Seated at the heart of the Philippine archipelago, the islands of Visayas are among the prettiest and most visited in the country. From east to west, these islands continue to lure visitors of different tongues and nations for their pristine beaches and untamed wilderness. Its main islands of Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate, Panay and Negros are further encircled by equally magnificent islets and breathtaking waters. Famous for its white sandy beaches and incomparable nature, coupled with great Visayan hospitality, Visayas is truly a paradise at the heart of the Philippines.

As gems of tourism in the country, the islands of Cebu, Panay and Bohol offer their visitors a wide array of opportunities to discover the treasures and beauty that lie within them.

Cebu, known to the locals as the “Queen City of the South,” is also the oldest in the country. With its rich history that has brought major landmarks such as the Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, and the monuments of the epic Datu Lapu-Lapu who killed Ferdinand Magellan, and the latter, who is one of the first to discover the Philippines. Cebu is also a huge commercial center and an international transport hub, having an international harbor and many other smaller ports. South of the Philippine’s oldest city is the town of Carcar where well-preserved Castillian houses stand, surrounded by beautiful gardens and old churches. Authentic wood guitars are famous products at Maribago, while amid the beach clubs and resorts are many other historical sites.

Magellan's Cross in Cebu

Panay Island holds other historical and cultural gems, including an 18^th century baroque church known as Miagao in Iloilo. The nearby Sicogon Island with its virgin forests, magnificent mountains and rich marine life, is a retreat for scuba divers. Who would forget to mention the most popular island treasure that is the Boracay Island, a huge expanse of sugary white sand beach and a prime destination to experience the sun.

Miagao - An 18th Century Baroque Church in Iloilo

Bohol is another one of the prime islands in Visayas, where natural wonders abound. The island is most famous for its limestone hills (hundreds of them), better known as the “Chocolate Hills” as they appear like huge mounds of the sweet treat. Aside from its handsome beaches, one interesting site in the island is the Baclayon Church, a very old stone church, and probably the oldest in the country.

Visayas is one of the best summer destinations in the country. It fits the cliché of the sun-soaked paradise with its pristine beaches, turquoise waters and enchanting natural surroundings. In terms of history, this part of the Philippines is just as rich as the other islands in the country.

The region is composed of several islands so expect to spend most of your holiday on the beach or going on ferry rides to get to one place to another. Everywhere you look, there’s bound to be a magnificent beach or coral reef to entice you to stick around and stay.

There are nine major islands in Visayas – Bohol, Cebu, Samar, Leyte, Panay, Negros, Guimaras, Romblon and Siquijor. It will take weeks for you to explore each one and selecting just one destination can be a challenge as each province has its own charm. For every island, a different language is spoken so it would feel like you’re in a different world altogether. Thankfully, a lot of people can speak and understand English so if you’re coming from another part of the globe, you can easily get help from the accommodating natives.

If you want a typical holiday, head for Boracay – an island that seems like a world of its own with its happening night life. It’s probably the most popular holiday destination in the region, welcoming thousands of tourists regardless of the season. If you’re one who wants a different kind of holiday, going from barrio to barrio will allow you to immerse in the area’s rich culture. You can even visit Siquijor, the black magic island – known to be the home of faith healers and witches.

The best way to explore the islands is to start your tour at the tip of Bicol where you can ride a ferry to Samar, then down to Leyte. Make a stop in Cebu for its historic sites and beaches, Bohol for the infamous Chocolate Hills, Panay, Negros and then Boracay to relax and unwind before you head back home.

Islands of paradise

Welcome to Asia’s best selection of tropical islands, the Visayas group in the Philippines. Experience the mouthwatering travel possibilities these numerous islands offer, from world class diving to stunning beaches, luxury resorts, friendly Filipino hospitality and endless coconut palms. We have the best of the Visayas covered here.

Plan your travels and update yourself on travel in the Visayas with this blog from an expert resident of Boracay and the Philippines. We plan to soon upgrade this into a full tourist info site with more than 100 pages and plenty of stunning pictures on the Visayas. Let us reveal the best of these islands.

From popular Boracay, across Panay and Negros to Bohol and Cebu we have the popular places covered. And then there’s the out of the way gems in Southern Leyte, the West coast islands of Samar, even the Romblons and sweet little Siquijor. Discover the individual flavours and highlights of each island right here.