ManilaTravel Guide

It doesn’t get trendier and more exciting than Quezon City, northeast of the city centre. This area is for you if you’re keen on shopping at boutiques, being part of the energetic nightlife and hanging out at popular cafés and restaurants. The University Hotel at the University of the Philippines Diliman is ideal for young backpackers and is surprisingly welcoming and cosy, while the Seda Vertis North is the ultimate luxury hotel with all the frills!

Staying inside the little walled city of Intramuros is an experience to brag about! Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance, as the providers are limited. White Knight Hotel Intramuros is a good choice if you’d like something simple, affordable and conveniently located. It’s right in the middle of Intramuros for easy access to all the best sights. If you’d prefer something more lavish, set your sights on The Bayleaf Intramuros, a four-star hotel offering fancy rooftop dining. It’s won numerous TravelAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards over the years.

First-timers flock to Makati because it’s one of the neighbourhoods packed with exciting things to do in Manila. It offers accommodation options to suit most budgets. Two good choices are The Peninsula Manila, a five-star hotel with plush suites and a world-class onsite spa, and the charming Park Avenue Guesthouse 2443, a 1920s Spanish-style residence that is all about home comforts and a quiet stay despite the busy-ness of Makati.

Cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and some of Manila’s top tourist attractions – that’s what you’ll find in the little walled city of Intramuros. It’s home to the oldest church in the Philippines, San Agustin Church, built in 1571, which is known for its ornate interior and stunning ceiling frescoes. Fort Santiago can also be found in Intramuros, a citadel of great historical significance built by the Spaniards. The three-level Casa Manila is another essential stop-off for history buffs. It’s a living museum depicting the lifestyles of wealthy merchants during the Spanish colonial era, including period furniture and a stable in which the carriages were parked.

Binondo is Manila’s Chinatown and an unmissable attraction. The oldest Chinatown in the world, it was established for Chinese immigrants way back in 1594 – find it across the river from Intramuros. A hub for authentic Chinese restaurants, trinkets and the ultimate place to shop for bargains, it’s well worth spending a day immersing yourself in Chinese culture and history here.

The Manila Bay harbour features a 2km promenade or bay walk along Roxas Boulevard, and this is the best way to watch the sun setting over the water. Afterwards, pop into one of the many bars, cafés or restaurants for a drink or a meal, followed by clubbing until dawn.

Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park, is one of the biggest urban parks in the Philippines. It’s also a historical hotspot where political activist and national hero José Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonial authorities, and the Rizal Monument honours his memory. The park is a beautiful green space in which to picnic, jog or stroll down the paved pathways. There are also ponds and wooded areas. After sunset, enjoy the colourful displays of the dancing musical fountain at the Central Lagoon.

The Manila Ocean Park oceanarium is ideal for a fun day out and a must for families travelling to Manila with kids. In addition to the fascinating marine creatures, the ocean park is also home to other attractions, such as the ball pit and the World of Creepy Crawlies. For the adults, there are plenty of options for shopping, dining and relaxing (get pampered at the Zenyu Eco Spa while the kids have a good time).

Contemporary art is big in Manila; there are many galleries, art spaces, design shops and museums throughout the city. Street art is also big, with graffiti and murals almost everywhere you look, adding even more colour to vibrant Manila. It’s becoming a recognised art form, with some formalisation taking place through the Urban Artscape Project and street-art collectives.

There are many fine-dining restaurants in Manila but one that seems to appear on every “best restaurants list” is Spiral at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. The restaurant is celebrated for its buffet spreads and classy look and feel. The dining experience is unique, with 21 ateliers to choose from, each featuring different cuisine from around the world.

Cafe Ilang-Ilang is another highly recommended restaurant with a similar vibe to Spiral. It also specialises in gourmet buffets and boasts live cooking stations, allowing diners to watch the dishes being prepared.

All over the city, you’ll find vendors serving tasty street food – Spanish saucy barbecue pork and tacos, Filipino food and Chinese nibbles. This is always the best way to get acquainted with local fare – sample your way through Manila! Speaking of Chinese street food, Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli in Binondo is one not to miss, famous for its mooncakes (pastry with a sweet filling).

Vegan travellers, take note! There’s a great little spot just for you in Makati called Green Bar. Dishing up all-day breakfasts and baked goodies, happy hour here is also not to be missed. Rodic’s Diner in Quezon City is another laid-back eatery, featuring the unique Filipino breakfast dish tapsilog comprising cured beef, fried garlic rice and fried egg.

Manila boasts many American-style shopping malls, but among the most popular is Robinsons Manila, which has seven levels and more than 1,000 shops, outlets and restaurants for fine dining. The mall is primarily known for the mammoth Robinsons Department Store and Robinsons Movieworld.

The mixed-use estate of Bonifacio Global City has to be an all-day visit as there are countless things to do here from shopping to attending pop-up events, bazaars and live music concerts.

168 Shopping Mall is another favourite, nestled in Binondo. It spans three levels and is often surrounded by vendors and street stalls, balancing Western and traditional Eastern shopping experiences.

If you enjoy markets more than malls, you’ll be happy to know there’s a market for everything in Manila: flowers, fish, souvenirs and more. Quiapo Market is a winner, operating on Palma Street in Quiapo, with its fun atmosphere and loads of friendly vendors selling various goods, from exotic fruit and veggies to handicrafts and keepsakes. Salcedo Market is another go-to – especially for food.