28 places to discover
Anilao Dive Sites are a collection of more than 50 dive spots along the coast of Anilao in Mabini, Batangas, Philippines, facing the Verde Island Passage. Recognized as the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines, the area is noted for coral reefs, muck diving and high marine biodiversity. Sites include shallow reefs, walls and pinnacles accessible by boat from resorts, attracting divers for macro photography and reef exploration.
The Apolinario Mabini Shrine in Barangay Talaga, Tanauan City, Batangas is the reconstructed birthplace and museum dedicated to Apolinario Mabini. Managed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, it preserves a replica nipa hut where Mabini was born on July 23, 1864, along with museum galleries displaying memorabilia, documents, and exhibits on his life and role in Philippine history. It is declared a National Shrine.
The Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, commonly known as Taal Basilica, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica located in Taal, Batangas, Philippines. Considered the largest Catholic church in the Philippines and in Asia, it features a grand neoclassical facade and expansive interior. Originally founded in 1572, the present structure was built between 1856 and 1878 after earlier churches were destroyed by earthquakes and volcanic activity. It is a National Historical Landmark and major heritage attraction.
The Immaculate Conception Parish Church, commonly known as Bauan Church, is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Poblacion, Bauan, Batangas, Philippines. Established by Augustinian missionaries in 1590 and rebuilt at its present site after relocations due to Taal Volcano eruptions, the current structure dates to the 18th century with later restorations. It is notable for its heritage architecture, religious artworks, and role as the spiritual center of Bauan municipality.
Bituin Cove is a secluded white-sand cove in Barangay Calayo, Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines, accessible by a short trek over rocky trails or by boat from Calayo Beach. Framed by limestone cliffs and rock formations with clear turquoise water, it is known for its undeveloped shoreline, calm swimming area, and scenic views. The cove is popular for day trips, camping, and photography, offering a quiet alternative to more developed Nasugbu beaches.
Calayo Beach is a coastal beach in Barangay Calayo, Nasugbu, Batangas, along the western coast of Luzon facing the South China Sea. It is known as a traditional fishing village beach with gray to light brown sand, calm waters and views of fishing boats and nearby islands. The beach is lined with small resorts and cottages and offers a quiet, local atmosphere compared to more developed Nasugbu beaches, attracting visitors for swimming, photography and relaxed seaside stays.
Caleruega Church, formally the Chapel of Transfiguration, is a Catholic chapel and retreat center in Barangay Kaylaway, Nasugbu, Batangas, on the Tagaytay-Nasugbu highlands. Operated by the Dominican Province of the Philippines, it is named after Caleruega, Spain, birthplace of St. Dominic. Set on a hilltop with landscaped gardens, ponds and viewing decks, it is notable as a pilgrimage site, retreat venue and popular wedding church.
Cape Santiago Lighthouse is a historic Spanish-era lighthouse located at the southern tip of Calatagan Peninsula in Barangay Bagong Silang, Calatagan, Batangas. Built in 1890, it stands on Cape Santiago overlooking the Verde Island Passage and South China Sea. The red-brick tower with its lantern and adjacent keeper's house ruins is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the Philippines and a notable maritime heritage landmark in Batangas.
Fortune Island is a small island located about 14 kilometers off the coast of Nasugbu in Batangas, Philippines. Once developed as an exclusive resort in the 1990s, it is now known for its abandoned Grecian-inspired ruins, including columns and statues resembling the Acropolis. The island features white sand beaches, limestone cliffs, and clear waters popular for swimming, snorkeling, and diving near historic shipwreck sites.
Laiya Beach is a long stretch of coastline in Barangay Laiya Aplaya, San Juan, Batangas, on the southern coast of Luzon facing Tayabas Bay. Known for its light-colored sand and relatively calm waters, it is lined with numerous private beach resorts offering day tours and overnight stays. The beach is a popular weekend getaway from Manila, valued for swimming, beach activities and resort-based leisure in a coastal rural setting.
Marian Orchard is a Catholic pilgrimage garden located in Barangay Malabanan, Balete, Batangas, Philippines, overlooking Taal Lake. Developed as a private devotional estate and opened to the public, it features landscaped gardens, life-size Marian statues, Stations of the Cross, chapels and prayer areas. The site is notable for its collection of images of the Virgin Mary under various titles, serene hillside setting and religious atmosphere attracting pilgrims and visitors.
Masasa Beach is a white-sand beach on Tingloy Island in the municipality of Tingloy, Batangas, Philippines. Located in Barangay San Juan on Maricaban Island, it faces the Verde Island Passage and is known for its fine light-colored sand, clear turquoise water and views of nearby islets. Accessible only by boat from Anilao Port in Mabini, it is a popular destination for swimming, snorkeling, camping and island hopping.
Matabungkay Beach is a well-known white-sand beach in Barangay Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas, Philippines, facing the South China Sea. Located about 100 kilometers southwest of Manila, it is noted for its long, gently sloping shoreline, shallow clear waters, and distinctive floating bamboo cottages (balsa). Developed as a resort area since the 1950s, it offers a family-friendly seaside setting with numerous beachfront resorts and water activities.
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a historic Roman Catholic basilica located on Rizal Avenue in Poblacion, Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines. Originally founded in 1578 and rebuilt in its present Neo-Classical form in 1857, it was declared a Minor Basilica in 1948. Known as Batangas Basilica, it serves as a central place of worship and pilgrimage, noted for its massive facade, trompe-l'oeil interior paintings, and cultural importance to the city.
Montemaria Shrine, also known as the Montemaria International Pilgrimage & Conference Center and Mother of All Asia – Tower of Peace, is a Catholic pilgrimage site in Barangay Pagkilatan, Batangas City, Batangas. Centered on a 98-meter statue of the Virgin Mary, recognized as the world's tallest Marian statue, it overlooks Batangas Bay and the Verde Island Passage. Developed as a Marian devotion and conference center, it features chapels, viewing decks, and pilgrimage facilities attracting religious and leisure visitors.
Mount Batulao is an inactive stratovolcano and popular hiking destination straddling Nasugbu and Tuy in Batangas, Philippines, about 85 kilometers south of Manila. Standing at 811 meters above sea level, it is known for its rolling grass-covered slopes, distinct 12 peaks, and panoramic views of Batangas lowlands, Tagaytay highlands and South China Sea. The mountain offers well-established trails suitable for beginners and is managed with mandatory guides and registration.
Mount Gulugod Baboy is a 525-meter hill in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas, Philippines, known as an accessible day-hike destination near Manila. Its name means pig's spine, referring to its elongated ridge. The summit offers panoramic views of Batangas Bay, Balayan Bay, Maricaban and Sombrero Islands, and nearby coastlines. Popular with beginners, it features grassy slopes, open trails, and sunrise viewing, and is often combined with Anilao beach and diving trips.
Mount Maculot is a dormant stratovolcano and popular hiking mountain in Cuenca, Batangas, Philippines, forming part of the eastern rim of the Taal Caldera. Rising to about 930 meters above sea level, it overlooks Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. Notable for its three main destinations — the Rockies, the Summit, and the Grotto — it is a well-known day-hike destination for views, nature and outdoor recreation near Tagaytay and Batangas City.
Mount Talamitam is a 630-meter grassy mountain in Barangay Aga, Nasugbu, Batangas, about 85 kilometers southwest of Manila. Popular as a beginner-friendly day hike, it is known for its open rolling slopes, cogon-covered ridges, and panoramic summit views. From the top, hikers can see Mount Batulao, the Nasugbu coastline, and surrounding Batangas lowlands. Often climbed together with nearby Mount Batulao, it offers a short but scenic trek close to the capital.
The Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine is a historic Catholic shrine in Barangay Labac, Taal, Batangas, Philippines, located near the Pansipit River. Built in 1639 to enshrine the small wooden image of the Virgin Mary reportedly found in the river in 1603, it is constructed of coral stone in early colonial style. Recognized as an archdiocesan shrine, it is a major pilgrimage center in Batangas and a key heritage site within Taal's historic town.
The Padre Pio Shrine in Barangay San Pedro, Santo Tomas City, Batangas is the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, a major Roman Catholic pilgrimage site in Luzon. Located about 70 km south of Manila, the shrine features a modern church, chapel housing a relic of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, and landscaped grounds. Declared a national shrine in 2015, it is notable for its contemporary architecture, devotional significance, and large daily visitor numbers.
San Sebastian Cathedral, also known as Lipa Cathedral, is the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian located in central Lipa City, Batangas. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa. The present Romanesque-style church was completed in the late 19th century after earlier structures dating to 1605. Notable for its massive facade, twin side towers, and historic role in the religious life of Batangas, it remains an active cathedral and city landmark.
Sombrero Island is a small uninhabited coastal island in the municipality of Tingloy, Batangas, Philippines, located off the southern tip of Maricaban Island near Anilao. Named for its distinctive sombrero-like shape when viewed from a distance, the island is known for its rocky outcrop, clear turquoise waters, and surrounding coral reefs. It is a popular stop on island-hopping tours from Anilao and Tingloy, valued for snorkeling, swimming, and photography.
St. John the Evangelist Parish Church is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Poblacion Barangay 2, Tanauan City, Batangas, Philippines. Commonly known as Tanauan Church, it serves the Archdiocese of Lipa. The parish was founded in 1584 and relocated to its present site after the 1754 Taal Volcano eruption. The current stone church was constructed in the late 19th century and is noted for its heritage architecture and central role in the city's religious life.
Taal Heritage Town is a well-preserved Spanish colonial town center in the municipality of Taal, Batangas, Philippines. Located on a hill overlooking Balayan Bay, it is known for its concentration of 19th-century bahay na bato ancestral houses, cobblestone streets, and the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours. Declared a National Historical Landmark, it showcases colonial architecture and is a center for heritage conservation and cultural tourism in Batangas.
Taal Lake is a large freshwater caldera lake in Batangas Province, Luzon, centered in the municipality of Talisay. It encloses Taal Volcano Island, one of the world's most active volcanoes and the lake's defining feature. Formed by massive prehistoric eruptions, the lake is noted for its scenic setting below the Tagaytay Ridge, its unique volcanic island-in-a-lake geography, and its importance for fishing, tourism, and scientific study.
Taal Volcano is an active volcano located on Volcano Island in the middle of Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas, about 60 km south of Manila. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and is notable for being one of the world's smallest active volcanoes and for its lake-within-a-volcano island formation. The volcano is viewed primarily from Tagaytay Ridge and by boat tours on Taal Lake.
Verde Island is a small inhabited island in the Verde Island Passage under the jurisdiction of Batangas City, Batangas Province, between Luzon and Mindoro. Recognized as part of the global center of marine shorefish biodiversity, it is known for clear waters, extensive coral reefs, and dive sites. The island comprises six barangays, white sand beaches such as Mahabang Buhangin, fishing villages, and a historic lighthouse, accessible only by boat from Batangas City.