Intramuros and Fort Santiago Spanish era · Revolution

Intramuros means “within the walls.” The Spanish built this walled city in the late 16th century as the center of colonial power. Inside, Fort Santiago is where José Rizal was imprisoned before his execution on December 30, 1896, and you can follow his last footsteps marked in bronze. Nearby are San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the Philippines and part of the UNESCO Baroque Churches, the Casa Manila museum and the Manila Cathedral.

Good to know: walk, rent a bamboo bike or ride a guided electric tour. The Klook Intramuros Pass bundles entry to Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, Baluarte de San Diego and Museo de Intramuros.

Rizal Park (Luneta) Revolution

Just outside Intramuros, Rizal Park marks the place where Rizal was executed in 1896. The Rizal Monument, guarded by ceremonial sentries, is one of the most important national symbols. The National Museum complex is next to the park and free to enter.

Historic City of Vigan Spanish era · UNESCO

Vigan is the best-preserved Spanish colonial town in Asia, a UNESCO site since 1999. Walk Calle Crisologo’s cobblestone street of ancestral houses at night, ride a horse-drawn kalesa, and visit the nearby Baroque church of Santa Maria. Read our full Vigan travel guide.

Paoay Church Spanish era · UNESCO

San Agustin Church in Paoay is famous for its massive coral-stone buttresses, built to withstand earthquakes, an example of the “earthquake Baroque” style. It’s one of the four UNESCO Baroque Churches and an easy stop on an Ilocos road trip.

Aguinaldo Shrine Revolution

This is the house of General Emilio Aguinaldo, where Philippine independence from Spain was proclaimed on June 12, 1898, and the Philippine flag was first officially raised. Independence Day is celebrated here every year. See our guide to Philippine Independence Day.

Barasoain Church Revolution

Barasoain Church hosted the Malolos Congress, which drafted the Malolos Constitution and established the First Philippine Republic in 1899, often described as the first constitutional republic in Asia. The church and its museum make a good day trip from Manila.

Corregidor Island World War II

The fortress island at the mouth of Manila Bay was the last stand of Filipino and American forces in 1942. Tours visit the ruined barracks, gun batteries, the Pacific War Memorial and the Malinta Tunnel. Most visitors join a day tour by ferry from Manila.

Mount Samat and Capas National Shrine World War II

The giant cross of the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) on Mount Samat honors the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Bataan. The Capas National Shrine in Tarlac stands where the Bataan Death March ended, at the former Camp O’Donnell prison camp.

Rizal Shrine, Calamba Revolution

A reconstruction of the house where José Rizal was born in 1861, with family memorabilia and a garden. Pair it with Rizal Park and Fort Santiago for a full Rizal day. Learn more about Dr. José Rizal.

Ifugao Rice Terraces Pre-colonial · UNESCO

The UNESCO-listed Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras cover five clusters, including Batad and Bangaan in Banaue. Note that the terraces seen from the famous Banaue viewpoint are not themselves part of the UNESCO listing. They’re often said to be 2,000 years old, but recent research suggests many were built 300 to 400 years ago. Full details in our Ifugao rice terraces guide.

Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño 1521

Magellan’s Cross marks where Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition planted a Christian cross in 1521. The original is said to be encased in the wooden cross you see in the small chapel today. Next door, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño houses the Santo Niño image, the oldest Christian relic in the country. Nearby Fort San Pedro, started in 1565, is the oldest Spanish fort in the Philippines. See our guide to Cebu City museums and a half-day heritage walking route.

Mactan Shrine 1521

The shrine honors Lapu-Lapu, who defeated Magellan at the Battle of Mactan in 1521, with a monument to Lapu-Lapu and a marker for Magellan. The battle is reenacted every April 27 during Kadaugan sa Mactan.

Miagao Church Spanish era · UNESCO

The Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Miagao is known for its fortress-like walls and its carved stone façade, which shows a coconut tree as the tree of life, a local twist on Baroque design. It’s one of the four UNESCO Baroque Churches.

Blood Compact Shrine and Baclayon Church Spanish era

The Blood Compact Shrine in Tagbilaran marks the 1565 Sandugo, a blood compact of friendship between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel López de Legazpi. Nearby Baclayon Church is one of the oldest stone churches in the country. Both are classic stops on a Bohol day trip from Cebu.

MacArthur Landing Memorial World War II

Larger-than-life bronze statues in the water mark General Douglas MacArthur’s return to the Philippines on October 20, 1944, the start of the liberation from Japanese occupation.

Rizal Shrine, Dapitan Revolution

José Rizal spent his exile in Dapitan from 1892 to 1896. Here he practiced medicine, taught local boys and built a small community. The shrine recreates his house, clinic and school on the original grounds. It’s an easy pairing with Dakak beach resort.

Fort Pilar Spanish era

Fort Pilar, founded in 1635, is a Spanish fort that also serves as an outdoor shrine to Our Lady of the Pillar, the city’s patroness. Part of it houses a regional branch of the National Museum.

Butuan balangay sites Pre-colonial

Archaeologists in Butuan uncovered several balangay, ancient wooden plank boats, with the oldest dated to around the 4th century AD. They’re evidence of a seafaring, trading society long before Spanish contact. See the boats and finds at the local museum and excavation sites.