This picture was taken from the roof of the Peak Bar in BGC.
Updated August 2023.

The Pearl of the Orient

As the capital of the Philippines, Manila has been shaped by trade, colonization, and resilience.

Originally a settlement of the Tagalog people along the Pasig River, it became an important precolonial trading port connecting Southeast Asia with China, India, and the Arab world. In 1571, Spanish conquistadors led by Miguel López de Legazpi colonized the city and established Intramuros, the walled city that became the political and religious center of the Spanish East Indies.

From the 16th to the 19th century, Manila was a vital node in the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, linking Asia and the Americas for over 250 years. Due to its prominence in global trade and Manila’s beauty and diversity, 19th-century writers and travelers to call it the "Pearl of the Orient", reflecting Manila's role as a cultural and commercial jewel of the East.

Fun Facts:
  • Manila is home to the world's first Chinatown (Binondo) established by the Spanish colonial government in 1594.
  • it's the densest city in the world with over 70,000 people per square kilometer
  • During WWII, it was the second most destroyed Allied city, after Warsaw. Much of the city has been rebuilt since.

Overview

  • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Intramuros - historic center of the city​
  • 12:30 - 3:00 PM: Chinatown - first Chinatown in the world
  • 3:30 - 6:00 PM: National Museum Complex - important museums in the Philippines.
  • ​6:15 - 7:30 PM: Rizal Park - park with gardens and dancing musical fountains
  • 8:00 - 9:30 PM: Dinner
  • 10:00+: Nightlife
    • ​Poblacion or BGC
​Click the star to add the map to your Google Maps!​ To view it, simply open Google Maps, navigate to the Menu, choose “Your Places,” click "Maps", and voila, the map should be added.

Tips

Getting To/From the City
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Metered taxi line
The best way to get from the airport to the city is through Grab (the rideshare app) or a taxi.

Many hotels also offer pickup and drop off service.

NOTE: it's recommended to leave for the airport 3 hours before your international flight as lines can be quite long.
​
You will also be required to go through security check 3x if you're heading to the U.S.A.
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Long lines to check-in bags.
Getting Around the City
The easiest way to get around the city is by taking a Grab. They are quite affordable and easy to take; however, there are a few other options.
Rail Transit:
  • ​LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 are elevated trains connecting key parts of Metro Manila.
  • While affordable and fast, they're often overcrowded during rush hours and prone to service interruptions.
    • There are also security checks in order to board the rail.
  • The Metro Manila Subway (MMSP)—the first underground metro line—is under construction and aims to be completed in 2028.
JEEPNEY: 
  • The most iconic form of Filipino public transport. They were made from surplus U.S. military jeeps left over from WWII and have been rebuilt into minbuses that seat 16-20 passengers.
  • While ​Inexpensive (pay PHP 12 - 20 coins to pass down through fellow passengers) but often overcrowded and lack AC and leg space.
  • Each jeepney follows a specific route labeled on the windshield. 
  • Shout out "Para" whenever you need to stop.​
Water
Tap water isn't considered safe to drink, but you are able to drink water at restaurants for free and many places have water refilling stations or filtered water.

1-Day Plan (Manila - Capital City)

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Intramuros
Intramuros means "within the walls" in Spanish. It's the oldest district in Manila and the historic heart of the city.

Built in the late 16th century by Spanish colonizers, it served as the political, religious, and military center of the Spanish East Indies. Surrounded by thick stone walls and moats, Intramuros once housed churches, government buildings, schools, and grand homes. Now, it offers a glimpse at Manila's colonial past.

Note: A recent Intramuros "passport"  is introduced for PHP 350 (PHP 280 discounted). It allows you to visit the following 5 sites in Intramuros:
  • Fort Santiago
  • Casa Manila
  • Museo de Intramuros
  • Baluarte de San Diego
  • Centro de Turismo
It also lets you ride the tram for free and provide discounts to restaurants around the city and specific concerts.
While it's easy to walk through Intramuros, perhaps try one of the following 
transit methods:
  • Kalesa (Horse-Drawn Carriage) - PHP 350 - 500:: Pulled by a single horse to offer slow, scenic rides through the cobblestone streets. Negotiate price ahead of time. 
  • Tuktuks/E-Trikes - PHP 20-100: Many drivers will offer you 2-hour long tours and can be quite aggressive with their soliciting.
  • Bambike: Handcrafted bamboo bikes that either offer guided tours or offer hourly/daily rentals.
Puerta Real Gardens and Baluarte de San Diego

Before entering through the city walls, head to the gardens to see some of the bonsai trees and walk alongside the wall to see some ruins.

Then, walk under the arch and enter to see Manila's first stone fortification developed by the Spanish and represents early colonial military architecture. This bastion first started as a circular watchtower before becoming a star-shaped fort.
Churchs
  • San Agustin Church
    • ​Oldest stone church in the Philippines, completed in 1607, that's built using coral stone and adobe that is earthquake-resistant
    • It has a trompe-l'œil painted ceiling that creates a 3D illusion and contains the tombs of historical figures like  Miguel López de Legazpi, the first Spanish governor-general.
  • Manila Cathedral
    • ​First built in 1581, it has been rebult 8 times with the current one completed in 1958
    • It serves as the primatial church and the seat of the Archbishop of Manila and is known for thestained glass windows, marble altars, and pipe organ.
  • Manila 1945 Memorial: Remembers the over 100,000 civilians killed during the Battle for Liberation of Manila in WWII.
  • Palacio del Sana: Beautiful reconstructed modern building that is recognized for its design with a Certificate of Recognition at the 1999 Intramuros Building Awards.
  • Plaza de Roma: Originally the Plaza Mayor during Spanish rule, this was the principal public square of Intramuros used for bullfights and civic events.
Fort Santiago
  • Famous citadel built by the Spanish colonizers that served as a fortress along the Pasig River, guarding the Spanish colonial capital and overseeing Manila Bay.
  • It was a US Army garrison, a Japanese prison during WWII (where José Rizal was detained), and became a Shrine of Freedom in 1950 after it was heavily bombed in the Battle of Manila in 1945.
Museums
  • Museo de Intramuros: A beautifully curated museum housed in a former convent, showcasing religious art, artifacts, and the cultural heritage of Spanish-era Manila.
  • Casa Manila: A reconstructed 19th-century colonial mansion that offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of wealthy Filipino families during the Spanish period.
  • Centro de Turismo (Intramuros Visitor Center): A central hub for tourist information, exhibitions, and multimedia displays introducing the history and significance of Intramuros.
  • Bahay Tsinoy: Highlights the history, contributions, and cultural integration of the Chinese-Filipino (Tsinoy) community in Filipino society.
Walk across the bridge to enter Chinatown, but feel free to grab a treat at one of the vendors on Magallanes Drive
12:30 - 3:00 PM: Chinatown (Binondo)
The oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594 as a settlement for Chinese immigrants during Spanish colonial rule. It's a bustling mix of historic temples, gold shops, herbal medicine stores, and legendary eateries serving Filipino-Chinese fusion cuisine. Note that siopao (steamed buns) are a large specialty here among other dim sum restaurants.
  • Shaxian Snacks: Restaurant serving delicious Chinese fare with a myriad of options.
  • Ying Ying Tea House: Known for har gao and other dim sum dishes.
  • Sincerity Restaurant: Fried chicken but also have other specialties like fried oyster cake, shrimp omelet, and adobo frog.
  • Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli: Takeout restaurant with ube hopia (mooncake) or pasalubong (gifts) in the Ongpin-style.
  • New Po Heng Lumpia House: Famous for their massive lumpia in a small alley.
  • The Great Buddha Cafe: Homey Chinese restaurant with a 1.2-ton-golden buddha on the second level. Serves delicious beef tendon and clay pot rice.
  • Tasty Dumplings: Dim sum restaurant with top-selling fried pork chop and soups.
  • Dong Bei Dumplings: One of the best-tasting variety of dumplings.
  • Wai Ying Fast Food: Best sellers include beef mami, mixed meat congee, and curry beef brisket rice.
  • Masuki: Highly rated for their siopao asado and beef mami.
  • Shanghai Fried Siopao: Original fried Shanghai-style siopao.
  • Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz – Binondo Church: A historic church in the heart of Binondo and the birthplace of the first Filipino saint, blending Spanish and Chinese influences in its architecture and devotion.
  • ​Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno – St. John the Baptist Parish (Quiapo Church): A major pilgrimage site known for housing the Black Nazarene, drawing millions of devotees each year for its miraculous reputation and deeply rooted folk Catholicism.
3:30 - 6:00 PM: National Museum Complex
A cultural and educational hub located near Rizal Park, comprising several grand neoclassical buildings that each house different branches of the national collection and admission is free to each one.
  • National Museum of Fine Arts: Home to iconic Filipino artwork like Juan Luna's "Spoliarium" and grand galleries.
  • National Museum of Natural History: Showcases the country's rich biodiversity with the "Tree of Life" architectural centerpiece.
  • National Museum of Anthropology: Focuses on Filipino cultural heritage with ethnographic items, traditional clothing, and artifacts.
6:15 - 7:30 PM: Rizal Park
  • One of the largest urban parks in Asia, spanning approximately 60 hectares.
  • Named after José Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, who was executed on this site in 1896.
  • Features the Rizal Monument, a national shrine guarded by ceremonial sentries (the "Kabalyeros de Rizal").
  • Blends history, nature, and civic life—with museums, gardens, fountains, and open-air venues.
  • Common site for public gatherings, family outings, protests, and national celebrations.
  • Contains attractions like the Relief Map of the Philippines, Chinese and Japanese Gardens, and Open-Air Auditorium.
Rizal Park Musical Dancing Fountain
  • Located in the Central Lagoon of Rizal Park, this lively spectacle goes from around 5 PM to 10 PM, with shows every few minutes featuring choreographed water jets, colorful lights, and music—ranging from classical melodies to Filipino favorites.
  • Visitors gather on benches and lawns to enjoy the 5‑minute shows, choreographed around Filipino and other international pop songs with flashing lights, streams of fire, and high-shooting jets.
8:00 - 9:30 PM: Dinner
10:00+: Nightlife
​Navigate to the nightlife section for bars and clubs in Poblacion and BGC!

Restaurants

Most of the good Filipino restaurants have multiple locations in prominent cities across Metro Manila:
Filipino
  • Manam: One of the best “casual dining” restaurants that have delicious drinks (mango sago, buko + pandan + sago, ube sago), traditional sisig, gising-gising, and a watermelon sinigang that’s less sour than normal.
  • MESA: A modern Filipino restaurant known for its crispy pata, grilled liempo, and fun table-side cooking like their sisig and “tinapa roll” appetizers.
  • ​Romulo Café: Heritage-style restaurant serving elevated Filipino comfort food like crispy pata and rellenong bangus in a stylish, nostalgia-filled space.
  • ​​Crisostomo: Classic Filipino with a twist, inspired by José Rizal’s characters; known for kare-kare, lechon, and witty dish names.
Non-Filipino:
  • Paradise Dynasty: Chinese dining spot famous for its colorful xiao long bao (soup dumplings in 8 flavors), spicy Szechuan dishes, and elegant interiors.
  • ​Mendokoro Ramenba: Cult-favorite ramen shop with a no-frills setup and rich, umami-loaded bowls, best known for Tonkotsu and Shoyu Tantanmen.
  • ​Sibyullee: Trendy Korean BBQ spot with unlimited meats, sides, and a buzzing group-dining atmosphere.
  • harlan + holden coffee: Sleek, minimalist café offering great matcha and cold brews, with a focus on design, chill vibes, and coffee-forward simplicity.
Makati City
Filipino
  • Sentro 1771: Modern Filipino restaurant known for its corned beef sinigang and lighter, less salty takes on classic dishes.
  • Tatatito: Contemporary Filipino eatery with homey flavors and refined plating—great for comfort food like kare-kare and adobo sa gata.
  • Sarsá Kitchen + Bar: Energetic spot mixing street food and Negrense flavors—try the isaw, batchoy, or one of the best halo-halo desserts around.
Non-Filipino
  • Crosta Pizzeria: Hole-in-the-wall turned global star, serving sourdough-based pizzas like their award-winning Pepperoni Burrata—ranked 12th best in the world (2024).
  • Mantra Indian Kitchen & Bar: Cozy and elevated Indian spot known for bold curries, fluffy naan, and a well-balanced spice level that suits most palates.
  • ​La Cabrera: Argentine steakhouse with generous portions, rustic sides, and juicy, well-seasoned cuts served with chimichurri and flair.
  • Terry’s Bistro: Spanish-European deli and wine bar serving tapas, paella, and imported cheeses—perfect for long lunches or date nights.
  • Alba Restaurante Español: Old-school Spanish restaurant famous for its classic paella, callos, and all-you-can-eat weekend buffets.
Vegan Options
  • Restoran Garuda: Indonesian restaurant with bold, authentic flavors. Try the tofu satay and spicy rendang.
  • iVegan Café: Clean, plant-based restaurant offering smoothies, pastas, and rice bowls with modern flavors. Their best dish is their adobo.
Quezon City
Filipino
  • Talisay The Garden Café: Modern Filipino spot with a garden setting. Try the chicken pianggang and baked tortang talong for flavorful twists on tradition.
  • ​Gubat QC: Hidden outdoor eatery where food is served on banana leaves, known for lechon kawali, pako salad, and eco-conscious dining.
  • Provenciano: A homey Filipino restaurant with vintage decor and crowd-pleasers like kare-kare, binagoongan, and pancit palabok.
Non-Filipino
  • Van Gogh is Bipolar: Eccentric, artsy café with a wellness-focused menu and moody, cozy vibes. Perfect for unique teas and introspective dinners.
  • ​The Frazzled Cook: Quaint, European-inspired comfort food restaurant serving pastas, ribs, and paella in a whimsical, mismatched interior.
BGC
Filipino
  • Lore by Chef Tatung: Modern Filipino cuisine with thoughtful plating. Don’t miss the lengua, arguably their best dish.
Non-Filipino
  • Terraza Martinez: Elegant modern Spanish spot. Order the cochinillo (roast suckling pig) in advance for a truly indulgent meal.
  • Brasserie Sagana: Refined French bistro offering rich pastas, steak-frites, and wine in a relaxed yet upscale setting.​

Halo-Halo Spots

  1. Sarsá Kitchen + Bar: Packs the most intense ube flavor, with rich ube‑infused condensed milk.
  2. Lore by Chef Tatung: Well-balanced treat featuring generous, high-quality toppings.
  3. Bebang: A modern twist on halo-halo, served as a smooth, slushy-like milk ice blend that’s creamy and notably less sweet, but beware, it comes with corn kernels for some reason.
  4. Milky Way Café: A longstanding classic known for the quality ice cream.
  5. Tatatito: Straightforward, cleanly presented halo-halo.
  6. The Lobby (The Peninsula Manila): Huge and rich, this halo-halo features top-tier toppings, but at PHP 1,000 it’s the priciest with too much milk.

Bars & Clubs

BGC
  • The Peak Bar (Grand Hyatt): Rooftop bar with 360° skyline views, craft cocktails, and a high-end vibe.
  • The Attic (inside Soju Express): A hidden speakeasy-style bar known for sentimental and nostalgic drinks based on the owner's life.
  • Bank Bar: Speakeasy tucked behind a 7-Eleven; known for its moody interiors, signature drinks, and creative bar snacks.
  • Revel at The Palace: High-energy club with bottle service and a fashion-forward crowd—popular for late-night dancing.
  • Xylo at The Palace: One of the biggest clubs in Manila, offering big-name DJs, light shows, and VIP lounges in a polished, upscale setting.
Poblacion
  • Antidote (I’M Hotel): Rooftop bar with panoramic views and glowing jellyfish tanks. Photogenic spot for cocktails and city sunsets.
  • The Spirits Library: Speakeasy-style bar with floor-to-ceiling bottles, classic jazz vibes, and unique, Asian-inspired cocktails.
  • Run Rabbit Run: Cozy and award-winning cocktail bar known for its creative drinks, moody interiors, and Alice in Wonderland theme.
  • Apotheka Manila: Stylish club/lounge with a rotating lineup of DJs that has 1 Am dancing and craft cocktails.
  • Ugly Duck Tapas & Rooftop Lounge: Laid-back rooftop with Spanish bites, cocktails, and late night dancing.
  • Octopus: Low-key but atmospheric bar with sleek interiors and a rotating cocktail menu. Busy post-midnight.
  • Filling Station Bar & Café: 1950s American diner-themed bar with neon signs, Elvis memorabilia, and comfort food served 24/7—equal parts kitsch and fun. This is located in the Red Light District, so be cautious on this street.

Neighborhood Activities

Metro Manila, officially known as the National Capital Region (NCR), is made up of 16 cities and 1 municipality. Prominent cities to visit are discussed below.
Makati City
Premier business and lifestyle district, known for its skyscrapers, upscale malls, and vibrant mix of commerce, culture, and entertainment. It's safe to stay with a lot of great restaurants and dining options with a raised walkway to get around.
  • Greenbelt: Open-air mall with luxury shops, gardens, and fine dining.
  • Glorietta Mall: Spacious, family-friendly mall with mid-range retail, food courts, and cinemas. It's right next to the Ayala mall and an MRT stop.
  • The Peninsula Manila: Iconic 5-star hotel famed for its grand lobby, merienda (afternoon tea), and elegant service.
Quezon City

​Largest city by area and populationa, known for its universities, government offices, and food culture.
  • La Mesa EcoPark: Urban nature park with trails, picnic areas, and access to the La Mesa Watershed. One of the only places in the city to access wildlife.
  • Maginhawa: Trendy food street popular for affordable eats, cafés, and local hangouts.
BGC
Modern, master-planned district in Taguig, known for its sleek skyline, walkable streets, and vibrant mix of business, art, dining, and nightlife. It's a fast-developing area.
  • High Street: Open-air shopping and dining promenade with global brands and cafés.​
Pasay City
Entertainment and retail spot along Manila Bay with massive malls and luxury resorts:
​
  • SM Mall of Asia (MOA): One of the world’s largest malls, with hundreds of shops, a bayfront promenade, an IMAX theater, and an ice skating rink. Connected is the world's largest IKEA.
  • Solaire Theatre: Hosts concerts, musicals, and international acts in an elegant, modern setting.
  • SM by the Bay: The baywalk near MOA is a popular spot for evening strolls and spectacular sunset views.
  • The Fountain at Okada Manila: The largest multicolor dancing fountain in the Philippines iwth over 739 water nozzles, 2,611 LED lights, and 23 speakers synchronized to Filipino music. 

Other Resources

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