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The Philippines has a prime geographical location in Southeast Asia, with the countries around it rich in adventure, culture, and nature. From crystal-clear beaches to city life, there are places to visit near the Philippines for a quick trip or a longer adventure. Whether it’s temple-hopping in Thailand, food-tripping through Vietnam, or spending a leisurely time shopping in Singapore, the nearby countries have something for any traveller. With easy flight connections, visa-free travel, and diverse experiences in these beautiful countries, they are perfect for Filipinos to experience something different from their islands.
Top 10 Places To Visit Near Philippines
The places to visit near the Philippines are full of a variety of cultures, nature, and modern cities located a quick flight away.
1. Indonesia
Indonesia sits just south of the Philippines and is a collection of over 17000 islands that give travellers a broad spectrum of diverse travel variety. The most frequented destination continues to be Bali, with its surf-friendly beaches, impressive cliffside temples like Uluwatu, and yoga retreats in Ubud. Located on the island of Java is Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple and the fantastic landscape of Mount Bromo. For animal and outdoor enthusiasts, you can see the famous Komodo dragons in their natural habitat at Komodo National Park. In Sumatra, you will find expansive and lush rainforests with rare species, including orangutans.
Nearest Airport: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
Best For: Beaches, temples, wildlife
2. Malaysia
Photo: Job Savelsberg / Unsplash
Malaysia is an excellent choice of location in proximity to the Philippines, providing a smooth fusion of city modernity, history and nature. Kuala Lumpur is the city of modernity and the Petronas Twin Towers and crowded Bukit Bintang, the modern face of the country, and the nearby Batu Caves with its spiritual and historical layer are examples of it. Penang is a cultural treasure and is known for its colonial architecture in George Town, plus the best street food. Those who love the beach will have a dream as Langkawi has its white-sand beaches and its island hopping. At the same time, Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) attracts eco-tourists: rainforests, orangutans and Mount Kinabalu.
Nearest Airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Best For: Cities, food, nature
3. Vietnam
Photo: Rowan Heuvel / Unsplash
Vietnam is an active and beautiful place that provides great history, a vibrant land, and memorable food, scarcely a few hours away from the Philippines. On the north, sail in the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay or follow the colonial city streets of Hanoi. Central Vietnam is characterised by the old town of Hoi An, with its lanterns, and the imperial Hu Rong city, once the home of the emperors. In the South, Ho Chi Minh City is a buzzing city of motorbikes, street foods and delicacies such as pho and banh mi. Nature enthusiasts can hike throughout the rice fields of Sapa or in the caves of Phong Nha.
Nearest Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Best For: History, landscapes, street food
4. Thailand
Photo: Evilarry / Wikimedia Commons
Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations close to the Philippines, thanks to its golden temples, street food, and island getaways. There are tons of attractions in Bangkok, including the Grand Palace, floating markets, and nightlife. There are plenty of things to do up north in Thailand if you want to immerse yourself in the culture of Chiang Mai, from a visit to the ancient temples to shopping at the night bazaars, to ethical elephant sanctuaries. The South is all about the beaches. Take a trip to any of the seaside spots like Phuket, Krabi, or Koh Phi Phi, with their teals and azure colours against sheer, dramatic cliffs.
Nearest Airport: Suvarnabhumi Airport
Best For: Beaches, temples, nightlife
5. Singapore
Singapore is a slick, futuristic city-state with a highly efficient and exhilarating urban form, not that far away, in a very short flight out of the Philippines. The city is famous for its cleanness, futuristic appearance, and multicultural appeal, with the best attractions such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and Sentosa Island. Crawl into multicultural neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam to experience their cultures and some fantastic cuisines. Although it is a small country, Singapore is densely filled with top-notch entertainment, food and nature destinations. Filipinos do not need a visa, and it is child-friendly, making it ideal for weekend getaways and as a stopover destination as well.
Nearest Airport: Singapore Changi Airport
Best For: Urban luxury, shopping, dining
6. Taiwan
Photo: Rovin Ferrer / Unsplash
Taiwan is a stimulating mixture of natural scenery, city life, and cultural history that makes it one of the most satisfying places to visit near the Philippines. The night markets, street food, and the tall Taipei 101 give the experience of a vibrant city, with small towns like Jiufen and Beitou bringing old town flavour and hot springs. Nature lovers will see the rugged marble cliffs in Taroko Gorge, in Alishan, there are beautiful trails to enjoy, and on Sun Moon Lake, take a boat ride. Taiwan too glistens with its lavish temples, rich tea culture and extremely welcoming people.
Nearest Airport: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Best For: Night markets, nature, culture
7. South Korea
Photo: Thomas Roger Lux / Unsplash
South Korea is an ideal mixture of ancient traditions and futuristic modernity, so it is one of the most interesting tourist attractions near Philippines. Take a tour of magnificent palaces, including Gyeongbokgung, hip culture centres such as Hongdae, and have Korean BBQ or even street food in Myeongdong, Seoul. In addition to the capital, Busan is an exquisite mix of beaches and temples, whereas Jeju Island is a paradise for those who adore nature with its waterfalls, lava tubes, and springtime cherry blossom trees. Shedding off its post-World War II depression, South Korea has efficient transport, rich cultural experience, and seasonal beauty, which appeals to tourists throughout the year.
Nearest Airport: Incheon International Airport
Best For: Culture, tech, fashion
8. Japan
Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons
Japan is an enchanting mixture of a traditional world and technological progressiveness, and is one of the most memorable attractions near Philippines. Tokyo has the technological wonders, the anime lifestyle and the busy areas of the town, such as Shibuya and Akihabara. Kyoto has a quieter contrast in the form of old temples, geishas and seasons. Osaka, having the miracles of takoyaki and boasting brilliant nightlife, is a heaven for food lovers, whereas Hokkaido and Fukuoka are places of natural scenery and a snow adventure. Japan, with its clean cities, punctual trains and respect for culture, makes travelling easy and motivating.
Nearest Airport: Tokyo’s Narita Airport
Best For: Tradition, innovation, seasons
9. Laos
Photo: Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons
Laos is a peaceful, landlocked gem in Southeast Asia and one of the most beautiful places to see near Philippines. Laos offers a slow pace of travel that gives you a relaxed and enriching cultural experience. You can explore the ancient temples of Luang Prabang, take a river cruise down the Mekong River, and watch monks collect alms at sunrise. For the adventurer, Vang Vieng has limestone caves, river tubing, and mountain trekking. The capital, Vientiane, a European blend of French colonial architecture with Buddhist heritage sites, is another delightful experience. It’s cheap, scenic, and purely spiritual, all good reasons to visit Laos.
Nearest Airport: Wattay International Airport
Best For: Culture, rivers, trekking
10. Brunei
Photo: Jie Yeu Teoh / Unsplash
Brunei is a small but interesting country located on the island of Borneo and among the most tranquil tourist destinations near the Philippines. The country of Brunei, with its Islamic history and royal pomp, is a unique combination of seldom-found depth of culture and natural peace. Visit the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a gorgeous mosque in Brunei, ride a water taxi on Kampong Ayer, the largest water village in the world or head deep into Ulu Temburong National Park to experience nature at its finest in Brunei. It is tidy, peaceful and calm, and people put much emphasis on heritage and conservation.
Nearest Airport: Brunei International Airport
Best For: Culture, nature, tranquillity
Looking for unforgettable things to do around the Philippines? Nearby countries offer ancient temples, vibrant cities, lush rainforests, and tropical beaches. Rich in culture, cuisine, and adventure, these destinations are perfect for quick getaways or extended vacations. With easy visa access and frequent flights, travelling outside the Philippines is more convenient than ever. Whether solo, with family, or for romance, explore top places to visit near the Philippines with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Louis Gan / Unsplash
