After a year-long January, love month has finally arrived! Are you dreaming of a cozy weekend in the mountains, or a quick escape to a hidden paradise? Or perhaps you're envisioning a candlelit dinner with an overlooking city view, or a mini road trip with the love of your life?

Whatever your heart desires, there's always a destination waiting to celebrate love. With only a few days left before Valentine's Day, now is the perfect moment to kick off your preparations for a day filled with cherished memories. 

Here are 6 destinations within and near the metro—and a plethora of romantic date ideas you should consider trying.

For the classic couple: Intramuros, Manila 

Photo by Bambike Ecotours 

Intramuros, Manila’s Walled City, is more than just a historic site. Its timeless charm offers an ideal backdrop for creating memories that will last a lifetime. With its quaint cobblestone pathways and romantic allure, every step would feel like a postcard memory to keep forever. 

• Rent a bamboo bike / electric scooter for a tour 

• Hire a horse-drawn carriage to go around the city 

• Enjoy museum-hopping within the Walled City

• Museo de Intramuros 

• Museo de San Agustin

• Casa Manila Museum

• Rizal’s Bagumbayan Light & Sound Museum 

• Rizal Shrine at Fort Santiago

• Take a stroll inside Baluarte de San Diego Gardens 

• Sunset coffee date at La Cathedral Café 

You may DIY this or get Intramuros tours via Klook.

For the laid back couple: Alabang

Photo by The Vivere Hotel

Known for its thriving corporate landscape and dynamic energy, Alabang may not be the first place that comes to mind when seeking out romantic getaways. But beneath its corporate facade lies a treasure trove of hidden romantic—and de-stressing—spots waiting to be discovered.

• Get a couple’s massage at Altacienda Native Wellness Spa

• Get matching tattoos at 1916 Tattoo Shop inside Higher Ground Specialty Coffee 

• If you’re both into sports, choose an activity to enjoy together: 

• Rock climbing at Power Up Climbing Gym 

• Golf at SouthPoint Driving Range

• Biking at Filinvest MTB Trail

• Dinner date at The Nest Dining in The Sky in The Vivere Hotel 

• Bring your furbaby along on a food trip date at Molito Lifestyle Center

For the chic couple: Manila Yacht Club, Pasay

Photo by Manila Yacht Rentals & Events

It’s not every day that you get an excuse to treat each other to a luxurious yacht date. Manila Yacht Club (near the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex) is a place of romance and elegance where you both can share a spectacular getaway without leaving the metro. The best part? You can have double (or triple) dates with your other couple friends, too!

• Choose the type of dinner you want: 

• Dinner on a docked yacht (For 2 to 3 couples)

• Yacht cruise with dinner for two (All-exclusive dinner date)

• Cruise along Manila Bay for an hour

• As an optional activity, rent a yacht for a fishing trip 

To inquire, visit Manila Yacht Rentals & Events on Facebook.

For the chill couple: Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan 

Photo by Aranya Resorts

Just a short two-hour drive away from Metro Manila lies a hidden haven where tranquility meets hard-core adventure: Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT) in Bulacan. At the heart of this place lies Aranya Resorts, a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse in the serenity of nature.

• Rent an overlooking villa for a night or two

• Enjoy a thrilling 4x4 ATV ride in their 7-hectare property

• Avail of the guided waterfalls tour (You’ll see 13 waterfalls in total in just one trip!) 

• Go for a quick swim in their outdoor lagoon 

To inquire, visit aranyaresortsph.com or Aranya Resorts on Facebook.

For the artsy couple: Antipolo, Rizal 

Photo by Crescent Moon Café and Studio Pottery

For couples with a passion for food, art, and each other, there’s a unique establishment called Crescent Moon Café and Studio Pottery that offers culinary delights and artistic inspiration in one place. As the place’s name suggests, it’s a café + pottery studio—a hideout where you can deepen your connection over food and art. They’re open on Wednesdays to Sundays only. 

• Learn basic pottery and create your first ceramic piece together  

• Lunch date with nature at their colorful, open-air restaurant (PRO TIP: Reserve ahead of time. Their kitchen closes at 4:15PM!)

• Order farm-to-table dishes and try their Alagao Appetizer—a dish that’s been on their menu for 23 years

• Shop for handmade ceramics, and stoneware overruns for only PHP200 per kilo

To inquire, visit crescentmoonantipolo.com or Crescent Moon Café and Studio Pottery on Facebook.

For the adventurous couple: Porac, Pampanga

Photo by SandBox at Alviera

If you’re both the type of couple who enjoys outdoor activities together, you should go to Porac, Pampanga and visit Sandbox. It has Asia’s first roller coaster zip line and the tallest giant swing in the Philippines. The road trip + Sandbox experience? An ideal combo for a romantic, outdoor getaway. 

• Ride the 10-meter Giant Swing 

• Test your agility and balance at the Aerial Walk Challenge 

• Experience the first roller coaster zipline, Avatar One 

• Try outdoor archery

• Compete against each other on a City Kart Race

For inquiries, visit Sandbox at Alviera on Facebook.

Whether you find yourselves wandering the cobblestone streets of Intramuros, savoring the flavors of Southeast Asia at Crescent Moon Cafe, or setting sail on a sunset cruise along the tranquil waters of Manila Bay, one thing will always remain true: love knows no bounds, and neither do the possibilities for romantic getaways in and around Manila.

Here's to love, laughter, and cherished memories that last a lifetime. Happy Valentine's Day!

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