Tagaytay City Guide
Tagaytay City Guide
Introducing Tagaytay City
Overview
Located in the province of Cavite in the Philippines, the City of Tagaytay is a second-class component city. It had a population of 85,330 according to the last census in 2020.
Tagaytay offers views of Taal Volcano Island in the middle of the lake from several vantage points throughout the city, even coffee shops.
Tagaytay is approximately 59 kilometers (37 miles) from Manila, making it a convenient escape for people from the scorching heat of Metro Manila. Because of its scenery and colder environment provided by its elevation, it is one of the country’s most popular domestic tourism sites. Don’t forget to bring your jacket if you plan to visit Tagaytay.
Short History
The mountains and woodlands of Tagaytay were a haven for revolutionaries, including those from adjacent provinces, during the Philippine revolution of 1896. The word “mananagaytay” was added to the native language as a result of the travel to and from towns via Tagaytay. It means “to cross ridges.”
On January 21, 1938, President Manuel L. Quezon signed Commonwealth Act no. 338, a bill written by Cavite Rep. Justiniano Montano, making Tagaytay a chartered city. It is a planned city, similar to Trece Martires, with segments built from the communities of Mendez, Indang, Silang, and Amadeo.
Landmarks
Bulalo Restaurants:
- Aozora
- Balay Dako
- Bulalo Point
- Jaytee’s Classic Filipino Cuisine
- Josephine’s
- Leslie’s
- Mahogany Market
- Pamana
- RSM Lutong Bahay
Malls:
- Ayala Malls Serin
- Fora Mall Tagaytay
- Summit Ridge Promenade
- Twin Lakes Shopping Village
Tourist Spots:
- Crosswinds
- La VeryOl’s Kawa Bath
- Museo Orlina
- People’s Park in the Sky
- Sky Ranch Tagaytay
- Tagaytay Picnic Grove
While you’re there
Things to see & do
Enjoy Sky Ranch
Sky Ranch
Sky Ranch in Tagaytay is a great place to take the kids if you’re searching for a memorable experience.
Sky Ranch Tagaytay is a family-friendly amusement park with various rides and attractions suitable for visitors of all ages.
Ride the Sky Eye, one of the country’s tallest Ferris wheels, for a birds-eye perspective of the city and nearby Taal Lake and Volcano.
Visit Picnic Grove
Picnic Grove
If you’re short on time but yet want to get the most out of your trip to Tagaytay, make a pit stop at the Tagaytay Picnic Grove a priority, especially if you’re traveling with children or a large group of friends and family.
Picnics, kite flying, and getting some exercise are all popular activities in the grove, making it a popular destination for couples and families alike. The view from the grassy top of the hill gives the impression that you’d soar over the lake and land among the nearby islands if you were to roll down. Awe-inspiring panoramas greet you at every turn.
It’s possible to go horseback riding or zip line, swim, shop, and take a cable car, just a few of the many options. This place could easily fill a whole day’s worth of time. There are also several eateries and food establishments to keep you going.
Unwind in Tagaytay
Scenic Views around Tagaytay
Tagaytay has various lodging options, including hotels, hostels, condominiums, and bed and breakfast establishments. Staying at one of these Tagaytay staycations would be a great way to unwind from the city. Check out rooms that provide views of Lake Taal. In this way, you can read a book, have a glass of wine, or converse with your friends or family while enjoying the scenery.
Shopping
Tagaytay doesn’t have big malls like in the city, but it’s a surely must-visit. Here are two malls you can see in Tagaytay:
Ayala Malls Serin
Ayala Malls in Tagaytay
It’s refreshing to see a mall that isn’t packed, gloomy, and overwhelming like most other malls. A central garden and open-air arrangement ensure that you don’t feel like you’re wasting time inside. In the heart of Tagaytay City, it is more than simply a retail and dining haven, created with contemporary architecture and rustic designs that give the mall experience a unique, quaint vibe. The Corte, an interactive garden in the atrium, allows visitors to enjoy the city’s beloved cold and fresh country air in peaceful seclusion.
Shopping for travel essentials, trying on new clothes, and enjoying your food are all possible on the three levels of this mall. There’s a wide variety of cuisines available, including Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and even ice cream.
Many hotels and places to stay are nearby; therefore, the location of this Tagaytay mall is ideal.
Twin Lakes Shopping Village
Twin Lakes Shopping Village in Tagaytay
Tagaytay’s Twin Lakes Shopping Village isn’t what you’d expect from a shopping center, in keeping with the beautiful motif of the city. You’ve never seen a valley like this from the vantage point of a ridgetop market.
Although it is known for having the Philippines’ most scenic Starbucks, Twin Lakes offers much more than simply coffee. For a couple of hours, you can pass the time at one of the many restaurants or small boutiques. You may enjoy a peaceful night sky here with little light pollution as the sun sets and the day fades into the night.
Food & Drinks
Local Cuisine in Tagaytay
Tagaytay is the spot to go if you’re looking for a delicious meal. The best restaurants in the country may be found there, with some of the most photogenic settings. Visiting these places will provide you with both a wonderful meal and an eye-opening experience. Here are some restaurants we recommend you to see.
- Amare La Cucina
- Cafe Yama
- Napa at Crosswinds
- Sonya’s Garden
- The Teahouse at Qi Wellness
To get you warm in Tagaytay weather, we will surely recommend some bulalo (beef marrow stew) places.
Filipino beef shank and vegetable soup known as bulalo is Tagaytay’s most popular meal. In Tagaytay, the cool and breezy weather, this hearty, flavorful bowl of soup is a perfect match. That’s why many eateries in the city now serve it on their menu.
The stalls in the Mahogany Market eatery are one of the best places to get bulalo in the Tagaytay. You may buy a huge bowl of soup for a modest price that can feed two to four people, depending on how hungry you all are.
In Tagaytay, Leslie’s is another popular go-to Filipino restaurant frequented by large groups and families alike. They provide a big and hearty bowl of bulalo, which is one of the restaurant’s most popular meals. As a bonus to the delicious food, the back of Leslie’s restaurant has a stunning view of Taal Lake and Volcano.
There are a lot of great bulalo restaurants in Tagaytay, so you better do your research and make your belly ready.
How to Get to Tagaytay
By Bus
The general fare range of one-way bus rides to Tagaytay is pretty affordable. Travel time usually takes two hours, but this may increase during peak seasons like holidays, or rush hour, which roughly hits at around 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm every weeknight. Several terminals run routes from Manila to Tagaytay. Here are the following you can check:
- Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX)
- DLTB Bus Terminal, Pasay City
- EDSA Rotonda
By UV Express Van
- LRT Buendia, Pasay City
- Starmall Alabang, Muntinlupa City
- Festival Mall, Muntinlupa City
- Starmall EDSA-Shaw, Ortigas City
Private Vehicle
While it is possible to take public transportation, it is recommended to explore via private car, especially if you want to cover attractions located on the outskirts of the city. Use Waze or Google Maps for directions and live traffic situations.
If you don’t have your car or want to travel conveniently, you can join a group tour from Manila to Tagaytay (and back to Manila).
Tagaytay is considered to be the second Summer capital of the Philippines with the first being Baguio due to its cool climate thus is a favored destination from those relatively more humid areas of the Philippines. Tagaytay is also a destination for tourists seeking views of Taal Volcano and the surrounding lake. In 2015, the Department of Tourism cited Tagaytay as the top tourist destination in the Calabarzon region. Among the most visited sites in Tagaytay are the SM Sky Ranch, Ayala Malls Serin, Robinsons Summit Ridge, Picnic Grove Complex, People’s Park in the Sky, Halfway Zoo and different choices of restaurants known for serving the famous bulalo and crispy tawilis. Fresh beef and vegetables are sold at Mahogany Market. The fruits stands are across the Tagaytay City Market where the fresh tilapia from Taal Lake are marketed. Tagaytay’s proximity to Metro Manila is attributed to the tourism in the city. Tagaytay receives a seasonal influx of tourists during Christmas season and Holy Week, and the city is a pilgrimage destination with churches, shrines, and retreat houses.
