About Philadelphia
Philadelphia, colloquially referred to as Philly, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the sixth-most populous city in the United States. Its population was 1.60 million at the 2020 census and estimated at 1.57 million in 2025. The Philadelphia metropolitan area, also known as the Delaware Valley, is located in both the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States; home to 6.33 million residents, it is the nation's ninth-largest metropolitan area. Philadelphia is known for its culture, cuisine, and history, maintaining contemporary influence in technology and business, sports, and music.
Cheap flights to Philadelphia
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $649 from Dublin, travelling 21 Nov – 28 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LHR London to Philadelphia18 Dec – 8 Jan · PHL from$846
- DUB Dublin to Philadelphia21 Nov – 28 Nov · PHL from$649
- EDI Edinburgh to Philadelphia20 Nov – 30 Nov · PHL from$1,081
- PRG Prague to Philadelphia14 Jul – 28 Jul · PHL from$1,002
- MAN Manchester to Philadelphia6 Nov – 15 Nov · PHL from$1,007
- CPH Copenhagen to Philadelphia28 Jan – 5 Feb · PHL from$978
- HEL Helsinki to Philadelphia14 Dec – 28 Dec · PHL from$1,313
- ARN Stockholm to Philadelphia24 Nov – 2 Dec · PHL from$942
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Finnair, Aer Lingus.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to PhiladelphiaPlaces to visit in Philadelphia
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Independence Hall
HistoricThe brick building where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed; timed ranger-led tours show the original Assembly Room.
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Liberty Bell Center
LandmarkAcross from Independence Hall, the cracked Liberty Bell is displayed with exhibits explaining how it became a symbol for abolitionists, suffragists and civil rights movements.
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Philadelphia Museum of Art
MuseumA huge collection spanning Asian, European and American art in a neoclassical building whose front steps, made famous by the Rocky films, look down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
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Reading Terminal Market
MarketA bustling historic indoor market with dozens of food stalls, from cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches to Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods; arrive hungry and expect crowds at lunch.
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Barnes Foundation
MuseumAn idiosyncratic collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, including many works by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse, hung in distinctive arrangements alongside furniture and metalwork. Booking a timed ticket is wise.
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Eastern State Penitentiary
HistoricA crumbling former prison with vaulted cellblocks, Al Capone's cell and thoughtful exhibits on American incarceration, explored with an audio guide. Its ruined, atmospheric corridors make it one of the city's most memorable historic sites.
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Elfreth's Alley
HistoricA narrow cobbled lane of colonial row houses in Old City, still lived in today and among the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the country.
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Fairmount Park
Park · 3 mi from centreAn extensive park system along the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek, with historic mansions, Boathouse Row and wooded trails for walking and cycling. Rent a bike to cover its riverside trails more easily.
Things to do in Philadelphia by type
25 tours, tickets and experiences across 7 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 9 experiences Big Bus Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off Tour -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 7 experiences Big Bus Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off Tour -
Shows, sports and special events 4 experiences Major League Baseball: Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park - Ticket -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 2 experiences Conspiracy in Philadelphia: The President's Secret Society - City Exploration Game! -
Gastronomy & nightlife 2 experiences Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia -
Art & culture 2 experiences National Liberty Museum: Entry Ticket -
Cruise & Water Tours 2 experiences Philadelphia Signature Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise - Ticket
- 1-3 hours 9
- Flexible 1
- 3-6 hours 1
- Senior 4
- Families 4
- Youth 4
- Couples 4
- Private 4
Top experiences in Philadelphia
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 25 available.
Philadelphia CityPASS C® Ticket
From $65 per adult
Big Bus Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $56 per adult
City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off - Optional Night tour, Christmas Light or Halloween Terror
From $47 per adult
Go City - Philadelphia Explorer Pass - Access to up to 7 Attractions
From $61 per adult
Philadephia Historic Donut Tour
From $57 per adult
Travel Curious: Flavours of Philadelphia: Reading Market - Private Food Tour
From $380 per adult
Travel Curious: The Founding Fathers of Philadelphia - Private Walking Tour
From $304 per adult
Travel Curious: The Best of Philadelphia in a Private Vehicle - Half-Day Tour
From $808 per adult
Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia
From $36 per adult
Go City - Philadelphia All-Inclusive Pass - Access to 30+ Attractions
From $61 per adult
Travel Curious: The Best of Philadelphia - Private Walking Tour
From $390 per adult
Philadelphia Secret Food Tour
From $77 per adult
Where to stay in Philadelphia
Popular hotels in Philadelphia, out of 287 properties you can book.
Hampton Inn Philadelphia Center City-Convention Ce
From $154 per night
Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District
From $147 per night
Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Penn's Landing
From $180 per night
the Alloy King of Prussia - a DoubleTree by Hilton
From $138 per night
Doubletree By Hilton Philadelphia Center City
From $214 per night
Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown
From $161 per night
The Inn at Penn, A Hilton Hotel
From $397 per night
Courtyard Philadelphia City Avenue
From $129 per night
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
From $506 per night
City Express by Marriott King of Prussia
From $157 per night
Loews Philadelphia
From $357 per night
The Notary Hotel, Autograph Collection
From $386 per night
Best time to visit Philadelphia
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Philadelphia is October, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Philadelphia weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 61° 45° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 68° 49° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 61° 50° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 63° 47° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 65° 48° 1%
- Mon 26 Oct 69° 50° 1%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Philadelphia
These are the airports closest to central Philadelphia. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- PHL Philadelphia International Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
- PNE Northeast Philadelphia Airport12 mi (19 km) from the city centre
Getting around Philadelphia
There are plenty of public transportation options to get around the downtown core of Philadelphia. Buses, trains, and trolleys gather at 30th St. Station and the 69th St. Transportation Center. Most services are operated by SEPTA, see Fares below for their ticket system.
By foot
Philadelphia is one of America's most walkable cities. This has been taken advantage of and the city is marked extremely well by "Walk! Philadelphia" signs that are placed on each block, sometimes only several feet apart, that guide visitors toward shopping, dining, gallery perusing, cultural enjoyment, local must-sees and public transportation should it need to be taken.
By bicycle
Depending on where you are from, you may find Philadelphia's bicycle infrastructure to be much better, or much worse, than what you are used to. Cycling is made easy by many quiet streets and generally flat terrain, and thus is extremely popular in the city, but some regressive policies regarding bicycle infrastructure have left something to be desired. The Schuylkill River Trail runs along the eastern bank of its namesake river, and is extraordinarily popular among residents and tourists alike.
By bus
SEPTA Bus runs an extensive bus network in Philadelphia. Buses are a convenient (if slow) method of getting almost anywhere within the city. Most routes within city limits run at least every 30 minutes on weekdays, with high ridership routes running as frequently as every 5 minutes, but frequencies can be low in the outer suburbs and on Sundays.
Philadelphia travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Philadelphia?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Philadelphia is October, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Philadelphia?
July is usually the warmest month in Philadelphia, with average highs of 89°F (32°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 26°F (-4°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 154 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Philadelphia?
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Philadelphia. Other nearby airports include Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE, 12 mi).
How much are flights to Philadelphia?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Philadelphia in the last 30 days was $649 from Dublin, travelling 21 Nov – 28 Nov. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $649.
What time zone is Philadelphia in?
Philadelphia uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Philadelphia?
There are plenty of public transportation options to get around the downtown core of Philadelphia. Buses, trains, and trolleys gather at 30th St. Station and the 69th St. Transportation Center. Most services are operated by SEPTA, see Fares below for their ticket system.
What are the best places to visit in Philadelphia?
Top sights in Philadelphia include Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Reading Terminal Market. The brick building where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed; timed ranger-led tours show the original Assembly Room.
What are the top things to do in Philadelphia?
Popular experiences you can book in Philadelphia include Philadelphia CityPASS C® Ticket, Big Bus Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off - Optional Night tour, Christmas Light or Halloween Terror. Destina Holidays offers 25 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Philadelphia?
The most popular types of experiences in Philadelphia are city tours (9), tickets & attraction passes (7), shows, sports and special events (4) and outdoor activities & adventure (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Philadelphia?
Popular areas for hotels in Philadelphia include Downtown, Historical District and King of Prussia. Well-reviewed options include Hampton Inn Philadelphia Center City-Convention Ce and Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District.
How many hotels can I book in Philadelphia?
Destina Holidays currently lists 287 properties in and around Philadelphia, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
