The Philippines' most-loved spots, in one place — each with a short guide, the best time to visit, and where to base yourself. Browse the province page for every place to stay.
The country's most famous island — a 4 km curve of powder-white sand and calm, shallow water that has topped 'best beach in the world' lists for decades.
Where to stay: Station 1 is quieter and higher-end, Station 2 the centre of the action, Station 3 cheaper and more relaxed.
Best time: Dry season November–May; peak December–April.
Limestone karst cliffs rise straight out of turquoise Bacuit Bay, hiding lagoons and secret beaches reachable only by boat.
Where to stay: El Nido town for budget options, or a beachfront resort along Corong-Corong or Nacpan.
Best time: November–May; boat trips are calmest January–April.
World-class wreck diving, emerald lakes and dramatic cliffs — Coron is Palawan's quieter, more adventurous sibling.
Where to stay: Coron town has the most guesthouses; head towards Bulalacao for a quieter coast.
Best time: November–May is driest; visibility peaks around April.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site — an 8 km navigable river flowing through a limestone cave system out to the sea.
Where to stay: Sabang is the closest base; Puerto Princesa city has the widest choice.
Best time: November–May; book permits ahead in peak season.
Home of the Chocolate Hills and the tiny Philippine tarsier, plus some of the Visayas' easiest beach stays on Panglao Island.
Where to stay: Panglao Island for beaches; Tagbilaran for a cheaper, more local base.
Best time: November–May; the hills are greenest just after the rains.
The Visayas' transport hub doubles as a playground — swim with millions of sardines, meet whale sharks and canyoneer down turquoise falls.
Where to stay: Moalboal for diving, Oslob for whale sharks, or Badian for the falls.
Best time: Year-round; driest November–May.
The Philippines' surf capital and its most laid-back island, wrapped around the famous Cloud 9 break.
Where to stay: General Luna for surf and nightlife; Pacifico for a quieter, local vibe.
Best time: Surf season August–November; otherwise November–May.
Two-thousand-year-old rice terraces carved into the Cordillera — a UNESCO World Heritage landscape best appreciated on foot.
Where to stay: Sleep in a homestay in Batad for sunrise over the terraces.
Best time: December–May; terraces are most photogenic when green.
The best-preserved Spanish colonial town in Asia — cobbled streets, horse-drawn calesas and UNESCO-listed heritage.
Where to stay: Stay in a heritage house on or near Calle Crisologo for the full experience.
Best time: November–April; evenings on Calle Crisologo are coolest.
The "Summer Capital" — pine trees, cool mountain air and a relaxed creative scene, just a few hours from Manila.
Where to stay: Around Session Road for convenience, or the quieter outskirts for pine views.
Best time: December–February is coolest; February for the flower festival.
Misty mountain town famous for its hanging coffins, limestone caves and dramatic sunrise viewpoints.
Where to stay: Small guesthouses in the town centre put everything within walking distance.
Best time: November–May; bring a layer for cold mornings.
The world's most perfectly conical volcano, rising over the Bicol plains — best seen from Cagsawa Ruins at dawn.
Where to stay: Legazpi city for choice, or the coast around Misibis for resorts.
Best time: December–May for the clearest views of the cone.
The "island born of fire" — volcanoes, hot and cold springs, waterfalls and a sunken cemetery, all on one small island.
Where to stay: Mambajao is the main base; White Island is reached by boat from Yumbing.
Best time: Year-round, but driest November–May.
A small, slow island of waterfalls, coral-ringed beaches and a famously mystical folk-healing tradition.
Where to stay: San Juan's beach strip has the best guesthouses and sunsets.
Best time: November–May; the island stays quiet even in high season.
Manila's walled Spanish quarter — a walkable slice of 400 years of history in the middle of the metropolis.
Where to stay: Stay in Intramuros itself or nearby Ermita/Malate for easy walking access.
Best time: November–April is cooler and drier.
A cool ridge town with views over Taal Volcano — one of the world's smallest active volcanoes — in its lake, plus a big food scene.
Where to stay: Tagaytay ridge for the views; lakeside Talisay for a closer, local feel.
Best time: November–May gives the clearest volcano views.
A mellow university town that's the gateway to Apo Island's protected reef and its resident sea turtles.
Where to stay: Dumaguete for cafés and nightlife, or Dauin for dive resorts facing the coast.
Best time: Year-round; calmest seas November–May.
A startlingly blue, spring-fed river that seems to glow — a deep protected pool where salt water meets fresh.
Where to stay: Base yourself in Hinatuan town or Bislig for the nearby falls and islands.
Best time: Year-round; the pool is clearest in the dry months.