14 BEST PLACES to visit in Davao + THINGS TO DO 2019

Davao City is the largest urban center in Southern Philippines, and the third largest metropolitan area in the Philippines after Manila and Cebu.

Davao is famous for its natural attractions, many of which are easily reached from the city center. Within an hour’s travel from the airport or Davao City hotels, you can already enjoy the pristine white sand beaches of Samal Island or visit the highland nature parks at the foot of Mount Apo, the Philippines’ tallest peak.

A trip to Davao isn’t complete without a taste of the iconic Durian fruit and meeting the mighty Philippine Eagle, the national bird of the country.

Davao City is also the gateway to surrounding provinces in Davao Region as well as nearby regions in the southern & eastern part of Mindanao.

Scroll down for a list of beautiful places to visit in Davao. I’ve included many of my favorite sights as well as interesting things to do as recommended by other travelers.

To make your trip planning easy, I added links to the locations on Google Maps. I’ll be posting more travel tips once I finish writing the detailed Davao travel guide. In the meantime, feel free to click/tap on the links posted. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app. Seeing all your saved locations on the map with help you plan your Davao itinerary and know convenient places to book your hotel.

Davao travel goals!

Isla Reta beachfront in Talucud Island, Samal, Davao del Norte,

Babu Santa Beach in Talikud Island, Samal

Overlooking view of Davao City from Eden Nature Park, in Davao City, Philippines

Philippine Eagle Center, Davao

Jack’s Ridge, Davao City

Durian Monument at Davao Airport, Davao City, Philippines

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1. Philippine Eagle Center

Philippine Eagle Center, Davao

Address: Barangay Malagos, Calinan district, Davao City. Save on Google Maps.

2. Eden Nature Park

Overlooking view of Davao City from Eden Nature Park, in Davao City, Philippines

Eden Nature Park, Davao City

Davao tour packages & car charter

Tours + discounts

Address: Barangay Eden, Toril, Davao City. Save on Google Maps.

Samal

Where to stayTours + discounts

Address: Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCOS), Davao del Norte. Save on Google Maps.

3. Samal Beach Resorts

Babu Santa Beach in Talikud Island, Samal

Popular resorts in Samal

Pearl Farm Beach ResortAddress: Kaputian, Samal Island. Save on Google Maps.See room discounts

Isla RetaAddress: Talicud Island. Save on Google Maps.

Bluejaz Beach Resort and WaterparkAddress: Babak, Samal Island. Save on Google Maps.See room discounts

Paradise Island Beach ResortAddress: Babak, Samal Island. Save on Google Maps.See room discounts

Maxima Aquafun ResortAddress: Peñaplata, Samal Island. Save on Google Maps.See room discounts

Hof Gorei Beach ResortAddress: Kaputian, Samal Island. Save on Google Maps.See room discounts

Chema’s by the SeaAddress: Limao, Samal Island. Save on Google Maps.See room discounts

Bluewaters Village and ResortAddress: Limao, Samal Island. Save on Google Maps.

4. Samal Islands & Beaches

Babu Santa Beach in Talikud Island, Samal

Beautiful islands, tourist spots and beaches in Samal

Kaputian BeachAddress: Samal Island. Save on Google Maps.

Isla Reta BeachAddress: Talicud Island. Save on Google Maps.

Babusanta BeachAddress: Talicud Island. Save on Google Maps.

Coral GardenAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Angel’s CoveAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Wishing IslandAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Taklobo (Giant Clam) SanctuaryAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Malipano IslandAddress: Save on Google Maps.

5. Monfort Bat Colony

Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island, Davao del Norte, Philippines

Monfort Bat Colony, Samal Island

Address: Monfort Bat Sanctuary, Babak, Samal Island. Save on Google Maps.

6. Crocodile Park

Crocodile Park in Davao City, Philippines

Crocodile Park, Davao City

Tourist spots near Davao Crocodile Park

Tribu K Mindanawan Cultural VillageAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Davao Butterfly HouseAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Address: Riverfront, Corporate City, Diversion Highway, Ma-a, Davao City. Save on Google Maps.

Davao City Center

Where to stayTours + discounts

7. People’s Park

People's Park in Davao City, Philippines

People’s Park, Davao City

Address: Palma Gil Street, Poblacion, Davao City

8. Davao Cathedral & San Pedro Street

Davao Cathedral in Davao City, Philippines

Davao Cathedral, Davao City

Davao City Hall in Davao City, Philippines

Davao City Hall, Davao City

Places of interest in San Pedro Street area

Davao City HallAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Osmeña ParkAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Rizal ParkAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Quezon ParkAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Commemorative Monument of Peace and Unity / Davao City CouncilAddress: Save on Google Maps.

Address: San Pedro Street, Poblacion, Davao City. Save on Google Maps.

9. Davao Food Trip

Jack’s Ridge, Davao City

Davao Green Buffet Haus, in Davao City, Philippines

Davao Green Buffet Haus, Davao City

Where to eat in Davao City

Roxas Night MarketAddress: Roxas, Avenue, Poblacion. Save on Google Maps.

Jack’s RidgeAddress: Shrine Hills Road, Talomo. Save on Google Maps.

Blue Post Boiling Crab and SeafoodAddress: J.P. Laurel Avenue, Lanang (near SM Lanang Premier). Save on Google Maps.

10. Davao Durian & Fruit Stands

Durian at Bangkerohan Market in Davao City, Philippines

Bangkerohan Market durian stall, Davao City

Magsaysay Park durian stall, in Davao City, Philippines

Magsaysay Park durian stall, Davao City

Magsaysay Park sunset, in Davao City, Philippines

Sunset at Magsaysay Park, Davao City

Where to buy durian and fruits in Davao City

Bankerohan MarketAddress: Marifori Street. Save on Google Maps.

Magsaysay ParkAddress: Quezon Boulevard-Leon Garcia Street. Save on Google Maps.

Madrazo Fruit StandsAddress: C. Bangoy Street.

11. Chinatown

Chinatown arch, in Davao City, Philippines

Davao Chinatown arch

Address: Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, Poblacion, Davao City. Save on Google Maps.

12. Mount Apo

Mount Apo view from Davao International Airport

Address: Near Davao City-Kidapawan City, Cotabato border. Save on Google Maps.

13. Malagos Garden Resort & Chocolate Museum

Address: Malagos, Davao City. Save on Google Maps.

14. Davao Malls & Shopping

SM Lanang Premiere dancing fountain, Davao City

Gaisano Mall of Davao (GMall), in Davao City, Philippines

Gaisano Mall of Davao (GMall), Davao City

Popular malls and shopping centers in Davao

Abreeza Mall by AyalaAddress: Abreeza Ayala Business Park, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Poblacion. Save on Google Maps.

SM Lanang PremierAddress: Daang Maharlika Highway, Lanang. Save on Google Maps.

Gaisano Mall of Davao (G-Mall)Address: J.P. Laurel Avenue. Save on Google Maps.

SM City DavaoAddress: Ecoland Drive, Matina. Save on Google Maps.

NCCC MallAddress: MacArthur Highway. Save on Google Maps.

Aldevinco Shopping CenterAddress: C. M. Recto Street. Save on Google Maps.

Other places of interest in Davao City

Durian Monument at Davao Airport, Davao City, Philippines

Durian MonumentAddress: Davao-Francisco Bangoy International Airport grounds, Buhangin, Davao City. Save on Google Maps.

Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of PragueAddress: Shrine Hill, Talomo. Save on Google Maps.

Apo ni Lola Durian FactoryAddress: San Miguel village, Talomo. Save on Google Maps.

House of President DuterteAddress: Doña Luisa Subdivision Phase I, Davao City.

Davao 911 Center

Davao Museums

Museo Dabawenyo (temporarily relocated to Philippine Women’s College Mindanao Folk Arts Museum)

Philippine Women’s College Mindanao Folk Arts MuseumAddress: Juna Subdivision, Talomo. Save on Google Maps.

Davao Museum of History and EthnographyAddress: Insular Village, Lanang. Save on Google Maps.

D’ Bone Collector MuseumAddress: San Pedro Street, Poblacion, Davao City. Save on Google Maps.

Aliwagwag Falls

Aliwagwag Falls, Davao Oriental

Address: Cateel, Davao Oriental. Save on Google Maps.

Beyond Davao City & Samal

Balut Islands, Sarangani

Olanivan Island pink sand beach, in Sarangani Islands, Davao Occ

Olanivan Island pink sand beach, Davao Occidental

Sabang Hot Spring in Balut Island, Sarangani Islands, Davao Occi

Sabang Hot Spring in Balut Island, Davao Occidental

Address: Sarangani (islands), Davao Occidental. Save on Google Maps.

General Santos

Tuna trading at General Santos Fish Port

Where to stay

Address: South Cotabato Province. Save on Google Maps.

Lake Sebu

Hikong Bente Falls, Lake Sebu

Where to stay

Address: South Cotabato Province. Save on Google Maps.

Places to visit in Davao

Davao tourist spots, things to do in Davao, where to go in Davao & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Davao that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Where to Stay in Davao

Cheapest rates Best reviews

Where to book

Book your room with these trusted booking sites. I use them frequently to grab rock-bottom prices & enjoy convenient bookings. Click below to confirm the lowest prices:

Booking.com Airbnb Agoda

Where to Stay in Samal

Cheapest rates Best reviews

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.