Curious about what to do in Baguio City? In this guide, we highlighted the 10 Best Things to Do in Baguio in 2023!
Baguio—a mesmerizing city in the mountains of northern Luzon—is a popular tourist destination among local tourists for its cold climate. Aptly called the “Summer Capital of the Philippines,” Baguio City’s cool breeze is far from the rest of the country, which makes it perfect for vacationers who want to get away from the typical hot and humid temperature of the Philippines.
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The temperatures of Baguio City can range between 13 degrees to 22 degrees Celsius. The lowest recorded temperature is 6.3 degrees Celsius. Sure, that might not be much, especially if you come from countries in the polar regions. But for us Filipinos, Baguio City is the perfect opportunity for us to rock our coats and boots that we may never wear anywhere else in the country.
If you are a foreign tourist, Baguio City may feel like a departure from the sunny tropical island beach experience you’ve known the Philippines for. Nevertheless, this upland, pine-clad city is worth visiting if you want to hike up the gorgeous mountains of Benguet and nearby provinces and at the same time learn about our American past.
👉Book your private car transfer to Baguio City here!👈
Baguio City offers the pleasure that every traveler is looking for, whether you are a nature lover, a foodie, or fancy the city lights. Here are some of the best things to do in Baguio City:
1. Capture the Best Selfies at Mines View Park
Let’s begin with one of the most popular tourist attractions in Baguio, which first-timers should never miss—Mines View Park. Prepare your camera as this attraction gives the best views of the city’s gold and copper mines, as well as the Cordillera mountains. Cordillera is the administrative region where Baguio City belongs.
You can also don the traditional wear of the Igorots, the ethnic group in this region, while having your selfies taken, or get snaps with the famous St. Bernard dog that considers Mines View Park its home. The entrance fee to Mines View Park is 10 PHP (~0.20 USD) for adults and 5 PHP (~0.10 USD) for kids.
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2. Try Horseback Riding at Wright Park
After visiting Mines View Park, there’s no other perfect activity than to try horseback riding at Wright Park, which is near each other (tourist attractions in Baguio City are just a short distance from one another).
Wright Park is also a recommended spot for first-timer Baguio visitors. It is a wooded area named after American Governor Luke E. Wright (as you know, the city is proud of its inclination toward this part of Philippine history).
While entrance to Wright Park is free, horseback riding costs 300 PHP (~5 USD) for an hour and 200 PHP (~4 USD) for half an hour.
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3. Shop and Enjoy Spectacular Views of the City at SM Baguio
If while exploring Baguio City, you suddenly miss your favorite hangout place in Manila, Cebu City, or Davao City, that is, the SM Supermalls, know that Baguio has a branch of this mall, and it showcases the city’s personality in its own ways.
Here, you can find many of the shops present in other SM Supermalls. But, what sets SM City Baguio apart is its elevated area that also allows you to gaze at the stunning views of the city and its natural landscape. A perfect place to refresh.
👉Book your Atok Gardens day tour here!👈
4. Travel Back in Time at Camp John Hay (And Sip the Renowned Choco-Late de Batirol)
Unless you are too classy to always ride the cab around Baguio, you will often find yourself walking distance here. So, if you need a source of energy to keep you going, head to Camp John Hay’s Choco-Late de Batirol restaurant which serves an undeniably delicious chocolate drink of the same name. This chocolate traces back its roots from the city’s ethnic communities that make this beverage.
Camp John Hay also has a lot of history to tell. It was a former military facility for the American colonizers during the early 20th century. Today, it retains much of that story. Here, you can also visit the Bell House, a well-preserved American colonial residence that, of course, follows the architecture and design of the houses during those periods.
Entrance fees to the Bell House are 48 PHP (~1 USD) for regular tourists, and 36 PHP (~1 USD) for seniors, students, and PWDs. Children six years old and below are free of charge.
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5. Relax at Burnham Park
Camp John Hay, Wright Park—you’ll notice that the names of the places here are very much influenced by the Americans. Here’s another one: Burnham Park.
Named after American architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham, this park is a greenery at the heart of Baguio City. You can go jogging, biking, or boating here. Or, just sit back, inhale some fresh air, and appreciate the beauty of the surroundings. There is no entrance fee to pay if you wish to explore this park.
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6. Pick Some Strawberries From the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
To be quite honest, exploring the best of Baguio City will sometimes need you to take a trip beyond the city itself, such as visiting La Trinidad, also a municipality of Benguet (where Baguio is), which is just a few minutes away from Baguio City by car.
The most famous attraction here? It’s the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. Strawberries in this part of the Philippines are bountiful because they offer the perfect climate for these crops to grow. At La Trinidad Strawberry Farm, you can try picking the strawberries you will bring home yourself. You can also buy products made from strawberries here, such as the famous strawberry ice cream and strawberry wine. Indulge.
Entrance to the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm is free, but if you want to pick strawberries, this costs 780 PHP (~14 USD) for a kilo of strawberries.
👉Book your Baguio strawberry tour here!👈
7. Go Souvenir Shopping at Baguio City Public Market
Of course, traveling is also about showing your love for the people who matter to you the most – by buying souvenirs for them! The best place to go souvenir shopping and bargain hunting here is at the Baguio City Public Market.
The Baguio City Public Market sells almost every product Baguio has to offer, such as strawberry jams, ube (taro) jams, choco flakes, peanut brittle, lengua de gato (ladyfingers), and fresh fruits and vegetables. Other souvenir items like wallets, keychains, and shirts are also sold here.
👉Book your Sulfur Spring of Benguet tour here!👈
8. Immerse Into Indigenous Art at BenCab Museum
BenCab Museum is actually not part of Baguio City. It is located in Benguet’s Tuba municipality, but it only takes a few minutes away from Baguio by car. This is also a must-visit while you’re in the city.
“BenCab” is short for Ben Cabrera, a National Artist who now lives and works in Baguio City. The museum showcases paintings, sculptures, and installations that will ignite your senses.
The museum also has a garden where you can witness indigenous Ifugao, Kalinga, and Bontoc architecture. Admission to BenCab Museum is 200 PHP (~4 USD) per head.
👉Book your Baguio historical tour here!👈
9. Dig Into Delectable Street Food at the Baguio City Night Market
As the night falls, the city’s Harrison Road pulsates with energy and comes alive. There’s no way you should skip visiting the Baguio City Night Market on your itinerary. You can also buy items here like bags, shirts, and handicrafts, except that the stalls open at night.
If you find yourself a little bit hungry, the Baguio City Night Market is also home to several stalls that sell delectable street food – from local favorites like fishballs and fried noodles to even Korean street food like fish cakes and tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cake). The Baguio City Night Market opens at around 9 PM, but the street food stalls open earlier, at around 7 PM.
👉Book your Baguio City Tour here!👈
10. Be Spooked by the White House at Teacher’s Camp
Think you’ve got the guts for something haunted in Baguio City? Visit the White House at Teacher’s Camp. The Teacher’s Camp today is a leading event space usually for school conventions. It was built in 1908 to serve American teachers and Thomasine educators. However, during the Second World War, Japanese occupation soldiers used this location to imprison hundreds of people.
Thus, there are several ghost stories associated with this place, particularly the White House within its vicinity. Some said they heard loud noises and angry voices from inside the empty house. Others said they spotted a woman looking out its glass windows. Willing to take the risk? The entrance fee to the White House is 50 PHP (~1 USD).
👉Book your private car transfer to Baguio City here!👈
Whether you are a nature enthusiast seeking retreat to the serene beauty of its pine-clad mountains, a culture lover looking to learn about the city’s rich history and art scene, a foodie eager to savor delicious local and international dishes, or maybe even a ghost hunter clamoring for something peculiar, Baguio has almost everything for everyone.
Got questions about your trip to Baguio? Drop them in the comments!
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