11 days in Manila & Cebu Island Itinerary

The capital of the Philippines and the "Pearl of the Orient," Manila truly resembles a gem: rough on the outside, but glittering within.

Head to Greenbelt Mall and Robinsons Place Mallfor some retail therapy. Get out of town with these interesting Manila side-trips: Makati (Ayala Triangle Gardens & Greenbelt Park), SM Megamall (in Mandaluyong) and Taal Volcano (in Batangas City). There's lots more to do: take a stroll through Intramuros, shop like a local with Mall of Asia Arena, look for gifts at SM Mall of Asia, and explore the activities along Manila Bay.

To find more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Manila trip planning tool.

Use the Route module to find travel options from your starting location to Manila. March in Manila sees daily highs of 38°C and lows of 28°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) so you can fly to Cebu City.

The country's second city, Cebu City boasts a number of interesting colonial buildings, thriving commercial areas, and historic temples.

On the 18th (Sat), examine the collection at Basilica del Santo Nino, then shop like a local with Ayala Mall, and then look for gifts at Island Souveniers. Here are some ideas for day two: contemplate the long history of Fort San Pedro, look for gifts at SM City Cebu, take a stroll through Colon Street, then steep yourself in history at Magellan's Cross, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Taoist Temple.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Cebu City vacation builder website.

Getting from Manila to Cebu City by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: ride a ferry; or take a bus. In March in Cebu City, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 28°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Malapascua Island.

Holidays on Malapascua Island rarely pass without a trip out to explore the bright blue waters that surround.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Mon): enjoy the sea views from Lighthouse, tour the pleasant surroundings at Kalanggaman Island, then kick back and relax at Bounty Beach, and finally contemplate the long history of Japanese Wreck Marine Sanctuary. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Malapascua Island travel planner.

Traveling by combination of bus and ferry from Cebu City to Malapascua Island takes 6 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 22nd (Wed) to allow time for travel back home.