Road Trip Destinations Near Manila for the Ultimate Weekend Getaway

The endless cycle of waking up early, going to work, and sleeping (dreading the next workday) every day is not a stranger to us. We need to work to live, but that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve to take a break. If you have no plans this weekend yet, why not go on a road trip for a short getaway? It doesn’t have to be far because many destinations are only a few hours away from Manila. Here are some of them!

Tagaytay City, Cavite

Tagaytay is one of the most popular destinations for locals because of its scenery and cooler climate. It’s a one- to two-hour drive away from Manila, which makes it ideal for day trips. Many resorts are also available in the area for weekend getaways.

For sightseeing, the obvious destinations are the areas and roadsides where you can get a good view of the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. But if you’re willing to pay a small fee, People’s Park in the Sky located atop Mount Sungay, which is the highest vantage point in Cavite, can give you an unobstructed view of the lake.

Once you feel your stomach rumbling, continue your drive to popular cafés and restaurants in the area, such as Pamana Restaurant, Tsokolateria, Bag of Beans, Sonya’s Garden, and Antonio’s Tagaytay. You can also get yourself a bulalo and slurp those delicious bone marrows for a satisfying meal.

Pampanga

Known as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, Pampanga is home to some of the most delicious Filipino dishes, such as bringhe, pindang, and morcon. To satisfy your stomach after a two-hour drive, you can head over to Bale Capampangan, Bale Dutung, Camalig Restaurant, or Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine to get a taste of authentic Kapampangan cuisine.

If you’re after something religious, there are many churches in Pampanga to visit for Visita Iglesia (Seven Churches Visitation) during the holy week or throughout the year. The Metropolitan Cathedral, San Guillermo Parish Church, Immaculate Conception Parish Church, and San Agustin Church are only some examples.

Love music? Going on a road trip to the modern city of Clark sounds like a good plan when there’s a food and music festival to attend along with hot air balloon displays! You’ll need to leave extremely early, though, because the traffic in the area is no joke whenever this event takes place.

Subic Bay, Zambales

Looking for a summer destination? Drive north to Subic Bay in the province of Zambales and be ready to get wet at Asia’s biggest floating playground, The Inflatable Island. It covers over 4,200 square meters, or the size of eight basketball courts, so you won’t run out of activities to do. From the trampoline to the Tarzan Swing, it’s an exciting way to get your body moving while having fun!

If you have an extra day to spend, you can visit the 20-hectare Zoobic Safari adventure park to meet wild and exotic animals in their natural habitat. They also offer a night safari if you’re brave enough to explore the park when the sun goes down. Or you can visit Ocean Adventure instead if you prefer marine animals. They offer dolphin swim encounters where you can swim with and feed these cute sea creatures.

Benguet – La Trinidad and Baguio

If you want a cooler climate than Tagaytay, the province of Benguet is the place to go. For the first stop, head to Baguio City and stretch your legs at Burnham Park. It has a Picnic Grove where you can relax and eat your packed lunch, but if you didn’t bring any food with you, there are also many restaurants nearby. If you prefer to be surrounded by pine trees instead, you can visit Camp John Hay for a fresh cool breeze and exciting activities, such as rappelling, horseback riding, and golf.

When we say Benguet, we won’t forget to mention what it’s most famous for — strawberry picking in La Trinidad. From November to February, you can handpick your own strawberries at its farms and eat them or bring them home as pasalubong! You can also try strawberry-flavored food at nearby stalls and restaurants, such as ice cream and taho.

Need an “aesthetic” background for your Instagram and TikTok posts? The beautiful mountain backdrop of Atok’s Northern Blossom Flower Farm has a variety of flowers and plants in every angle. For a fee of P250 (as of writing), you can roam the entire farm and get a free light snack at the cafeteria. If you need a photographer, there are attendants on standby at different sections to help you take breathtaking photos.