Welcome to Las Piñas—an old salt-making town turned lively southern gateway to Metro Manila. It’s home to the 19th-century Bamboo Organ, handcrafted from 900+ bamboo pipes, and to neighborhoods where family-run eateries and modern lifestyle centers sit side by side.

In this 7-day itinerary, you’ll balance heritage and nature: walk on cobblestones in Intramuros, breathe the cool air of Tagaytay as you gaze at Taal Volcano, and glide over coral gardens off Anilao. Between adventures, we’ll point you to local favorites for bulalo, ensaymada, and sunset drinks.

Practical notes: Manila traffic is real—start early and keep plans flexible. Grab is the easiest way to get around the metro; cash and cards are both common. Pack light breathable clothing, a compact rain jacket, and reef-safe sunscreen for day trips.

Las Piñas

Las Piñas blends small-city warmth with quick access to the south’s best day trips. The star is the UNESCO-recognized Bamboo Organ at St. Joseph Parish, where docents explain how bamboo became a living instrument still played at the annual festival.

For dining and strolls, locals head to Evia Lifestyle Center (Instagram-ready cafés like Coffee Project and homey bistros like Another Story) or to nearby Alabang for powerhouse spots like Ramen Yushoken (rich tonkotsu, made-from-scratch noodles) and The Black Pig (charcuterie, craft beer). Evenings feel neighborhood-y: comfortable, convivial, and delicious.

• Where to stay (Las Piñas): Browse homes and condos on VRBO Las Piñas or hotels on Hotels.com Las Piñas. If availability is tight, look at nearby Alabang/Muntinlupa.
• Getting in: Fly into MNL (Ninoy Aquino International). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Off-peak, Las Piñas is ~30–50 minutes by car from the airport; at rush hour, plan 60–90 minutes.

Manila

Manila’s historic heart is Intramuros, the 16th-century walled city where Spanish forts, stone churches, and leafy plazas tell centuries of stories. Nearby, the National Museums and Rizal Park anchor the capital’s cultural spine.

Eat your way through history too: Ilustrado serves heritage Filipino fare (try adobado or paella negra), The Aristocrat on Roxas Boulevard has grilled chicken barbecue that’s been a staple since 1936, and the Bayleaf Intramuros Sky Deck pours sunset views over the walls and Manila Bay.

• Where to stay (Manila): VRBO Manila | Hotels.com Manila
• Travel time from Las Piñas: 45–90 minutes by car depending on traffic; start early for smoother rides.

Tagaytay

Perched along Taal Lake’s ridge, breezy Tagaytay is Manila’s classic cool-weather escape. Gaze at postcard-perfect Taal Volcano, then fuel up with steaming bulalo (beef marrow soup) and local coffee.

Locals swear by Balay Dako for heirloom Filipino dishes and sweeping lake views; Bag of Beans for brews and pastries; and Mahogany Market eateries for no-frills, soul-warming bulalo.

• Where to stay (Tagaytay): VRBO Tagaytay | Hotels.com Tagaytay
• Travel time from Las Piñas: 1.5–2 hours by car. Aim to depart before 7am on weekends.

Anilao (Mabini, Batangas)

Anilao is the birthplace of Philippine diving—known for clear water, coral gardens, and macro critters like nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses. Even non-divers love a snorkeling day over shallow reefs.

Most resorts offer day passes with gear rentals and lunch. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and motion-sickness bands if you’re boat-sensitive.

• Where to stay (Mabini/Anilao): VRBO Mabini (Batangas) | Hotels.com Mabini (Batangas)
• Travel time from Las Piñas: 2–3 hours by car; depart by 5–6am to beat traffic and winds.

Day 1: Arrival, Settle into Las Piñas, and the Bamboo Organ

Afternoon: Land at MNL and ride to your stay in Las Piñas (30–90 minutes). If you’d like to lock flights now, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Stretch your legs at St. Joseph Parish to see the famed Bamboo Organ; the small museum explains its restoration and tonal quirks.

Evening: Dinner at Another Story (Evia Lifestyle Center)—a whimsical bistro doing Filipino comfort food with European touches; order the crispy pata and truffle pasta to share. Post-dinner coffee at Coffee Project (cozy nooks, floral decor), or if you’re up for a nightcap, head 15 minutes to The Black Pig in Alabang for charcuterie boards and local craft beer.

Day 2: Las Piñas Neighborhood Day—Markets, Malls, and South Manila Eats

Morning: Breakfast at Mary Grace in Alabang Town Center—ensaymada and hot chocolate are the classics. Browse ATC’s Philippine-made gifts, then walk over to Molito Lifestyle Center for open-air cafés and dessert spots.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ramen Yushoken (Westgate)—expect a queue for their tonkotsu; it moves fast. If you prefer modern Filipino, Neil’s Kitchen is a few steps away (sinigang paella and fried longganisa”). Swing by Evia Lifestyle Center after for a quick photo and specialty coffee.

Evening: Head to BF Homes’ Aguirre Avenue (15–25 minutes) for a casual food crawl: try local sisig at a grill joint, bingsu at a Korean dessert café, and halo-halo to finish. Or keep it closer with dinner at The Black Pig (excellent pork belly and a solid wine list).

Day 3: Old and New Manila—Intramuros, Makati, and Bay Sunset

Morning: Depart Las Piñas by 8am (45–90 minutes to Intramuros). Join a city overview to cover more in less time:

Manila Old and New: Sightseeing Tour Including Intramuros and Fort Santiago

This guided experience weaves through Makati’s business core, Rizal Park, and the cobbled lanes of Intramuros, with time at Fort Santiago—the story-rich citadel that once guarded the Pasig River mouth.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ilustrado inside Intramuros (Spanish-Filipino fare; their callos is beloved). Continue to the National Museum of Fine Arts to see Juan Luna’s Spoliarium and other national treasures.

Evening: Catch sunset from the Bayleaf Intramuros Sky Deck, then cab to The Aristocrat on Roxas Boulevard for classic barbecue with java rice and atchara. Return to Las Piñas.

Day 4: Tagaytay Day Trip—Cool Air and Taal Volcano Views

Full day: Leave by 6:30–7:00am (1.5–2 hours). A guided run makes logistics easy and maximizes viewpoints:

Spectacular Manila to Tagaytay: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour

Expect ridge viewpoints, stops like Picnic Grove or People’s Park in the Sky (as conditions allow), and insights into the 2020 eruption that reshaped the lake landscape.

Eat & drink: Book a late lunch at Balay Dako (reserve or go early; order inasal, kare-kare, and ube desserts). Coffee at Bag of Beans or a bulalo fix at Mahogany Market. Drive back after sunset.

Day 5: Anilao Snorkel Safari—Corals, Clarity, and Outrigger Boats

Early morning: Depart by 5:30–6:00am (2–3 hours). Bring a dry bag, towel, and reef-safe sunscreen.

Anilao Snorkel Safari: Explore the Amazing Underwater World

This small-group outing hops between reefs by outrigger boat, with mask, snorkel, and life vests provided. Look for parrotfish, giant clams, and, in season, schools of juvenile fish in the shallows.

Afternoon & evening: Lunch at a resort canteen (simple grilled fish, adobo, pancit). Return to Las Piñas and keep dinner light—try a neighborhood ihaw-ihaw (grill) for pork skewers, inihaw na liempo, and calamansi juice.

Day 6: Manila Street Food, Markets, and Creative Corners

Morning: Sleep in, then brunch in Las Piñas—silog plates (garlic rice, egg, and your choice of tapa or longganisa) at a local carinderia are rewarding after back-to-back day trips.

Afternoon to evening: Head back to the city for a guided tasting that doubles as a crash course in Filipino flavors:

Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food

Sample regional specialties—from lumpia and grilled skewers to halo-halo and kakanin—while learning how dishes migrated and evolved across the archipelago. After, detour to Escolta or the National Museum of Natural History if time allows.

Day 7: Slow Morning in the South, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Coffee Project (Evia) and last-minute souvenirs at Evia or Alabang Town Center—look for local tablea chocolate, barako coffee, and woven goods. If you prefer one more Filipino lunch, Kanin Club (ATC) is reliable—crispy dinuguan and binukadkad na tilapia are crowd-pleasers.

Afternoon: Transfer to MNL (plan 1–2 hours including a buffer). Check flight options or same-day changes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Insider tips: Book Intramuros and Tagaytay on weekdays to dodge crowds. Carry small bills for markets and street snacks. For nature sites (like Las Piñas–Parañaque Critical Habitat), check access rules in advance—some areas require pre-arranged guides.

In one week, you’ll have traced Manila’s past inside thick stone walls, tasted your way through neighborhoods, felt Tagaytay’s ridge breeze, and floated above Anilao’s reefs. It’s a balanced, memory-packed loop anchored in friendly Las Piñas—easy to revisit, and hard to forget.