Manila

Travel Guide
Quiapo Church showing night scenes, heritage architecture and a city
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

Bonifacio Globe City Fort which includes outdoor art

Bonifacio Global City

4.5/5(83 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
Malate featuring religious aspects, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

Malate

3.5/5(52 area reviews)

Travelers 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 Manila Bay.

Malate
Makati

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
Ortigas Center showing a city and a garden

Ortigas Center

4/5(266 area reviews)

Ortigas Center is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Robinsons Galleria Mall and Ayala Malls The 30th, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Pasig.

Ortigas Center
Alabang which includes a garden

Alabang

4.5/5(182 area reviews)

Travelers come to Alabang for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Festival Supermall and Alabang Town Center while you're in town.

Alabang
Ermita showing a hotel

Ermita

4/5(868 area reviews)

Ermita is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Manila Bay and National Museum of the Philippines. See more of Manila by jumping on the metro at United Nations LRT Station or Central LRT Station.

Ermita
Belmont Hotel Manila
Belmont Hotel Manila
4 out of 5
Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay
The price is NT$2,685 per night from Apr 10 to Apr 11
NT$2,685
per night
Apr 10 - Apr 11
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Pasay. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,032 reviews)
Close to Terminal 3
"Nice room. Bed comfortable. Bathroom small but functional. Best thing is it is a short walk under cover from Terminal 3. Good not to have to queue for ages for a taxi! Lots of food options with in walking distance. Felt safe."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

Belmont Hotel Manila
Savoy Hotel Manila
Savoy Hotel Manila
4 out of 5
Andrews Avenue, Newport City, Pasay
The price is NT$3,128 per night from Apr 9 to Apr 10
NT$3,128
per night
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Pasay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,019 reviews)
"Restaurant food was goodand the staff were good in general, however their less then forthright policy regarding visa payments did not impress me, also i didnt receive the wakeup call i requested. Luckily i woke up on my own, but would have been a disaster if i would have missed my international ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Savoy Hotel Manila
Dusit Thani Manila
Dusit Thani Manila
5 out of 5
Arnaiz Ave, Ayala Center, Makati, Manila
The price is NT$3,389 per night from Apr 22 to Apr 23
NT$3,389
per night
Apr 22 - Apr 23
Stay at this luxury hotel in Makati. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,421 reviews)
"Need to upgrade some appliances like fridge, phone plugs, bathroom sink, bathroom shower room plugs & carpets inside the room. Other than that it’s nice hotel."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

Dusit Thani 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.
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 children's pool, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (417 reviews)
"nice room and clean!!"

Reviewed on 2024/3/20

LUXE In Venice - The Venice Residences
Ascott Makati
Ascott Makati
5 out of 5
Glorietta 4, Ayala Centre, Makati, Manila
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Makati. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (905 reviews)
"Great location, great service"

Reviewed on 2024/3/18

Ascott 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, WiFi, and a children's pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (360 reviews)
"Very kind, helpful and accommodating crew. My second time and will still choose to stay here next time."

Reviewed on 2024/3/20

Citadines Salcedo Makati
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

Reviews of Manila

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
170
" "5 - Excellent 26.771653543307085%
4 - Good
284
" "4 - Good 44.724409448818896%
3 - Okay
152
" "3 - Okay 23.937007874015748%
2 - Disappointing
20
" "2 - Disappointing 3.1496062992125986%
1 - Terrible
9
" "1 - Terrible 1.4173228346456692%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 15, 2020

Keep up the breakfast deals and the evening roof top restaurant. Your day time restaurant staff are outstanding. I wonder if the young lady and man who work there did fall in love. I am the one who took the photo of 4 of your staff with my son.

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler
Mar 18, 2020

It can be crowded but the people are friendly. I cannot say that the government handle the COVID 19 situation. They are still letting people leave Manila if you have a private vehicle and they’re making the spread of the virus worse with checkpoints

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Mar 17, 2020

Negotiate your van ride van from the airport, or any vehicles without meter. The van from the airport charged me $3000 pesos from the airport to city garden hotel. Which should’ve only charge me 230 pesos.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 17, 2020

Manila is a great place to vacation in if traffic and heat are not out of control.

5/5 - Excellent

traveller
Mar 17, 2020

Manila had improved a lot since the kast time I have been there

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 9, 2020

Lots of traffic, bustling city full of exotic life

Cities near Manila