There are a lot of things to do in Baguio City. Too many that sometimes you don’t have enough time to do all of it. So this article will help you decide what to do in Baguio City to maximize your trip.
Baguio City has been an all-year-round escape for most people and despite travelers often going back, there are a lot of things people can still do every time they are there.
We weren’t well-traveled as a family growing up, we’re a big family, and going to Baguio City was pretty expensive. My first Baguio trip was when I applied for my internship when I was on my 4th year of college.
I stayed in Baguio for the whole duration of my internship and I loved it there. The people were so nice, the climate was so cold, and the city lights at night were so relaxing.
One thing I struggle with is riding a jeepney. It is a struggle because, unlike other cities, the road is not straightforward and linear. Their roads are around hills and are some roads are one-ways so even if your destination is near, you’ll have a hard time figuring out where to ride a jeep and where to get off.
I personally prefer riding a taxi if you can’t walk. I’ve never had a bad experience riding a taxi but still stay vigilant especially when traveling alone. The locals are very kind but just don’t provoke them, remember that you’re just a visitor in their land.
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| Photo: TG |
The climate in Baguio is very conducive for plants which is why they have extensive species of floras and have so many parks, gardens, and attractions that highlight the beauty of them all.
The Panagbenga Festival is a famous celebration showcasing the flora in the city. It is a month-long celebration that usually happens from February 1 until the first Sunday of March. This is a very popular event and tourists all over the Philippines and abroad flock to Baguio City.
The most popular thing travelers do is to visit the Baguio Night Market. It happens every night at 10:00 PM at Harrison Road. There are long lines of stalls that sell clothes, shoes, souvenirs, trinkets, and more. There’s a part dedicated to food as well.
If you are coming from the city center, starting the day by visiting places from the heart of Baguio City is the thing to do.
Here are 19 things to do in Baguio City according to location with a free customized map for easy navigation.
19 Things to do in Baguio City by location
Central Baguio and Cultural Spots-
Map here: Things to do in Central Baguio + Cultural Spots
1. Visit Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral (Baguio Cathedral)
Address: 2600 Steps To Our Lady Of Atonement Cathedral, Baguio, Benguet
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| Photo: The Baguio Cathedral of Our Lady of the Atonement |
Start by visiting the Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral located at the Cathedral Loop just next to Session Road in Baguio City.
The Baguio Cathedral is famous for being a popular tourist attraction because of its distinctive exterior, twin spires, and stained glass windows. The height of the Cathedral’s bell tower is 108 meters making it the second tallest in the Philippines.
It is a mix of Spanish and Gothic Revival architecture and during the Japanese Occupation, it served as an evacuation center during World War II.
You won’t miss the place as it is located on high grounds. You can enter from the main entrance of the Baguio Cathedral from Happy Glen Loop Street and there’s a shortcut from Session Road as well. It’s a 104-step steep cement stair that opens Session Road to the side of the cathedral.
2. Session Road Food Crawl
Address: Session Road, Baguio, Benguet
Session Road is adjacent to Baguio Cathedral. It is a street that houses different establishments and is considered one of the most iconic and busiest streets in the area. Its name was derived from the fact that the road once served as a pathway to the former Baden-Powell Hall, where the Philippine Commission held its session.
This street is famous for their street performers during the day and is known to be the centre of the Baguio Central Business District. Food crawl is the best thing to do in Session Road as it houses many food establishments.
There are a lot of food establishments on Session Road just walk straight and you’ll find these shops.
If you are craving steak, you can try Sizzling Plate Session. They have a pretty decent price but don’t expect Michelin level.
A famous pizza place is Pizza Volante with multiple branches and one is located in Session Road. For drinks, try Yi Fang if you’re craving for Taiwan Fruit Tea. They have a nice dining area as well.
Tea House for a fusion meal, try their noodles! And grab some coffee from Il Padrino or if you’re craving Italian food.
And probably one of the most sought after is the Strawberry Cheesecake from Vizco’s. And if you can, try their pistachio ice cream!
3. Mt. Cloud Bookshop
Address: 1 Yangco Road, Corner Brent Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
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| Photo: Mt. Cloud Bookshop |
If you are a bookworm and looking for a bookstore in Baguio, Mt. Cloud Bookshop should be on your itinerary. Mt. Cloud Bookshop is located at 1 Yangco Road, Corner Brent Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet, and is open from 10:30AM to 6:30PM.
Mt. Cloud Bookshop is an independent bookstore that sells books authored and published by Filipinos. You can find indie books that are not even available in major bookstore outlets.
They don't have an online website just yet, but they have social media like Facebook and Instagram.
You can ride a taxi to go to Mt Cloud Bookshop.
4. Visit the Laperal White House
Address: Teacher's Camp, Laperal White House, 14 Leonard Wood Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
The Laperal House is believed to be haunted because of its history. The house was built in 1920 during the American occupation. The Laperal family, the oldest clan in Baguio City, owns it.
But during World War II the house became a garrison where Japanese soldiers brutally tortured and murdered many, the Laperal family included.
In 2007, Chinese Filipino billionaire tycoon Lucio Tan purchased the property, renovated it, and opened it to the public as a tourist attraction.
There’s an entrance fee of 50Php which is donated to Baguio-Benguet Bamboo Initiatives Ifugao Bamboo Carving Exhibit.
There's a fine dining restaurant as well and due to the a limited number of seating, it is better to make reservation at Joseph's.
5. Relax at Burnham Park
Address: Jose Abad Santos Dr, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Returning back to the city center, you’ll have the time of your life in Burnham Park. You can do a lot of activities like renting a bike, riding a boat in the lagoon, and even skating.
The park is named after an American architect urban planner Daniel Burnham who created the park’s original design and arrangement. You can see different attractions such as children's playgrounds, a rose garden, an orchidarium, a picnic grove, an Igorot garden, a skating area, and the lake.
Burnham Park is a must-visit any time of the year, December to February is the best time if you want cooler weather with less rain showers. There's no entrance fee to enter Burnham Park, only the activities such as biking, boat rides, and skating. You can ride a boat in Burnham’s century-old-man-made lake for Php 300 for 30 minutes.
6. Visit Ili-likha Artists Village
Address: 32 Assumption Road, Brgy. Kabayanihan, Baguio City
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| Photo: Ili-Likha Artist' Wateringhole |
Ili-likha is a huge eco-art complex owned by renowned film director Eric de Guia also known as Kidlat Tahimik. It is located at 32 Assumption Road Brgy. Kabayanihan, Baguio City is open from 10:00 AM to 07:00 PM.
Regular shows and events happen there so make sure to check their pages to get updates. It is pet-friendly and has no entrance fee.
7. Experience the famous Baguio Night Market
Address: Harrison Road, Baguio, Benguet
Baguio Night Market happens daily from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM at Harrison Road, another busy street in the city. There's a street dedicated to food, and another is for the flea market goods.
The busy street turns more busy with people than a street full of people. Baguio Night Market is known as a flea market but brand new clothing and accessories are also available.
Nature and Outdoor Spots (Morning)
Map here: Things to do in Baguio City (Nature and Outdoor)
8. Roam around Baguio Botanical Garden
Address: 37 Leonard Wood Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
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| Photo: TG |
Visit Baguio Botanical Garden which is a famous tourist destination that everyone should see. It Baguio Botanical Garden is a haven full of plants of different colors, sizes, and species.
It is usually open from 7:00AM but when we visited, they were open until later since they have a Christmas theme park that they light up.
To enter Baguio Botanical Garden, you have to pay 100Php but if you are a student, senior citizen, or local you can
9. Horse Riding at Wright Park
Address: CJ89+844 Wright Park Horse Stables, Baguio, Benguet
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| Photo: TG |
Wright Park is another popular park in Baguio City. There are 3 popular things you will see in Wright Park, the horse stable where you can pay to ride one for 30 minutes, the high stairways that are really steep and not for the weak heart, the Wright Park lake, Wright Pergola, and the dancing water fountain.
The horse stables are in the lower part of Wright Park together with food and souvenir shops. If you are coming from the horse stable, you'll have to climb the Wright High Stairways in order to go to the Wright Pergola and the lake with the dancing water fountain.
There is no entrance fee to Wright Park, but if you want to ride or take pictures with a horse you'll have to pay a fee. You'll have to pay around 200Php for 30 minutes of horseback riding in Wright Park. If you don't feel like riding, you can go for a picture riding a horse for only 50Php.
10. The Mansion House tour
Address: Romulo Dr, Baguio, Benguet
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| Photo: TG |
The Mansion House in Baguio is considered the Philippines' President Summer House. It was constructed in 1908 to be the summer residence for the American governor-general before World War II.
Recently, it was opened to the public and served as the Presidential Museum. There's no entrance fee to visit the insides of The Mansion House, but booking a slot online is a must. You can book directly on their website or take a chance for walk-ins.
I suggest you register in advance because their guided tours are limited to 15 people per batch and run every 30 minutes from 09:00 AM - 11:00 PM in the morning and resume at 01:00 PM - 3:00 PM in the afternoon. As of writing, 60% of slots for December 2024 are already booked.
A reminder that there's no baggage counter at The Mansion House and they have a requirement size for bags allowed inside, however, you can leave your belongings on the registration area on the side of the main gate where registration is happening. No bag tag numbers will be given, so leave them at your own risk.
11. Buy pasalubong and gift items from Good Shepherd
Address: 15 Gibraltar Road, 2600 Baguio City
If you are in Baguio and are looking for pasalubong and gift items, Good Shepherd is a great place. Good Shepherd is one of the best makers of jams. Their bestsellers are Ube and strawberry jam. Their peanut brittle is also good.
Their products are so good that they easily run out quickly. And they have a maximum number of items that a person can buy to prevent hoarders. They are open from 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM.
Nature and Outdoor Spots (Morning)
Map here: Things to do in Baguio City (Nature and Outdoor Spots)
12. Heritage Hill and Nature Park Garden (Old Diplomat Hotel)
Address: Dominican Hill, Diplomat Road, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
The Heritage Hill and Nature Park Garden is also known as the famous and haunted Old Diplomat Hotel. It is located in Dominic Hill and it is under the management of Baguio City.
The Old Diplomat Hotel was said to be haunted due to its history. During World War II, the property was used as a rest house and sanitorium for the Japanese forces.
When the Japanese occupied Baguio, many Filipinos were killed and decapitated including soldiers, priests, and nuns. Over the years, visitors and residents nearby had claimed to have heard unusual screams and beheaded priests and nuns at the hotel.
Before that, it was built as a vacation house for the Dominicans, became a school, a refugee house of the Dominicans during WWII, became a Japanese base, was bombed by the Americans, and then rebuilt as a hotel.
The easiest way to get to the Old Diplomat Hotel is to ride a taxi. There's a jeepney route, but you'll have to walk uphill first. There's an entrance fee of 100Php when visiting the place.
13. Discover Camp John Hay
Address: 9JW6+RG9, Camp John Hay, Baguio, Benguet
Camp John Hay is a mountain retreat in Baguio City known for its touristic landmarks. You can visit the Bell Church, the Cemetery of Negativism, and there's a hotel.
Its history is also rich, the first bomb to fall in the Philippines exploded in the military circle which is now the main gate of Camp John Hay, this incident inflicted the first casualties of the war. Within the following weeks, the Japanese were able to occupy the city and turn Camp John Hay into a concentration camp for American and British citizens.
14. Visit the Philippine Military Academy as a tourist
Address: 9J69+9Q3 Ft Gen.Gregorio, del Pilar, Baguio, Benguet
Philippine Military Academy is open to the public and is allowed to explore the grounds. Visitors mainly go to PMA to watch cadets do drills but you can also visit the PMA museum.
15. Sky Ranch Baguio
Address: Luneta Hill, Upper Session Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Sky Ranch Baguio is a theme park beside SM Baguio City. There are a lot of rides you can choose from but a popular one would be the observation wheel that oversees Baguio City.
Tickets to Sky Ranch Baguio are available at the SM Ticket website or Klook. Sky Ranch Baguio is open from 11:00AM - 08:00PM from Mondays to Thursday, and 11:00AM - 09:00PM from Fridays to Sundays.
Outskirts of Baguio City (Morning)
Map here: Things to do on the Outskirts of Baguio City (Morning)
16. Visit Bell Church
Address: CHJX+MH2, Bell Church Rd, La Trinidad, Benguet
The Bell Church is already outside Baguio City and is actually in La Trinidad already, but it is still near, and you can still go visit if you are up for it. It is a church atop a hill, so be mindful of the noise.
There is a small fee that you have to pay, 20Php.
17. Strawberry picking at the La Trinidad’s Strawberry Farm
Address: La Trinidad, Benguet
The famous strawberry farm is actually in La Trinidad and not in Baguio City, but it is still near Baguio City so you can still visit it.
This strawberry plantation is actually owned and managed by Benguet State University. You can pick your own strawberry and pay for it, 1 kilo is 800Php. If you are too tired to do the work, you can just buy from the stalls around.
18. Immerse in the Cordilleran culture in Tam-awan Village
Address: 366-C Long Long Benguet Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
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| Photo: TG |
Tam-awan Village is one of the must-visit destinations in Baguio City. The entrance fee is 100Php and you can see different huts, galleries, artworks, and there are cultural shows as well.
It is known as a living museum and has saved huts from Kalinga and Sagada which is inside the area. The Tam-awan Village is pet-friendly too.
You can dine in at the Tam-awan Cafe and try locally curated meals.
19. BenCab Museum
Address: Km. 6 Asin Rd, Tuba, 2603 Benguet
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| Photo: BenCab Museum |
BenCab Museum is a popular destination that permanently houses the works of Philippine National Artist Benedicto Cabrera. It has several galleries and venues for art shows and exhibits.
The entrance fee to the BenCab museum is 200Php. It is open from 09:00AM-06:00PM from Tuesday to Sunday. No reservation is required here.
Things to do in Baguio City: FAQs
What is Barrel Man Baguio?
The Barrel Man's origin is unclear, but it can be traced back to the Ifugaos. Based on Kidlat Tahimik research, the Barrel Man is a 'sign of protest' against Westerners. It was created around the 1900s by the Ifugaos to mock the American colonizers due to the displacement of the Ibalois.
There are a lot of accommodations in Baguio City. Depending on your itinerary and places that you want to visit, you can grab accommodation for about 1,000Php per pax. There are more expensive accommodations but it all depends on your preference. There are hotels under 5,000Php in Baguio for every kind of traveler.
How many days are needed to visit Baguio City?
Ideally, 2-3 days is enough to visit Baguio City. If you just want to chill and don't want to go that far, 2D1N is enough already. See for reference: 2D1N Baguio Itinerary
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