Amazing Tourist Attractions in Manila You Should Visit
Discover the lovely and vibrant city of Manila. Discover the best places to visit, the best local delicacies to try, and the various modes of transportation available when visiting the metro.
Manila, the Philippines’ capital city, is frequently used as a jumping-off point to the country’s incredible beaches, stunning islands, and one-of-a-kind natural wonders. However, there are numerous tourist attractions in Manila alone! It’s a lovely city full of surprises and exciting things to try!
For first-time visitors, Manila may appear to be an overwhelming place to explore. However, with a well-planned travel itinerary, it is quite manageable. If you want to explore at your own pace, you can also rent a car in Manila.
Manila’s interesting tourist attractions, foodie destinations, and fun activities will undoubtedly make you fall in love with the city. Continue reading to learn about the best things to do and places to visit in the Philippines’ bustling capital and its neighboring cities:
1. Travel Back in Time at Intramuros
Intramuros, also known as the “Walled City,” is Manila’s oldest district and historic core. Intramuros tours are a must-do for history buffs because they are jam-packed with visits to fascinating attractions.
This iconic Manila landmark is actually a modern-day walled city. When the Philippines were still under Spanish rule, it served as the seat of government and political power.
Intramuros is the only district in Manila where visitors can see complete architectural remnants of the Spanish era. A day trip to Intramuros is all you need to see this well-preserved historical attraction.
Travel along paved roads, stopping to see historical monuments and sculptures. You can also take a bambike tour (bamboo bike), or ride a kalesa or horse-drawn carriage. Here are some of the must-see sights in Intramuros.
This is one of the oldest Hispanic stone castles in the country. Fort Santiago was designated a national historical monument in 1951 and has since become a popular tourist destination. You can visit this attraction by joining a sightseeing and walking tour.
Manila Cathedral
This is the Archdiocese of Manila’s religious center. During the Spanish colonial period, it was the residence of the Spanish Archbishop of Manila, who had jurisdiction over the entire archipelago. You can visit this tourist attraction at any time of day, so a bambike night experience can also be enjoyable.
San Agustin Church
It’s one of the Philippines’ four Baroque Churches, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many locals visit here daily to pray and contemplate.
Plaza de Roma
It’s one of two significant squares in Intramuros. The plaza is regarded as the area’s center of trade during the colonial past.
Casa Manila
It is a 1981 reconstruction of a 19th-century Spanish colonial house. Casa Manila’s chambers are all decorated in an ancient style, with wooden furniture, ornaments, and works of art. It’s a popular tourist attraction that’s often included in a walking tour of Manila.
Baluarte de San Diego
This structure was constructed from a circular tower that was originally intended to protect Manila during the Spanish occupation. This is a great place to relax and enjoy nature, surrounded by colorful flowers and tiny trees.
Bahay Tsinoy
The Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage Center is housed in this structure, and it is a museum that documents the history, lives, and contributions of Chinese ethnicity in Philippine life and history.
2. Visit Rizal Park
Rizal Park, a historical landmark in the heart of Manila, is located there. The park is dedicated to Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines.
He was a doctor and novelist who was executed by firing squad on December 30, 1896, at this location on charges of inciting local rebellion against the Spanish government.
Rizal Park has monuments, squares, and gardens, as well as large stadiums, observatories, an open-air concert hall, sound and light theaters, shops, food kiosks, playgrounds, and numerous fountains.
The park is divided into three sections, beginning with the 16-hectare Agrifina Circle near Taft Avenue. It houses the Department of Tourism as well as the National Museum of Anthropology.
Then there’s the northeastern section, which is followed by a 22-hectare park that stretches all the way down to Roxas Boulevard. Finally, Burnham Green can be found in the central section, which ends in the southwest. To get the full experience, take a Rizal Park tour with Intramuros.
3. Explore the National Museum Complex
Art, Anthropology, Natural History, and Planetarium are all sections of the National Museum of the Philippines that are included in National Museum visits.
All are housed in the same building complex and contain permanent collections that represent various aspects of the country’s art, culture, and history. A National Museum tour will show you around the best museums in the area.
The National Museum of Fine Arts
There are both classical and contemporary Filipino paintings and sculptures in this collection. The Spoliarium, one of the most famous paintings by Philippine revolutionary artist Juan Luna, is a must-see.
National Museum of Anthropology
It houses Anthropology and Archaeology artifact collections. You can also look at the old Philippine script known as “Baybayin,” as well as collect cultural memories from native people all over the country.
Natural History Museum
This museum showcases the country’s diverse biodiversity, including Lolong’s skeleton, which was once the world’s largest captured crocodile and kept in captivity. The Tree of Life, a glass elevator with a canopy-inspired roof, is another highlight.
National Planetarium
It includes astronomical displays of celestial bodies as well as real-life projections of those bodies. They also provide displays, presentations, and demonstrations for visitors who want to have a global planetarium experience.
4. Have a Food Trip at Binondo
Binondo is a vibrant and historic neighborhood in Manila. It was established in 1594 and is regarded as the world’s first Chinatown. Contemporary Binondo trips, like those to other Chinatowns, are enjoyable because the town is made up of tight and vibrant alleys.
It is teeming with hole-in-the-wall eateries, traditional bakeries, and low-cost streetside shops.
Binondo Church
It has been an iconic location in Chinatown since its construction in 1596. It was built for Chinese colonists who converted to Christianity. San Lorenzo Ruiz, a Filipino martyr of Chinese origin, is its patron.
In this church, mass is usually held in English, Tagalog, and Chinese. The church is also known as the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz.
Escolta
During the Manila galleon trade, this housed the stores of Chinese merchants. Thanks to the young community, Escolta is now brewing new magic.
5. Shop Until You Drop in Manila Stores
Because of the abundance of malls in Manila, shopping is one of the most enjoyable activities you can do. Here are some of the best shopping spots in the metro:
Divisoria
This is a shopping mall in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. It is well-known for its low-cost stores and diverse manufacturing facilities. It’s frequently combined with a shopping tour through Binondo Chinatown.
Quiapo
Quiapo has a plethora of shops. Raon and Hidalgo Street are good places to look for gadgets. You can find arts and crafts on Palanca Street and Plaza Miranda. Other necessities can be found at Quinta Market and Carriedo Street.
Baclaran
They have a sizable market. There are numerous shops and stores to browse. The stores sell a wide range of products, from low-cost to high-priced.
Greenhills Shopping Mall
It’s a charming shopping mall with a mix of thrift stores and high-end stores. There are also some excellent restaurants nearby.
Tiendesitas
This Pasig City location has it all. Indigenous cuisine, fashion and clothing, furniture, antiquities, arts and crafts, private care, crops, and animals are all available. Tiendesitas has over 450 merchants, the majority of whom sell specialty goods from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The SM Mall of Asia
The SM Mall of Asia, also known as MOA, is a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors. It is the largest shopping center in the Philippines and is home to a variety of businesses. In Manila, it’s a common part of the bargain-hunting experience.
The SM Megamall
It is the Philippines’ second-largest shopping mall. In addition to their various stores in various buildings, they have their own Mega Fashion Hall.
Greenbelt
The establishment combines high-end boutiques, restaurants, amenities, leisure, and entertainment events. The Mall now includes five components: 2 rooms, two outdoor shops, and Greenbelt 5, which were introduced in 2007.
6. Pray at Quiapo Church
Quiapo Church is a top religious and historic landmark in Manila. The Black Nazarene, a miraculous image of Christ and one of Manila’s most well-known monuments, is housed in the church. Quiapo was the first to bring the life-size ebony model in 1767.
The Black Nazarene Procession, one of Manila’s most important religious celebrations, carries a favorite picture on the shoulders of thousands of devotees twice a year.
With its rolling towers, the façade of Quiapo Church, built in the baroque style, stands out from both sides. A third of its column twists close to the foundation, with a soft surface at the bottom.
Balustrades and massive scrolls adorn the tops of the four-story bell towers. It is a well-known church that is included in most pilgrimage tours throughout the country.
7. Enjoy at The Ocean Park
The park, which opened in March 2008, is famous for its most massive drawing–the Oceanarium in the Philippine Archipelago. The Oceanarium houses approximately 13000 ocean animals.
Two hundred seventy-seven species native to Southeast Asia and 3,000 cubic meters of ocean water are divided into seven sections.
This attraction’s water comes from the newly upgraded Manila Bay. To make the water suitable for marine animals, the center must use a variety of techniques.
The park is also very informative and educational, particularly for sightseeing activities.
Manila is a fascinating culture and one of the fast-growing tourism spots on the globe.
It offers so many great things for both locals and internationals alike such as sightseeing tours, food, and culinary trips, museum-hopping excursions, biking trips, historical and heritage immersions, adventure, and nature park visits, hiking excursions, and many more.
