Discover the Philippines: hidden beaches, slow‑food delights and festivals that burst with colour

When you think of the Philippines you probably picture Manila’s traffic and skyscrapers, but the real magic lives on the other 7,000‑plus islands. It’s a place where you can spend a lazy morning sipping fresh coconut water while the tide whispers against a quiet sandbar, then race to a bustling street market for a bite of fish marinated in vinegar – the kind of “kinilaw” that feels both familiar and utterly new.

We caught up with Marga Nograles, the COO of the Tourism Promotions Board, at the World Travel Market in London. She talked about the country’s year‑round welcome mat, noting that “there’s an authentic experience for every traveller at any time of the year.” From December to May, you can join whale‑watching tours in four different spots, then hop island‑to‑island on crystal‑clear waters, staying at award‑winning resorts that feel more like private hide‑aways than hotels.

If you’re the type who loves a good adrenaline rush, September through January on Siargao Island is when the waves swell up to nine feet – perfect for surfers chasing the famous Cloud 9 break. It’s also the best window for canyoneering and, oddly enough, for the sardine run, where you can wade through glittering schools that seem to dance beneath the surface.

Beyond the surf, there are quieter treasures. Siquijor, the third‑smallest province, is often called a hidden gem. Its white‑sand beaches, limestone cliffs and the Caticugan Marine Protected Area invite kayaking, snorkeling and even a bit of mystic folklore – locals swear the island is home to healers and ancient spirits.

In the north, the province of Pampanga offers Clark, a former U.S. air base turned leisure hub. Here history blends with a burgeoning culinary scene; you’ll find everything from traditional “kakanin” (rice cakes) to modern fusion dishes served in sleek glass‑fronted restaurants.

Camiguin, a tiny island with 14 volcanoes, earned a spot on The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2026.” The volcanic craters, waterfalls and natural hot springs make it a playground for nature lovers who don’t mind a little hike before the reward of a fresh‑cooked seafood feast.

Speaking of food, Iloilo City – nicknamed the “heart of the Philippines” – was crowned a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2023. With more than 300 eateries, the city lives and breathes culinary heritage. Every year since 2021, the Timplada festival showcases local dishes, letting visitors roll up their sleeves and learn the stories behind each spice.

Just a short drive away, Bacolod on Negros Island proudly wears the title of Asia’s first International Slow Food Hub. The city’s dedication to sustainable gastronomy means you’ll find organic produce, farm‑to‑table restaurants, and the famous “kinilaw” served right on Carbin Reef’s sandbar, where the sea breeze adds a dash of salty nostalgia to every bite.

And then there are the festivals – over 40,000 of them each year, each one louder and more colourful than the last. The Sinulog in Cebu turns the whole city into a sea of painted faces, drums, and dancers honoring the Santo Niño. In Davao, the Kadayawan celebrates the bountiful harvest with floral parades and indigenous performances. Down south, Bacolod’s MassKara Festival masks the city in smiles and bright feathers, a reminder that even after hardship, joy finds a way to shine.

So whether you’re chasing waves, hunting for hidden waterfalls, or simply wanting to sit down to a plate of slow‑cooked, locally sourced fish while the sunset paints the sky, the Philippines invites you to slow down, taste deeply and celebrate loudly.