Quezon Province is one of the best getaway destinations near Manila blessed with captivating tourist spots. A 3-hour bus ride from Metro Manila, one could explore the natural and man-made tourist spots in the province: heritage churches and houses, public beaches, luxurious private islands and more.
Quezon Province is located in CALABARZON Region in Luzon, the most populous region in the country. Its capital city is Lucena City and residents in the province speak of Tagalog (~80%), Bikol and English languages. There are around 1.8 million people living here.
If you are looking forward to experiencing its beauty this year, below are the most visited tourist spots in Quezon Province.
10 Best Tourist Spots in Quezon Province
1. Balesin Island
Balesin Island is one of the best tourist spots in Quezon Province, a 500-hectare island paradise with a 7.3 kilometers long stretch of pristine white sand beaches. The island is considered as one of the most luxurious island resort in the Philippines open only for its members. It has breath-taking beaches, interesting landscapes, fabulous villas with beautiful interior designs, delicious cuisine and top-notch facilities. Dozens of things to do here like horseback riding, bird watching, kayaking, paddle boating, sailing, scuba diving, surfing and more.
Balesin Island is located 21 kilometers southeast of Polillo, Quezon Province. This is an island paradise for the rich people only, membership fee starts from 3 Million Pesos.
2. Salibungot Beach
Salibungot Beach by Brian Mark Barqueros on Flickr
Salibungot Beach is one of the most visited places in Quezon Province, a very unusual yet beautiful beach. There are hundreds of popular beaches in the Philippines, white sand, pink sand, grey sand beaches but this one is a unique golden sand beach! It is a very long stretch of unspoiled golden sand beach with beautiful turquoise sea water. The coastline is dotted with pine trees and during low tide, a long sandbar will appear. It is a very alluring beach and a picture perfect one, especially the sunset. Locals and tourists love to camp here for the night.
Salibungot Beach is located in Jomalig, an island municipality in Quezon Province.
3. Kanaway Beach
Kanaway Beach by dashbuenavista
Kanaway Beach is one of the tourist spots in Quezon Province, famous for its vast and long stretch of golden sand beach. Kanaway Beach is located in the same island as Salibungot Beach is that’s why it shares the same golden sand. The golden sand could extend approximately 400 meters from the shore that one could cross the nearby islets barefoot during low tide. There are 2 small islets near the beach you can visit, the Pulo Islet and Manlanat Islet. Both of these islets have interesting rock formations and beautiful calm secret beaches.
Kanaway Beach is located in Jomalig, Quezon Province.
4. Cagbalete Island
Cagbalete Island by Nazarea
Cagbalete Island is a 1,600+ hectares island in Quezon Province popular among the local beach enthusiasts and foreign tourists. It is noted for its miles long stretch of white sand beach and vast expanse of sandbar from the shoreline especially during low tide. The long beach front of the island is also lined up with many resorts. There many things to do here aside from swimming and snorkeling, it is also a good place for beach volleyball, Frisbee and skim boarding. Enjoy kayaking or rent a boat to explore the island.
Cagbalete Island is located in Lamon Bay, Mauban, Quezon Province.
5. Borawan Beach
Borawan Beach by Mikey Dionora on Flickr
Borawan Beach is one of the famous tourist spots in Quezon Province, a favorite camping destination among the locals but there are also cottages for rent. It is a white sand beach but not so fine with clear sea waters good for swimming. There are also plenty of rock formations around the beach one can climb to have a panoramic view of the beach and nearby mountains. Locals claimed that the sand is like in Boracay and the cliffs are like in Palawan, hence the name Borawan is derived. Though, to lower your expectation, it’s a bit cheaper version of those popular destinations.
Borawan Beach is located in Pagbilao Chica Island in Padre Burgos, Quezon Province.
6. Dampalitan Island
Dampalitan Island by Derrick James Abulencia on Flickr
Dampalitan Island is another most visited island camping destination in Quezon Province. It has a powdery white sand beach dotted with trees and cottages good for overnight stay. Though the beach is not really good for swimming, enjoy the ambiance of the place since pine trees are abundant giving a good shade to pitch a tent or hang a hammock and relax. Enjoy the warmth of the bonfire at night and have some good time with your families or friends.
Dampalitan Island is located in Padre Burgos, Quezon Province. Just around 15 minutes boat ride from Borawan Beach.
7. Villa Escudero
Villa Escudero Waterfall Restaurant from Villa Escudero Website
Villa Escudero is one of the iconic tourist spots in Quezon though a part of it falls under the border of the nearby province. It is a 800 hectares of working coconut plantation which opens its doors to public and making it as a resort. It showcases Philippine’s country life customs, cultural heritage and cuisine. There are many things to do here like visiting its large museum rich in various artifacts, bamboo rafting in the still rivers and swim in their swimming pools (*1 infinity pool). But the centerpiece of this resort is its waterfall restaurant. Enjoy local cuisine in a handmade bamboo tables while the refreshing clear spring waters runs over your feet from the Labasin Falls.
Villa Escudero is located in Tiaong and Dolores municipalities in Quezon Province and one municipality in nearby province.
8. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine
Kamay ni Hesus Shrine by Romroda
Another iconic destination in Quezon Province is the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, a popular pilgrimage destination in Luzon. People who needs to pray for healing come to Kamay ni Hesus Chruch to attend the healing mass. At the top of the hill stands a 50-feet statue of Ascending Jesus Christ which also gives a bird-eye view of the place. It would need around 300+ steps to reach the top. One can also see other statues and replicas mentioned in the Bible like the Noah’s Ark, Adam and Eve, Garden of Even, The Last Supper and more.
Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is located in Lucban, Quezon Province.
9. Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel
Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel by Loyd Martinez
Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel is one of the impressive tourist spots in Quezon Province, a century-old Baroque style Roman Catholic Church built during the Spanish colonial era. The blueprint of the church is like a key, that’s why locals dubbed this as “The Key of Tayabas.” The interior of the church is a Neo-Classical style with 7 altars and a very long aisle. It is also noted for its huge clock attached in the belfry, one of the oldest and largest church clocks in Asia.
Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel is located in Tayabas, Quezon Province.
10. Mount Banahaw
Mount Banahaw by reynold albuen
Mount Banahaw is an active volcano in Quezon Province which is popular among local pilgrims and mountain climbers. It is the highest peak in CALABARZON Region with an elevation of 7,120 feet above the ground covering 10,901 hectares of land. It is being dubbed as the “Holy Mountain” by the locals since the divine spirits are believed to be present in the mountain. There are locations marked as “holy sites” by local residents like springs, rock formations, caves, peaks, streams where shrines are erected and visitors lit a candle and cast their prayers. NOTE: Mount Banahaw is still close for climbing since it closed on August 2016.
Mount Banahaw is located in Quezon Province and nearby province.
