Two weeks is the sweet spot for a Philippines trip from Europe. It's long enough to cover three or four islands properly, short enough that you don't feel like you've spent half your holiday on aeroplanes. This itinerary has been road-tested by European travellers and refined to cut out the most common mistakes — wasted days in Manila, impossible connections, and the trap of booking too many islands and seeing none of them properly.
The route: Manila (1 night) → Cebu (2 nights) → Siargao (3 nights) → El Nido (3 nights) → Manila (1 night, departure). Total: 10 active days, 2 travel days, a circuit that avoids retracing your steps.
Before You Fly: Visa and Best Season
European Union passport holders and UK passport holders both enter the Philippines visa-free for 30 days. You get stamped in at the airport, show a return ticket, and you're done. No form to fill, no fee. If you want to stay longer, extend at a Bureau of Immigration office for another 29 days (PHP 3,030, about EUR 50).
Best season for this itinerary: November to April. This is the dry season across most of the Philippines, including Cebu, Siargao (which calms down after the October surf season) and Palawan. The weather is warm, sunny and mostly rain-free. December to February is peak season — book everything 2–3 months ahead. March and April are quieter and still excellent.
From Europe, direct flights to Manila exist from London (British Airways, Philippine Airlines), Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris connecting in the Gulf. Total flight time from Western Europe to Manila is typically 14–17 hours including a stop. Budget return fares from London or Frankfurt start at around EUR 550–800 if booked 2–3 months ahead.
Day 1: Manila — Land, Eat, Rest
You will almost certainly arrive exhausted after 14+ hours of travel. Do not try to squeeze sightseeing into Day 1. Here is a realistic plan:
- Land at NAIA Terminal 1, 2 or 3. Grab a Grab (the local rideshare app) to your hotel — PHP 300–500 to Makati or BGC depending on traffic.
- Check into your hotel. BGC (Bonifacio Global City) is clean, modern and easy to navigate. Intramuros is more interesting but transport is harder.
- Walk to a nearby restaurant for your first taste of Filipino food. Adobo, sinigang, crispy pata — order one of each and share.
- Sleep. You need it before the island-hopping begins tomorrow.
Where to stay in Manila: Mid-range travellers typically pay EUR 40–80 for a decent hotel in BGC. Red Planet Hotel and Seda BGC are reliable and affordable. Budget travellers: Mango Red Hostel near Malate (EUR 12–20/dorm bed).
Day 2: Fly Manila to Cebu — Arrive, Explore
Flight: Manila (MNL) to Cebu (CEB)
Airline: Cebu Pacific or PAL Express
Flight time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Cost: PHP 1,000–2,200 one way (EUR 17–37). Book ahead — prices spike on busy routes.
First flight out is around 5:30am; most useful departure for a full day in Cebu is 6am–9am.
Once in Cebu City, drop bags at your guesthouse near the Fuente Osmena Circle area or Lahug (EUR 25–50/night for a clean private room). Then:
- Magellan's Cross and Basilica del Santo Nino — side by side in downtown Cebu, genuinely historic and takes 45 minutes.
- Lechon at CNT or Zubuchon — Cebu's famous roast pig. You cannot leave Cebu without eating lechon. PHP 350–500 per person for a full meal.
- IT Park food market in the evening — good street food, cold San Miguel, local vibe.
Day 3: Cebu — Day Trip Options
Your second day in Cebu is for one big day trip. Choose based on your interests:
- Moalboal Sardine Run + Kawasan Falls: Hire a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) from Moalboal town to Kawasan (PHP 150–200 return). Snorkel the sardine run offshore from Panagsama Beach — no need for a guide, just mask and fins. Then hike to Kawasan Falls for a turquoise freshwater pool. Full day trip by rented scooter from Cebu City: PHP 500–700 for the scooter, PHP 200–400 tolls/fuel.
- Malapascua Island (thresher shark diving): If you dive, take a V-hire (minibus) north to Maya pier (PHP 100, 3 hours), ferry to Malapascua (PHP 100, 30 minutes), and dive with thresher sharks at Monad Shoal. Day trip is tight; better to spend a night. Dives PHP 1,200–1,800 each.
- Oslob Whale Sharks: Controversial but popular. Leave Cebu at 3am by bus to reach Oslob by 6am before it gets crowded. PHP 1,500 for the experience. Decide if you're comfortable with the ethics before going.
Day 4: Fly Cebu to Siargao
Flight: Cebu (CEB) to Siargao (IAO, Sayak Airport)
Airline: Cebu Pacific
Flight time: 1 hour
Cost: PHP 1,000–2,500 one way (EUR 17–42). This route operates daily but has limited seats — book the moment you buy your international ticket.
Important: If no direct Cebu–Siargao flight is available on your dates, route via Manila (adds 3–4 hours but always has seats).
From Sayak Airport, a habal-habal or van takes you to General Luna in about 45 minutes (PHP 200–350 per person, pre-arranged by your guesthouse). General Luna is the main traveller hub and where you'll base yourself.
Days 4–6: Siargao — Surf, Chill, Island Hop
Three nights in Siargao is the minimum to get a feel for the island. Here's how to fill the days:
- Day 4 afternoon/evening: Walk to Cloud 9 tower, watch the surf, explore the General Luna strip. Dinner at the GL market — PHP 150–250 for a full meal.
- Day 5: Try surfing. Beginners: take a 2-hour lesson at Cemetery break (PHP 800–1,200 including board). Already surf? Head to Cloud 9 in the morning lineup. Non-surfers: rent a scooter (PHP 400–500/day) and explore the island — Palm Tree Road, Magpupungko Rock Pools (PHP 100 entrance, only accessible at low tide), coconut farms.
- Day 6: Island-hopping tour — Guyam, Naked Island and Daku Island. Book through your guesthouse or any beachfront booth. PHP 600–900 per person in a group boat, or PHP 4,000–5,500 to hire a private boat. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and snorkel gear.
Where to stay in Siargao: GL hostels with dorms PHP 450–700/night. Private rooms in guesthouses PHP 1,000–2,200/night. Book ahead in peak season (Nov–Feb for European tourists).
Day 7: Siargao to El Nido — The Tricky Leg
This is the most complex transfer in the itinerary. El Nido and Siargao are on opposite sides of the Philippines, and there is no direct flight. Here are your options:
Option A (recommended): Siargao → Manila → Puerto Princesa or El Nido
Fly IAO–MNL (1h45m, PHP 1,200–2,500) then MNL–ENL direct to El Nido (50 minutes, PHP 2,500–4,500 — AirSWIFT operates this boutique route). Or MNL–PPS (Puerto Princesa, 1h20m, PHP 1,000–2,200) and then a 5-hour van/bus transfer to El Nido. Total travel time: 8–12 hours. Budget: PHP 4,000–9,000 (EUR 67–150) for flights.
Option B: Siargao → Cebu → Puerto Princesa
Fewer frequencies but can work. Check Cebu Pacific schedules when booking.
Top tip: Book all domestic flights at the same time as your international tickets. Prices increase dramatically as the date approaches.
Days 7–9: El Nido — Palawan's Best
El Nido is what most people picture when they imagine the Philippines — towering limestone karsts, hidden lagoons with water so clear it looks photoshopped, and longtail boats weaving between the rocks. Three nights here is the right amount of time.
- Tour A: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island. The classic. PHP 1,500–2,000 per person. Book through any tour operator on the main street or via your guesthouse. Go early — it gets crowded by 10am.
- Tour C: Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach. More dramatic scenery, slightly less crowded. PHP 1,500–2,000.
- Non-tour day: Kayak or paddle board in the bay (PHP 300–500/hour rental from the beach), snorkel off Corong-Corong beach, eat fresh catch at Las Cabanas beach at sunset.
Where to stay in El Nido: The town itself is the most convenient. Dorms PHP 500–800. Private rooms in El Nido town PHP 1,500–3,500. For a splurge, Lagen Island Resort or Miniloc Island Resort (El Nido Resorts) run USD 300–700/night but include meals and all activities.
Day 10: El Nido, Last Full Day
Take Tour B or Tour D if you haven't, or do a private boat hire to reach spots without the group boats. Alternatively, rent a scooter and explore the El Nido mainland — Nacpan Beach (a stunning 4km stretch of white sand 45 minutes north) is one of the most beautiful and least crowded beaches in Palawan. Scooter rental PHP 400–500.
Day 11: Fly Back to Manila — Final Night
Flight: El Nido (ENL) to Manila (MNL) on AirSWIFT (45–50 minutes, PHP 3,500–5,500). Or fly PPS–MNL if you transferred via Puerto Princesa. Either way, you need to be in Manila for your international flight home the next day or day after.
Use your last night in Manila well: dinner in Poblacion (Makati's bar and restaurant district), a rooftop drink over the Manila skyline, and an early night before your long-haul flight back to Europe.
Budget Summary: 2 Weeks in EUR
- International flights (Europe ↔ Manila): EUR 550–900
- Domestic flights (all legs): EUR 100–220
- Accommodation (11 nights, mid-range): EUR 350–600
- Food and drink: EUR 180–300
- Tours and activities (island hopping, surf lesson, tours A+C): EUR 120–200
- Transport on the ground: EUR 60–100
- Total: EUR 1,360–2,320 per person
Budget backpackers staying in dorms and eating street food can do this for EUR 1,100–1,400. Couples staying in private rooms at mid-range properties and adding a diving day will land at EUR 1,800–2,500.
FAQ
Do EU and UK citizens need a visa for the Philippines?
No. Both EU and UK passport holders get 30 days visa-free on arrival. Bring a return ticket and you're good to go.
Is 2 weeks enough for the Philippines?
Two weeks is enough to do this 4-island circuit properly. You won't see everything, but you'll see the highlights — and see them properly rather than rushing past.
What is the hardest transfer in this itinerary?
Siargao to El Nido. There is no direct flight — you connect through Manila or Cebu and it can take a full travel day. Book this leg early and give yourself a generous layover in Manila (minimum 3 hours).
Can I do this itinerary in November?
November is excellent. It's the start of the dry season and the Siargao surf is still fun after the October peak. Weather is good across all destinations. Book accommodation ahead as European school holidays drive demand.
What is the cheapest way to get between islands?
For most legs, domestic flights on Cebu Pacific booked early. The Cebu–Siargao and Manila–El Nido routes have limited competition so prices are higher. For Cebu–Manila or Manila–Puerto Princesa, seats sales can be very cheap (PHP 999). Sign up for Cebu Pacific promo alerts.
