Tagaytay is one of the country's most popular destinations for domestic tourism because of its scenery and cooler climate provided by its altitude. Tagaytay overlooks Taal Lake in Batangas and provides views of Taal Volcano Island in the middle of the lake through various vantage points situated in the city.
The name Tagaytay is derived from the Tagalog words tagaytay or taytay, which mean "mountain ridge" or "low mountain range", in reference to the Tagaytay Ridge on which the city sits.
Tagaytay is considered to be the second summer capital of the Philippines with the first being Baguio due to its cool climate and, thus, is a favored destination for 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 Sky Ranch, Ayala Malls Serin, Robinsons Summit Ridge (Robinsons Tagaytay), 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 fruit 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. The Taal Vista Hotel is a symbol of Tagaytay's past.
