The Ultimate Travel Guide to Philippines: History & Attractions

Over 7,600 islands of white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, chocolate hills, and vibrant coral reefs — the Philippines is Southeast Asia's most beautiful island archipelago, with El Nido and Palawan topping every best-beach list.

A Glimpse into History

The Philippines is the only predominantly Catholic nation in Southeast Asia and one of the only ones to have been colonised by two Western powers — Spain for 333 years and the United States for 48 years — creating a uniquely hybrid culture that is simultaneously Asian, Spanish, and American. Archaeological evidence places human habitation at least 67,000 years ago (Callao Cave). By the 1st millennium AD, the Philippine archipelago was crisscrossed by trading routes with China, India, and Arabia, with small chiefdom polities (barangays) as the primary political unit. Islam arrived in Mindanao around 1380. Ferdinand Magellan reached the Philippines in 1521 during his circumnavigation of the globe, and was killed in the Battle of Mactan by Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino hero. Spanish colonisation proceeded from 1565 under Miguel López de Legazpi, with Manila established as the capital in 1571. The Manila Galleon trade (1565–1815) was the world's first transpacific trade route, connecting the Philippines to Mexico and funnelling Chinese silk, spices, and porcelain to the Americas. The Philippine Revolution of 1896 against Spain — inspired by nationalist writer José Rizal, executed by the Spanish in 1896 — produced the Asia's first republican constitution in 1899. But the Spanish-American War of 1898 transferred the Philippines to the US, triggering the Philippine-American War (1899–1902) in which 200,000–500,000 Filipinos died. Japanese occupation (1941–45) devastated the islands. Independence came on July 4, 1946. Ferdinand Marcos's dictatorship (1972–86) ended with the People Power Revolution, a model of peaceful democratic transition.

Top Attractions in Philippines

El Nido, Palawan

The crown jewel of the Philippines — a cluster of 45 islands of dramatic limestone karst cliffs rising from crystalline turquoise lagoons, hidden beaches accessible only by boat through secret rock archways, and coral gardens with 800 fish species. Island-hopping tours from El Nido town reveal Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Cathedral Cave within a single day of extraordinary natural beauty.

Chocolate Hills, Bohol

Over 1,200 perfectly symmetrical grass-covered limestone mounds — ranging from 30 to 120 metres in height — spread across 50 sq km of Bohol island in a geological formation unlike anything else on earth. They turn chocolate brown in the dry season, giving them their name. Bohol also has the world's smallest primate — the Philippine tarsier, with eyes larger than its brain — in the forests around Corella.

Tubbataha Reef Natural Park

The UNESCO-listed atoll in the Sulu Sea — accessible only by liveaboard dive boat from Puerto Princesa — is regarded as the finest diving site in Southeast Asia, with wall dives plunging to 100 metres, schools of grey reef sharks, hammerheads, whale sharks, manta rays, and the densest coral coverage in the Philippines. The park is open only March to June.

Boracay White Beach

The 4-km White Beach on Boracay island — with fine white coral-sand soft as talcum powder, calm turquoise water, and spectacular sunsets — has long been ranked one of the world's top beaches. Boracay was controversially closed for 6 months in 2018 for environmental rehabilitation and reopened vastly improved, with controlled development and cleaner water.