Philippines

Pearl of the Orient Seas

Famous for its 7,000 pristine islands, beautiful beaches, incredible coral reefs and breathtaking rice terraces, the Philippines offers the slice of paradise you’ve been looking for.

Famed for its warm hospitality and friendly locals, the archipelago won’t disappoint; see tiny Tarsiers in Bohol’s sanctuary, enjoy Boracay’s powder-soft white sand beaches and buzzing nightlife, and meet local tribes in the far north. With many of the islands still laying undiscovered from tourism, the Philippines offers a magical experience like no other with barefoot luxury and stunning landscapes that will leave you wanting more.

The Philippines is also the perfect stopover destination. Explore Manila’s old city, Intramuros, before island hopping to Cebu and Bohol with their amazing beaches, diving and wildlife. Why settle with one location when you can explore more of this amazing part of the world?

Essential Information

See Practical Information

Time Zone GMT +8 hours
Currency PHP - Philippine Peso
Visa Information British citizens do not need to obtain a visa for stays under 30 days
Language Filipino, but English is widely spoken and understand
Flight Time Direct flights are available with Philippine Airlines who all offer a direct daily services from London Heathrow to Manila.
Health Information No specific vaccinations required

Top Tips from our Experts

Lucy

Destination Specialist

“The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, so I would always recommend doing a few island hopping day trips while you're there. These excursions allow you to see some of the most beautiful remote islands. You travel by the traditional Philippine boats between each island, and you can sometimes spot dolphins and whale sharks along the way.”

Robert

Destination Specialist

“Why not miss out Manila and fly into Cebu. Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa has great snorkelling. It's only a one and a half hour high speed catamaran to Bohol, home of the tiny tarsier monkey, or a direct flight to El Nido for a luxury Philippine experience at the Pangulasian Resort.”

Emma

Destination Manager

“The Philippines are easier to get to than you’d imagine. There are direct flights from London to Manila and once you’re there it’s easy to get around, and everyone speaks English. Add to your adventure by hopping on an internal flight or boat and see more of the islands.”

Great sample itineraries

Here's a selection of popular itineraries to give you some ideas. But almost anything's possible so call us now and we'll create an amazing holiday just for you.

7 days

Essential Philippines Tour

Guide Price £1,699 pp

Discover some of the Philippines' best loved attractions on this wonderful 7 day tour. Your journey will start in the bustling capital Manila where you can explore the historic part of the city before flying south to the tropical island...

Wildlife holidays

5 days

Highlights of the North Tour

Guide Price £969 pp

Discover wonderful local life and incredible mountain scenery on this five day tour. Begin your journey in Manila where you will drive north to Banaue, home to the 2,000 year old rice terraces. Visit native villages and mingle with the...

Escorted tours

14 days

Singapore and the Philippines Multi Centre

Guide Price £2,539 pp

Singapore is without a doubt one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. With its ultra-modern streets, colonial monuments and nearby Sentosa - home to Universal Studios, this glistening city has it all. After a busy few days in...

Diving holidays

Our Philippines destinations

Philippines

Boracay

Philippines

Cebu

Philippines

Bohol

Philippines

Palawan

Philippines

Manila

Philippines

Ifugao

Types of Philippines holidays

Philippines Multi Centre Holidays

Philippines Tours

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long is the flight to the Philippines?

Flights to the Philippines take approximately 14 hours and 15 minutes. Philippine Airlines currently offer daily direct flights from London Heathrow to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and various indirect options to various other airports in the Philippines including Cebu and Busuanga.

How many islands are there in the Philippines?

There are 7,641 islands in the Philippines, according to The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). As there are thousands of islands in the archipelago – the majority of which are uninhabited and unnamed – it’s very possible that there are more waiting to be discovered.