An archipelago composed of thousands of unique islands, the Philippines is already well-known as a world-class diving destination, and its landscapes, history, and rich architecture are just as enticing, and form part of a sustainable “ridge to reef” travel and tourism strategy that aims to give more communities a stake in the sector.
UNESCO has recognised gems such as six World Heritage Sites and one Global Geopark in the Philippines, among them idyllic beaches and biodiverse reefs, but also habitats as diverse as traditionally engineered rice terraces or underground rivers and karst systems, alongside historic cities that evoke the Philippines’ colonial past.
Colonial fusion
Arriving in Manila, tourists can immediately latch on to the Baroque Churches trail. The archipelago’s Baroque churches were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites three decades ago, acknowledged for their blend of European architectural styles and Filipino construction methods. While in the capital, tick off San Agustin from the list, the oldest stone church in the country.
@art_histbuff San Agustin Church, in Intramuros, Manila, is the best example of Baroque architecture in the country. It is known as the oldest stone church daying back to 1585-1607. It is also one of the four Baroque churches declared UNESCO as world heritage site. #fyp #baroque #history #church #catholic ♬ original sound – 2000smodels
Otherworldly landscapes
Another must-see is the extraordinary Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera, described by the Philippine Department of Tourism as “a remarkable testament to human engineering and cultural tradition” and offering the visitor stunning mountain views. The terraces date back over 2,000 years in the Ifugao rugged region of northern Luzon, illustrating the local sustainable relationship with nature via a sophisticated irrigation system whose extent, it’s said, could encircle the globe eight times.
For a different kind of architecture of the Gods, it has to be Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, an expanse of 1,200 haycock shaped hills that stun in every season. The protected forests of the UNESCO Global Geopark here are home to the world’s smallest primate, the tarsier. And another otherworldly realm takes shape in Bohol’s mystical caves, such as impressive Hinagdanan, whose underground lakes and stalactite formations are worth discovering.
@yourfavoriteshot Who would’ve thought the place I used to color in books would come to life right in front of me & now, it feels so good to finally see it in real life… with all its colors.#iphone #iphone16promax #bohol #chocolatehills #philippines #travel #fyp #summer #summervibes ♬ Multo – Cup of Joe
Historic City of Vigan
The historic city of Vigan, located in Ilocos Sur, will charm visitors with its Spanish colonial atmosphere, cobbled streets, and centuries-old artistic culture and craftsmanship. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, it boasts some of the best-preserved examples of Spanish colonial architecture in Asia. For those on the Baroque churches treasure hunt, Santa Maria can also be found in Ilocos Sur, with an unusual fortress-like location.
Subterranean beauty
As well as the afore-mentioned Hinagdanan Cave, for those who love adventuring in the beyond, there’s Palawan’s Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The park is not only within reach of diving destinations such as the UNESCO-recognised Tubbataha Reef or World War II shipwrecks, but has itself been a designated UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site since 1999. Through impressive karst formations, this underground river system winds over eight kilometres to the sea. Above ground, lush rainforests and rich wildlife make the park “a paradise for nature lovers,” DOT says.
@rabadiboni 📍 Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park #puertoprincesa #palawan #philippines ♬ green to blue (Sped Up) – Aurenth
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
Nature is also the order of the day at the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary on Mindanao, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. Exceptional flora and fauna unfold across 20,000 hectares in this sanctuary of misty forests and mountain meadows. It’s a chance to see one of the world’s largest flowering plants, the Rafflesia, and majestic in the skies, the Philippine eagle.
@dean_kirby Mt. Hamiguitan doesn’t try to impress; it simply exists as it always has. It doesn’t try to welcome you, instead, you have to meet it on its terms like any mountain should. This isn’t a mountain for beginners, and I wouldn’t even call it "friendly." But it’s honest. It's wild in the way nature is meant to be. Mt. Hamiguitan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ASEAN Heritage Park, and rightfully so. It’s not just a mountain — it’s a reminder of what sustainable tourism should look like: untouched, protected, and respected. #mthamiguitan #unescoworldheritage #aseanheritagepark #davaooriental #Hiking #Outdoors #unseenphilippines #naturetherapy #silentfilm #sony #zve1 #davinciresolve #colorgrade #fyp ♬ original sound – Dean Kirby
New sites in the offing?
The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) confirmed to Travel Tomorrow that eight more submissions have been put forward to UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage sites, each candidate “steeped in cultural, historical, and natural significance representing the diverse and profound heritage of the Philippines,” DOT Attaché Dakila F. Gonzales said.
Taal Volcano and its caldera lake form one of the strongest submissions, Gonzales said, calling the area a rare example of the geological interplay between an active volcano in a crater lake in shaping vibrant ecosystems and communities.
