Living in Baguio for so many years made me crave for the sun, sand, and sea of Cebu and Batangas. I’ve been so lucky I had the chance to stay in Batangas for more than a year in my first job. I got to climb Mt. Maculot, see “pawikans” at Masasa Beach, snorkel at the coral gardens of Isla Verde, and even glamp in Calatagan.
Despite all this, it’s true when they say you’ll miss home. I missed the cold weather of the Cordilleras. Heck, I even miss seeing the pine trees. The first time I stepped in Tagaytay was when I went full on solo and camped at La Veryol’s. Fun times.
The second time was when we had a staycation at Nordic Homes during my friends’ birthdays. The most recent one was when I brought my husband to La Bella Tagaytay.
Tagaytay has so much to offer aside from the cool weather. And if you’re planning a trip to this city anytime soon, here’s the best things to do in Tagaytay.
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Eat
Tagaytay is filled with so many wonderful restaurants, cafes, and eateries that you shouldn’t miss out. Here are Ryk and I’s suggestions of where to eat in Tagaytay.
- Bag of Beans – You can find a lot of Bag of Beans branches in Tagaytay. Choose one from the many and you’ll be surprised with how awesome the food is. And while waiting for your food, take some photos. Every corner of the restaurant is Instagram worthy!
- Aozora Japanese Restaurant – As the first Japanese restaurant in Tagaytay, you’ll surely be in a treat when you eat here. Their ramen is hella amazing! They’re the only one who sells bulalo ramen.
- Sonya’s Garden – Famous for their Secret Salad Dressing, Sonya’s Garden is often frequented by tourists and locals for their lush garden and salad.
- Antonio’s – As one of the top 20 restaurants in Asia according to the Miele Guide, Antonio’s is the perfect place to celebrate any occasion. Be sure to dress smart casual and avoid slippers.
- Taza Fresh Table Restaurant – Showcasing the local produce, Taza Fresh Table Restaurant is sure to provide you with fresh food.
Don’t forget to go try the Bulalo of Tagaytay. You can choose from several restaurants to eat from but apparently the bulalo in Mahogany is the most famous.
Staycation
Like what I mentioned above, I’ve been to Tagaytay and mostly for staycation purposes. The city has quite a collection of Airbnb units. Most of which has its own unique theme. Here are some that I’d recommend.
Airbnbs
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For 2 to 4 persons
- French Inspired Chalet de la Memoire – Check Price and Availability
- The Happy Soul Santorini Villa – Check Price and Availability
- Scandanavian Inspired Unit – Check Price and Availability
- Nordic Gem – Check Price and Availability
- SURF&TURF TROPICA – Check Price and Availability
- Private Modern Suite at Nana’s Farm – Check Price and Availability
- Mia’s Nook Tagaytay Penthouse Unit – Check Price and Availability
- The First Star Wars inspired Suite – Check Price and Availability
- Moon Garden – Check Price and Availability
- Narra Hill – Check Price and Availability
For 5 to 8 persons
- Rio de Janeiro – Check Price and Availability
- Modern Country Family Suite – Check Price and Availability
- Overlooking Forest Cabin – Check Price and Availability
- A Magical World of Wizards & Witches in Tagaytay – Check Price and Availability
For Large Groups (10 and above)
- Windsor Vacation House – Check Price and Availability
- Cedara Thermal Pool Exclusive – Check Price and Availability
- Tagaytay Chalet w/ Outdoor Jacuzzi – Check Price and Availability
- Ohana Vacation House – Check Price and Availability
- Chalet de Tagaytay – Check Price and Availability
- The Blue Cottage – Check Price and Availability
Hotels & Resorts
- The Carmelence View Villa – Check Price and Availability
- Nurture Wellness Village – Check Price and Availability
- T House – Check Price and Availability
- Taal Vista Hotel – Check Price and Availability
- The Lake Hotel Tagaytay – Check Price and Availability
- Anya Resort – Check Price and Availability
- Summit Ridge Hotel – Check Price and Availability
Trek Taal Volcano
Tagaytay is famous for its views of the Taal lake so why not get up close and personal with the Taal Volcano? You can book a trip from Manila to the Taal Volcano via Klook. And did you know? Taal Volcano is considered as the smallest active volcano in the world?
Relax
What better way to de-stress than to get a relaxing massage? The two most famous spas in the city are Nurture Wellness Village Spa and Qiwellness Living Spa.
Nurture Wellness Village Spa Experience in Tagaytay
- Visit Nurture Wellness Village, named as one of the 28 Most Relaxing Spas in Asia by CNN Go
- Enjoy a massage or scrub in one of Asia Spa Magazine’s Top Seven Spas of the Philippines
- Travel two hours away from the busy city of Manila and deep into the coffee orchards of Tagaytay
- Experience the spa’s distinctive brand of ecotherapy or healing by and through nature
- Choose from a roster of unique Filipino wellness experiences amid native Ifugao huts and local themed decor
Qiwellness Living Spa and Dining Experience
- Enjoy the best of Tagaytay with a visit to Qi Wellness Spa, a mere 2 hour drive south of Metro Manila
- Perched on the ridge of Tagaytay overlooking Taal lake, the spa offers fantastic views
- Perfect for those looking for an intimate and relaxing spa session with a scenic view and top-notch service
- Exclusive use of the Yin and Yang pool before your revitalizing massage of choice
- Choose between 3 signature Qiwellness massages: Silk, Deep Tissue and Qiharmony
- Cap off your spa experience with a visit to the Qiwellness Teahouse, where tea and dimsum await you
Check Out The Glass Museum
Museo Orlina showcases the art of Ramon Orlina, a famous practitioner of glass sculpture. You’ll also find here paintings and sculptures by other Filipino artists. Entrance fee is P100 and is open from Tuesdays to Sundays (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Taking videos inside is prohibited. Only photos are allowed. However, be sure not to use flash as it is also not allowed. And most of all, don’t touch the sculptures.
Camp or Glamp
If you want to glamp, Nurture Wellness Village provides one of the best glamping sites in Tagaytay. However there are other campsites that are worth checking out especially if you’re looking for more affordable ones. You can check this list of the best campsites in Tagaytay for some recommendations. After all, what’s better than camping under the stars with the cool air blowing and the bonfire heating you up?
Have Picnic
The Picnic Grove in Tagaytay is one of the best places to go to if you’re traveling with kids. This place offers a wide space for picnic and for the kids to run around. You can also swim, zip line, ride a horse, shop or ride a cable car here, too.
Go Sightseeing
Picnic Grove, People’s Park in the Sky, Paradizoo, and the Cliffhouse are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the city especially if you want to take in the view of the Taal Volcano. These places are what makes Tagaytay different from the other Philippine tourist spots. Just make sure to go on a weekday to avoid the crowd.
Check out Sky Ranch
If you love Enchanted Kingdom, you’re going to love Sky Ranch. This leisure park has several attractions such as the Sky Eye Ferris Whelel, zipline, and a whole lot more!
- Location: Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay City
- Entrance fee: P50 (weekdays), P80 (weekends and holidays), each ride has its own ticket (average ticket per ride is P50 each)
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Contact info: (02) 8570100 LOC 1450
Visit the World’s Largest Jigsaw Collection
The Puzzle Mansion holds the largest collection of jigsaw puzzles in the world according the the Guiness record. Here you’ll find 1,028 puzzles which Georgina Gil Lacuna has amassed for over 26 years. From normal, 3D to 4D, you will see here some of the biggest puzzles in the world.
- Location: Purok 4, Cuadra St., Brgy. Asisan
- Entrance fee: P100
- Opening hours: 7am-7pm (Mondays to Fridays), 7am-8pm (Saturdays and Sundays)
Where to Stay in Tagaytay
Here are some hotels and resorts to book in Tagaytay. You can also refer to the map below.
Airbnb Tagaytay
Aside from hotels and resorts, you can also opt to stay at an Airbnb.
Get your P2,200 ($44) Airbnb discount here!
Responsible Travel Tips
When traveling to one place, make sure you practice responsible tourism. Here are some tips to do so.
1. Respect the environment
Don’t litter. Please hold onto your trash until you find a garbage can.
Related: 16 Eco-Friendly Travel Products for the Earth-Loving You
2. Avoid single-use plastic
Bring your eco bag and refuse single-use plastic.
3. Shop local
Keep the traditional crafts alive and support local artisans. Buy from them. And try not to haggle, P20 may seem small to you but it can mean a lot to them.
4. Always ask permission
Be sure to ask for permission first when taking photos or videos especially when it comes to children
What to Pack for
- Eco-friendly Reusable Water Bottle
- Light Rain Jacket (especially from June to November)
- T-shirts, a Nice top, and a Long-sleeved Shirt
- Jacket
- Day Bag
- Swimsuit
- Power Adapter
- Packing Cubes
- Microfiber Towel
- Travel Insurance
- Money Belt
- Sneakers, Hiking Shoes (if you’re planning to hike) and Some Flats
- Reusable Straw and Reusable Bag (no to single-use plastic!)
Related Article: The Only Travel Packing List You’ll Ever Need (Trust Me)
Our Camera Gear
- Mirrorless Camera: Fujifilm XT3
- Lenses: Fujifilm Fujinon kit lens (18-55mm) | Fujinon 35mm f2 | Fujinon 50mm f2
- Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- GoPro: GoPro Hero Black 7
- Power Bank: Romoss Powerbank
- Camera Backpack: Case Logic Camera and Laptop Backpack
- Monopod: Ifootage Cobra 2 a180
- Mic: Rode VideoMicro
- Gimbal: Zhiyun Weebill-S
You might also like…
- The Happy Soul Santorini Villa: A La Bella Tagaytay Staycation
- La VeryOl’s: A Relaxing Glamping Experience in Tagaytay
- Nordic Homes Tagaytay: Instagram-Worthy Airbnb Staycation
- 7 of the Best Campsites in Tagaytay
- Weekend Getaways Near Manila : 25 Places To Visit (Plus Campsites)
- Where To Go In Tagaytay: 10 Top Instagrammable Tagaytay Tourist Spots
