What is Philippines Famous For? Top 20 Popular Places & Things in Philippines

The Philippines is one of the most exotic and beautiful tourist destinations in Southern Asia. Its beautiful islands, tropical rainforests, and exotic wildlife have attracted tourists. Additionally, adventure lovers choose to visit this spot to explore its picturesque environment and cultural and historic sites. 

If you are planning a holiday here, you should know that the currency used here is Philippine peso, and as of November, 2022, 1 Philippine peso equals ₹ 1.44.

If you are wondering what the Philippines is known for, you should be aware of the popular places to visit here. These are listed below.

1. Banaue Rice Terraces

A top tourist destination in the Philippines, the Banaue Rice Terraces are often considered the 8th Wonder of the World. It is a great source of culture and history of this country.

Ancestors of the local indigenous Ifugao tribes carved these terraces into the mountains and hillsides about 2,000 years ago. These tribes used little to no machinery in carving them and completed these using their hands. Further, level steps in the sloped ground allowed people to cultivate rice.

2. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park

This marine park attracts tourist attention for being one of the most unique and beautiful coral reefs. It is mainly a marine sanctuary and has roles of protecting and preserving the Tubbataha atoll coral reef. Here, you will find various species of fish and coral. It is located in the Sulu Sea, about 160 km southwest of Cagayancillo. In addition, you will need to take a dive boat to reach here.

3. Chocolate Hills

Among other unique features and natural beauty, the Philippines have gained significance with the Chocolate Hills. Located in Central Bohol, this hill range constitutes an unusual geographical formation. Moreover, this area consists of multiple hills which look like giant chocolate kisses. These are the results of coral deposits through rain and erosion. Nevertheless, these hills retain their brown and chocolate colour during the dry season of November to May.

4. Beaches and Islands

The Philippines is mainly popular for its beautiful beaches and islands. Over 7,000 islands and white sand beaches are here, which increases its scenic beauty. This is a reason behind the popularity of this country among couples planning honeymoons. Some of the popular islands include Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao. Moreover, it is the home to White Beach, a popular sandy beach with crystal clear white sands. Further, these islands and beaches offer stunning sunset views.

5. Intramuros

If you take interest in digging into Filipino history and culture, you should consider checking out Intramuros. It was built in 1571, situated around the Pasig River's southern side. This building was a centre for military, political, and religious power during the Spanish colonisation. There are 51 blocks within the vast walls and seven fortified gates here. In addition, there are various hospitals, churches, accommodation facilities, military barracks, etc., inside this city.

6. Taal Volcano & Lake

If you are a nature lover, you can check out an active volcano in the freshwater Taal Lake in the Philippines. It is only 50 km to the south of Manila. You might catch hot fumes and ashes from this volcano's mouth, which is an impressive sight, especially for photography. Moreover, it is surrounded by the beautiful Taal lake that spans over 243 sq km, covering the Taal Caldera.

7. City of Vigan

This city again upholds Filipino history and culture. It was built in the late 1500s under Spanish colonialism and strongly dominated Spanish architecture. Recently, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you will observe a beautiful blend of Spanish and Filipino building designs, with a fusion of townscape and culture. It is also the capital of Ilocos Sur, located northwest of Luzon.

8. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

This river park has gained popularity among tourists for its stunning natural features. Located 50 km north of Puerto Princesa City, this park is surrounded by the St. Paul Mountain Range. It features the longest Underground River worldwide and unique cave systems. Moreover, you can also find spectacular rock formations, tropical rainforests and impressive native wildlife in this park, making it one of the many famous things in the Philippines.

9. Baroque Churches

The Philippines is the only Asian country with a predominance of Christianity. Among its numerous churches, Baroque Churches have gained popularity. It comprises four churches built during the late 16th century under Spanish colonial rule. These churches include San Agustin Church in Manila and Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Ilocos Sur, and Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church. These churches are significant parts of Filipino history for spreading Christianity in this country.

10. Maria Cristina Falls

This is another popular thing in the Philippines, adding to its natural beauty. You will find this waterfall on Mindanao Island, coming from River Agus. Maria Cristina Falls is also known as the “twin falls" since a rock at the fall's crest separates its water flow. It is located in Iligan, also called the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", as it is home to 20 waterfalls. You cannot visit it on days other than Sundays and special occasions.

If you wish to know what the Philippines is known for, you should check out more than its popular places. Here are some other things popular in this country.

11. Festivals and Fiestas

The Philippines is a country with rich culture and tradition. While vacationing here, you can find some popular festivals. The biggest one is the Ati-Atihan Festival, which takes place in January. People wear colourful clothes and parade in the streets, which is a treat to foreigners' eyes.

On the other hand, Panagbenga is a festival for flowers, while Pahiyas celebrate harvests. The Kadayawan festival observes beauty pageants, street dancing, floral floats, and fireworks displays.

12. Pleasant Weather

One of the best features of the Philippines is its favourable weather conditions, supporting tourists to visit this country across the year. The summer season allows tourists to enjoy sightseeing and photography. As it is a tropical country, this country only observes dry and rainy seasons. This makes it an ideal place to visit for people living in areas that experience extremely cold weather. Even if you visit in the rainy seasons, you can enjoy many indoor activities.

13. Rich Culture and Tradition

The Philippines observes a perfect blend of East and West cultures. While Filipino citizens have an Asian background and culture, Western activities strongly influence them. The influence of the Chinese traders, Spanish conquistadors, and American rulers are evident in the modern Filipino culture. People here are extremely warm and welcoming, which adds to tourist attractions. In addition, you can find a few unique tribal influences on some of its islands.

14. Filipino Cuisine

Another tourist attraction in the Philippines is its delicious cuisine. It is different from other Asian cuisines as it has strong Japanese, Spanish and American influences. Some popular dishes include adobo, meat cooked in soy sauce and vinegar, and Lechon or whole roasted pig. Other popular ones include Sinigang, Sisig and Pinakbet/Pakbet. Further, the street food in this area is delicious and pocket-friendly.

15. Diving and Snorkelling Spots

If you are a sports enthusiast, you can enjoy multiple water sports in the Philippines. Malapascua diving in Cebu is a popular sport which allows you to see sharks. Moreover, you can also undertake such sports from the Verde Island Passage between Luzon and Mindoro. Tourists prefer Balicasag Island diving when they are staying in Bohol. In addition, you can also consider the Moalboal sardine run sport to experience the sardine run.

16. Wild and Rare Animals

If you are wondering what the Philippines is best known for, you can consider the unique wildlife. It has a rich biodiversity, being home to many unique animals. Tourists who are into wildlife can find various new species of animals here. For instance, there is the Philippine tarsier which is one of the smallest primates in the world. Moreover, it is rich in marine biodiversity, allowing tourists to experience swimming with sharks and sardines.

17. Unique Transportation

Among multiple unique characteristics of the Philippines, you can consider its transportation. Here, you will find Jeepney, which is a unique Filipino transport. These come in vibrant colours and resemble a fusion of jeeps and buses. You will also find motorised rickshaws here, known as the tricycle or trike. These have a motorbike with a sidecar attached to the main vehicle.

18. Shopping Malls

A shopping spree is natural when you are visiting a foreign country. The Philippines is home to 10 of the biggest shopping malls. These include the Iran Mall, South China Mall, Mall Of Istanbul and SM Tianjin. Additionally, these shopping malls offer a variety of items related to the tradition and culture of the Philippines. In addition, you can collect souvenirs for your close ones while admiring the beauty of their architecture.

19. Natural Beauty

The beautiful beaches and islands have added to the natural beauty of the Philippines. Moreover, it features volcanoes, which attract nature lovers across the world. Being a tropical country, the Philippines has successfully maintained its stunning greenery. It is one of the largest producers of coconuts, and you can also find mangosteens, papayas and bananas around this region.

20. Nightlife

The Philippines has gained fame for offering amazing nightlife experiences to visitors. Beach parties are common in the famous pubs of Boracay. Moreover, you can find multiple nightclubs around this country. Local beer in the Philippines is popular worldwide, which is also cheap and affordable. Another popular aspect here can be Karaoke nights. Filipino people enjoy this activity at their parties.

Hopefully, now you have a better idea about what the Philippines is famous for. As this article pointed out, the Philippines has amazing weather and is surrounded by beaches and islands. Apart from the stunning views, the area features waterparks, water sports and exotic wildlife.