Things To Do in Baguio City
The best things to do in Baguio are walking Burnham Park and Session Road, visiting Camp John Hay and BenCab Museum, viewing the Cordillera from Mines View Park, eating local food, and shopping at the Baguio Night Market. Most visitors add a day trip to La Trinidad for strawberries and the colorful StoBoSa hillside.
Baguio is a mountain city in the Cordillera, known as the City of Pines and the Summer Capital of the Philippines. This guide groups Baguio tourist spots by area and interest so you can build a trip without crisscrossing the city. Fees, hours and event dates below are marked where they change or where sources disagree.
Reviewed 10 November 2026 against the sources listed at the end. Prices and hours were checked in guides dated July and August 2026, and some of them disagree. Treat every peso figure as a planning estimate and confirm on the day.
Baguio City attractions at a glance
| Interest | Top picks | Area |
|---|---|---|
| History | Camp John Hay, Bell House, Baguio Cathedral | Camp John Hay, Session Road |
| Parks and views | Burnham Park, Wright Park, Mines View Park | Downtown, Leonard Wood Road |
| Art and culture | BenCab Museum, Tam-awan Village, Ili-Likha | Asin Road, Long-Long, Assumption Road |
| Food and pasalubong | Good Shepherd, Baguio Public Market, Cafe by the Ruins | Gibraltar Road, downtown |
| Night | Baguio Night Market, Session Road bars | Harrison Road, Session Road |
| Day trips | Strawberry Farm, StoBoSa, Mt. Ulap, Mt. Pulag | La Trinidad, Benguet |
Historical landmarks and heritage sites in Baguio
Camp John Hay
Camp John Hay is a former American military reservation covered in pine forest. The Historical Core holds Bell House and the Cemetery of Negativism, a symbolic “cemetery” where visitors bury negative habits. Both guides we checked list the same combined fee for the two sites, about ₱85 for adults, with lower rates for students, seniors and PWDs.
The Yellow Trail, also called the Forest Bathing Trail, is a roughly 1.5 kilometer pine walk. It is listed as free and open all day, but hike in daylight. Tree Top Adventure inside the camp is reported as permanently closed, so do not plan a zipline stop there.
The Mansion and Wright Park
The Mansion is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. One August 2026 guide says it opened to the public in September 2024 as a Presidential Museum, open Tuesday to Sunday with free entry and reserved guided tours. A July 2026 guide says visitors can only photograph it from outside. Because the two disagree, check the official channels before you plan an interior visit.
Wright Park sits across from the gate. It has a long reflecting pool, pine-lined paths and horseback riding. Rates vary by stable and ride length, so ask before you mount.
Baguio Cathedral and Baguio Museum
Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral stands above Session Road with twin spires and a rose window. Entry is free, but be quiet during Mass. You can climb the stairs from Session Road or take the escalator inside Porta Vaga mall.
Baguio Museum covers the city’s history and the culture of the six Cordillera provinces. It is listed as open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with adult entry around ₱100.
Diplomat Hotel and Dominican Hill
The former Dominican retreat house, popularly called the Diplomat Hotel, is now part of a heritage hill and nature park. It is known for its wartime history and ghost stories. Entry is listed at a few pesos.
Parks, viewpoints and outdoor activities
Burnham Park
Burnham Park is the center of downtown Baguio and is free to enter. You can rent swan boats on the lagoon, bike the paths or watch the city go by. Boat and bike rates change, so ask at the rental stand.
Mines View Park
Mines View Park overlooks the mining hills of Itogon. Go early to avoid the crowds and the souvenir stalls. One local-leaning guide calls it touristy, and that is fair. Sunrise and sunset are the better times to go.
Good Shepherd Convent is nearby on Gibraltar Road. It is a long-time stop for ube jam and other pasalubong. Expect queues, order limits and a write-your-order system in peak season.
Baguio Botanical Garden
Baguio Botanical Garden, also known as Centennial Park, sits along Leonard Wood Road near Wright Park. It is a quiet walk with an art gallery and souvenir stalls. Entry runs about ₱100 to ₱110 for adults, depending on the guide.
Art, culture and Cordillera heritage
BenCab Museum
BenCab Museum in Tuba, Benguet, shows works by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera and other Filipino artists. It has gardens, a cafe and an eco-trail. Both guides list it as open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Regular entry is about ₱200. Photography rules are strict, and videos, drones and tripods are not allowed.
Tam-awan Village and Igorot Stone Kingdom
Tam-awan Village is a reconstructed Cordillera village with Ifugao and Kalinga huts and artist workshops. Igorot Stone Kingdom is a nearby stone-walled park themed on Igorot legends. Both are on the Long-Long and Pinsao side of the city, so you can do them back to back. The Farmer’s Daughter restaurant is next to Tam-awan if you want Cordilleran food nearby.
Ili-Likha Artist Village and street art
Ili-Likha Artist Village on Assumption Road is a treehouse-style complex of cafes and craft stalls, with free entry. Oh My Gulay, a vegetarian restaurant with an art-filled interior, is a short walk away on Session Road. Murals appear around the bus terminal area, Magsaysay Avenue and Tam-awan.
Why Baguio counts as a creative city
UNESCO lists Baguio as a Creative City in the Crafts and Folk Art category. That explains the density of galleries, weaving, woodcarving and artist-run cafes. For woodcarvings and bulol figures, visit the Ifugao woodcarvers’ stretch along Asin Road. For background on the Cordillera peoples, read our guide to the indigenous tribes of the Philippines.
Food and pasalubong: what to eat in Baguio
You will find Cordilleran dishes such as pinikpikan, pinuneg and kinuday, plus Ilocano influences. The Farmer’s Daughter and Cafe by the Ruins are named in recent guides as places to sample local cooking.
For snacks, try strawberry taho, which uses strawberry syrup in place of the usual brown sugar syrup. Strawberry ice cream and Benguet coffee are easy to find too.
For pasalubong, go to Baguio Public Market for strawberries, jams, peanut brittle and the city’s walis tambo. Good Shepherd is the other classic stop for ube jam.
Shopping and nightlife
Baguio Night Market
The Baguio Night Market runs along Harrison Road beside Burnham Park. A dated listing shows hours of 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM daily, and a 2026 guide gives the same hours. Another social post says 9:00 PM to midnight. The city has cancelled it for bad weather, including on 9 August 2026, so check Baguio’s official visitor updates the same day.
Bring small bills, keep bags in front, and choose stalls with active cooking. Plan how you will get back to your hotel, because late-night transport is thinner than daytime service.
Session Road and ukay-ukay
Session Road is the commercial spine, with cafes, restaurants and bars that stay busy after dark. Baguio’s ukay-ukay (second-hand clothing) shops cluster around Session Road, Harrison Road and near the public market. Check seams, zippers and sizes before you pay.
New and rising attractions
These spots are newer than the classics, and their rules and prices move more.
- Mirador Heritage and Eco-Spirituality Park: a hilltop park with a red torii gate, a bamboo grove and views over the city. Two 2026 guides list adult entry at ₱100 and ₱150, so budget for the higher figure.
- Mt. Camisong Forest Park: a day-use forest park in Itogon with easy, intermediate and full trails. A July 2026 guide lists a free shuttle from Pacdal and adult entry at ₱500. Confirm shuttle times and fees first.
- Dragon Treasure Castle: a fantasy-themed stone park in Upper Irisan, listed at ₱165 for adults. The entrance fee reportedly includes a van ride to the castle.
- Igorot Stone Kingdom: listed at ₱100 to ₱130 for adults, depending on the guide.
Day trips from Baguio
La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
The farm is in La Trinidad, Benguet, about 30 minutes from Baguio. Strawberry picking is the main draw. Entry to the farm is free, but picking is charged separately, usually by the kilo. Guides give the main season as November to May, with some naming November to February as the best months for ripe berries. La Trinidad also holds a Strawberry Festival in March.
StoBoSa and Bell Church
The Colors of StoBoSa is a hillside of painted houses in Barangay Balili, La Trinidad. Nearby, Bell Church is a Chinese temple founded in 1960. It is listed with a small entrance fee and a lunchtime closure. Do both in one stop.
Mt. Ulap and Mt. Pulag
Mt. Ulap is a day hike from Baguio, though it can take much longer than the beginner rating suggests. Mt. Pulag is the highest mountain in Luzon, usually done as an overnight trip from Baguio. The most common beginner route is the Ambangeg trail. Book with an accredited operator.
Northern Blossom Flower Farm in Atok
If you have a free day, Northern Blossom Flower Farm in Atok, Benguet, is a flower-terrace side trip. Check its access and visiting rules before you go, since the road is long and mountain weather changes quickly.
Things to do in Baguio by type of trip
Free things to do in Baguio: Burnham Park, Wright Park, Session Road, Baguio Cathedral, Ili-Likha, the Colors of StoBoSa (donation) and the Yellow Trail.
With kids: boat rides at Burnham Park, horseback riding at Wright Park, strawberry picking and the Botanical Garden. Sky Ranch is a small amusement park near SM Baguio, with ride prices that vary by day.
Rainy day: BenCab Museum, Baguio Museum, Museo ng Kordilyera at UP Baguio (listed Tuesday to Friday), cafes in Ili-Likha and Session Road.
At night: the night market, Session Road bars and craft beer spots such as Baguio Craft Brewery.
When to visit Baguio and what festivals to catch
Baguio stays cool through the year. December to February is the coldest stretch, and the rainy season runs roughly from June to October. That is a general pattern, so check the forecast before you go.
Panagbenga, the flower festival, is the biggest event. The 2026 edition ran from 1 February to 8 March, with the street dance on 28 February and the floral float parade on 1 March. The 2027 parade days are not confirmed as of this review. Several guides expect a February to early March window, but none are official. Read the Panagbenga Festival guide and the February festivals hub for updates, and book refundable lodging until the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation publishes the dates.
For a wider calendar, see the Philippine festivals guide by month and the best time to visit the Philippines.
Sample Baguio itinerary
One day in Baguio City
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Mines View Park, Good Shepherd, Wright Park and the Botanical Garden |
| Midday | Lunch on Session Road or at Cafe by the Ruins |
| Afternoon | Camp John Hay: Bell House, Cemetery of Negativism, Yellow Trail |
| Evening | Burnham Park, then the night market if it is open |
Two days in Baguio
Day 1 (city and culture): Mirador Heritage Park, then Igorot Stone Kingdom and Tam-awan Village. Have lunch at The Farmer’s Daughter, then go to BenCab Museum and Asin Road. End at Ili-Likha.
Day 2 (Leonard Wood and La Trinidad): Start at the Strawberry Farm and StoBoSa, then Bell Church. In the afternoon, visit the Baguio Public Market for pasalubong and Baguio Cathedral.
Practical tips for visiting Baguio
Getting there: Long-distance buses run from Metro Manila terminals such as Cubao and Pasay. A 2025 guide reported adult aircon fares around ₱640, but confirm current fares with the operator.
Getting around: Jeepneys and taxis cover most attractions. A guide reviewed in 2025 gave starting jeepney fares of about ₱13 to ₱15. Use the taxi meter and ask your hotel about routes to farther spots like Asin Road.
Booking lodging: Baguio’s official visitor platform, VISITA, lets travelers verify accredited accommodations. The mayor urged tourists in January 2026 to verify listings through legitimate sources before paying.
Packing: Bring a light jacket, closed shoes with grip and a rain layer. Carry cash for small stalls.
Crowds: Weekends, holidays and festival days fill up. Go early to the popular viewpoints and parks.
Plan your next city: If you want to compare mountain and coastal trips, see our guides to things to do in Cebu City, things to do in Tagaytay City, things to do in Vigan and things to do in Bacolod City.
Frequently asked questions
What is Baguio best known for?
Baguio is best known for its cool climate, pine forests, Burnham Park and the Panagbenga flower festival. It is also known for its strawberries, art scene and pasalubong like ube jam. The city’s nickname is the Summer Capital of the Philippines.
How many days do you need in Baguio?
Two to three days works for most visitors. One day covers the central highlights, such as Mines View, Camp John Hay and Burnham Park. Two days lets you add art stops and a La Trinidad day trip.
What are the free things to do in Baguio?
Burnham Park, Wright Park, Session Road, Baguio Cathedral, Ili-Likha Artist Village and the Yellow Trail at Camp John Hay are listed as free. The Colors of StoBoSa asks for a donation. Boat rentals, horseback rides and food cost extra.
Is the Baguio Night Market open every night?
A dated listing checked in October 2026 shows 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM daily. Another source lists a midnight close, and the market has been cancelled for bad weather. Check Baguio’s official visitor updates on the day.
When is the next Panagbenga Festival?
Panagbenga usually runs in February into early March. As of this review, the 2027 parade days are not officially confirmed. Check the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation site before you book.
Is the Mansion open to the public?
Sources conflict. One August 2026 guide says it opened as a Presidential Museum in September 2024, with Tuesday to Sunday hours and reserved tours. A July 2026 guide says visitors can only take photos outside. Confirm through official channels first.
Sources
Checked between July and November 2026. Confirm all fees, hours and dates with the venues and the city.
- Baguio Visita, Facebook. “Advisory: Baguio Night Market Cancelled, August 9, 2026.” https://www.facebook.com/baguiovisita/posts/advisory-baguio-night-market-cancelled-august-9-2026due-to-the-inclement-weather/1448380713978614/
- Festive Pinoy. “Panagbenga Festival: History, Culture and Baguio Guide.” Reviewed 12 September 2026, citing the Philippine Information Agency and the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation. https://festivepinoy.com/panagbenga-festival-philippines/
- UNESCO Creative Cities Network. “Baguio City.” https://www.unesco.org/en/creative-cities/baguio-city
- Philippine Information Agency, Cordillera. Baguio VISITA and accommodation verification advisory, January 2026. https://www.facebook.com/PIACordilleraAdministrativeRegion/posts/as-the-panagbenga-or-baguio-flower-festival-2026-officially-opened-on-january-12/1333093842190783/
