands and islets, all of which are part of the Bacuit Archipelago. El Nido – which translates as "the...
6 Things You Need to Know About Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is the 2nd most popular holiday destination in the province, behind El Nido. Recognised as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines, the capital of Palawan offers a pleasant urban environment nestled in splendid natural surroundings that...