Best Things To Do in Manila, Philippines

Are you looking for what to do in Manila?

PLACES TO SEE

Manila offers several famous heritage sites about which Philippines is well-known for all over the world. There are a number of popular attractions in Manila that showcase the rich culture and heritage of the city.

  • Las Pinas: It is Only12 miles away from the city. It is a small oasis of serenity and has attractions like the celebrated bamboo organ of San Jose Church as well as the unique Sarao jeepney factory. It is by far one of the best places to visit in Manila.
  • Casa Manila Museum: Another famous tourist spot in Manila is the Casa Manila Museum. It has lots of room and is contemporary in style. It’s beautifully decked with traditional trappings, paintings and various knickknacks. The central patio is a pleasant place to unwind and immerse in the atmosphere at this General Luna lane dwelling.
  • The Glorietta Shopping Mall: It is a place where you can shop till you drop. It is one of the world's most grand shopping malls. In case you don’t like shopping, the mere dimension of this mega-mall is worth a visit.
  • Rizal Park: It is the main hub of life for Manilans and a popular cultural tourist attraction. This is a place where locals as well as tourists can relax as well as play. It is spread transversely through143 acres, and hence is one of Southeast Asia’s biggest parks. It is one of the best things to see in Manila.
  • San Agustin Museum: It is an amazing museum which consists of extraordinary gathering of artistic resources right from the time of the Spanish period. The church as well as the museum is a special place. It is one of the top tourist attractions in Manila.

THINGS TO DO

  • Manila is an excellent shopping centre in the country. You can find some local and traditional shops as well in the city. In fact, shopping is arguably one of the best things to do in Manila.
  • Robinsons Place Manila is a major shopping mall in Manila. It is situated at the heart of Manila. The mall provides an extensive assortment of local as well as international retail shops, amusement facilities, dining outlets, in addition to service centres.
  • The SM City Manila is the first SM Supermall of the city. This mall features key SM brands for instance the SM Department Store, SM Cinemas SM Supermarket, and SM Food court. The mall is situated right alongside the Manila City Hall.
  • Quiapo shopping centre is denoted as the "Old Downtown". The shopping centre has as well created a name for itself. It is a place where goods can be bought and sold at cheap rates almost at rock-bottom prices.
  • Binondo is a very old Chinatown in the world. It is a district centre for commerce and trade where all kinds of businesses are managed by Filipino-Chinese merchants. The place has Chinese restaurants, Filipino restaurants, and Chinese stores.
  • Conventional shopping centres like the Divisoria, Binondo, the Quiapo, is a place for domestic as well as daring shoppers. It helps people to bargain and buy products and provides indigenous Filipino cuisine, delicacies and crafts. 

Below we have a list of things to do in Manila and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Manila getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Manila with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Manila

Here is the list of things to do in Manila and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Intramuros

    Historical Site, Heritage Building

    Intramuros or the ‘city within walls’ is the oldest district in Manila and by far the most fascinating one too. It is full of historic buildings and local heritage. There are defensive walls surrounding Intramunos that were built to protect it from any invasion. Within these protective walls throve a city full of palaces, churches, convents, monasteries and schools in the late 1700...Read more
  2. Taal Volcano

    4.5 (10399 Votes)
    Taal Volcano

    Geological Formation, View Point, Hiking Trail, Adventure

    Philippines’ second most active volcano, Taal Volcano is located at a distance of about 60 kilometres from Manila. A beautiful lake is nestled within the volcano giving it surreal beauty, offering panoramic views. There have been 33 eruptions in the volcano since the 16th century. A geological wonder, the volcano is located on an island and has a lake within it. The island has a complex ...Read more
  3. Ocean Park

    4.2 (3589 Votes)
    Ocean Park

    Aquarium

    The Manila Ocean Park is an Oceanarium cum Aquarium that hosts a number of fun and educative activities for people of all ages. There are thousands of varieties of fish that are fascinating to see and learn about. The activities like the mermaid show and feeding the penguins take you up, close and personal with the enchanting undersea world. The Jellies exhibit is very awe inspiring too. Try d...Read more
  4. Rizal Park

    4.4 (6676 Votes)
    Rizal Park

    Outdoors, Park, Monument

    Heart moving and incredibly beautiful, Rizal Park is Philippines’ dedication to its national hero Jose Rizal. The Park is great for atmospheric walks and a quality time with family and friends. Spread out over approximately 60 acres of greens, the Park boasts of ornamental gardens, ponds and heroic statues of some of the most celebrated people in Philippines. All around the park, visitors...Read more
  5. Fort Santiago

    4.4 (3123 Votes)
    Fort Santiago

    Historical Site, Fort

    Built as a defensive fortress, Fort Santiago is walled Manila’s most important historical monument. Surrounded by manicured gardens and pretty ponds, the Fort is a testament to the Spanish rule in Philippines. Today, the fort is a shrine dedicated to Philippines’ national hero ; Dr Rizal. There are recreations of his living space and objects he owned on display including the dungeo...Read more
  6. San Agustin Church

    Church, Religious Site, Architecture , Unesco Site

    Located in Intramunos and designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the San Agustin church is a stunning piece of art that has survived all the ordeals that this historic district has seen over centuries. The church was constructed in the sixteenth century by the Spanish. The architecture of the church is modelled over the magnificent Augustinian temples all over the world. The interiors ...Read more
  7. Manila Bay

    Beach, Waterfront, Cafe, Cruise

    Whether you take a cruise along the waters or stand against the glass walls of Mall of Asia, a sunset over the manila bay is probably the most romantic sights in the world. The bay area is often crowded with joggers, lovers and awe struck people who come to witness the most beautiful moment of the day here. There are a number of ways you can witness the sunset on Manila bay, there are a number...Read more
  8. American Cemetery And Memorial

    Memorial, War Memorial, Cemetery

    Spread over 152 acres on a prominent plateau, The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines is visible at a distance from the east, south and west. It contains the largest number of graves of brave soldiers from the military of World War II, a total of 17,201, most of whom lost their lives in operations in New Guinea and the Philippines. The cemetery also has a chapel that is de...Read more
  9. Manila Cathedral

    4.6 (3936 Votes)
    Manila Cathedral

    Religious Site, Architecture , Cathedral

    The Manila cathedral is one of the prettiest sights in Intramunos. Officially established as the ‘Church of Manila’ in 1571, the church was raised to cathedral in 1579. It is by far the oldest church in Manila. The stained glass windows and grand architectural design is reminiscent of the Spanish rule in Philippines that paved the way for Catholicism in the country. Also, visit nea...Read more
  10. Robinsons Place Mall

    4.3 (5440 Votes)
    Robinsons Place Mall

    Dine In, Entertainment, Play, Mall

    The answer to all your retail cravings in Manila; Robinsons mall is a shoppiong heaven. The mall has over 500 shops for the discerning shopper and a number of dining options too. It is by far one of the largest and most successful malls in Manila. Visitors can spend a fun filled day with family and friends with a number of gaming zones, kids’ play area and other recreational options to k...Read more
  11. Greenbelt Park

    Walking Area, Entertainment, Mall, Shopping Center

    The Greenbelt Park is an expansive area full of shops and recreational spaces. There are a group of five malls and many open spaces that have been landscaped brilliantly. Together, these malls have almost every imaginable product and brand retailing under their roofs. Highly popular amongst the locals, there is something here for everybody. Like a small oasis, there is a green, very well sculp...Read more
  12. Quiapo Church

    4.7 (1714 Votes)
    Quiapo Church

    Church, Religious Site

    The Minor Basilica of the The Black Nazarene is informally known as the Quiapo church. A popular pilgrimage for the devotees of the Black Nazarene which is said to be a miraculous black statue of Jesus Christ, the church holds prominence amongst the catholic churches of Philippines. A distinctive facade instantly catches visitor’s eyes with twisted Corinthian columns and beautiful big sc...Read more
  13. University Of Santo Tomas Museum

    Museum, Park, Landmark, Educational Site

    The University of Santo Tomas is the oldest university in the Philippines and in Asia. The Main Building is an architectural feast. There is a museum inside the Main Building. The museum has noteworthy collections of natural history, coins, oriental and ethnographic art. The hall of Philippine religious images is also an interesting exhibit of folk objects and religious symbols spanning centur...Read more
  14. Rizal Shrine

    Religious Site, Temple

    The Rizal Shrine is the shrine of Philippines’ most celebrated hero, Dr.Jose Rizal. A nationalist and perhaps Philippines’ most influential hero, Rizal stood up to the Spanish rule for the sake of justice and fairness. Everywhere in Philippines, you will find streets and squares named after this national hero and the Rizal shrine at Fort Santiago is one such brilliant tribute that ...Read more
  15. Villa Escudero

    Food And Drinks, Leisure, Nature

    Villa Escuredo is a coconut plantation turned into a resort that has evolved into one of Philippines’ premier vacation getaways. The plantation was originally built in 1929 by Don Arsenio, this oasis is hugely popular amongst locals and tourists alike. Away from the hustle bustle of the city, spend a relaxing day away on this tour of Villa Escudero Plantations that is one of the first ha...Read more