Manila & Cebu slow · 10 days

Day 1: Arrive in Manila

Manila

• National Museum of Fine Arts and Anthropology · 3 h. Free entry on many days; bring ID and start with Fine Arts for the Spoliarium.

Local tip: Free entry on many days; bring ID and start with Fine Arts for the Spoliarium.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Manila

Manila

• Intramuros walk and Fort Santiago · 3 h. Start early before the heat; bamboo bikes are optional inside the walls.
• Manila Bay sunset at Baywalk or SM Mall of Asia · 1.5 h

Local tip: Start early before the heat; bamboo bikes are optional inside the walls.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Manila

Manila

• Binondo Chinatown food walk · 3 h. Come hungry; share plates of dumpling, noodle and hopia shops.

Local tip: Come hungry; share plates of dumpling, noodle and hopia shops.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Tagaytay day trip to Taal viewpoint

Manila

• Tagaytay day trip to Taal viewpoint · 8 h. Leave by 7am to beat traffic; Taal access rules change with volcanic alerts.

Local tip: Leave by 7am to beat traffic; Taal access rules change with volcanic alerts.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Manila → Cebu

Cebu · Manila to Cebu, 1.5h flight Manila ↔ Cebu

• Cebu City heritage: Magellan’s Cross and Basilica del Santo Niño · 2.5 h

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Cebu

Cebu

• Mactan beach day and snorkel · 5 h. Resort day access or a public beach club; reef-safe sunscreen only.

Local tip: Resort day access or a public beach club; reef-safe sunscreen only.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Cebu

Cebu

• Temple of Leah and Sirao Flower Garden · 4 h

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Cebu

Cebu

• Moalboal sardine run snorkel · 3 h. Combine with turtle spotting; currents can pick up — use a vest if unsure.

Local tip: Combine with turtle spotting; currents can pick up — use a vest if unsure.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Island hopping from Mactan or Cordova

Cebu

• Island hopping from Mactan or Cordova · 6 h. Agree the island list and snorkel stops before boarding.

Local tip: Agree the island list and snorkel stops before boarding.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Depart from Cebu

Cebu

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.