Philippines Holidays
Home to over 7,000 dreamy islands, plenty of dazzling white sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs and sprawling rice terraces, holidays in the Philippines are ideal for exploring, relaxing and breath-taking natural scenery.
The country is easy to navigate and explore, as English is widely spoken by locals and all signs are written in English. Plus, the Philippines is home to a famously friendly culture.
International flights are available into the capital city of Manila and the Southern island of Cebu from popular destinations from Singapore and the UAE, making a stopover from the UK straightforward and easy. Plan a Philippines multi-centre holiday and you can pair island-hopping on beautiful beaches with a vibrant Asian city.
Island-hopping on your Philippines holidays
With more islands to explore than you could shake a stick at, island-hopping in the Philippines is a must. Each island offers a different vibe and selection of things to do, so you’re sure to find plenty to suit your tastes and interests.
Relax on Boracay’s pristine white sandy beaches and dance the night away in the island’s late night beach bars, or head south to Bohol to observe the adorable tarsier primates in the island’s sanctuary. Or, for glittering tropical waterfalls and exotic wildlife, take a visit to Cebu Island.
Plus, there are thousands of idyllic and untouched islands that have yet to be discovered, so if tranquility on a paradise island sounds good to you, you’re in for a treat. Book a boat trip with a local and you’ll be taken to a soft sandy beach where the only footprints will be your own.
With so many diverse islands and landscapes to discover, why settle with one location? Make the most of what the Philippines has to offer and explore as many of the country’s magical islands as you can.
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
While there are many dream destinations to visit in the Philippines, we have created some of our favourite itineraries for a diverse and exciting holiday navigating the country.
Philippines Island Discovery
Create unforgettable memories and witness breath-taking scenery on our 15 day Philippines Islands tour. Enjoy exploring fascinating Cebu , which is steeped in history and nature, discovering the peaceful wonders of Bohol and hopping from island to island to get...
Iconic journeys
Manila, Bohol and Cebu Multi Centre
Guide Price £2,099 pp
This suggested itinerary offers a great combination of bustling city life in the capital Manila, unspoilt natural beauty and beaches on the tropical island of Bohol and a combination of city sights and beaches in Cebu. We suggest you'll need...
Multi centre holidays
Singapore and the Philippines Multi Centre Holiday
Guide Price £2,999 pp
Combine a city break to the ultra-modern and gleaming streets of Singapore with beach island bliss in The Philippines on this multi-centre trip. Featuring innovative architecture, colonial landmarks and the island of Sentosa, contemporary Singapore will keep you occupied. Observe...
Beach holidays
Seychelles Boutique Cruise
The largest of the islands in the Seychelles archipelago, your eight day dream tour begins and ends in Mahé, aboard a sumptuous 21 cabin yacht. In the middle of the Indian Ocean , just off East Africa, you’ll visit a...
Escorted tours
Our favourite hotels
The Philippines is home to plenty of dreamy resorts and hotels. Browse our favourite places to stay in the Philippines - we are here to help you find the perfect hotel.
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You’ll find something utterly seductive about this collection of 7,000 islands. If its idyllic beaches don’t do it for you, we’re sure the wondrous scenery of emerald rice fields carved into the hillside will. You won’t want to miss the walled city of Intramuros, in the capital, Manila – home of Fort Santiago and the 17th Century San Agustin Church. And once you’ve ridden with the locals on a colourful jeepney, we’re sure you’ll be hooked.
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Island of Palawan
With its aquamarine lagoons and limestone cliffs, you’re going to find Palawan just magical. As you float along the underground river near Puerto Princesca, look out for monitor lizards, turtles and all sorts of tropical fish.
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![Banaue Rice Terraces]( "Banaue Rice Terraces")
Banaue rice terraces
You’ll be glad you made the journey from Manila to the mountains of Ifugao when you arrive in spectacular Banaue. Its dramatic rice terraces were created some 2,000 years ago and were named the 8th Wonder of the World.
Best time to visit the Philippines
While the islands offer warm temperatures year round, the best time to visit the Philippines is between December to May, when average temperatures are in the late 20°Cs and there’s little rainfall.
Temperatures are still in the high 20°Cs between June to November, but as this is the rainy season you can expect plenty of downpours and tropical storms.
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Lucy
Destination Specialist
“Try the local food, you won't be disappointed. The wonderful mix of Asian and Spanish influences has created a unique cuisine bursting with flavour.”
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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.”
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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.”
Events & Festivals
Festivals and events are wonderful to include during your holiday in the Philippines, offering a glimpse into the country’s authentic culture and traditions.
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New Year’s Eve
From outdoor fireworks celebrations to traditional family-focused gatherings, New Year’s Eve is a big deal in the Philippines. All around the country, the turn of the year is celebrated. For guaranteed fun and excitement on New Year’s Eve, head to the beaches of Boracay or the capital city of Manila.
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Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, falling at the end of January, is a significant event for Filipino-Chinese communities. Chinese New Year is celebrated all around the Philippines, with exciting parades and dragon dances occurring in cities all over.
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Easter
Filipinos uniquely celebrate Easter, devoting their time to ‘Holy Week’ the week before Easter where many people perform Christian holy rituals. During Easter, expect to see many locals re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus. For example, you’ll spot individuals wearing crowns of thorns during the public celebration.
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Araw ng Kagitingan
Also known as Bataan Day or Corregidor Day, Araw ng Kagitingan is an event of national observance that remembers the fall of during the Battle of Bataan during the Second World War. Small parades are held in celebration in different localities of the country.
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Independence Day
Filipino Independence Day takes place in June, and to celebrate you can witness nationwide parades. However, the main event is a police and military parade held in Manila, that is led by the Philippines’ president who gives a speech, followed by a 21 gun salute.
Local Cuisine
Get a flavour of the local culture through your palate during your Philippines holiday. Here are a few of our favourite dishes.
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Adobo
Many locals consider adobo the national dish of the Philippines, and the staple is popular with both locals and visitors all around the country. Adobo is a tangy, salty dish that features meat, seafood, or vegetables that are steeped in vinegar, soy sauce, black peppercorns and plenty of garlic. Then, the concoction is cooked in oil and simmered in its tasty marinade.
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Torta
Torta is another popular local dish, and many Filipinos grow up eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Created with simple ingredients, torta is a round omelette packed full of ground pork, onions and potatoes. Filling and delicious, it’s a go-to dish that can be eaten any time of the day.
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Lechon
Filipinos famously indulge in lechon, which is a whole-roasted pig. This is usually served on special occasions, such as at a fiesta or party. Cooked whole, a lechon offers flavoursome tender meat and delicious crispy skin. Sometimes the insides will be removed and stuffed with aromatic spices and vegetables, such as lemongrass, onions, leeks, garlic and salt, offering another dose of flavour.
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![a group of palm trees next to a body of water]( "White Beach, Boracay")
White Beach, Boracay
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![a view of a large mountain in the background with Chocolate Hills in the background]( "Chocolate Hills, Bohol")
Chocolate Hills, Bohol
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![an animal with its mouth open]( "Tarsier, Bohol")
Tarsier, Bohol
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![a boat sitting on top of a rock with Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in the background]( "Underground River, Palawan")
Underground River, Palawan
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![a yellow boat sitting on top of a rock]( "Big Lagoon, El Nido, Palawan")
Big Lagoon, El Nido, Palawan
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![a large stone building]( "San Pedro Fort, Cebu")
San Pedro Fort, Cebu
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![a yellow bus driving down a city street]( "Jeepney, Manila")
Jeepney, Manila
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![a person riding a horse drawn carriage]( "Intramuros, Manila")
Intramuros, Manila
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![a view of a city at night]( "Manila by night")
Manila by night
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![a group of palm trees next to a body of water]( "Bohol Beaches")
Bohol Beaches
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![a small boat in a body of water]( "Loboc River, Bohol")
Loboc River, Bohol
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![a group of items on a table]( "Alegre Guitar, Cebu")
Alegre Guitar, Cebu
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![a boat sitting on top of a sandy beach]( "Local boat, Boracay")
Local boat, Boracay
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![a large clock tower in front of a building]( "Taoist Temple, Cebu")
Taoist Temple, Cebu
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![a bridge going over a body of water]( "Roxas Boulevard, Manila")
Roxas Boulevard, Manila
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![a large red kite in the sky with Rizal Park in the background]( "Rizal Park, Manila")
Rizal Park, Manila
