Manila

Travel Guide

Makati featuring a city
Baywalk featuring a skyscraper, a bay or harbour and boating
Makati
Baywalk showing a bay or harbour, a skyscraper and boating
Makati
The capital of the Philippines is a fast-paced and hectic city filled with cultural and historic gems, from old ruins to national museums and lively promenades.

Manila is continually expanding outwards and upwards. Scores of skyscrapers and business centers are rising up across the city and Filipinos from rural areas pour into the capital everyday looking for opportunities. This is one of the largest cities on the planet.

Manila can be overwhelming at first glance. The sprawling metropolis is a collection of 16 towns with no discernible center. The streets are busy, crowded and loud, but it’s this energy and chaos that gives the city its charm.

To really get to know Manila you need to understand its past. The city has been bombed, devastated by fires and earthquakes and occupied by the Spanish, British, Japanese and Americans.

Start your trip in Intramuros, the oldest part of Manila. It’s surrounded by fortifications and moats that were built by the Spanish in the 16th century. Most of the fortifications were destroyed by bombs during World War II. What was left has been rebuilt and restored. Walk around and on the walls and visit some of its key defensive structures such as the Baluarte de San Diego and the Baluarte de San Andres.

Go to the defensive centerpiece the Fort of Santiago, a large citadel and park, then visit Manila Cathedral. The present structure dates from the mid-20th century. Close to Intramuros is Rizal Park, a green expanse with ornamental gardens, lawns and monuments.

Pay a visit to the National Museum of the Filipino People to learn about the history and culture of the Philippines, and visit Casa Manila Museum, a reproduction of a Spanish colonial house.

Manila captivates with some of its modern charms. Take a ferry along the Pasig River and enjoy the nightlife of the Baywalk, a seaside promenade.

Like many Asian cities traffic is a huge problem. Fortunately, taxis are plentiful, cheap and air-conditioned. A good way to get around is on the light rail and metro. The main forms of public transport are the jeepneys, small brightly colored buses. If you travel by road it may take you longer to get to your destination than you planned. Allow plenty of time and do as the Filipinos do, just go with the flow.

Where to stay in Manila

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Bonifacio Global City

5/5(7 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Bonifacio Global City, BGC Arts Center and The Mind Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Bonifacio Global City
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Makati Central Business District

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Makati Central Business District. Make a stop by Ayala Triangle Gardens or Greenbelt Shopping Mall while you're exploring the area.

Makati Central Business District
Malate showing a statue or sculpture, religious aspects and a church or cathedral

Malate

2.5/5(3 area reviews)

Travellers choose Malate for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Quirino Avenue LRT Station or Vito Cruz LRT Station and check out top sights like Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Malate
Ortigas Center which includes a city and a park

Ortigas Center

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

Travellers to Ortigas Center praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Robinsons Galleria Mall and Ayala Malls The 30th.

Ortigas Center
Alabang showing a park

Alabang

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Alabang is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Festival Supermall and Alabang Town Center while you're in town.

Alabang
Ermita featuring a hotel

Ermita

4/5(56 area reviews)

SM City Manila and Rizal Park are top sights in Ermita, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at United Nations LRT Station or Central LRT Station to see more sights in the area.

Ermita
Belmont Hotel Manila
Belmont Hotel Manila
4 out of 5
Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay
The price is €92 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
€92
includes taxes & fees
6 Mar - 7 Mar
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Pasay. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,021 reviews)
"So close to airport. Loved the Starbucks. Perfect place to sleep off a long plane flight"

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2025

Belmont Hotel Manila
Dusit Thani Manila
Dusit Thani Manila
5 out of 5
Arnaiz Ave, Ayala Center, Makati, Manila
The price is €121 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€121
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Makati. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,308 reviews)
"Beautiful property. Easy access to malls, restaurants, and places to visit."

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2025

Dusit Thani Manila
Savoy Hotel Manila
Savoy Hotel Manila
4 out of 5
Andrews Avenue, Newport City, Pasay
The price is €61 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
€61
includes taxes & fees
6 Mar - 7 Mar
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Pasay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,279 reviews)
"Storage facilities for luggage!"

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2025

Savoy Hotel Manila
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Seda Residences Makati
Seda Residences Makati
4 out of 5
Ayala Ave corner Amorsolo and Salcedo St, Legazpi Village, Makati
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Makati. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (294 reviews)
"Absolute great experience. Highly recommended. Already booked another stay!"

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2025

Seda Residences Makati
Citadines Salcedo Makati
Citadines Salcedo Makati
4 out of 5
148 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati, Manila
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Makati. Enjoy free parking, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (484 reviews)
"Was a nice, clean and spacious place. Staff were friendly. Parking is included. It wasn’t sound proof as orbitz advertised, though. But overall I had a great stay. Will stay again and would recommend."

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2025

Citadines Salcedo Makati
LUXE In Venice - The Venice Residences
LUXE In Venice - The Venice Residences
3 out of 5
Caruso Twr The Venice Luxury Residences, Condo, 8 Venetia Drive, Mckinley Hill, Taguig, Manila
Stay at this 3-star golf aparthotel in Taguig. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (605 reviews)
"Great ant friendly service"

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2025

LUXE In Venice - The Venice Residences
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Manila

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 19%
4 - Good
25
4 - Good 58%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 16%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 7%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Overrated. Get your money's worth elsewhere. Staff need retraining with customer service for sure esp at secuity.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Manila is a really busy city so takes a few days to adjust. Once you start to get used to it you start to uncover the quirky and interesting places to visit.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Love the Old Manila. Barbara restaurant is a must to visit

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

All taxi drivers believe that you must feed their families for the whole year. They decide how much tip must be given to them! Always have change and "forget" to tip them in order to teach them that the tip is not a requirement!!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Hectic.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

very dirty city, over crowded, very very conguested, beggers and homless sleeping on the streets. terrible city