For a cool climate, breathtaking views, and family-friendly attractions, it’s no wonder that most Manilenyos make the 2-3 hour drive to Tagaytay for weekend trips.
Here’s a list of must-visit Tagaytay attractions and restaurants to make your getaway trip worthwhile and temporarily take your mind off the hustle and bustle in the metro.
Table of Contents
The city of Tagaytay is mostly known for its stunning views of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake. The cool climate makes it a popular escape from the busy streets of Manila, perfect for exploring nature, sampling some bulalo (beef shank soup) and destressing.
It’s truly a must-visit destination for anyone exploring attractions in the Philippines.
For you and your road trip buddies, here are some things to do in Tagaytay for a trip full of fun tours and to bring out your inner child.
Tagaytay Picnic Grove is a place you’d want to go to for a close up view of the entire island of Taal Volcano from a hilltop. It’s also a place where you can do a number of activities from touring the grounds to horseback riding.
You can simply have a leisurely stroll on the grounds and take a photo or two with the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.
Image adapted from: Luka sesvečan, Kirk Thompson via Google Maps
For breaks, there are many stone picnic tables and chairs along the steps from the base to the top of the hill. That way, you can rest or even eat and still admire the view.
Imaga adapted from: joey garcia, Ela Abrams via Google Maps
For a challenging and daring activity, get yourself geared up at the platforms and zipline over the trees, passing by a view of Taal Lake.
You can even go horseback riding as a family-friendly activity. If you’re a first-timer, make sure to hold both the horse’s reins, stay calm, and just have fun as you take a fun stroll with a newfound animal friend.
Address: Tagaytay Picnic Grove Complex, Tagaytay, Cavite
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm | Sat 9am-9pm | Sun 7am-8pm
Contact: (046) 413 4206
Image credit: Nelson Cagulada via Google Maps
For kid-friendly activities and a bit of nostalgia, visit the five-hectare Sky Ranch Tagaytay amusement park, where you can let loose.
To see a view of the entire Taal Island, ride the ferris wheel, where you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world once your capsule moves higher.
Image adapted from: Guillian Mae Palcone, Dark ANGEL via Google Maps
You can try any ride you want such as the carousel for kids or the roller coaster and extreme tower that pumps up your adrenaline.
Image credit: Mama Cays Vlog via Google Maps
Alternately, put your skills to the test and take your best shot in playing carnival games to win a prize to take home.
Image adapted from: June Guian Martinez, Jane Charmaine Vilan, AJ Muller via Google Maps
Walking around, you’ll come across a number of living statues that’ll start moving once you reward them through monetary means.
Admission fee: P100 (~USD1.91) per head
Address: Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Brgy. Kaybagal South 4120 Tagaytay City, Cavite
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-10pm | Sat-Sun 8am-10pm
Contact: 0921 323 3389
Sky Ranch’s Facebook | Instagram
Image credit: @sonyasgarden via Instagram
Sonya’s Garden has everything you’ll want in a staycation spot. It’s a bed and breakfast known for its lush gardens and relaxing spa treatments.
Image credit: Sonya’s Garden
Being surrounded by greenery, you’ll experience maximum relaxation in one of their cottages. Depending on the day, the cottages may range from P3,500-P4,300 (~USD63.01-USD77.42) per person.
Image adapted from: Sonya’s Garden, Sonya’s Garden via Facebook
Sonya’s Garden also prides itself with delicious organic food that you can enjoy in their three dining venues – Conservatory, Morning Glory, and Sunflower.
What’s more, you can roam through the grounds and visit their shops where you can get organic produce and spa essentials.
Address: Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, 4123 Cavite
Contact: 0977 850 8273 | 0917 529 1080 | Sonya’s Garden’s website
Email: info@sonyasgarden.com
Sonya’s Garden Instagram
If you want to indulge in luxurious pampering and spa treatments in nature, go to Nurture Wellness Village, a place where you can choose from various spa treatments from head to toe.
Image adapted from: Nurture Wellness Village, Nurture Wellness Village via Facebook
Here, you can get an Acupuncture treatment for P2,000 (~USD38.27) to get help you release tension or a luxurious foot treatment called Hele for P1,100 (~USD21.05) to get soft and smooth feet.
Image credit: @susanssecretgarden via Instagram
Aside from the spa treatments, you can also explore the massive grounds for meditation spots or areas where you can pitch a tent and go glamping.
Throughout your stay, you can even transfer to neighboring retreat sites for a wholesome trip or develop your inner zen through yoga classes and coaching lessons.
Address: 7310 Pulong Sagingan Maitim, 2nd West Maitim II West 4120 Tagaytay City
Contact: 0917 687 8873 | Nurture Wellness Village’s website
Email: info@nurture.com.ph
Nurture Wellness Village Facebook | Instagram
As part of Tagaytay attractions, you can now move on to something more leisurely, amp up your trip by interacting with animals, inspecting a puzzle collection, or even having an excursion.
Tagaytay’s first zoo-farm themed park Paradizoo should be your next destination if you want something more interactive and are an animal lover.
Image adapted from: rhowen cabahug, Lloyd S. via Google Maps
Here, you’ll get to meet different farm animals from cows to ducks. What’s more, you can also interact with them such as holding a milk bottle for a pony, or feeding leaves to a camel.
Image adapted from: Marti Mercado, Christopher Ryan Budoy via Google Maps
You can also take young ones with you in the butterfly farm, full of colorful butterflies fluttering around you and caterpillars slowly crawling on the leaves.
On that note, as it’s still a farm, do be careful around animals that are freely wandering and keep calm when you’re near them.
Admission fee: P199 (~USD3.81) per person, free for children below three feet
Address: 493, Mendez-Tagaytay Road, Mendez, 4121
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Contact: (046) 434 1631
If you’re a fan of jigsaw puzzles or want to try a new hobby, try visiting the Puzzle Mansion, where you’ll see all things in the form of puzzles from paintings to 3D ones.
Image adapted from: Patrick Unson, Cyril Lazarte via Google Maps
What’s more, not only will you see the largest puzzle collection in Tagaytay, but you’ll also have the chance to try building your own puzzle as you drop by the souvenir shop, where you can choose from various puzzle types, especially 3D.
Address: Cuadra Street, Brgy. Asisan 4120 Tagaytay City, Cavite
Opening hours: Wed 9am-5pm | Thu-Sun 8am-5pm (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Contact: (02) 8661 0019
Email: puzzlemansion@gmail.com
Puzzle Mansion’s Facebook
Image adapted from: iain smith, Drake Hogestyn via Google Maps
For most Roman Catholics, visiting Our Lady of Manaoag for an excursion is quite common. It’s a good attraction to visit due to its history and the holy artifacts that showcase the religion. You can even admire the view of Tagaytay as you go further.
Usually, there is a flea market nearby for memorabilia such as prayer books, mini statues, and candles that locals buy to light inside the church. However, due to the pandemic, it’s uncertain if it’s still present.
Address: 333 Tagaytay – Calamba Rd, Tagaytay, Cavite
Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 8am-6pm (Closed Thursdays)
Image credit: Museo Orlina via Facebook
For art lovers, Museo Orlina is another place you can check out. This museum showcases the works of renowned Filipino glass sculptor Ramon Orlina.
It’s a unique opportunity to appreciate art in a serene setting with the views of Taal Lake. The museum’s collection includes intricate glass sculptures that highlight Filipino culture and creativity.
Address: Hollywood St., Hollywood Subd. Tolentino East, Tagaytay City
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (Closed Mondays)
Contact: 0917 107 5958
Email: regineduro.mo@gmail.com
Museo Orlina Facebook
While exploring and touring Tagaytay attractions all day can be fun and entertaining, it can also be tiring. After a full day of adventure, here are some places where you can eat and take a break.
You may notice that there are a lot of Starbucks establishments as you drive around Tagaytay. However, Starbucks Domicillo is a unique find with its floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows that give a 360-degree view of the whole island of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. It’s certainly one of the star Tagaytay attractions there is.
If the breeze is quite chilly, you can cozily dine indoors and still admire the view.
Image adapted from: John Michael Capili, Stheven Den Mark Letada via Google Maps
Alternately, you can enjoy a hot cup of coffee while taking in the cool breeze in the al fresco dining area, where you can see the view on a much closer scale.
As with most coffee places, expect that the place will be filled with customers during weekends so it may take some time to find vacant tables. What you can do, however, is start ordering so that your food and drink are already with you by the time you find a table.
Address: KM 58 Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay, Cavite
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 8am-9.30pm | Fri 8am-11pm | Sat-Sun 7am-11pm
Besides the view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano which are the staples of Tagaytay attractions, people also come for the hot, savory dish bulalo (Filipino soup made with beef shank and vegetables) that contrasts perfectly with Tagaytay’s cool weather. You can easily stop over and see the many food places that offer this comforting dish.
Image adapted from: 陳欽富 , MariviC via Google Maps
One of the places you can visit is Leslie’s Restaurant that serves their best-selling dish bulalo along with other Filipino dishes from kare-kare (Filipino stew with thick peanut sauce) to lechon kawali (Filipino crispy deep fried pork belly dish).
What’s more, you can have a hot bowl of bulalo with a view as you dine al fresco in their nipa hut setups. A dish of bulalo for sharing with four to five persons is priced at P973 (~USD18.62).
Address: Aguinaldo Hwy, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 6am-11pm | Fri-Sat 6am-12am
Contact: (046) 483 4271 | (046) 866 2273 | 0960 300 5684
Email: lesliesrestaurant1@yahoo.com.ph
Leslie’s Restaurant’s Facebook | Instagram
End the day off at Marcia Adams’ Restaurant with a Mediterranean-inspired meal in an elegant, rustic dining space that feels luxurious and indulgent.
Image adapted from: CN N, Revioli via Google Maps
Also, this is a good place to start if you’re new to Mediterranean food. You can choose from a variety of dishes such as the Certified Angus Steak with Truffle (P2,895, ~USD55.46) for meat lovers or try a dessert such as the Panna Cotta with Lemon Sauce if you have a sweet tooth.
Address: Sikat Rd, J.P. Rizal St. Alfonso, 4123 Cavite
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Thu 11am–9pm | Tue 10am-9pm | Fri 11.30am-5pm | Sun 10am-10pm (Closed Saturdays)
Contact: 0917 801 1456
Email: marciasresto@gmail.com
Marcia Adams’ Restaurant’s Facebook
From Manila, you can head Taft Avenue or Buendia – these are common starting points for trips to Tagaytay. From there, you can start looking for buses headed southbound.
Buses with signages going to Tagaytay or Nasugbu are what you want to look for. As soon as you board, the conductor will approach you. You may pay your fare then and there. Bus fares may range from P95-P150 (~USD1.71-USD2.70) per person.
Travel time may take up to 3 hours depending on traffic conditions. In the mean time, you can look out your window and snap a pic or two of the beautiful landscapes.
One you arrive at the location, you’re free to get off on Olivarez or Rotonda. Depending on your itinerary, you can communicate with the conductor and discuss easier drop-off options.
So if you happen to be traveling soon, make sure to keep in mind these Tagaytay attractions and food spots for a quick trip of fun, adventure, and food trips.
Happy travels and bon appetit!
Also, check out cafes in Tagaytay and hotel and resorts in Tagaytay. For more travel guides, visit The Smart Local Philippines.
Cover image adapted from: PRO Jang, Margarette Agbay, rhowen cabahug via Google Maps
Mintzy Flor contributed to this article.
Article originally published by Jaya Fanoga on May 2022. Last updated by Jaya Fanoga on March 2024.
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