Looking for a Baguio itinerary or where to go in Baguio? You don’t need a vacation leave to discover the City of Pines. If you still have the energy to explore after a long drive, Baguio can be your favorite weekend getaway from Manila.
How to Get to Baguio from Manila
Depending on where you are coming from and your mode of transportation, travel time from Manila to Baguio can take around five to six hours. If there is no traffic and you’re taking a private vehicle, travel time can be around four hours. Many people actually enjoy the long drive from Manila to Baguio.
But commuting should not be hard because you can easily find a bus going to Baguio. There are scheduled trips you can take from operators like Victory Liner and Genesis Transport. Usual departure point in Manila is Cubao, Quezon City. They even offer first class rides that will make your long commute more comfortable. Bus ride ranges from PHP500 to PHP800 (approximately USD10-USD16).
Getting Around Baguio City
You can take cab or jeepney rides when exploring around the beautiful places in Baguio. It’s generally easy to navigate around. There are even some locations you can reach by foot from another destination. There are also group tours available that you can avail for a hassle-free tour. But if you want control over your time, creating a do-it-yourself Baguio itinerary should be really easy.
Baguio Accommodations
Since the City of Pines is a main tourist hub, there are a number of budget and upscale hotels available to choose from. There are also transient houses or vacation houses that you can rent. If you can spend more on accommodations, choose one that is located in the city center (a bit pricier compared to those far from the city center). It’s also nice to walk around at night and if you’re just staying around town, you’ll have easy access to restaurants and other establishments.
Where to Go in Baguio?
Iconic places to visit in Baguio
You haven’t been to Baguio if you haven’t seen these places:
- Mines View Park – A park overlooking the stunning Cordillera mountains.
- Wright Park – Another beautiful park where you can simply walk around. Horseback riding is popular in the place.
- The Mansion – Official summer palace of the President of the Philippines. A popular site for photo-ops.
- Strawberry Farm – Go to Strawberry Farm if you want to experience picking strawberries by yourself (seasonal).
- Camp John Hay – Enjoy this recreational complex with the abundance of scenic pine trees. What a way to relax with the cool Baguio weather!
- Burnham Park – Sight Burnham Park with the nice artificial lagoon where you can even go boating.
- Botanical Garden – Because Baguio will never run out of alluring spots to visit, Botanical Garden offers both a stimulating and lovely place where you can just take a pause and unwind.
- Lion’s Head – Passing by Kennon Road, notice the famous Lion’s Head statue that has been a symbol of the summer capital.
Other Places to Visit:
If you can stay longer or if you’ll visit again, here are other best places in Baguio you can consider:
- Diplomat Hotel – A striking, abandoned building on a hill with creepy stories.
- BenCab Museum – Founded by the National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts, Benedicto Reyes Cabrera or more popularly known as BenCab, the BenCab Museum is one of the coolest museums you can find in Baguio.
- Tam-awan Village – To get more immersed with Cordilleran art and culture, Tam-awan Village is a good place to be.
- Good Sheperd Convent – Place to buy the best ube jam!
- Baguio Cathedral – Sitting atop Mount Mary Hill, the stunning Baguio Cathedral is the largest church in the city.
- Lourdes Grotto – A Catholic shrine usually flocked by devotees during Holy Week, Lourdes Grotto houses the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Laperal White House – old house painted in white that is said to be haunted.
When to Go in Baguio?
Baguio has a nice cool weather all year round. However, the place can really get crowded on long weekends, Christmas season, summer (many Manila peeps want to escape the summer heat), and during Holy Week. Traffic is definitely grueling at these times. You may want to travel outside these peak seasons or holidays. Normal weekends may still have a crowd but probably lesser.
Where to Eat in Baguio?
Restaurants in Baguio also deserve a spotlight. If you can include some of these places in your Baguio itinerary, the better. Going on food trip is also one of the favorite activities in Baguio. Here is a list of some good places to eat in Baguio (there is definitely more!).
- Chef’s Home
- Baguio Craft Brewery
- Café by the Ruins
- Arca’s Yard Café
- Chocolate de Batirol
- Café Sabel at Bencab Museum
- Cafe de Angelo
- Ili-likha Artist Village
- House of Yolo Yogurt
- Good Taste Restaurant
Only in Baguio
Don’t miss trying strawberry ice cream, strawberry taho, Good Sheperd’s ube jam, and sundo’t kulangot.
Sample Weekend Baguio Itinerary for First Timers
Don’t worry if you don’t have much time. Baguio itinerary for a weekend getaway is possible to enjoy the lovely City of Pines. Consider visiting the popular places to go in Baguio for first timers.
Day 0 (Friday): Arrival in Baguio
– Afternoon/late departure from Manila.
– Arrival in Baguio.
– Check-in at accommodation.
Or you can also choose to travel early Saturday morning to avoid paying extra one night for accommodations. You can then start the tour around noon time or after lunch.
Day 1 (Saturday): Baguio City Tour + Strawberry Farm
Morning Tour
– The Mansion
– Wright Park
– Good Sheperd Convent
– Mines View Park
– Burnham Park
– Camp John Hay
Afternoon Tour
– Botanical Garden
– Colors of Stobosa
– Strawberry Farm
– Diplomat Hotel
– Travel back to accommodation.
Day 2 (Sunday): Bencab and Tam-awan Village
– Early checkout (ask accommodation to leave belongings).
– BenCab Museum
– Tam-awan Village
– Go back to accommodation, pick up bags.
– Travel back to Manila.
Sample 3 Days and 2 Nights Baguio Itinerary with Side Trip to Atok Benguet Flower Farm (Northern Blossom)
The summer capital is also a favorite destination for a long weekend getaway. You may want to explore outside the city and include Atok Benguet Flower Farm in your Baguio itinerary. Exploring Northern Blossom is one of the new things to do in Baguio.
Day 1: Travel to Baguio and City Tour
Morning
– Early Manila departure.
– Arrival in Baguio around noon time.
– Lunch, check-in at accommodation.
Afternoon
– The Mansion
– Wright Park
– Good Sheperd Convent
– Mines View Park
– Diplomat Hotel
Day 2: Baguio Tour
Morning
– Lourdes Grotto
– Burnham Park
– Baguio Cathedral
– Botanical Garden
– Camp John Hay
Afternoon
– Strawberry Farm
– Tam-awan Village
– BenCab Museum
– Travel back to accommodation.
Day 3: Atok Benguet Flower Farm Half-Day Tour
– Early checkout (ask accommodation to leave belongings).
– Travel from Baguio City to Atok Benguet (approximately 2 hours).
– Northern Blossom Flower Farm tour.
– Travel back to Baguio City.
– Go back to accommodation, pick up bags.
– Travel back to Manila.
