Explore the Philippine Islands - A Tropical Paradise

The unspoilt islands of the Philippines offer lots of unforgettable travel experiences. Let us fill you in on what this region of the Far East has to offer!

The Philippines is a beautiful, traditional country in Asia, filled with cultural charm, diverse landscapes, and friendly locals. The country is home to more than 7600 islands with 15,700km of coastline, as well as a tropical climate, so warm sunshine can be enjoyed throughout the year here. We’d like to introduce you to some of the best island hotspots in the Philippines and what you can look forward to on a holiday to this region of the world.

Lush Luzon

Luzon is the largest and most populous island of the Philippines, situated north and known for its mountainous regions, dramatic volcanic landscapes, bustling cities including the Filipino capital Manila, and a coastline of stunning beaches with surfing and diving opportunities.

Manila is one of Luzon’s major destinations and the country’s beating heart with a mixture of colonial buildings and state-of-the-art architecture, plus hip cafes and night spots, the largest concentration of shopping malls in the country, and colourful cultural festivals.

Luzon is also home to Banaue, a town in the Ifugao province with the famed Banaue Rice Terraces, considered as the 8th Wonder of the World. These historic terraces are home to local tribe communities, and discovering these makes for the ultimate cultural experience where you can take part in rituals, learn traditional dances, and sample the local baya - rice wine.

Vast Visayas

Visayas in the central Philippines is one of the country’s main island groups, boasting some of the finest beaches and delicious local cuisine, in particular street food. 

The province of Cebu is situated in Visayas, which comprises Cebu Island and around 150 surrounding islands and islets. Cebu offers once-in-a-lifetime diving adventures, plus mountain trekking at the Osmeña Peak and rock climbing at the glistening Kawasan Falls. Cebu is a popular gateway destination with easy access to its surrounding islands Bohol and Negros.

The Province of Aklan in the Western Visayas is also worth noting; here you’ll discover the tiny island of Boracay, one of the finest diving locations in the Philippines, surrounded by colourful corals and native marine live with exciting diving and cave tours. In Boracay you can also relax on serene beaches and catch incredible sunsets by the ocean.

Then there’s Bohol, a Central Visayas province also known as God’s Little Paradise, with 73 islands offering beaches and thrilling water based adventures such as parasailing, kayaking, and jet skiing. Bohol’s most famed attraction is its Chocolate Hills, a National Geological Monument comprising 1268 hills in a symmetrical pattern, all of which transform into a chocolate colour in the summer.

Paradise Palawan

Located in the Mimaropa region, the island province of Palawan is considered as one of the world’s most beautiful island destinations. There are 1780 pristine islands in Palawan with white sand beaches, glistening lakes, coral reefs including the Tubbatha Reefs National Park which covers 33,200 hectares, and the Puerto Princesa Underground River which flows into a lagoon.

Stunning Siargao

Last but by no means least is the island of Siargao, located south of the Philippines in the Caraga region. This tropical tear drop shaped island offers a myriad of outdoor adventures such as cliff jumping, mangrove tours, island hopping, and cave swimming, and it’s nicknamed as the surf capital of the Philippines. Siargao offers an authentic take on the Philippines because it’s not filled with tourists, and you can reach the island via a domestic flight from either Luzon, the Visayas, or Mindanao.

Our partner airline Philippine Airlines offers a direct service to the Philippines, including daily flights from London Heathrow to Manila which includes a 30kg checked baggage allowance. This route is operated by the A350-900 aircraft, designed for long-haul comfort with generous space and legroom, complimentary meals, an extensive selection of refreshing beverages, and the myPAL digital entertainment system, offering over 300 hours of free music, movies, games, and TV shows. Contact us to book flights to Philippines or browse our handpicked holiday packages to the Philippine Islands.

Quick Travel Need-to-Knows for Philippines

• The Philippines is a 13 hour direct flight from London.
• There’s no need for a visa, unless you plan on staying over 30 days
• The national language is Filipino, and English is widely spoken here
• Peso is the main currency