18 Most Beautiful Places in the Philippines
Planning a trip to the Philippines and wondering where to find the most beautiful places in the Philippines? This post has you covered.
The Philipines is a magical country that should be on the top of every traveler’s bucket list. In very few places will you find such aqua blue waters, white-sand beaches, and lush green jungles as here.
One of the many aspects that make the Philippines so special is the geographical makeup. The Philippines is an archipelago made up of over 7,500 beyond beautiful islands.
With so many different islands and areas to visit some pre-planning is required to ensure you hit all the right places. More so, the Philippines attracts far fewer tourists than its neighboring countries – it is actually a great alternative to nearby Bali.
This list of the 18 most beautiful places in the Philippines is put together from different travel bloggers from around the world. All of which have shared their favorite place in the Philippines that has blown them away. Fuel your wanderlust with this list and prepare to book a one-way ticket!
In This Post
18 Most Beautiful Places in the Philippines
Siargao, Philippines
Explored by Bradley Williams from Dream Big Travel Far
Located on the far eastern edge of The Philippines, Siargao is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places on earth. A paradise-like island, it’s quickly becoming one of the hottest travel destinations in Asia, think Bali two decades ago. All around you see pristine golden sandy beaches covered in endless acres of palm trees.
It’s best to take a few days to drive round the island on a moped, discovering the many incredible spots as you go. Including caves, palm tree swings, lagoons and so much more. It’s perhaps best known for its surf and is a regular host site for annual professional surf competitions.
Getting to Siargao is easiest by plane, and you can fly there from a number of different islands throughout The Philippines. I recommend staying for as long as a week, enjoying all of the many sites the island has to offer, and even taking a day or two to island hop to smaller nearby islands not far away. Particularly Guyam Island (pictured below).
You’ll find plenty of great accommodation. But be sure to book as far in advance as possible as Siargao is one of the most popular spots. This means in the busy tourist months the beachside resorts fill up quickly.
Coron, Philippines
Explored by James from The Travel Scribes
It’s synonymous with crystal clear waters, pristine white beaches and a sprinkling of almost untouched islands that look like they’ve leaped straight off the pages of a luxury travel brochure. It’s Coron, the area often called ‘the globe’s most beautiful island’ and now enticing travellers to make their way to the shores of the Philippines.
A short flight from Manilla or a ferry from El Nido (another one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines), Coron is located in the achingly pretty province of Palawan and is actually made up of two islands – Busuanga and Coron Island – plus some other smaller islets, many of which have made Coron famous in more recent years.
And the main thing to do there, other than just groan over the gorgeous landscapes? Island-hop on a private boat, as you explore the picturesque waters of this beautiful place.
Spend your days hiking up to the viewpoint and then diving into Kayangan Lake. Or floating in the Twin Lagoon which, as the name suggests, is a large lagoon separated by a small rocky outcrop that you duck beneath.
You can of course venture a little further afield and find islands like Bulog Dos or Malcapuya, the stuff of Instagrammer’s dreams with lily-white sandbanks and teeming marine life, as you wade out into the water for a spot of snorkeling.
City slickers can also stick to Coron Town itself, which boasts its own attractions like forest hikes, a viewpoint to rival the Hollywood sign its modeled after, and even a hot springs complex. This is the ideal place to relax after a day’s island-hopping pursuits and enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.
Romblon Island, Philippines
Explored by Luke Storey from The Coastal Campaign
Romblon Island is one of the few undiscovered, hidden gems in the Philippines. You will find this island is in the province of Romblon and to get to here you have to fly to Caticlan airport and take 3 local ferries and numerous local busses over several days. It’s a little cliché to say but the journey to get here is a huge reason why this place is so great.
Once you reach Romblon Island you will find a stunningly beautiful place almost completely untouched by international tourism. The main reason to spend so much time to visit here is Bon Bon Beach.
This is the most spectacular beach in the entire country. What makes it even better is that its remote location means you may even have the entire place to yourself in the middle of the day.
Bon Bon Beach has a long, narrow sandbar that arrows out into some of the most blue, crystal clear water you will ever see. Walking along this incredible sandbar on this remote island paradise is a special moment.
While Bon Bon Beach is the highlight of this area, Romblon Island also offers many other amazing beaches, viewpoints and waterfalls, most of which you will have all to yourself.
Port Barton, Philippines
Explored by Ellie Quinn from The Wandering Quinn Travel Blog
Port Barton is a sleepy beachside village on the island of Palawan. This is the same island as the popular beach town of El Nido and Port Barton works perfectly as a place to stop when visiting El Nido before or after flying from Puerto Princesa Airport due to its location in the middle.
However, El Nido has grown in size and popularity a lot over recent years. With many reports of it being too commercial and too busy, especially its famous boat tours.
While Port Barton’s reputation as a dusty, local, quiet, and chilled beach has remained which is what makes it one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. Which makes it a must-visit place in the Philippines.
Apart from the relaxed town and stunning wild beach that belongs to Port Barton, the biggest reason for visiting is because of how good the island hopping boat tours in Port Barton are!
Port Barton is surrounded by islands that are made up of forests, very different from the limestone islands nearby. A short boat trip will take you from Port Barton to these white sand islands with a clear blue ocean, perfect for snorkeling. German Island is a popular island to visit which is where you are likely to spot turtles!
Apo Island, Philippines
Explored by Aurelia Teslaru from Daily Travel Pill
If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines and one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines, you have to stop for a few days at Apo Island. The island is easily accessible from Siquijor or Dumaguete and can be reached by ferry.
Apo Island is one of the top diving and snorkeling spots in the world. Here you can get your PADI license or you can simply spend a few hours snorkeling with the turtles. The marine life surrounding Apo Island is incredible but the number one attraction is the turtles. You can swim near them and observe how they slowly make their way through colorful corals.
If you don’t have much time to spare, you can visit Apo Island as a day trip from either Siquijor or Dumaguete. However, I recommend spending at least two days here. Even if the island is rather small, there is an entire underwater world to explore.
The hotels on Apo Island are basic so don’t expect to find any luxurious accommodation here. If you’re searching for luxury, maybe this place is not for you. However, if you want to experience one of the most incredible snorkeling environments, Apo Island is the place to be.
Kalanggaman Island, Philippines
Explored by Veronika from Travel Geekery
Kalanggaman is a beautiful tiny island in central Philippines, an hourlong boat ride from Palompon city in the province of Leyte. It’s a paradise on Earth – just a pile of sand in the middle of nowhere, with swaying coconut palms and surrounded by crystal clear water.
A long sandbank sticks out into the ocean and offers the ultimate photo opp in one of the beautiful places in the Philippines.
You can walk around the whole island in less than 20 minutes. While half of it is made up of the most perfect white sand beach, the other half is full of greenery and features a beautiful coconut lane. Kalanggaman is the quintessential relax spot. There’s not much else to do than relax anyway. You can also snorkel or dive, but better bring your own gear.
You can get to Kalanggaman on a day trip either through a tour company or via the Palompon Tourism Office. They coordinate a number of typical Filipino pump boats, collect the visitor fee and arrange anything you might need, including spending the night on the island, if you wish to do so.
The boat ride from Palompon takes about 40 minutes and it can get bumpy! On the way, you might even get to see dolphins.
Read more: Things to do in Lombok, Indonesia
Donsol, Philippines
Explored by Campbell from Stingy Nomads
The beautiful Donsol is a small rural coastal village close to Legazpi in Sorsogon. It is full of thatch-roof huts and colorful local fishing boats that line the beach.
The town is most famous for whale sharks with many of these giant animals congregating here in season. Donsol is surrounded by beautiful nature above and underwater with plenty of exciting opportunities to explore the area.
Swimming with the giant whale sharks is the reason most tourists come from all over the globe to Donsol. It is an eco-friendly activity, compared with swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, a nearby town where they feed the world’s biggest fish to get them close to tourists.
Diving on the beautiful coral reefs around Donsol is very popular and from March to May, you can see manta rays lineup for parasites to be picked from their skin at the cleaning station at the dive site Manta Bowl.
Go on a magical hour-long riverboat firefly trip with a guide and you will see glowing trees full of fireflies. Floating down the Ogod River after dusk, watching the myriad of tiny floating lights is an incredible and very romantic experience.
The tricycle trip from town is an adventure on its own. Renting a kayak and exploring the river is also a popular activity in the daytime. Rent a car or take public transport to explore the Mayon Volcano known as “the world’s most perfect cone”. This perfect stratovolcano is a popular hiking and camping destination at the heart of the Mayon Volcano National Park.
Sugar Beach, Philippines
Explored by Emma from WITRAG travel
Found on the south-western shores of criminally under-visited Negros, Sugar Beach is the Philippines you’ve been dreaming of.
Locals will tell you that Sugar Beach, just along the coast from Sipalay, is what Boracay was like as little as 20 years ago. But unlike its celebrity sister, just getting to Sugar Beach is a challenge: it’s 5 hours, 3 buses, and a short boat from Sipalay. Your alternative, Bacolod, is at least 4 hours away on winding bus roads.
But we promise the journey is worth it. Stepping foot on this paradise beach the first thing you’ll ask is ‘where is everybody?’ Nearly a kilometre long with glorious wide stretches of sumptuous white sand, at first, you’ll see more volleyball courts than holidaymakers.
Accommodation is modest, and there are only a dozen or so hotels to choose from. Dump your bags and grab a snorkel to go explore the reefs. You can arrange scuba diving, explore caves, swim in waterfalls, or even kayak.
But swinging in your hammock, snoozing under a book, and sipping sweet banana milkshakes works just as well. Quiet winds whip up sand, waves whimper onto the shore. It’s so still you’ll hear the sound of leaves landing next to you. Sunsets are special on this very special beach.
And when you’ve had enough, Negros has plenty more to explore. Discover the incredible Casororo Falls, enjoy world-class diving in Dauin and go dolphin-spotting around Manjuyod Sandbar.
Siquijor, Philippines
Explored by Rose from Where Goes Rose
The beautiful island of Siquijor has only recently been discovered by tourists which makes now the ultimate time to visit before it becomes crowded. There’s no airport in Siquijor, you have to fly to Cebu and catch a ferry to the island.
In many ways, it’s like plenty of Filipino islands: there are paradise beaches, long dusty roads shaded by palm trees, and hotels dotted around the island outskirts, which only add to its ranking as one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.
While there are plenty of opportunities to relax on the beach and sip cocktails, there’s one unique side to Siquijor that can’t be experienced elsewhere. Siquijor is known for its traditional mananambal, in other words, mystic healers.
You might also call these locals witches because they practice a particular type of magic called Bulo Bulo, a type of healing magic. This dates back to days when Siquijor had no hospitals or healthcare. When locals became sick, they had no choice but to cure their own ailments.
This tradition has lived on and nowadays, the Siquijor locals are a superstitious bunch. As a tourist, you are welcome to visit a Siquijor healer which is a unique experience whether you or not you have a particular ailment.
They’ll assess and cleanse your aura using clear mountain water and magic stones. Whether or not you believe it works, you’ll definitely feel more relaxed and spiritual after a sunset cocktail back at the beach
Islands of Northern Palawan, Philippines
Explored by Lora from Explore with Lora
The Philippines is home to some of the most beautiful islands in the world, many of which are in the Palawan region. One of the best ways to explore them is to take a TAO expedition through the remote islands of Northern Palawan. This way you can view some of the most beautiful places in the Philippines all at once!
This 5-day expedition will take you across several islands in Palawan. TAO has 13 base camps throughout the islands, where you’ll spend the night sleeping in gorgeous bamboo huts. What makes the islands so special is how untouched everything is.
As the boat docked on a new island each night, I couldn’t believe it was real. Each one looks like they come straight out of a postcard, with crystal clear water and pristine white sand beaches. It truly feels like Paradise.
To visit the islands of Northern Palawan, you can join an island hopping tour with TAO Philippines. You can book online through their website or visit their office in El Nido or Coron. Tours depart from both cities every couple of days. If you’re looking for an authentic way to explore the Philippines, this is a great choice.
Read More: 20 Most Beautiful Places in Asia
Boracay, Philippines
Explored by Mariza from Hoponworld
If you’re looking for a postcard-perfect beach vacation in the Philippines, you don’t need to look much further than Boracay! As a small island located roughly 440km south of Manila, Boracay is gifted with stunning natural scenery and plenty to keep you busy for a few days’ stay. Apart from the standard options such as snorkeling, diving, and kite surfing, Boracay also offers other exciting options like parasailing, kayaking, island hopping, and more.
If that sounds too adventurous for you, White Beach – a stunning stretch of 4km soft powdery white sand – is the perfect place to take a stroll, get a tan, or play in the water. Besides the excellent scenery on offer, you’ll also find plenty of restaurants and beach bars ready to serve you an ice-cold beer or a freshly cracked coconut along the way.
While Boracay has no shortage of excellent accommodation options, you’ll find most of the hotels strung out along the main stretch. Station 2 is the perfect spot for partygoers as it is full of bars, clubs, and plenty to keep you busy well into the night. Those seeking something a bit more laid back can find refuge at Station 3 away from the crowds.
The nearest airport to Boracay is Caticlan International Airport, but you’ll likely need to have a layover in Manila or Cebu. Upon arrival at Caticlan, simply hop in a tricycle taxi to Caticlan Jetty Port and then catch a boat to this gorgeous island and start your adventures in one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.
Camiguin, Philippines
Explored by Katherine Cortes from Tara Lets Anywhere
There are many beautiful places in the Philippines. Among the underrated ones is Camiguin Island – an island province located in Mindanao. Camiguin is pretty laid-back so it appeals to those who want a relaxed stay. With its beaches and dive spots, it’s also a great option for water lovers.
As the island itself was formed due to ancient volcanic eruptions, it has interesting natural attractions and activities to offer. You can climb Mount Hibok-Hibok, the remaining active volcano on the island or you can visit the natural cold and hot springs. In like manner, you can swim in beautiful white-sand beaches including the famed White Island.
Camiguin is also one of the best diving locations in the country. Some easy diving spots you can visit include Mantigue Island and Sunken Cemetery. Lastly, you can’t visit Camiguin Island without seeing the Giant Clam Sanctuary, a protected area that houses over a thousand giant clams in various sizes.
For accommodation, you can choose from various lodgings in its capital Mambajao. You can also opt for beach resorts or mountain resorts, depending on your budget. Camiguin Island has its own airport called Mambajao Airport. It’s also accessible via Cagayan de Oro Airport, located a few hours away.
Panglao, Philippines
Explored by Nicholas from Rambling Feet
Panglao is a small island off the southwestern tip of Bohol and just east of Cebu. Two bridges cross the strait between Panglao and Bohol, making it painless to cross over once you take a ferry to Tagbilaran city on the latter island. An airport that opened on Panglao in 2018 makes it possible to get there directly via air from the rest of the Philippines.
The main attractions here are the beautiful white sand beaches on the southern and eastern sides of the island, with the most famous being Alona Beach. Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of beachfront resorts here.
Some of them have their own private stretches of sand (day passes offer a way to access them and other facilities); others have rooms right on the beach, and a few are perched on top of the rocky cliffs. All of them offer unobstructed views of the sunrise.
They can also arrange excursions to snorkel the reefs at Balicasag Island and swim among sea turtles. If you’re a strong swimmer, there are reefs close to the beach too–just mind the sea urchins!
For something different, Hinagdagan cave on the northern side of the island is a cool spot to swim in. Go to Bohol Bee Farm for lunch at least once-most of the ingredients they use are grown on-site. My favorite, though, is the ice-cream stand, which boasts some unique local flavors like ube (yam) and malunggay (moringa). It really hits the spot on a hot day!
Bohol Island, Philippines
Explored by Mansoureh from Travel with Mansoureh
Bohol is the tenth largest island in the Philippines and the country has more than 7500 islands. Bohol might not be as famous as Boracay, but this makes it more special. It is so enjoyable because the place is kept secret and it is not ruined with overcrowding.
Bohol has a coastline of 261 km (162 mi) long. Which has resulted in some picture-perfect white-sand beaches, lush green forest, epic rivers, stunning waterfalls and some awesome caves.
You can fly to Manila or Cebu City and then take a flight to Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol Island. Alternatively, you can take a boat from Cebu Port, where there are frequent ferries throughout the day going to Bohol.
Some people just take a day trip to Bohol from Cebu, while some prefer to stay on the island for a few days or even a week. No matter how long you are going to stay on the island, Bohol always has some amazing things to do.
Rent an ATV and drive to the Chocolate Hills, one of the most popular places on Bohol Island and have lunch on Loboc River Cruise and enjoy the traditional Filipino meal with an unforgettable view over the river. You can also go to Mahogany Forest which is the most instagrammable places on the island.
Sumilon Island, Philippines
Explored by Reshma Narasing from The Solo Globetrotter
Sumilon Island is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. It is located in the south of Cebu city and is home to the country’s first marine reserve. Although it is privately owned, tourists can enjoy spending time on the gorgeous island.
Sumilon is known for its secluded location, crystal-clear turquoise beaches, sandbar, vibrant corals and abundant marine life. The small yet beautiful island draws travelers for its four exclusive diving sites.
Most people visit Sumilon Island as a day trip from Cebu or Dumaguete. You can enjoy snorkeling, windsurfing, Kayaking amidst the mangroves, and hiking to the historic watchtower surrounded by tropical jungles. The sweet water Lagoon is a perfect place to enjoy paddling.
The incredible visibility of the seawater makes snorkeling and diving fantastic experiences. You will spot hundreds of types of tropical fish, and turtles around the dense reefs. If you are lucky, you may even spot whale sharks and dolphins. If you want to relax doing nothing, the beaches are excellent. Enjoy the spectacle of sunset at the sandbar with your favorite drink.
To reach Sumilon, you need to get to the pier at Oslob. From Cebu city, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the port by cab. Four boats leave every day, with the first one going at 8 AM, and the last one on the return journey is at 5 AM. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Sumilon Island.
Read More: Romantic things to do in Singapore
Vigan, Philippines
Explored by Wendy Werneth from The Nomadic Vegan
Vigan is a picture-perfect Spanish colonial town — something you would expect to come across in Mexico or Ecuador, but probably not in the Philippines. It was settled by Spanish conquistadores in 1572 and offers a unique blend of Asian and Spanish culture.
In the mestizo district, you’ll see the ancestral homes of Chinese traders whose architecture is a fusion of Asian and Spanish styles. Locals still maintain some Spanish traditions here, especially religious ones such as the Semana Santa celebrations that are similar to the famous ones in Seville.
Life seems to run at a much slower pace in Vigan than in other cities in the Philippines. It’s the perfect place to relax for a few days, and perhaps splurge on a stay in a colonial hotel. Although there are also more budget-friendly “transient rooms” on Liberation Boulevard. Avoid contributing to animal cruelty by riding the horse-drawn carriages, and instead take a stroll along Calle Crisologo and the other cobblestone streets of the old town.
There are plenty of antique shops here if you fancy doing some window shopping. Be sure to visit St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral, built in a style known as “earthquake Baroque” to withstand the earthquakes that are common in this region.
Located in North Luzon, Vigan can be reached from Manila by bus in about 8 to 10 hours. Several bus companies ply this route along the scenic Ilocos Highway.
Moalboal, Philippines
Explored by Darren & Lauren from Faramagan
There are so many reasons why Moalboal is the most beautiful place in the Philippines. Located in the Southwest of Cebu, it is easy to travel to Moalboal from other popular destinations such as Oslob, Malapascua Island, Bohol, and Dumaguete.
Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Cebu to Moalboal for only 160 pesos. From Moalboal bus station it is around a 10-minute journey to Panagsama Beach. Which is the main hub for all Moalboal activities from dining to diving.
Whether you have a week or a weekend, no Moalboal itinerary would be complete without snorkeling off Panagsama beach. Here it is guaranteed you will not only find turtles just minutes from the shore but also witness the famous sardine run.
It is an incredible experience to share the ocean with these creatures and watch them in the wild. Better yet, you won’t need an expensive tour to do so – simply hire a mask for 100 pesos from the nearby beach shops and you can snorkel straight from the shore.
After a busy day at the beach, the sunset at Panagsama is one of the most beautiful in the Philippines, if not the world. Crowds gather early at the picturesque beach bars which line the shore. Be sure to arrive early to save a spot to watch the sky transform into a rainbow of colors.
Sohoton Natural Bridge Natural Park, Philippines
Explored by Linn Haglund from Brainy Backpackers
One of the most beautiful places in the Philippines is Sohoton Natural Bridge nestled in the Sohoton Natural Bridge Natural Park in the Eastern Visayas. You can only visit by kayak and there are boats that take you from Sohoton Visitor Center and Eco-Lodge to the Panhulugan Cave where the kayaks wait.
The full tour includes a visit to the cave which is incredible with different rock formations resembling famous landmarks like the Great Wall of China and the Chocolate Hills. And of course, there is a cute family of miniature bats hanging out in the cave ceiling.
Once in the kayak, you will paddle through the Sohoton River surrounded by limestone cliff walls with a lush jungle cascading from the top. Sometimes the stream suckles louder and you need to be careful not to tip the kayak.
Once you get to the Natural Bridge, the kayak sliding silently under the limestone and into a natural pool surrounded by cliffs giving a delightful shade the world stops up just a little. This is the magic of nature. Breathtakingly beautiful.
To get to Sohoton Visitor Center and Eco-Lodge you need to travel either by bus or Jeepney from Tacloban to Basey. In Basey, you need to get your tickets at the Tourist Information. If you let the bus driver know upfront, he will stop right outside the door for you. At the Tourist Information, they will order a motorcycle taxi for you for the rest of the way.
El Nido, Philippines
Explored by Ivan from Mind the Travel
Located on the edge of Bacuit Bay in northern Palawan, the beach town of
El Nido is one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations and one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.
Full of secluded bays and caves, there’s enough here to keep you entertained for your whole trip. El Nido is also home to more than 50 limestone cliffs rising vertiginously out of stunning turquoise waters teeming with colorful corals and fish.
If you came to the Philippines to see spectacular beaches and island views, El Nido is best explored on an island-hopping spree. El Nido islets and islands hide in their bosoms’ cavernous depths, hidden lagoons, uninhabited stretches of powder-fine, dreamlike beaches, and exotic marine life not found anywhere else in the country.
An arduous ferry ride to the north and an equally long bus ride to the south bring the venturesome traveler to the emerald colored lagoons, one of the best places in the country to get your PADI certificate.
To get to El Nido you can by hopping on a plane from Manila to Puerto
Princesa Airport (PPS). The flight takes about one and a half hours,
followed by a 5 to 6-hour shuttle ride to El Nido town. Alternatively, you fly directly to El Nido from Manila, Cebu, or Boracay-Caticlan. This is the fastest but will set you back a bit more cash.
If the Philippines wasn’t on your bucket list before, it is now! This list of the most beautiful places in the Philippines only covers a handful of the beauty this stunning country has to offer. It is time to start planning your next tropical getaway to the Philippines!
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Love,
SSW
