Fort Santiago
The Spanish citadel at the mouth of the Pasig River, where José Rizal spent his last days before his execution in 1896. Ramparts, dungeons, the Rizal Shrine and the riverside walls, open daily into the evening.
Philippines
Manila
Manila is the loud, warm, layered capital of the Philippines, and the city rewards travellers who give it more than a night between flights.
On the south bank of the Pasig River lies Intramuros, the walled Spanish city founded in 1571, where Fort Santiago guards the river mouth, the stone church of San Agustin has stood through earthquakes and war, and bamboo bicycles roll along the old ramparts at sunset. A short walk south, the National Museum fills three grand buildings around Rizal Park with Juan Luna’s Spoliarium, galleon treasure and the natural history of the islands, all free. Across the river, Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world, feeds the city dumplings, hopia and noodles, while the street stalls of the capital serve everything from isaw to halo-halo. Beyond the sprawl lie two classic day trips: the ridge at Tagaytay, looking down on the crater lake of Taal Volcano, and the boat ride up a jungle gorge to Pagsanjan Falls. This guide books the tours and tickets worth booking, explains the current volcano rules and shows how to fit the city into a first trip.
Don't miss
Fort Santiago
The Spanish citadel at the mouth of the Pasig River, where José Rizal spent his last days before his execution in 1896. Ramparts, dungeons, the Rizal Shrine and the riverside walls, open daily into the evening.
Taal Volcano View and Tagaytay Day Trip
A small-group day trip to the cool Tagaytay ridge for the classic view over Taal Lake and its volcano island, with People’s Park in the Sky, then Paco Park, Manila Cathedral and Intramuros on the way back.
Museo de Intramuros
The ecclesiastical art museum of the walled city, set in the reconstructed Jesuit church of San Ignacio, with santos, silver, paintings and the story of how Filipinos made colonial Christianity their own.
Casa Manila and San Agustin Church
A recreated nineteenth-century mansion furnished as a wealthy Manila family’s home, facing San Agustin, the oldest stone church in the Philippines and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Closed Mondays.
Things to do in Manila
Intramuros Bamboo Bike Tour
A small-group guided ride through the walled city on handmade bamboo bicycles, with stops at Casa Manila, the Puerta Real Gardens, Plaza Roma, Manila Cathedral and Fort Santiago, entry included.
Museo de Intramuros
The ecclesiastical art museum of the walled city, set in the reconstructed Jesuit church of San Ignacio, with santos, silver, paintings and the story of how Filipinos made colonial Christianity their own.
Casa Manila and San Agustin Church
A recreated nineteenth-century mansion furnished as a wealthy Manila family’s home, facing San Agustin, the oldest stone church in the Philippines and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Closed Mondays.
FreeNational Museum of the Philippines
Three grand, free museums around Rizal Park: Fine Arts with Juan Luna’s Spoliarium, Anthropology with galleon treasure and ancient burial jars, and Natural History. Open daily from 9:00 to 18:00.
Half a dayDetails →
Binondo Chinatown Food Tour
A three-hour guided eating walk through Binondo, founded in 1594 and often called the oldest Chinatown in the world, tasting dumplings, noodles, hopia and Filipino-Chinese favourites along the way.
Philippine Street Food Tour
The highest-rated food experience in Manila: a three-hour guided introduction to Filipino street food, from grilled skewers and fried quail eggs to sweet snacks, with a local guide to explain every bite.
Taal Volcano View and Tagaytay Day Trip
A small-group day trip to the cool Tagaytay ridge for the classic view over Taal Lake and its volcano island, with People’s Park in the Sky, then Paco Park, Manila Cathedral and Intramuros on the way back.
Pagsanjan Falls Day Trip
A small-group day trip to Laguna for the boat ride up a jungle gorge to Pagsanjan Falls, with boatmen poling a canoe through the rapids, a raft ride under the falls, lunch and hotel pickup.
Art in Island 3D Museum
An interactive 3D art museum in Cubao, Quezon City, where giant trompe l’oeil murals let you step into the painting for playful photos. A rainy-day favourite for families and friends.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
The Manila Hotel
Ermita and Rizal Park
The grand old hotel of the Philippines, open since 1912 at One Rizal Park, with 515 rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa, six restaurants and the penthouse suite where General MacArthur lived from 1935 to 1941.
Rates on Expedia →
$$The Bayleaf Intramuros
Intramuros
A modern 57-room hotel inside the walls of Intramuros, with the Sky Deck View Bar overlooking the golf course and Manila Bay sunsets, Filipino breakfasts at 9 Spoons and woodfired pizza downstairs.
Rates on Expedia →
$$$Diamond Hotel Philippines
Roxas Boulevard and Malate
A five-star bayfront hotel on Roxas Boulevard with 482 rooms, an outdoor pool and whirlpool facing the Manila Bay sunset, a health club and spa, the Corniche all-day restaurant and Yurakuen for Japanese food.
Rates on Expedia →
$$$New World Makati Hotel
Makati and Ayala Center
A polished five-star hotel at the heart of Makati’s Ayala Center, directly across from Greenbelt, with 578 rooms, an outdoor pool, Jasmine for Chinese food, Café 1228 and the Residence Club.
Rates on Expedia →
$Red Planet Manila Binondo
Binondo
A clean, simple budget hotel on Juan Luna Street in Binondo, five minutes on foot from Binondo Church and Ongpin’s food stalls and about fifteen minutes from Fort Santiago, with fast Wi-Fi and 171 rooms.
Rates on Expedia →Manila guides
First Time in Manila: What to Book, How to Get Around and How Many Days
The practical primer for a first visit to Manila: what to book ahead, how to get around with Grab and the trains, how many days to plan, where Intramuros, Binondo and the museums fit, and the current Taal Volcano rules for day trips.
Where to Stay in Manila: The Best Areas and Hotels for a First Visit
Where to stay in Manila: Intramuros, Ermita and Rizal Park, Roxas Boulevard and Malate, Binondo and Makati, with the best hotel in each for every budget.
