Drive an hour or two from Metro Manila, and you’ll find yourself in one of the best cities for sunset views, cityscapes, and nature panoramas. Antipolo City, standing on an inclined part of Rizal, boasts of hillsides which locals refer to as “overlooking” because of the obvious fact that they do overlook quite a view. So if you’re craving a quick trip with endless nature and metropolis scenes, you should know about the best overlooking spots in Antipolo.
Also read: Antipolo Day Tour Itinerary: 5 Fun Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway
There’s hardly any competition: Cloud 9 has always been the best spot in Antipolo for overlooking views. Visitors and locals agree — the attraction is a consistent contender on everyone’s lists.
An obvious crowd favourite, Cloud 9 has a way of making you feel like you’re on top of the world. With a hanging bridge connecting to its view deck, this hotel in the sky just keeps giving. You’ll have a 360° view of the city views from the viewing deck. It’s a popular spot for watching the sunset, too.
It seems as though everyone has heard only good things about Luljetta’s Place Garden Suites. Burrowed in the ridges of Antipolo, this dreamy resort prides itself on being the first and only hanging gardens and spa in the Philippines.
Built to provide guests with an excellent wellness experience, Luljetta’s highlights the natural beauty of Antipolo. Its structure was built to embrace the breathtaking sceneries of the city, so you can expect some of the best nature views from up here.
A local recommendation, Boso Boso Highlands Resort and Hotel has the perfect atmosphere for unwinding as a family. Some people like to refer to this place as “Little Baguio,” as its elevation allows guests to enjoy a cooler temperature all year round.
Boso Boso Highlands provides a beautiful view of either the Sierra Madre mountains or the Laguna de Bay from its rooms and facilities. And talking about facilities, this resort has loads of them: a zipline, an open pavilion, a trekking trail, a cafe, a basketball court — even an obstacle course!
Want to go on a revitalising escape with your fur pals? The Blue Mansion in Grand Heights Subdivision not only provides a gorgeous overlooking view of Antipolo, but it also welcomes tourists of all ages — and pets, too!
In the Blue Mansion, you can either book an overnight stay or a day tour for a fee. Take a dip in their pool, sing your favourite songs at the videoke machine, and grill barbecue as you enjoy the breathtaking cityscapes.
Also read: 13 Pet-Friendly Resorts & Vacation Rentals Near Manila
You don’t have to go far to camp out in nature. Nestled in Sitio Binayoyo in Barangay Calawis, Gabriel’s Sanctuary offers an off-grid camping experience just two hours from the metro. You can pitch tents, have a bonfire, stargaze, and rent a kubo if you’re planning to stay overnight.
Equipped with al fresco dining areas, Gabriel’s Sanctuary promises a fun new normal experience. It also has ATVs and tours of hidden falls and rivers. Gabriel’s Sanctuary also waived its entrance fees so that everyone can have a taste of the refreshing nature views of Antipolo without breaking the bank.
Another campsite that boasts of Antipolo’s sea of clouds, Gerald Paradise Adventure Campsite & Farm has sweeping views overlooking Antipolo. Taking this experience up a notch, it recently installed outdoor bathtubs where guests can watch the clouds or gaze at the stars.
Planning to stay overnight? Gerald Paradise offers private huts (from ₱800 for four pax) and tents (₱300 for two pax) for rent. You can also purchase bonfire wood, rent a stove or banig, and book tours around the area.
Also read: The Mountain House in Antipolo Lets You Relish in Nature
If you’re keen to look for stunning spots in Antipolo, make sure to drop by Tahanan Bistro. This casual fine dining restaurant does a lot more than provide guests with astounding city views — it also mesmerises with its interiors!
Made of completely reclaimed wood, Tahanan Bistro brings parts of salvaged old houses and bridges back to life. Its owners, Benji and Carina Reyes, originally designed the place as their home. Later, they transformed a portion into a picturesque bistro.
In lower Antipolo, you will find the newly established Kaulayaw Coffee. But while this cafe is a newbie in the market, it has served several guests luscious cups of coffee and delectable breakfast meals in the sky.
Aside from its wonderful views, Kaulayaw Coffee draws visitors for its specially made coffee. A small business, the establishment makes sure to source its ingredients sustainably from local farmers. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaulayaw Coffee has started offering its coffee beans for delivery.
What’s better than overlooking Antipolo views, you ask? Try overlooking Antipolo views from an infinity pool.
Cafe Lupe is one of the popular “overlooking” restaurants in Antipolo. Beyond offering food, they also have a quaint bed and breakfast for those who want to stay over. This establishment has all the amenities you need — including a pool, a bar, a gym, a stage, and a KTV room — and spectacular views are accessible from every corner. City lights also look fantastic from this spot.
Its name speaks for itself: Double Deck Overlooking Restobar is yet another establishment in the “Antipolo overlooking” cluster. Visitors flock to this quaint spot to dine (and drink!) al fresco, as its outdoor dining experience offers dazzling views of the cityscape at night.
Lately, more travellers keen to visit Tagaytay have even been considering Double Deck as a more convenient alternative. After all, the restobar offers a quick, idyllic getaway with decent and affordable food and beverage options. Double Deck also has a covered area, in case you visit on a rainy day.
Also read: 12 Relaxing Cafes in Antipolo to Escape Manila’s Busy City Life
Pinto Art Museum is no stranger to the travel community. A beautiful exhibition space, Pinto was built to house the best of Filipino art — evidently including the exquisite greeneries of Silangan Gardens.
While Pinto is celebrated for many things, it is also quite the contender for the most-visited viewing decks in Antipolo. Although it does not overlook panoramic views as the other spots on this list, the Pinto roof deck still attracts visitors for the spectacle of an orange sunset glimmering against whitewashed walls.
12. Cafe Agusta
Near Pinto Art Museum is an Instagrammable cafe that offers affordable food and coffee amid a magnificent cityscape. Cafe Agusta, with its Santorini-inspired architecture, has a wide al fresco area overlooking the views of Antipolo. Open from 11am to 9.30pm, the cafe looks especially stunning at night because of the stars and city lights.
How about a romantic dinner near Manila? A charming restaurant for outdoor dining, Maura’s Place boasts its 180° overlooking views of Antipolo, the most exquisite during sunset.
Beyond its ambience, Maura’s Place also offers mouthwatering food — from artisan pizza to filling rice meals and platters. They also serve a wide variety of drinks, including the unique halo-halo milkshake and blue sky latte, refreshing mojitos, and delicious coffee.
Are you the type to go on a road trip to Tagaytay just for a piping hot bowl of bulalo amid beautiful sceneries? If so, you’ll be pleased to know that you can experience this just two hours away from Manila. Wing Commander, with two branches on Sumulong Highway, serves unlimited everything — rice, fries, drinks, chicken wings, bulalo, tawilis — for budget-friendly prices.
Wing Commander sources its ingredients from none other than Mahogany Farm in Tagaytay, so it’ll definitely satiate your cravings. On top of this, both the Antipolo branches have breathtaking city views and cool breezes, certainly giving you a lot of bang for your buck.
15. Ahon Coffee
A minimalist cafe along Sumulong Highway, Ahon Coffee has drawn much attention on social media thanks to its spectacular overlooking views of Antipolo. And while the cafe is no more than a tiny kiosk perched atop the Sierra Madre, customers have been raving about how relaxing it is to just sit back, have a rich cup of coffee in hand, and enjoy the landscapes.
Also read: 15 Roadside Coffee Shops in & Near Metro Manila
A little bit fancy, a little laid-back, Oscar’s serves delectable Filipino cuisine backdropped against a 360° view of Metro Manila. Tucked inside Eugenio Lopez Center along Sumulong Highway, the restaurant demands quite a drive from the main road — but the drive itself also offers spectacular views. Its spacious area draws several groups to celebrate events and occasions here, but Oscar’s is also a good choice for a romantic dinner date.
Playlist Cafe’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow its guests to witness its scenic landscape from every corner. But the most notable is its balcony area, which overlooks the prepossessing Manila skyline. Pair that with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk tea plus your favourite Western dishes, and you’ll surely have the time of your life.
Another Antipolo overlooking restaurant is Yellow Lantern Cafe, living up to its name with its sunflower-hued embellishments. Rivalling its brilliant furniture is the view ahead: The sun sets right in front of the cafe, radiating a soft orange glow that touches its indoor spaces. Yellow Lantern Cafe offers mostly Filipino dishes, but they also serve paella, pasta, noodles, and other easy munchies.
Antipolo is a stone’s throw away from other breathtaking towns in Rizal. If you have more than a day to spare, definitely check out these local-recommended establishments that offer scenic views as well.
Also read: 8 Airbnbs in Antipolo for Your Next Stargazing Trip
If you visit the overlooking Antipolo spots yourself, you will find a long list of places to hang out; because of that, spontaneous trips to this city wouldn’t normally be a problem. But as far as the pandemic goes, it’s now ideal to have a certain destination in mind before heading to the city.
Paying a visit during COVID-19? Make sure to review the safety protocols of the establishments you’re visiting, and even book a reservation if possible. Stay safe and travel responsibly!
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