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Destinations / Philippines

Manila

Maynila

Historic walled city in a sprawling megacity

historyfoodshoppingnightlife
Plan your trip to ManilaSee the top 10
1,846,513Population
13.5 millionMetro area
Filipino, EnglishLanguage
PHPCurrency
3 daysIdeal stay
$80-150Typical day

Manila is the Philippine capital, part of a huge metro area. The walled Intramuros recalls Spanish rule, while Makati and BGC are modern. It is a gateway to the islands.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. The Spanish walled city with churches and plazas. Fort Santiago guards the river.

    3 hoursTime needed
    about $1-2Cost
    noBook ahead

    Fort Santiago admission ticket; walking through Intramuros streets is free.

    Tip. Rent a bamboo bike.
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. The oldest stone church in the Philippines, a UNESCO site. Trompe l'oeil ceilings.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $2-4Cost
    noBook ahead

    Church is free; museum has a fee.

    Tip. Visit the museum.
    See on the map

  3. Large park honouring national hero Jose Rizal. Museums nearby.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Morning visit.
    See on the map

  4. Baywalk famed for sunsets. Crowds gather.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Sunset visit.
    Official siteSee on the map

  5. Free museum with Spoliarium painting. Grand building.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Closed Mondays.
    Official siteSee on the map

  6. Citadel where Rizal was held. Gardens and shrine.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $1-3Cost
    noBook ahead

    Small entry fee.

    Tip. Part of Intramuros.
    Official siteSee on the map

  7. The world's oldest Chinatown, founded in 1594. Food tours.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Join a food walk.
    See on the map

  8. Modern district of malls and art. Walkable.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Evenings.
    See on the map

  9. Museum on Philippine history with gold treasures. Makati.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $7-9Cost
    noBook ahead

    Standard adult admission ticket; closed on Mondays.

    Tip. See the gold.
    Official siteSee on the map

  10. Ridge town overlooking a volcano in a lake. Cool climate.

    Full dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. About 2 hours by car.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Manila in three days

Old Manila day, Makati and BGC day, then Taal.

  1. Intramuros3 hours · about $1-2
  2. San Agustin Church1 hour · about $2-4
  3. Rizal Park1 hour · Free
  4. Manila Bay sunset1 hour · Free
  5. National Museum of Fine Arts2 hours · Free
  6. Fort Santiago1 hour · about $1-3
  7. Binondo2 hours · Free
  8. Bonifacio Global City2 hours · Free
  9. Ayala Museum2 hours · about $7-9
  10. Taal Volcano viewpoint, TagaytayFull day · Free
Beyond the city

Day trips

Corregidor

WWII island fortress.

31 mi · Ferry, about 1.5 hours

Pagsanjan Falls

Canoe to falls.

62 mi · Car, about 2.5 hours

Taal Heritage Town

Old Spanish era town with historic houses and a basilica.

68 mi · Car about 2.5 hours

Subic Bay

Beaches, zip lines and a wildlife park.

81 mi · Bus or car, about 3 hours

Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake

Hike through volcanic moonscapes to view the turquoise crater lake formed by the catastrophic 1991 eruption.

68 mi · Drive to Capas, Tarlac in 2 hours, followed by a 4WD truck and hiking trail.

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: December to April. Dry season.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.56.37.17.98.79.410.211.011.812.613.414.215.015.7JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

80°F
Typical daily high
Average74°F
Rain5.8 in
About19 rainy days
Sun strength4.6 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Jan

Feast of the Black Nazarene

January 9

Massive procession in Quiapo.

Jan

Christmas season

September to January

Filipino Christmas begins early.

Mar

Holy Week

March or April

Processions and observances, with many businesses closed.

Dec

Metro Manila Film Festival

Late December

Local movies fill theatres during the Christmas season.

Apr

Aliwan Fiesta

April or May

The mother of all Philippine festivals, gathering winning street dance troupes from provinces across the nation for a grand parade.

Jun

Manila Day (Araw ng Maynila)

June 24

Celebration of the city's founding with street parades, cultural performances, and fireworks.

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Know before you go

At a glance

3/5
Safety

The Philippines is at US State Department Level 2 (increased caution) for crime, terrorism and unrest; in Manila watch for pickpockets, scams and traffic.

2/5
Walkability

Intramuros and BGC are walkable; elsewhere traffic dominates.

2/5
Public transport

LRT and MRT lines plus jeepneys; Grab is easiest.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
123456

1. Makati

$$$

Best for: first-timers

Safe, central business district.

2. BGC

$$$

Best for: couples

Modern and walkable.

3. Ermita and Malate

$$

Best for: budget

Near the bay and Intramuros.

4. Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

$$$

Best for: couples, food lovers

Clean, walkable and modern with cafes and nightlife.

5. Intramuros

$$

Best for: history lovers

Boutique hotels inside the walls, though few options.

6. Makati (Poblacion / Legazpi)

$$$$

Best for: first-timers, foodies, nightlife fans

Central financial and lifestyle district with upscale dining, craft bars, shopping malls, and boutique hotels.

Getting there and around

Main airportNinoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), 6 mi from the center
To the centerUse ride apps or metered taxis; the trip takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.
Around townGrab cars and rail lines; avoid rush hour.
Ride appsGrab, Angkas, Move It
Taste it

What to eat

Adobo

Vinegar and soy braised meat.

Sinigang

Sour tamarind soup.

Halo-halo

Shaved ice dessert.

Lechon

Roast pig with crisp skin served at celebrations.

Siopao and Chinese dumplings

Try them in Binondo, the oldest Chinatown.

Chicken & Pork Adobo

Meat slow-braised in a savory sauce of soy sauce, cane vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns, served over rice.

Good to know

PlugsType A, B and C, 220 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTipping about 10 percent is appreciated where no service charge is added.
PaymentsCash is important outside malls and hotels; GCash and cards are common in cities.
EtiquetteBe polite and patient. Dress modestly in churches.
  • Traffic can make short trips take hours; plan around rush hours.
  • Use Grab instead of street taxis.
  • Malls have security checks.
  • Typhoons can disrupt flights from June to October.
  • Typhoons and flooding can disrupt travel, especially from July to October.
  • Avoid unlicensed taxis and use apps or airport-queue taxis.
  • Traffic is severe, so plan time between sights.
  • The eTravel registration is required for arrivals; complete it before travelling.

A short history

Spain founded Manila in 1571 on the site of a Muslim settlement. It became a hub of the Manila galleon trade with Mexico. The US took control in 1898. The city was devastated in the 1945 Battle of Manila.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Manila