The capital of the Philippines, one of the most densely populated cities on the planet. It was founded in 1571. Currently, this city is included in the National Capital Region. Manila is famous primarily for its historical district Intramuros, various museums, Rizal Park and the official presidential Palace Malakanian.

On the banks of the Pasig River is the famous historical district of the capital — Intramuros. At the end of the XVI century, it was erected to protect Spanish families. Today, tourists from all over the world come here to see the ancient fortress with their own eyes Intramuros, visit one of the oldest churches in the country, San Agustin, built in 1607, and also get acquainted with the local defensive structure - Fort Santiago.

One of the most popular tourist centers of the country. There are wonderful places for diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and beach lovers are attracted by the famous White Beach. There are many hotels, cafes and restaurants on the island of Boracay, and fashionable DJs and daily incendiary discos are waiting for night party-goers.

Jungles, mangrove forests and mountains are the main natural characteristics of the island of Palawan, which began to be inhabited in the XII century. Currently, people come here to live in luxury eco-hotels, go diving and trekking, as well as visit the famous Tabon caves, where the remains of ancient humanoid creatures were discovered.

The length of the White beach on the island of Boracay is about 4 kilometers. There are always a lot of vacationers here, and newlyweds often use the White Beach for wedding ceremonies. Conventionally, the beach is divided into three parts, according to the numbers of the boat stations. The purest sand and the gentle entrance to the water make the White Beach a wonderful place for a family holiday.

One of the oldest urban parks in Asia is Jose Rizal Park. This special place was named after a famous Filipino figure of the XIX century. And in 1946, it was in this park that the independence of the country was proclaimed. Among other attractions there is a monument to Jose Rizal, Independence Flagpole, Japanese and Chinese Gardens, National Library of the Philippines, Orchid Greenhouse and Butterfly Pavilion.

In 2008, the Manila Ocean Park Aquarium was opened in Jose Rizal Park. The main local entertainment here is the 25-meter tunnel "Living Ocean", the walls of which bend at an angle of 220 degrees. Manila Ocean Park itself is divided into several thematic zones. Also in the aquarium you can see a musical fountain, whose height is more than 35 meters.

The first historical mentions of the city Vigan dates back to the XVI century, when the local population traded with merchants of China. The buildings of this city combine the architectural solutions of the Philippines, China and Europe. Among the attractions In Vigan, it is worth noting such places as the Cathedral, the birthplace of the Filipino patriot Jose Burgos and the residence of the president.

The river is located on the island of Palawan. For 8 kilometers it flows in a large cave, where sightseeing flights are regularly made. A little more than 1 kilometer of this underground river is available for inspection.

On an island famous among tourists Bohol is an unusually picturesque mountain system — Chocolate Hills. These geological monuments got their original name thanks to the grass that covers them. During the dry season, the grass dries up and turns from green to brown – hence the name of the hills.

One of the most beautiful active volcanoes on the planet is the Philippine volcano Mayon, located on the island of Luzon. At the base of the volcano, you can see the remains of the city of Sagzawa, destroyed by the eruption of 1814. You can see Mayon from a bird's-eye view from the cockpit of a seaplane, those who wish have the opportunity to make a hike to the volcano.

To see one of the smallest active volcanoes on the planet, you should move south from the capital of the Philippines. The volcano is located in the center of the lake of the same name, so the most convenient way is by water. The volcano is not too high, and you can get to its top in literally 20-30 minutes. The Taal offers an amazing view of the lake and its surroundings.

The unique man-made fields, created more than 2 thousand years ago, are a national treasure and a popular tourist attraction of the Philippines. The excellent irrigation system of rice terraces in the Philippine Cordillera is still used to this day in the cultivation of vegetables and rice.

These structures are located in different geographical locations of the Philippines. They are UNESCO sites and are united in one pool of attractions thanks to a peculiar interpretation of the Baroque style by Filipino and Chinese masters. The Church of the Holy Augustina is located in Manila, it is the oldest church in the country. The Church of St. Thomas of Villanueva is built in the city Miagao in the XVIII century. Churches Paoay and Santa Maria are located on the island of Luzon.

There is a famous reef to the southeast of Palawan Island Tubbataha, which gave the name to the local national park. A huge number of fish species live here, among which there are barracudas, moray eels, stingrays and hammerhead sharks. Divers from all over the world are in a hurry to dive near the Tubbataha Reef to see with their own eyes all the aquatic diversity of these places.

The famous object of mountain tourism of the Philippines. This active volcano with a height of more than 1400 meters last erupted in 1991. It was then that the crater was formed, which later turned into a lake. This lake attracts tourists with its beauty almost as much as the volcano itself.

At the request of the Chinese diaspora living on the island Cebu, a Taoist temple was built here in the 1970s. Made in the traditional Chinese architectural style, it looks original among the Philippine landscapes. In addition to the rich interior decoration, tourists are attracted here by the original method of divination about the future.

One of the largest reefs on the planet — Apo Reef – is a popular attraction in the Philippines. To protect the local natural diversity, a nature park of the same name was created here. From the end of winter to May, diving enthusiasts come to the reef to personally admire the variety of corals and the many fish that live here.

The highest point of the Philippines, which is a potentially active volcano. These are the favorite places of pilgrimage for climbers from all over the world. Mountain Trails Apos are ready to accept climbers with a variety of training levels, and the time to climb to the top is from 2 to 9 days, depending on the route chosen. Volcano Apo is part of the national Park of the same name.

Military-defensive structure located in the city Cebu, begins its history with the XVI century, when the first stones of this fort were laid. After the last restoration carried out in the 1970s, a museum was established on the territory of the fort, where documents and photographs from the time of the Spanish ownership of this structure are stored. Outside, the fort is surrounded by a park decorated with a monument to the famous Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

This military structure was initially built of earth and logs, and after the Spanish-Chinese war, the fort was built of stone. Among Filipinos, these places are revered as the last resting place of the famous national hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal, until the moment of his execution. Today there is a museum here, and tourists use Fort Santiago for picnics and leisurely walks in the fresh air.

In 1521 , the ships of the famous navigator Fernand Magellan reached the island of Cebu. The locals and their ruler, impressed by the power of the weapons of the Spanish team, converted to Christianity. In honor of this significant event Magellan ordered the installation of a wooden cross in the city center, which today is a popular tourist attraction.

One of the most unusual sights of the Philippines — the grave of Magellan and the monument to Chief Lapu-Lapu — is located on the island Maktan in the park "Maktan Shryne". When Magellan arrived on the islands, only the chief Lapu-Lapu resisted the expansion of the Spaniards. To teach a lesson to the recalcitrant natives, Magellan engaged them in battle, but lost and was killed during the retreat. As the legend says, it was the chief Lapu-Lapu who did it.

Maskhid al-Dahab is called the Golden Mosque for its huge dome covered with gold. Its construction took place in 1976 specifically for the visit of Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan president. And although the visit did not take place, Maskhid al-Dahab is still a sacred place for many Filipino Muslims today.

In 1962, the fossilized remains of three ancient people were discovered in the Tabon caves on Palawan Island. These remains were called "the man from Tabon". Special funerary vessels, jade ornaments and various stone tools were also found here. Tourists can visit the Tabon cave only if accompanied by a guide.

One of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines is the Basilica of Santo Nino on the island of Cebu. It began to be built in the XVI century from wood and clay. Then a stone church was erected on the site of the first building, which organically combined neoclassical, Romanesque and Muslim styles of architecture. Inside the Basilica of Santo Niño is the Museum of the History of Christianity on the island of Cebu.

The main residence and office of the Vice-President of the country is located in the suburbs of the capital. The Coconut Palace was opened in 1981 specifically for the visit of Pope John Paul II, but the pontiff refused to stay in too, in his opinion, a luxurious building. Coconut shells and special coconut lumber were used to build the palace, and the roots, bark, trunk, fruits and even coconut flowers were reflected in the design and decorations of this building.

On the island Bohol flows through the picturesque Loboc River, which is currently one of the popular attractions of the Philippines. River cruises are regularly organized here, during which you can stop for a snack in floating restaurants and listen to traditional Filipino songs performed by local residents. These river cruises start near the Loai Bridge, and finish near the Busai mini waterfalls.

Funny tiny monkeys with big eyes – tarsiers – can be seen on the island Bohol. These rare primates live here in natural conditions in a specially fenced park, and if desired, they can even leave it. When visiting the Center of tarsiers, you should behave quietly, do not touch or scare small animals.

Three - stage waterfall Kawasan, located on the island Cebu attracts tourists not only for its beauty. The fact is that this water cascade is located in a real jungle. At first, tourists are brought by jeeps or buses, and then adventurers move independently after the guide. To visit waterfalls Kawasan should wear shoes with a grooved sole or special trekking boots.