If you have some vacation time to burn, here’s an itinerary for 10 perfect days in the Philippines. From beaches to historical sites to unusual experiences, this Philippines itinerary has you covered!
Day 1: Arrival & Explore Intramuros
It’s likely you will arrive in Manila in the early morning. While it might be tempting to get an early check in at your hotel, resist the urge! You will get over jetlag much easier if you stay awake as long as possible today. So we are going to get out and start exploring.
The heart of old Manila is Intramuros, the historic walled district built during the Spanish period (1565-1898). Here you will see some of the top tourist attractions in Manila. Explore the area via a walking tour, a bamboo bike tour, or on a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) ride.
Start at San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the Philippines. From there, stop at Casa Manila, a restored colonial home in Intramuros that shows what life was like for a wealthy Filipino family during the Spanish era. Then go to Manila Cathedral, one of the most important landmarks in Intramuros for hundreds of years. From there, walk through Fort Santiago, a centuries-old fortress that played a major role in the country’s colonial and wartime history.
End your day watching the sunset at Manila Bay. If you are feeling brave, you can get around the city in a jeepney. These decorated vehicles started as leftover American military jeeps after World War II. This is not an activity that all tourists are comfortable with. But if you want to give it a try, consult this post for details on how to do it! Otherwise, use Grab rideshare to get around.
Day 2: Manila History & Food
Spend a few hours at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. It is the largest American military cemetery outside the United States and honors thousands of American service members who died in the Pacific during World War II.
If you are interested in shopping, dining, and art exhibits, head to Bonifacio Global City. If museums are more your speed, look no further than the National Museum of the Philippines. It is actually a complex of museums: National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Natural History. Admission is free.
After a day of sightseeing, head to Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world. Established in 1594, It is one of the best places in Manila to eat, especially if you want to try local Chinese-Filipino dishes. Take a food tour that combines information on the history of the area with some delicious bites. This is also a great place to shop. Check out Ongpin Street for antique shops, jewelry, and traditional medicine dispensaries. Nearby, you can bargain shop in Divisoria Market.
Day 3: Day Trip from Manila
Today you will choose one of our recommended day trips from Manila! Here are your options:
- Tagaytay & Taal Volcano – visitors to Tagaytay usually spend the day lounging at the one of many local restaurants and cafés with panoramic views of the volcano. If you a more adventurous, you can continue onto the town of Talisay and take a boat across the lake to the volcano.
- Corregidor Island – this island served as a military stronghold during the war, earning the nickname “The Rock.” There are extensive ruins, tunnels, bunkers, defense batteries, and other relics from the war.
- Pagsanjan Falls – you’ll board the boat at Pagsanjan Town for a two hour journey to the waterfall. As you float along and periodically shoot through the rapids, you will enjoy tremendous views of the spectacular scenery of the area.
- Taal Heritage Village – here you will see remarkably preserved 17th century Spanish colonial architecture. Wander the cobblestone streets to admire churches, ancestral homes, shops, boutiques, and cafes.
- Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort – this is a heritage resort on a working coconut plantation. You can spend your day enjoying a variety of activities, while learning more about the local culture.
- Hidden Valley Springs – this resort is surrounded by tropical forest and natural hot spring pools. You can hike, soak in six different natural pools of various temperatures, and relax.
- Anilao – if you like scuba diving and snorkeling, this is the day trip for you. There are more than 50 dive sites filled with shallow coral reefs and incredible marine diversity.
Day 4: Fly to Puerto Princesa
Today, you will take a 1.5 hour flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa. When you arrive, enjoy the waterfront area. You can take a walk on the bay and enjoy some great seafood in one of the restaurants there. We’ll take it easy today since we’ve been very busy so far and we have more great days in the Philippines ahead!
Day 5: Puerto Princesa Underground River
Today we visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Here you will take a boat through a cave system beneath limestone cliffs. First, you take a motor boat to the cave entrance. Along the way, you may see monkeys, lizards, and other wildlife. Then you transfer to a small boat paddled by a guide. The paddle boat enters the cave system where you see stalactites and stalagmites and hear thousands of bats overhead. The park is located about 2 hours from the city of Puerto Princesa, so I think it is easiest to take a group tour.
Day 6: Fly to Bohol
Finally, it’s time to discover beaches in the Philippines. You will fly from Puerto Princesa to Bohol–Panglao International Airport. This flight usually requires a connection and can take up between 4-8 hours. So you will want to leave early to squeeze in some beach time in the late afternoon/evening.
When you arrive, check into a resort near Alona Beach. Then go out to enjoy it’s white powdery sand beaches and clear calm water. There’s also a plethora of resorts, restaurants, dive shops, and everything you might need nearby.
Day 7: Beach Day
Today we’ll devote entirely to beach activities. Diving and snorkeling are popular here, as are other water activities. You can also take an island hopping and dolphin watching tour.
Day 8: Natural Wonders
Now that we’ve spent some time on the beach, we’ll discover more nature in the Philippines. Take a guided tour to see the Chocolate Hills. This is one of the country’s most unusual landscapes. More than a thousand rounded hills rise out of the countryside. They get their name since they turn brown in the dry season.
You will stop at a sanctuary to see the tiny Philippine tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world. After that, enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Loboc River through lush jungle scenery.
Day 9: Beach & Fireflies
We are devoting another day to beach activities. Bask in the sun and soak up all the views of that beautiful white sand and clear gorgeous water. You will miss it when you are gone! In the evening, to on a river nighttime firefly tour where entire mangrove trees light up naturally.
Day 10: Return to Manila
Our trip has come to an end, so we need to fly back to Manila. This is a quick 1.5 hour flight. Flights to the United States from Manila usually depart late at night. So you can spend a few more hours at the beach before departing. Or you can return to Manila early, store your luggage at the airport, then go back into the city to see any sites you missed.
What are you most excited about doing during your 10 days in the Philippines?
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