Things to do in Manila

More about Manila

Metro Manila is a fascinating and complex metropolis. It is the political, economic, social, cultural and recreational center of the Philippines. Home to nearly 12 million people, Manila is steeped in history, style and charm. It has a wide range of destinations for group visitors and offers a cosmopolitan culinary scene and entertainment that is second to none. The city never sleeps, and there is a nightlife option to suit everyone. If you are still looking for some things to do in Manila and want to know about Manila tourist attractions, keep going, we'll give you some recommendations!

Major tourist destinations in Manila include the historic Walled City of Intramuros, the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Manila Ocean Park, Binondo (Chinatown), Ermita, Malate, the Manila Zoo, the National Museum Complex, and Rizal Park. As the cultural center of the Philippines, Manila is home to a number of museums, ranging from the National Museum, the Anthropology Museum to the National Planetarium. Manila is also home to the National Library of the Philippines, a repository of cultural heritage, both printed and recorded, as well as other literary and information resources. Manila also has various religious festivals held in nature since the majority of the population is Roman Catholic, like the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene (Traslacíon) that is celebrated every January 9 and attracts millions of Catholics.

Besides the attractions, Manila also has various signature foods like kare-kare, a peanut-based stew paired with shrimp paste. Halo-halo is a dessert made of shaved ice with a lot of toppings, bibingka is a traditional rice cake served with salted egg and grated coconut, among others. You can visit some restaurants to taste these amazing foods like Three Sisters Restaurant, Hummus Elijah, and others as well! 

Best Things to Do in Manila 

Explore the Historical Manila City & Intramuros Tour

Intramuros City is an old city with many historical sites. When you visit it, you can enjoy the Spanish architecture rich with colonial nuances. Here, you can learn the history of the Philippines which was once colonized for 300 years. Inside this fort, you can see many historical buildings such as A World Heritage Site in the form of a church, Old houses, Jesus paintings,Fort Santiago, etc. Traveloka provides a special package for you to explore Intramuros City. It's available for one whole day tour, half day tour or if you have the limited time and want to enjoy the night views of Intramuros City, you may choose the shared night tour package. Experience Manila as the lights bejewel and adorn the stunning architecture in the city. Let the vibrant city lights stimulate your senses as Manila comes to life at night! 

Enjoy Street Food in Chinatown, Manila

Chinatown in Manila or known as Binondo, is the world’s oldest Chinatown. It was established in 1594 by Chinese traders back in the old days of the Philippines. This place is also known for its variety of foods you have to try.  This food crawl is also pretty much a walk down in history too. Very interesting!  Here, you may find the traditional Chinese bakery named Salazar that is known for its Hopia and Tikoy. You may also try Shanghai Fried Siopao or vegetarian food in New Quan Yin Chay. You will be able to enjoy the Cafe Mezzanine, Eng Bee Tin, Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant, and La Zhou La Mien to hang out with your family and friends. Traveloka provides a special package for you to enjoy all delicacies guided by a professional tour who will explain the history about this place too. Check the complete package here!

Visit the Malacanang Palace

This palace is one of the historical places that you must visit in Manila. Currently, the Philippines also uses it as a workplace and residence for the Philippine president. Malacanang Palace was built in 1750. When it was built, the Philippines was still under Spanish colonial rule. Therefore, you can see the unique architecture of the Spanish-style building in this presidential palace.

However, you will not only learn history, but this palace also offers beautiful natural scenery. Moreover, it is located right next to the Pasig River. Thus, you can enjoy the beautiful view of Pasig as well as the magnificent architecture. 

Chill at Marina Baywalk

Longing for a vacation to the beach? Don't forget to visit Marina Baywalk! This place does have a romantic atmosphere.  You can use it to take a leisurely walk along the beach with your partner. However, you can't just use it for walking! You can also take pictures at various beautiful spots in the Marina Baywalk pedestrian area. Thus, you can bring home beautiful memories besides enjoying the short 2-kilometer journey there.

Having Fun at Manila Ocean Park

This water tourism area presents the largest oceanarium in all of Asia. The area itself reaches up to 743 square meters. So, you can enjoy modern and contemporary water tourism here! There are so many rides and shows that you can see, including the Musical Fountain Show, Sea Lion Show, Fish Spa and many more. This is what makes Manila Ocean Park the most famous family tourist destination in the Philippines. You may also stay overnight on site because Manila Ocean Park already has hotel facilities to accommodate your various needs.

The ticket price for this destination located in Cebu Pacific is cheap, around 400 pesos. So, can't wait to visit Manila? Don't forget to always book your flight or recreation ticket only on Traveloka!

Public Transportations in Manila  

Jeepneys

Jeepneys is an iconic transportation in the Philippines. With its colorful appearance, jeepneys are the most popular and affordable mode of transport in Manila. They follow fixed routes and can be flagged down almost anywhere. The base fare is around 12 Pesos for the first 4 kilometers, with an additional 2 Pesos for every succeeding kilometer. You may pay the fare by cash directly to the driver

Buses

In Manila, Buses are available for longer distances and run along major roads and highways in the city. The base fare is around 13 to 18 Pesos for the first 5 kilometers, with additional charges depending on distance. Payment is usually made in cash to the conductor but some buses are accepting electronic payments through stored-value cards like Beep cards.

LRT and MRT

In Manila, LRT serves only for the key areas and MRT runs along EDSA, a major thoroughfare in the city. The fares depend on distance, mostly around 15 to 30 Pesos. The payment method is by using the Beep Card or purchasing single-journey tickets at ticket booths.

UV Express

UV Express vehicles are air-conditioned vans that offer point-to-point travel with fewer stops than jeepneys or buses. They are a faster but slightly more expensive option. The base fare starts from 30 to 60 Pesos depending on the route. Payment is made in cash to the driver at the start of the journey.

Ride-hailing Services

For a more comfortable experience, you can use the online taxis or ride-hailing services. The fares vary based on distance and traffic, starting around 50 to 70 Pesos. You may pay via credit or debit card, or a digital wallet.

Food to Try in Manila   

Mang Raul’s BBQ Haus

Address : 93 CRM Ave, Las Piñas, 1750 Metro Manila, Philippines

Operating Hours: 2 - 9 PM

Mang Raul's BBQ Haus is one of the most famous BBQ houses in Manila. This restaurant offers pork, chicken, or a mix of both. You can just spread it out or add rice to fill you up. There are four sauces used as dips, but the most recommended is the tamis-anghang dip, which is a sweet and spicy sauce. The sauce is juicy while the jams taste smoky. Worth a try!

Three Sisters Restaurant 

Address: 136 West Capitol Drive, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig,

Opening Hours : 11:00-22:00 local time

Three Sisters Restaurant is famous for its ‘halo halo dessert’, a typical Filipino mixed ice. This is shaved ice with various fillings like palm fruit, nata de coco, nuts, Chinese dates, bananas, coconut and tubers. It is also given a scoop of ice cream and condensed milk to make it even more delicious. Other dishes that are no less popular are pancit, typical Filipino fried rice noodles, and pork barbecue. For your information, Three Sisters Restaurant has been providing Filipino comfort food since 1941, so come and give it a try!

Hummus Elijah

Address : G/F, 5059 P Burgos, Makati, 1209 Metro Manila, Filipina

Operating Hours: 24 hours

In Manila, there is also a vegetarian restaurant with a special menu of hummus from the Mediterranean. Here you can enjoy the taste of original hummus which is light, fresh, and delicious, with original spices and freshly cooked. This dish is even more complete with the addition of tahini and lemon, resulting in a delicious balance of flavors. You can also enjoy mashawsha, which is spiced chickpeas, and burka, a kind of puff pastry eaten with boiled eggs and pickles. This also suitable for moslem traveler who finds the halal restaurant!

Best Shopping Place in Manila

SM Mall of Asia

Address : Seaside Blvd, Pasay, 1300 Metro Manila, Philippines

Vacationing is not complete without shopping! In Manila, you can spend a whole day shopping at SM Mall of Asia located on Seaside Boulevard. Moreover, this shopping center has the title of the largest mall in the Philippines so it can ensure your shopping satisfaction! So, set aside enough time because going around this large mall may take more than one day. Inside the mall, you can find various restaurants selling typical Asian cuisine. In addition, there are hundreds of international brands that have opened official outlets here. Therefore, this shopping center is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.

Eastwood Mall

Address: 116 Eastwood Ave, Quezon City, 1800 Metro Manila, Philippines

Located in the heart of Eastwood City, this mall offers a variety of world-renowned fashion stores to local designer boutiques. For those who like DIY knick-knacks, this mall also has several craft stores. After shopping around, try going up to the second floor to taste the typical cuisine. There are restaurants offering Filipino, Asian, and Mediterranean specialties. Travelers can also relax in Central Park next to the mall with a view of an artificial pond surrounded by shops.

Divisoria Market

Address:  557 M. De Santos St, San Nicolas, Manila, 1010 Metro Manila, Philippines

Visiting Manila is not complete without stopping by the Divisoria Market. This market is quite crowded, but you can bargain to get the best price with the traders there. Divisoria has stalls selling accessories, bags, clothes, textiles, electronics, household goods, fruits, and many more. This market opens at 7 am to 9 pm. As a note, for those of you who don't like crowds and jostling with other visitors, it might not be suitable for you to shop here. This is because Divisoria tends to be crowded because many locals and tourists are looking for souvenirs.

Best Time to Visit Manila 

The best time to visit the Philippines is from December to February, when temperatures range from 24°C – 31°C. During this time the country is fully accessible, including many beautiful islands and more remote areas. The dry season lasts from November to April with highs of 34°C in March and April. The rainy season lasts from May to October, but the rain is light and rarely impacts your travel plans. You’ll still enjoy hot, sunny days, fewer crowds and lush green scenery.