Throughout my life, various foreign acquaintances, whether friends or individuals I’ve encountered through work or business, have often asked me, “Can you provide insight or suggest the top things to do in Manila?” Being a Filipino and a native of Manila, I’ve often felt a sense of guilt, unsure if the answers I previously provided truly encompassed the city’s finest offerings.
Driven by this guilt, I dedicated some of my free time to conducting thorough internet research on the subject. The following compilation represents my findings: (Please note that certain descriptions and images within this article have been sourced from fellow bloggers and travel websites.)
Manila, the bustling capital of the Philippines, offers a plethora of exciting activities and attractions. The top things to do in Manila encompass a mix of cultural experiences, historical landmarks, and vibrant city life.
Intramuros
Intramuros is the historic walled city within Manila that showcases the city’s Spanish colonial past. Explore its cobblestone streets, visit Fort Santiago, and walk along the ancient walls. You can delve into the rich history and architecture of the area by visiting museums, such as the Casa Manila and San Agustin Church. Intramuros offers a unique glimpse into the Philippines’ colonial past and is a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
Rizal Park
Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park, is a significant historical and cultural landmark. It honors the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and features monuments, gardens, and open spaces. Take a leisurely stroll, visit the Rizal Monument, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. The park also hosts various events and performances, making it an ideal place to relax and learn about Philippine history.
National Museum of the Philippines
Immerse yourself in Filipino art, culture, and history at the National Museum. It houses a vast collection of artifacts, including pre-colonial gold, indigenous art, and works by renowned Filipino artists. Explore the different galleries, such as the National Art Gallery and the Museum of the Filipino People, to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s heritage.
Manila Ocean Park
Located along Manila Bay, Manila Ocean Park is a popular family attraction. Dive into an underwater world as you explore the aquarium’s various exhibits, including the Oceanarium, where you can see a diverse range of marine species. Experience exciting activities like swimming with dolphins, watching animal shows, and walking through the tunnel-like underwater viewing areas.
Binondo
Discover the vibrant Chinatown of Manila in Binondo. This bustling district is home to historical landmarks, authentic Chinese cuisine, and lively street markets. Explore the vibrant streets, visit the Binondo Church, and sample delicious food from street stalls or traditional restaurants. Don’t forget to try some popular dishes like dumplings, pancit, and hopia.
Ayala Museum
Located in Makati City, the Ayala Museum showcases Philippine art, history, and culture. It features permanent exhibits that highlight the country’s rich heritage, including ancient gold artifacts, indigenous art, and dioramas depicting significant historical events. The museum also hosts temporary exhibits, workshops, and lectures, providing visitors with a well-rounded cultural experience.
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)
The CCP is the premier venue for the performing arts in Manila. It hosts various events, including theater productions, ballet performances, concerts, and art exhibits. Catch a show or explore the art galleries and outdoor spaces. The CCP is an excellent place to appreciate the country’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
San Agustin Church
Visit the San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines. Marvel at its Baroque architecture, intricately designed interior, and beautiful courtyard. Explore the museum adjacent to the church to learn more about its history and significance.
SM Mall of Asia
As one of the largest shopping malls in Asia, SM Mall of Asia offers a plethora of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Shop for international brands, enjoy a wide range of cuisines, watch movies, or try exciting activities like ice skating or bowling. The mall’s waterfront area provides a stunning view of Manila Bay and is an ideal spot for leisurely walks.
Poblacion, Makati
Poblacion is a vibrant neighborhood in Makati known for its eclectic mix of bars, restaurants, and art spaces. Experience the lively nightlife scene, try unique cocktails in hidden speakeasies, or indulge in international cuisine from trendy restaurants. Poblacion’s vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings make it a must-visit for food and entertainment enthusiasts.
These top 10 attractions in Manila offer a diverse range of experiences, from cultural immersion to historical exploration, entertainment, and culinary delights. Each one provides a unique perspective on the city’s rich heritage and contemporary culture.
14 thoughts on “Top Things to Do in Manila”
Very comprehensive & historical visit. We now have better knowledge on your historical value & wonderful treasure, our history! (email c/o admin)
We enjoyed our tour very much. We learned a lot and our guide was very friendly.
Senator J. Watson, Australia
08/30/2011 23:03
I write to thank you very much for a very memorable tour of Fort Santiago.
Seldom have I met a guide with such enthusiasm and historical knowledge as your Mr. Anthony SJ. De Guzman. Enclosed is a small gift to show my appreciation in making my trip to Manila so memorable.
03/08/2011 10:16
I would like to thank you for a wonderful experience in Intramuros. My daughter and I took your “Manila History and Cultural tour” on a horse drawn carriage on Saturday afternoon. Both of us had a wonderful time. The tour guide George, I think that’s his name, was funny, and a great story teller. He made our experience something that we will remember and talk about for a long time. Again thank you! – Neil and Claire
09/04/2016 18:35
My friend and I toured Intramuros and thoroughly enjoyed it. Mr. Anthony De Guzman took his time with us and was very knowledgeable. We learned a lot about early colonial Manila! Thanks!
10/12/2017 00:40
I had the pleasure to take this beautiful tour two weeks ago, it was awesome!, I will recommend to a couple of my friends who are coming to the Philippines in December, and I will also recommend my very nice tour guide Anthony de Guzman, besides of being a great guy, he transmited all his knowledge to us through that time journey, amazing!
Though me and my father were reluctant to take the ride at first, we later found that it was well worth it. To ride on an actual calesa allowed me to immerse myself in the deep history within the walled city. It was a refreshing breath of air, seeing the places that still carried the residual lifestyles of the past as compared to the sheltered and sterilized textbooks encountered at school. It was different to see the very things that were once only described on the pages of books and classroom discussions. I would like to thank both our guide, Kuya Anthony De Guzman and Manongcochero (I regretfully forgot to get his name, please forgive my manners manong.) I would like to raise a few comments though. There were some occasional mixed-up facts that would otherwise be unnoticed by the common observer. Kuya Anthony corrected himself though there were some that he forgot to- the mistakes however are negligible. I would also like to commend Kuya Anthony’s and Manong’s enthusiasm in touring us around and how they were able to relate the past to the present. So once again, I extend my gratitude to them. If I were to be asked how Castillan Tours can improve, I would say that it just needs to constantly review the guides with constantly updated information to make sure they are always saying historically accurate things and that the promotion and advertising be improved as well. With that, I must say that I sincerely enjoyed my tour and would even like to take it again for a more in-depth exploration. I hope many more would avail of your tours and rediscover the past. It’s as the old saying goes after all, “Ang di lumilingonsapinanggalingan, di makararatingsaparoroonan.” Mabuhay!
Thank you for your help for our first Manila trip.
The guide was pleasant, with excellent English and great knowledge of their subject and history.
Anthony helped us acclimate to Manila and pointed out many places and activities for us to enjoy after the tour was finished.
The Carriage ride was pleasant and appropriate especially touring the back street alley ways round the walled city, it beats walking under the hot sun and heat. We love touring historic landmarks and this tour was very informative. My companions and I really enjoyed your tour and will recommend it to anyone heading to Manila. Thank you again.
Many thanks to all your good service during the Intramuros tour of the group of Mrs. Natalyn Bornales of New York City. We hope to refer other visitors to you as their requests come in. All the best for 2012 to you, Mr. Sta. Maria and all your loved ones.
The Last Rizal Day in Manila 2011 was a very memorable experience for my kids and nieces. Though we live outside of our Country I never wanted them to forget where we came from and how they got the freedom that they all enjoy today. In my humble thanks to our national hero I took my kids to Fort Santiago on that same day and toured the Wall City to learn, appreciate and understand our rich history. My sincerest thanks to our tour guide Mang George and his kutchero companion whom I forgot the name ( please forgive me) but I remember the horses name ( kikay). They have done a good job in bringing the kids attention into stories behind the structures and walls of Intramuros. A few suggestions I would say; it would have been better if we had more time inside Rizal’s cell in order for us to marvel the works artifacts and clothes of Rizal. Overall it was a great experience with this 2 individuals, we hope to see more improvements and trivias when we try it again…KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Super fun tour! 🙂 I really had fun, wait for my blog post 🙂
The tour was very informative and fascinating. Our guide Ernie Javier was very professional and made history come alive!
An excellent, very interesting, informative tour and we definitely recommend it to everyone. The Best!
Your tour is very interesting and informative, surely worth every penny!