Looking for an affordable weekend getaway near Manila? No need to worry! You can start your trip just a few hours outside the busy city. Many travel destinations near Metro Manila only need a short road trip. You can go on a weekday, during the weekend, or even on a long weekend. It’s time to step out of your comfort zone. Go out and enjoy life!
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The Philippines is known for ocean water sports, lush gardens, and natural beauty. It can take a long time to explore them all!
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Before you go, secure your travel insurance before your trip! It’s essential for covering unexpected medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and even flight delays!
Heading to Taal Volcano, trekking up Mount Pinatubo, or relaxing on the beaches of La Union? Remember it’s always best to travel with peace of mind.
1. Revisit Old Manila – Historic Metro Manila
Manila gets a bad rep, I know. But it still has awesome places to visit. Rizal Park, or Luneta, has wide lawns, pretty gardens, and important statues.
Walk through Intramuros, the Walled City. You can go on foot, ride a kalesa (horse carriage), or join a Bamboo bike tour. These bikes are handmade and unique to Asia!
In Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world, eat your heart out. Try food from Dong Bei, Sincerity Café, Masuki Mami, and more. Don’t skip the small hole-in-the-wall spots!
Burn off your food by walking to Binondo Church, Cruz Church, and Quiapo Church. Drop by San Sebastian Church too – the only all-steel church in Asia.
Cap off your day at the National Museum. It’s free on Sundays! See the Spoliarium and other famous artworks up close. You’ll learn a lot about Metro Manila’s roots. You can also take a Manila Bay sunset cruise or visit the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Want to visit the Cultural Center of the Philippines? Look for a 5-star hotel in Malate, Manila. It’s a big, modern concrete building on a 150-acre property. Inside, you’ll find the Tanghalang Pambansa, the Folk Arts Theater, and other interesting places to explore.
Suggested Tour: The Big Binondo Food Wok
2. Roam Around Rizal Province
Start in Antipolo. Visit Antipolo Cathedral, then go to Mystical Cave to see rock formations that look like saints. Love art? Go to Pinto Art Museum. It’s full of beautiful modern art in an open space.
Want to relax? Go to Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens and Spa. You’ll enjoy the view of Laguna de Bay and the Manila skyline.
Nature lovers, don’t miss PACEM Eco Park. It has butterflies, animals, and an organic farm. Try roasted cashew nuts too! Eat at one of the many restaurants along Sumulong Highway with a great view.
For adventure, head to Tanay. Swim at Daranak Falls and Hinulugang Taktak. Explore Calinawan Cave and go trekking at Daraitan and Tinipak River in Quezon.
Spelunking in Calinawan Cave is fun and great for thrill-seekers. Check out more Extreme Activities in the Philippines here.
Suggested Tour: ATV Adventure in Antipolo Rizal
3. Antique Metro Manila – Viva Bataan!
For military history, visit Samat and climb up Dambana ng Kagitingan. It honors Filipino and American soldiers from World War II.
Love old houses? Try a day tour at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. Walk on cobblestones and enter over 50 restored homes. You can stay overnight too!
Join the release of baby sea turtles into the sea. Athletes go to Bataan for biking since the area has good terrain for training.
From Cavite, ride a ferry to Corregidor Island to learn more about its history.
Suggested Tour: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Walking Tour in Bataan
4. Scary Metro Manila – Conquering Corregidor!
Corregidor Island is also called “The Rock.” It was the last stronghold in World War II. It was also once a military paradise and an Allied Forces base. You can hike, kayak, camp, or birdwatch. Try the zipline and visit the tunnels too.
Into dark tourism? Stay overnight and go ghost-hunting! Take your friends to the Hospital, which is the ruins of a massacre. Called the Jabidah massacre, the event took place almost five decades ago.
So a historical, outdoors, and horror destination near Metro Manila, all in one place – how awesome is that?!
Note: Bring a tripod for capturing breathtaking sunset views or take an overnight ghost tour for a thrilling experience.
Also, don’t miss the Light and Sound show at Malinta Tunnel!
5. Batangas, the Land of the Valiant
Batangas is perfect for weekend warriors. Check out Burot Beach in Calatagan – it has clear water and soft sand. You can also visit Masasa Beach on Maricaban Island. Make the most of your trip by trying diving in Anilao or going on a hike at Gulugod Baboy.
Fortune Island is easy to spot because of the Greek-style pillars and statues on top of the island. There’s also a small museum that shares the story of the MV San Diego Warship. Don’t forget to try the local food like bulalo, lomi, tapa, and kapeng barako before you leave.
If you love hiking, trek Taal Volcano and take in the stunning views of Taal Lake from the summit. Don’t forget to stop by Tagaytay City for bulalo and breathtaking views!
Suggested Tour: Diving Experience in Anilao
6. Livin La Vida Laguna!
There’s more to Laguna than you think! Visit the seven lakes of San Pablo City, or explore the Cavinti Underground River and Caves. Try rafting, tubing, or cliff diving in Magdalena.
See Taytay Falls in Majayjay, go wakeboarding in Calamba, and eat at Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Calauan.
Laguna also has many hot spring resorts, private pools, and waterfalls like Pagsanjan Falls.
Don’t forget the food! Try kesong puti, buko pie, bibingka de macapuno, puto Binan, and more.
Suggested Tour: Mountain Lake Resort Day Access in Laguna
7. Bountiful Bulacan – Cave destination of Metro Manila
Explore Biak-na-Bato National Park. It’s where the first Philippine Republic began. See caves like Aguinaldo Cave, Bahay Paniki, Madlum, Imbakan, Ambush, and Mt. Manalmon.
Enjoy rock climbing, river trekking, swimming, and camping. Families can also go to water parks in Sta. Maria.
Try Pastillas de Leche, Ensaymada, Inipit, Sukang Paombong, and Chicharon. All this is only one hour from Metro Manila.
8. Rediscovering Nueva Ecija – Nature near Metro Manila
Visit Minalungao National Park in General Tinio. Walk or raft along the river.
You can swim, picnic, camp, and even cliff dive. Climb the 1,000 steps to see a giant cross on the hilltop.
Also visit Pantabangan Dam and go fishing or ride a boat on Pantabangan Lake. Other great spots: Gabaldon Falls, Eco Park, and Dupinga River.
9. Pampanga Adventure – Volcanoes and Food near Metro Manila!
Hike Mt. Pinatubo in Tarlac and see its amazing crater lake up close. In Angeles City and San Fernando, indulge in Aling Lucing’s sisig, Camalig Restaurant’s traditional dishes, and Binulo Restaurant’s Kapampangan cuisine. If you love food, you’ll enjoy visiting the Culinary Capital of the Philippines.
Take a relaxing walk around Bayanihan Park, Clark Museum, Clark Memorial, and Founder’s Residence. Whether you’re new or already good at wakeboarding, you’ll have fun at Deca Wakeboard Park.
Try out the new outdoor fun facility at Porac and get your excitement rolling with the Giant Swing, Aerial Walk Challenge, Avatar One (the first roller coaster zip line), Adventure Tower, Archery, and ATVs.
Visit Zoocobia and ride the Zooc ride – the first and only gravity car in the Philippines – and feel like a kid again. Just 2 hours from Manila, this spot near Metro Manila has something fun for everyone!
Suggested Tour: Mt. Pinatubo Hiking Day Tour from Manila
10. Sojourn in Quezon – the Festival Destination
Come and celebrate one of the most famous and colorful festivals in the country on May 15th, Pahiyas! Try spending a day in Dolores at Bangkong Kahoy, a retreat resort halfway to the summit of Mt. Banahaw, the province’s sacred mountain.
Experience eating lunch with your feet partially underwater and artificial waterfalls in front of you at Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant inside the popular plantation and resort, Villa Escudero.
Discover the “unspoiled” beaches of Cagbalete, Puting Buhangin, Borawan, and Dampalitan, and experience camping overnight by the beach.
A trip to Quezon wouldn’t be complete without Pancit Habhab, Chami, Pansit Balibag, Rodillas’ yema cake, and Longganisang Lucban.
Final Thoughts
From Old Manila to the beaches of Batangas and Quezon, there’s so much to explore. With a little planning, visitors can enjoy a weekend getaway without spending too much.
Pack your bag, grab your travel gear, and get ready for fun. Even a solar power bank and a compact umbrella will help a lot. You’ll come home feeling prepared for a fresh week. And the best part? You don’t need to go far to enjoy it all.
Which place will you visit next? Let us know in the comments!
FAQ
Tricycles: Great for short rides around the neighborhood. They’re fast and can get through traffic better than cars. Prices aren’t fixed, so feel free to ask for a lower fare.
Buses and MRT / LRT: For longer trips, buses and the city trains (MRT and LRT) are the best choices. They’re affordable and can take you to many parts of Manila.
Camaya Coast Beach in Mariveles, Bataan, is just a short three-hour drive from Manila. It’s a super-easy spot for an overnight stay or a weekend break.
The beach is wide with soft sand and lots of palm trees. It’s in a beautiful cove with clear, blue-green water.
The Philippines has three main island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Luzon and Mindanao are named after the biggest islands in those areas.
The Visayas – also known as the Visayan Islands – is a group of islands that are almost the same size.
EXTRA TIP: If you’re a foreigner and planning to visit the Philippines, you’ll be asked for a full travel itinerary and a verifiable return flight ticket at Immigration, if you don’t know when you will be leaving the country, you can just get a refundable flight itinerary from Rent a Flight Ticket.