If you’ve ever been to the Philippines, you know that there’s so much more than beaches in this country. It’s a diverse land with many different regions and cultures, not just one monolithic entity like some people think. It’s also a country full of friendly people who are always ready to help out a visitor. Add to that the fact that it has one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia and it becomes clear why more and more people are choosing to visit or move there permanently—and why they’re probably going to keep doing so in the future! If you’re looking for an exciting new place to travel, here are 10 reasons why the Philippines should top your list:
1. Manila
If you’re looking for a place with plenty of history and culture, Manila is the perfect destination. The capital city of the Philippines has a population of 1.6 million people and is considered one of the world’s best shopping destinations. Manila is also home to many government offices and national institutions, making it an important cultural and educational center in Southeast Asia.
Manila was founded by Spanish colonizers in 1571 on what was then called “Maynila,” an island near modern-day Manila Bay that served as a trading post between China, Japan and other parts of Southeast Asia during its heyday between 13th century until 1565 when Spain took control over most parts of Philippines including all islands surrounding Manila Bay area including Corregidor Island which later became famous during World War II when Japanese forces tried unsuccessfully invade American forces stationed there during WWII but failed because Americans managed successfully defend themselves against Japanese attacks despite having smaller number soldiers compared those who attacked them back then (I guess they were lucky enough not having any casualties)
2. Quezon City
Quezon City is the most populous city in the Philippines, as well as its national capital. It’s also known for being one of the most densely populated cities in Southeast Asia.
Quezon City is located within Metro Manila, which means you have access to all of its amenities and attractions from this location. It has several universities and colleges; it’s home to many government offices; and it offers plenty of public transportation options including buses, taxis, trains and airplanes (there are two airports within distance).
Quezon City has a total population of 2,676,000 people according to 2018 estimates–making it larger than many European countries! You’ll find everything you need here: restaurants serving up local favorites like adobo or sinigang with rice; shops selling clothes made by local designers; parks where kids can play soccer with friends…and much more!
3. Cebu City
Cebu City is the largest city in the Visayas and has a large population, which means there are many things to do and see. The city has plenty of attractions for tourists, including churches, museums, historical buildings, parks and gardens. You can also visit nearby islands like Bohol or Siquijor if you have time!
Cebu City has great food! Your taste buds will be happy when they try some delicious seafood dishes like lechon (roasted pork belly) or kinilaw na tuna (raw tuna marinated in vinegar). It’s also home to some popular Filipino dishes such as adobo (braised meat), pancit bihon (noodles), lumpia Shanghai (fried egg rolls)and kare-kareng Gulay na Manok(chicken stew with vegetables).
To get to Cebu City, you can fly or take a ferry from Manila. If you’re flying, there are direct flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila that take only an hour and a half. Ferries leave every day from the Port of Cebu and arrive at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in about four hours. You can also ride a bus from Manila or any other part of Luzon!
4. Davao City
Davao City is the largest city in the Philippines and is known as “the City of Flowers.” It’s a popular tourist destination for its beautiful beaches, mountains and waterfalls. In addition to being a great place to visit, Davao has many resorts, restaurants and hotels that cater to those looking for a more comfortable stay while they’re here. There are also plenty of things to do during your time in Davao City including visiting local attractions like the Philippine Eagle Center which houses our national bird: an eagle named Darna.
You can also check out the Matina Enclaves, a collection of shops and restaurants that are all located in one area. The Enclaves are a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy a meal or two at one of their many restaurants. If you’re looking for an adventure you should try diving with whale sharks in Dapitan Bay or visit the Crocodile Farm where you’ll be able to hold baby crocs as well as feed them from your hand!
Davao City is also home to many great hotels and resorts. One of our favorites is the Marco Polo Davao Hotel which offers excellent accommodations, friendly staff and plenty of amenities including a swimming pool and fitness center. If you’d prefer a hostel instead of a hotel you’ll love staying at the The Ridges Hostel which has an awesome rooftop bar with amazing views of Mt. Apo.
5. Bacolod City
Bacolod City is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental and is located on the northwest coast of Negros Island. It was formerly known as “Hacienda de Bacólod” (Hacienda of Bacólod) during the Spanish colonial period, which explains why it’s sometimes referred to as “The Queen City”.
It’s also known as “The City of Smiles”, due to its warm and friendly people who are always willing to help out visitors who come here looking for a good time. Bacolod has many places worth visiting such as museums, parks, churches and more!
The Bacolod City Museum is located at the heart of Bacolod City, and was established in 1981. It houses a collection of various artifacts from the past, including those from the pre-Hispanic era. It also has an ethnographic exhibit that features collections from various tribes in Negros Island.
The Bacolod City Science and Technology Complex is a modern building that houses various museums and galleries. It has a planetarium, an aquarium, an art gallery and more! You can also visit the Negros Museum of History which features historical artifacts from all over Negros Island.
6. Iloilo City, Philippines
Iloilo City is the capital of Iloilo Province, on the southeast coast of Panay Island in Western Visayas. It’s known as one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines and is home to numerous industries including food processing, pharmaceuticals and electronics manufacturing.
Iloilo City has been named one of “Asia’s Emerging Cities” by Bloomberg Businessweek magazine due to its rapid economic growth and development since 2000. It was also recognized as one of Asia’s “New Tiger Economies” by Fortune Magazine because it has some promising prospects for continued economic expansion going forward over at least another decade or so (depending on where you look).
Iloilo City is also home to one of the Philippines’ largest universities, the Western Visayas State University. The school has over 20,000 students enrolled in its various programs and offers degrees in a variety of fields including medicine, dentistry and engineering.
The city is also a major port and gateway to the rest of Panay Island. Iloilo City has a number of shopping centers, malls and other retail outlets where you can find anything from clothing to electronics. There are also plenty of restaurants in the area offering cuisines from all over the world including Chinese, Korean, Italian and American food.
7. Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City is located in Mindanao, the second largest island of the Philippines. It’s known as the “City of Golden Friendship” and has a reputation for being one of the most culturally diverse places in all of Southeast Asia. Zamboanga also has some great beaches, delicious food and an awesome nightlife scene.
Zamboanga’s history goes back hundreds of years; it was once part of an ancient kingdom called Srivijaya before being colonized by Spain during their rule over much of Southeast Asia (1521-1898). Today, many people visit this historic city because it offers everything from shopping malls to historical sites like Fort Pilar which dates back centuries ago when Spanish soldiers first arrived here on horseback looking for gold mines but ended up staying longer than expected due to various reasons including disease outbreaks among other things like disputes between different factions within their ranks over who gets access rights first!
Today, Zamboanga is a city that attracts both locals and tourists alike. It’s the perfect place to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life while still feeling relaxed and calm at the same time.
8. Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
Cagayan de Oro is a city in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. It has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country due to its beaches, resorts and other attractions.
The city is also known as CDO and is often called “Gold City” because it was once one of the major gold-producing areas in Asia.[2] Today, Cagayan de Oro is still associated with this precious metal as many mining companies continue operating there.[3] The city has been described as having an “undeniable charm” by Lonely Planet,[4] while CNN Traveler named it one of their top 10 cities for visitors to see before they die.[5]
Cagayan de Oro has a population of approximately 600,000 people[6] and is located near the Cagayan River about 50 miles (80 km) north of Iligan City and 120 miles (190 km) south of Butuan City. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Philippines.[7]
9. Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines
Tagbilaran is the capital city of Bohol, an island province located in the Visayas region of the Philippines. This city is known for its beaches and scuba diving spots that attract tourists from all over Asia.
The population of Tagbilaran is about 100,000 people. It’s located on the island of Bohol in the Visayas region of the Philippines. This popular destination for tourists who want to see dolphins or whale sharks!
The city is divided into two districts: Tagbilaran West, which includes the downtown area, and Tagbilaran East, which has most of the residential areas.
The city of Tagbilaran is the capital city of Bohol, an island province located in the Visayas region of the Philippines. This popular destination for tourists who want to see dolphins or whale sharks! The population of Tagbilaran is about 100,000 people. It’s located on the island of Bohol in the Visayas region of the Philippines.
10. Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Vigan is a historic city in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 because of its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture and culture. This makes Vigan a great place to visit if you’re interested in seeing some of the Philippines’ rich history. The city also offers opportunities for other activities such as hiking, water sports and adventure sports like Bungee jumping!
Vigan has many beautiful parks offering stunning views over both land and sea so it makes sense why this would be one of the best cities in the Philippines for nature lovers too!
Vigan is known as the “Stone City” because of its many old stone buildings, churches and houses. The city has many beautiful examples of Spanish colonial architecture and culture. This makes Vigan a great place to visit if you’re interested in seeing some of the Philippines’ rich history.
All of these cities are great candidates for your next vacation in the Philippines
You can’t go wrong with any of these cities. They all have a lot to offer, from great restaurants and shopping to beautiful beaches and historical landmarks. You’ll have fun in any of these places, so don’t hesitate to pick one for your next vacation!
There are many things to do in each city: go snorkeling at Puerto Galera or surfing on Boracay Island; visit museums and historical sites like Intramuros in Manila or Magellan’s Cross in Cebu City; shop at malls like Ayala Center Cebu or SM Mall of Asia; eat delicious food at restaurants like Max’s Restaurant (Manila), Crisostomo (Cebu City) and Max’s Bistro (Boracay Island).
We hope you enjoyed this list of the top 10 best cities in the Philippines. We know how difficult it can be to choose a place for your next vacation, so we tried our best to make this list as comprehensive and inclusive as possible. If there are any other places that you think should be added or removed from this list (or if there are any inaccuracies), please let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget: if all else fails when it comes time for planning out your trip – just remember that most Filipinos speak English (and usually some other languages too), so wherever they go will probably have someone nearby who speaks something close enough. That’s it, enjoy your trip!