Attractions
The things worth booking.
The walled city, the museums, the theme park and the waterfall trips that people build a Philippines trip around, in Manila and Cebu.
For each one we tell you how it is really booked (timed entry, advance only, a boat timetable, or just turn up) and give you a booking button wherever we have a partner link; where we do not, the card says how to book it, or that entry is free.
Intramuros and Fort Santiago
The walled city Spain built in the 1570s: Fort Santiago and the Rizal shrine, San Agustin Church, the Manila Cathedral and horse-drawn kalesa rides along the walls. A guided walk is the way to make the stones talk; allow half a day.
How to book: Fort Santiago and the museums sell tickets at the gate; guided walking tours book online or at the Intramuros Administration office by the gate.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookManila Ocean Park
The oceanarium behind the Quirino Grandstand on the bay: the shark and ray tunnel, the sea lion show, and the hotel and spa attached. A reliable air-conditioned half day for children.
How to book: Tickets online or at the gate; the bundle with the attractions passes inside is the better value.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookThe National Museum Complex
Three grand buildings around Rizal Park holding the fine arts (Spoliarium included), anthropology and natural history collections, free to enter and the best context-setter for everything else on a Philippines trip.
How to book: Entry is free; walk in with photo ID. Closed Mondays. The planetarium sessions book on the day.
Art in Island Museum
The big 3D trick-art museum in Cubao, Quezon City: dozens of painted rooms made to be photographed inside, a reliable rainy-day hour with children and teenagers.
How to book: Tickets online or at the door; socks are required inside and sold at the counter.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookThe Mind Museum
The country's flagship science museum in Bonifacio Global City: five galleries of hands-on exhibits and a planetarium, built for school-age curiosity.
How to book: Timed tickets online or at the door; weekday mornings are quietest.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookManila Bay Sunset Cruise
The bay at golden hour from the water: dinner and baywalk cruises leave from the Mall of Asia and CCP docks, with the skyline on one side and the sunset the bay is famous for on the other.
How to book: Cruises book online or at the dock ticket offices; the sunset sailing is the one to get, and it sells out on weekends.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookEnchanted Kingdom
The country's largest theme park, in Santa Rosa, Laguna, an hour south of the metro in good traffic: the Space Shuttle coaster, the Agila flight simulator and a full day of rides, with its own fireworks on park nights.
How to book: Tickets online or at the gate; go on a weekday or arrive at opening on weekends. The park is closed some weekdays off-season, so check the calendar first.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookCebu City Heritage Tour
The founding sites of the Philippines' oldest city: Magellan's Cross and the Santo Niño Basilica, Fort San Pedro, the Casa Gorordo museum and the Taoist Temple above the city, usually run as a half-day loop.
How to book: Tours book online or through hotel desks; the sites themselves are walk-in, with the basilica's own dress code at the door.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookKawasan Falls Canyoneering
The river adventure down the Matutinao river in Badian to the turquoise tiers of Kawasan Falls: jumps, slides and swims with a licensed guide, about three hours south of the city.
How to book: Book a licensed operator online or in Moalboal; the local ordinance requires registered guides, and the falls close after heavy rain.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookOslob Whale Shark Watching
Snorkelling with the butanding, the whale sharks of Tan-awan, Oslob: an early-morning, closely regulated encounter, usually combined with Sumilon island or the Tumalog falls on the way back.
How to book: Tickets are issued at the briefing centre on the day, first come first served; tours from the city include the transfers. Go on a weekday and be there early.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookMactan Island Hopping
The classic Cebu day on the water: bangka boats out to the marine sanctuaries of Hilutungan and Nalusuan and the sandbar at Caohagan, snorkels on, grilled lunch on board.
How to book: Boats book online, at the Mactan marinas or through hotel desks; sanctuary fees are paid in cash on the day.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookBefore you go
A Philippines eSIM
Land connected: a data eSIM bought before you fly is the simplest way to have maps, translation and the ride-hailing apps working from the arrivals hall. Tourist SIMs are sold at the airport and in convenience stores if your phone needs a physical card.
How to book: Buy the eSIM online before departure, or a tourist SIM at the airport arrivals hall.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookAirport transfers
NAIA's four terminals sit in the middle of city traffic, and the ride into Makati, BGC or the old city takes from 30 minutes to two hours depending on the hour. A pre-booked car removes the one genuinely stressful step of arriving; ride-hailing from the terminal pick-up bays is the flexible alternative.
How to book: Book the transfer before you fly, or order a car on the app once you are through arrivals.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookA beep card
The stored value card for Metro Manila's rails and many buses: MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2 gates, the point-to-point buses and a growing list of convenience stores. Cash works everywhere too, but the card skips the ticket queues at rush hour.
How to book: Buy the card at any rail station window; top up at stations and convenience stores.