The Atlas Obscura Guide To The Philippines

87 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in the Philippines

Updated June 2, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Philippines

Waterfalls Restaurant

San Pablo City, Philippines

Waterfalls Restaurant

An eatery in a shallow river where diners can enjoy their meal mere feet from the base of an artificial waterfall.

The Enchanted River

Hinatuan, Philippines

Hinatuan Enchanted River

A magically clear, blue river that seems to spring from nowhere.

Water gushes down a green mountain at Asik-Asik falls.

Alamada, Philippines

Asik-Asik Falls

This wondrous waterfall rushing down a green-covered mountain wasn't discovered until 2010.

Hanging coffins.

Sagada, Philippines

Hanging Coffins of Sagada

Hundreds of wooden coffins dangle from cliffs and caves in the Philippines.

Philippines

Vulcan Point

An island in the middle of a lake, in the middle of a volcano, in the middle of a bigger lake, in the middle of a bigger island, in an archipelago, in the Pacific Ocean.

Barracuda Lake.

Coron, Philippines

Barracuda Lake

This curious fresh and salt water lake holds a secret that draws in deep divers from around the world.

Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary

Corella, Philippines

Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary

A patch of Philippines forest devoted to saving the lives of an emotionally sensitive species of googly-eyed primates.

Sierra Bullones, Philippines

Chocolate Hills

Bohol's unusually shaped hills turn brown in the summer months

See All 87 Things To Do in Philippines

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Philippines

Waterfalls Restaurant

San Pablo City, Philippines

Waterfalls Restaurant

An eatery in a shallow river where diners can enjoy their meal mere feet from the base of an artificial waterfall.

Mexico, Philippines

Atching Lillian Restaurant

In her ancestral home, one chef preserves ancient Filipino recipes and serves up traditional, home-cooked food to history-loving foodies.

Classic Filipino dishes get a modern makeover here.

Parañaque, Philippines

Linamnam

Feast on contemporary Filipino cuisine in a chef’s backyard.

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Water 11

History & Culture 10

Nature 9

World War Ii 9

Architecture 9

Natural Wonders 8

War History 8

Abandoned 8

Sacred Spaces 7

Cemeteries 7

Geology 7

Churches 6

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Stories About the Philippines

Our planet frequently gets dinged with smaller, harmless asteroids like RW1. Planetary defense systems able to detect them should also be able to spot bigger threats.

Asteroid 2024 RW1 Just Hit Earth. That's a Good Thing.

The asteroid that exploded over Luzon was not a threat—but it was a victory for our planetary defense systems.

by Robin George Andrews

September 5, 2024

An overlooked character on the Victoria ship possibly got to his homeland before the Europeans arrived in theirs.

Did an Enslaved Man Beat Magellan to Circling the World?

The unsung hero may have also been instrumental in defeating the colonizers.

by Kate McMahon

November 20, 2023

Before joining the Central Luzon Huks as Commander Liwayway, Remedios Gomez-Paraiso was known in her rural town for her poise and beauty.

Commander Liwayway and Other Filipino Women Who Fought During World War II

The “Huk Amazons” were military commanders, leaders, soldiers, spies, and more.

Biko’s toppings vary depending on the region, but toasted coconut and coconut-cream curds are favorites.

The Disappearing Philippine Tradition of 'Souling' for Rice Cakes

Pangangaluluwa means singing, costumes, and treats.

by Barbara Woolsey

October 24, 2022

“It takes years to perfect Kalinga tattooing,” says Oggay.

A 105-Year-Old Tattoo Artist Is Teaching Girls to Ink for Independence

Filipino tribal tattooist Fang-od Oggay has built an economy on the back of skin art.

by Lynzy Billing

An artist’s rendering of one of the three new giant cloud rat species.

Giant Cloud Rats Hint at a Prehistoric Biodiversity Paradise

Oversized, fluffy rodents in the Philippines may have been hunted by our evolutionary cousins.

by Gemma Tarlach

The purple hue traditionally comes from pirurutong rice, but cooks often use ube flavoring for color.

Why Filipino Christians Greet the December Dawn With Purple Rice

Puto bumbong is a sweet, post-mass breakfast during Simbang Gabi.

December 22, 2020

The penanggalan detaches from her body to approach mothers, pregnant women, and infants.

The Malaysian Penanggalan Haunts Pregnant Women and Newborns

These provincial specters are as gruesome as they are hungry.

October 29, 2020

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