Luzon, Panay, Mindanao: Exploring the Major Islands of the Philippines, a nation comprising more than 7,000 islands, offers numerous destinations to explore and activities to enjoy.

The Philippines is home to some of the world’s most stunning islands and beaches, including Palawan, Boracay, and Siargao, due to its unique topographical characteristics.

For this reason, many tourists attempt to maximize their stay in the Philippines by visiting the top tourist destinations in a single trip or island hopping.

Because of the Philippines’ topography, the country’s golf courses also offer some of the most breathtaking scenery. The numerous airports in the Philippines make it simple to travel throughout the nation.

Nonetheless, the Philippines’ most popular tourist spots are often dispersed across its three island regions: Mindanao (home to Siargao), Visayas (home to Boracay), and Luzon (home to Palawan).

Make sure to familiarise yourself with the numerous tourist spots in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao by looking at a map before deciding on your itinerary. This map of the Philippines highlights the most popular tourist destinations throughout the three main island regions.

To make the most of your short travel time, exploring the Philippines takes thorough planning and a good understanding of what each island region has to offer. For best travel periods, visit our article on the best time to visit the Philippines. To assist you with your travel planning, below is a thorough introduction to Philippine geography:

Exploring the Major Islands of the Philippines

Luzon

Tourists visit Luzon, the Philippines’ largest island. Manila, the country’s vibrant capital, is located here. The area is known as Metro Manila, along with other major cities in the region.

Although Manila is the Philippines’ economic center, Luzon has other popular tourist destinations that make the country a viable travel and exploration destination.

Manila

Visit some of Manila’s well-known historic sights, such as Intramuros, also known as the Walled City. This historically significant fortification was once the hub of power during the Spanish era.

Among the oldest structures in the nation are several stone churches, including San Agustin Church. Other Manila tourist attractions close by where you may view the breathtaking Manila Bay sunset include the National Museum Complex, Rizal Park, Binondo Chinatown, and Roxas Boulevard. Through Manila day tours, you can visit these sites and participate in other activities in Manila.

Visit Poblacion in Makati City for your evening fix; this area boasts the hippest up-and-coming bars and eateries, visited by both tourists and local travellers. You may also enjoy leisurely pursuits in Makati.

Cordillera Region

More than its busy streets and attractions, Luzon is best experienced outside of Manila. Travel to North Luzon and explore the stunning natural beauty of the Cordillera region for a more leisurely road journey.

Here, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Banaue, the Batad Rice Terraces, and explore Baguio, the Summer Capital of the Philippines. You can also ascend Mount Pulag and enjoy picking the most mouthwatering strawberries at La Trinidad.

Cordillera boasts the charming town of Sagada, where one may view the Hanging Coffins and witness the sunrise with its sea of clouds at Mount Kiltepan.

One can reach here by bus from Manila to Baguio. To have a more pleasant travel experience, consider driving a private vehicle, hiring a car to Baguio, or planning trips to Baguio with transfers from Manila.

Vigan

Visit the Spanish colonial town of Vigan in northern Luzon, Ilocos Sur, and step back in time. The architecture of this city has been remarkably maintained since the sixteenth century.

Exploring the cobblestone alleys and other Vigan tourist sites via a kalesa or horse-drawn carriage will help you experience the Spanish era and its architecture.

Batanes

Visit Batanes, a small island in northern Luzon, off the beaten path. The best time to visit is during the dry and summer season, roughly between March and June.

The Ivatans have preserved Batanes’ cultural character. Lonely Planet’s travel guide highlights beautiful green mountains, perfect for leisure and retreat.

Along with hiking Mount Iraya or snapping a postcard-worthy picture at Tayid Lighthouse, travelers should note that flight options to Basco are limited and costly—but once there, it’s worth every bit.

Palawan

Different travel magazines have ranked Palawan as one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines and among the best in the world.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see. Plan your Underground River tour or another Puerto Princesa tour to ensure your visit goes smoothly.

Along with a beautiful underwater world and top-rated beaches, Coron and El Nido feature amazing limestone formations. These areas are ideal for beach lovers and divers.

National Geographic has listed Palawan as one of the most breathtaking islands globally.

Although less well-known, San Vicente in Palawan is a must-see, boasting Long Beach, the longest beach in the Philippines.

Visayas

The Visayas in the middle of the Philippines are full of history and culture. Among the most popular tourist destinations in the Visayas are Cebu, the nation’s oldest city, Boracay, and Bohol, home to the Chocolate Hills.

This region is divided into Western, Eastern, and Central Visayas and is known for its vibrant festivals, historic landmarks, and delicious cuisine.

Panay Island

Located in the Western Visayas, Panay Island is surrounded by the Sibuyan, Visayan, and Sulu Seas. It features mountains, fertile plains, and key cities such as Roxas and Iloilo City.

Britannica’s entry on Panay outlines its agriculture, copper and coal resources, and Ilonggo culture.

Boracay

For first-time visitors exploring the Philippines, Boracay is an essential stop. It has been voted among the world’s best islands due to its White Beach, diving, cliff jumping, nightlife, and island hopping.

Check out our recommendations for the most beautiful islands in the Philippines for more travel inspiration.

Cebu

A historically significant island, Cebu features Mactan Island, Bantayan Island, and beaches in Moalboal. Scuba divers can spot thresher sharks and sardine runs in Malapascua.

Cebu is also home to Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. Fly into Mactan-Cebu International Airport for convenience.

Bohol

Take a ferry from Cebu to Bohol, famous for the Chocolate Hills and Philippine tarsier. Visit Alona Beach, Balicasag Island, Loboc River, and the Man-made Forest.

Iloilo

Iloilo boasts historical churches, Gigantes Islands, and La Paz Batchoy. Must-see sites include Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, and the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art.

Bacolod

Famous for the MassKara Festival, Bacolod also offers The Ruins, chicken inasal, and other attractions like Lakawon Island.

Mindanao

Mindanao offers raw beauty, cultural heritage, and adventures that rival other regions.

Siargao

This tear-drop shaped island is the surfing capital of the Philippines, home to Cloud 9. Visit Daku, Guyam, and Naked Island.

Davao

Davao is known for Mount Apo, the Philippine Eagle Centre, and Kadayawan Festival. Fly into Francisco Bangoy International Airport.

Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro is the whitewater rafting capital and gateway to Dahilayan Adventure Park.

Camiguin

Camiguin offers volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, and the famous Sunken Cemetery.

Zamboanga

Explore Zamboanga City for Spanish-era sites like Fort Pilar and the Pink Beach at Great Sta. Cruz Island.

Getting Around the Philippines

Several international airports in the Philippines serve as gateways to the nation and its various destinations. All three major Philippine islands—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—have international airports. Apart from air travel, you can travel across several areas by ferry.

Flights from Luzon to/from

Located near the city of Pasay on Luzon, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the country’s largest international airport. Since NAIA offers several connecting flights to Visayas and Mindanao, most domestic flights around the nation start from there.

Another international airport in Luzon is Clark International Airport in Pampanga, which typically offers flights at lower rates to destinations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. You need to take a bus or hire transport to reach Clark, which is around 90 miles from Manila.

Flights from Visayas to/from

Regular flights operate between Manila in Luzon and Davao in Mindanao to and from Cebu’s Mactan-Cebu International Airport in the Visayas, allowing easy travel between Luzon and Mindanao.

If you’d like to visit destinations in the Visayas, such as Cebu, Boracay, and Bohol (accessible by ferry from Cebu), you can also fly directly into Cebu from cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Doha, and Quanzhou.

Exploring the major islands of the Philippines, there are also connecting flights from Cebu Airport headed to Mindanao locations such as Siargao.

Flights from Mindanao to/from

Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao serves Mindanao. There are frequent flights from Manila in Luzon and Cebu in the Visayas to and from Davao. Davao’s airport also offers international flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, Doha, and Quanzhou.

If you wish to visit Mindanao destinations like Davao City or Samal Island, it’s better to fly there directly.

By Ferry

Another option to consider, if you have more time and prefer a less expensive choice, is to board a Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) terminal system or ferry. The RoRo system connects the main Philippine islands through an integration of highways and ports.

You can either drive through the Philippines in your own car or board public buses that use the RoRo routes. After boarding (roll-on) the land vehicles onto the ferry and docking at the destination port, you can alight the ferry (roll-off) and continue driving to your next stop.

Plan Your Philippine Adventure

Ready to book your trip? Start with Flights to the Philippines for budget-friendly options and connections across the islands.

The Philippines offers stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and historical charm for every traveler. Whether you’re into glamping, diving, or island hopping, there’s a trip for you.

Explore our curated Philippines holiday packages, all-inclusive tours, and destination guides. Start your journey with expert tips from World Pinoy Flights and uncover your dream island getaway!